Taxpayers foot the bill for Sam Groth and wife’s luxury hotel stays

Taxpayers have shelled out thousands of dollars for Liberal deputy leader Sam Groth and his wife to stay in hotels after major events like the Australian Open and the AFL Grand Final.

Liberal deputy leader Sam Groth has been called out by parliamentary colleagues on both sides of the house for staying in plush Melbourne hotels on the taxpayer after attending high-profile sporting events.

Parliament documents have revealed that the member for Nepean, also the shadow minister for Tourism, Sport, and Events, has charged Victorians for a series of overnight stays in Melbourne after he attended glamorous and high-profile sporting events, often with his wife, including the Australian Open, Brownlow Medal, and AFL Grand Final.

Mr Groth, a former tennis champion, has claimed the events are a work expense and are justified given his major events portfolio.

However, the move has been criticised by other MPs including members of his own party who say it doesn’t “pass the pub test”.

In January 2024, Groth charged taxpayers $1171 for three nights’ accommodation after he attended the Australian Open for multiple days on tickets gifted to him as shadow minister.

During the event, he posed for photos, with his wife Brittany and professional player Alex de Minaur, which he posted on social media.

In September, taxpayers paid for a city hotel after he hit the Brownlow Medal red carpet at Crown with his wife, and $424 was paid for accommodation after he attended the AFL Grand Final – which he had received free tickets to the final which were lodged correctly on his official Register of Interests.

Sam and Brittany Groth on the Brownlow red carpet in 2024. Picture: Instagram

Mr Groth’s overnight hotel stays comply with the Remuneration Tribunal guidelines, which allows MPs travelling at least 28km from their home to claim for expenses like accommodation, and meals when they are “required” to perform public duties.

However, one Liberal MP told the Herald Sun that “taking free tickets to events and taking your wife and booking a fancy hotel room in the city won’t sit well with the public in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.”

A parliamentary colleague of Mr Groth pointed out that a taxi would have cost taxpayers upwards of $400 for the return trip, making it logical for Groth to stay in the city.

However, they questioned whether attending these events was for the benefit of taxpayers. “City functions are part of the job, but if you’re attending big-name events to lift your public profile and then bill the Victorian people for every trip, that’s taking the piss,” the Labor MP said.

Mr Groth told the Herald Sun “supporting and promoting tourism and major events is a core part of my shadow portfolio”.

“The fact is that all my expenses were entirely compliant with the applicable rules.”

It’s not the first time Victorian parliamentarians’ travel allowance scheme has raised eyebrows.

Most city backbench MPs have charged accommodation for late parliamentary sitting nights, but few have claimed accommodation for events.

Regional MPs who live further afield are not required to make a claim and are instead given a travel and accommodation allowance.

In 2023, Premier Jacinta Allan, who was Deputy Premier at the time, defended hotel spending by her parliamentary colleagues, saying it is “very important” to have business expenses remunerated where appropriate.

However, she also cautioned “colleagues on both sides” to “think very carefully about the privilege.”

Sam Groth says attending major events is part of his job. Mr Groth pictured at the 2025 Australian Open. Picture: Mark Stewart

In the last reporting quarter posted to parliament, Mr Groth claimed travel allowances for 23 nights, totalling $9,699.

In comparison, Liberal leader Brad Battin claimed 17 nights worth $6,111.

His claim was for parliamentary sitting nights and only one city function related to his former police portfolio.

Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos claimed no overnight accommodation, but his electorate of Oakleigh is only 14km southeast of the CBD, and as a minister he is eligible for a taxpayer-funded chauffeur.

Ms Allan claimed no night’s accommodation but as a regional MP she is entitled to an automatic allowance.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, lives in her electorate of Carrum 55km from the city, claimed 11 nights at $2,802.

Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke claimed 7 nights at $2,681. Mornington MP Chris Crewther claimed 21 nights at $8,001, Tarneit MP Dylan Wight had 10 nights at $3,747, and Sunbury MP Josh Bull had one night at $199.

Originally published as Taxpayers foot the bill for Sam Groth and wife’s luxury hotel stays