Political perks: Gifts Qld MPs, senators took home in 2022

From overseas flights and a rose gold bracelet to handmade dresses and a bowl made from nut shells, these are just some of the free gifts pocketed by Queensland federal politicians in the past year.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton received tickets to the AFL and NRL grand finals as well as travel and accommodation to open an Australian firm’s facility in New York. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

International flights and a rose gold bracelet to handmade dresses and a bowl made from recycled macadamia nut shells are among the free gifts pocketed by Queensland federal politicians in the past year.

Sought after tickets to sporting events, from grand finals to the Melbourne Cup, as well as wine and honey rounded out the political perks of high office.

The gifts are revealed in the official register of interests for federal MPs and senators.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers was given tickets to the Ekka and a number of Broncos games. Picture: Liam Kidston

One of the more notable gifts declared was a rose gold Pandora bracelet declared by Capricornia MP Michelle Landry, given to her by a group of business owners in Yeppoon.

At the other end of the opulent scale, new Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne accepted a bowl made from recycled macadamia nuts from the University of Queensland for speaking at an Excellence in Teaching award ceremony and Senator Nita Green accepted a hand made dress and necklace from representatives of Torres Strait councils.

Having the sport portfolio in addition to the difficult job of aged care comes with some perks for new Minister Anika Wells.

Sports Minister Anika Wells received marquee tickets to the Melbourne Cup. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Corporate suite tickets she accepted include to the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats preliminary final, FIBA Women’s Basketball World Championship opening ceremony, finals and medal ceremony, the AFL grand final, the Prime Minister’s XIII NRL matches, NRL grand final as well as five tickets to the Matildas and Canada soccer game, all provided for by the relevant sporting bodies.

Ms Wells also received a Babolat Pure Aero tennis racquet from Tennis Australia, which retails for about $399, as well as two Furphy Marquee tickets to the Melbourne Cup.

State of Origin matches were some of the hottest tickets in town with Senator Anthony Chisholm, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Opposition leader Peter Dutton, Opposition financial services spokesman Stuart Robert and Hinkler MP Keith Pitt all accepting tickets to the game, though Mr Pitt opted for grandstand tickets rather than the corporate box.

The mining industry was also feeling generous last year, with Bravus, formerly known as Adani, offering first-term Dawson MP Andrew Willcox tickets to a Cowboys home game and Mr Pitt a return flight from Townsville to Labona airstrip for mine site visit, while Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting paid for Mr Dutton’s Perth to Pilbara return flights as well as flights between regional Queensland to Sydney for the Bali Bombing Memorial.

State of Origin tickets were gifted to a number of politicians from both sides of the political divide. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Opposition leader also accepted tickets to the NRL and AFL grand finals, as well as travel and accommodation to New York from Scale Facilitation, an Australian firm which “helps commercialise innovative ideas”, for an opening of a facility in the US.

Mr Chalmers, the most senior Queensland MP, accepted five tickets to see the Brisbane Broncos from the club, two passes to the Ekka from the RNA showgrounds, as well as a bottle of Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz and book on the history of Sky News from Sky News and News Corp executives – the publisher of this newspaper – and chairman’s lounge tickets to the Broncos and Roosters NRL game at Suncorp Stadium along with a dinner at Black Hide Steakhouse provided by The Courier-Mail.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry was gifted a Pandora bracelet from a group of Yeppoon business leaders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Australia-Israel and Jewish Affairs Council provided flights, accommodation, meals and transport for a trip to Israel for Senator James McGrath, Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews and Wright MP Scott Buchholz.

Mr Buchholz also travelled to Taiwan, courtesy of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia.