I’d rather drive myself: Albanese reacts to $3.8m expense bill

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded to his $3.8 million expense bill, claiming he would much rather drive himself than be chauffeured across the country.

The Prime Minister has responded to The Daily Telegraph’s front page story about his $3.8 million expense bill, claiming he would much rather drive himself than be chauffeured across the country.

It follows revelations Anthony Albanese slugged taxpayers $100,000 in 12 months for private COMCAR bookings, plus $253,000 for printing and communications.

Travel for his 61 staff was worth $2.5 million.

Speaking in Perth, Mr Albanese said ‘I’ve seen that analysis. It comes out regularly. If they (The Daily Telegraph) think the Prime Minister should drive himself around, they should say that. I’d rather do that.’

‘In today’s world we need security and we need these things to happen, and I think Australians know that. I believe that we should wherever possible, of course, minimise expenditure.’

The Prime Minister’s annual $3.8 million expense bill also does not include private chartered flights, his salary of $607,500 or the wages for 61 staff, which is estimated at $10 million, if every employee earned at the top of their category.

This morning subscribers to The Daily Telegraph called out Mr Albanese for his $3.8 million annual expense bill, describing the spending as ‘out of touch.’

‘Mr Albanese’ talks about the cost of living, how Australians are struggling, but he neglects to mention it doesn’t include him’ said one DT subscriber, Anthony.

‘We can’t afford a $40 cab ride Prime Minister. So out of touch you are’ wrote Francis.

Laurie added ‘what the hell do 61 staff do?’

Other were more sympathetic to the Prime Minister’s workload and commitments.

Christopher said: ‘I’m a Liberal voter but I think this cost is fair as the Australian PM should be able to fly wherever they need without restrictions.’

‘He is the PM! Australia is a huge country! Now show us Peter Dutton’s expenses!’ wrote Rick.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s office cost $2.8 million to run over the same 12 months.

While most Australians are struggling amid the cost of living crisis, Anthony Albanese’s office is spending almost $4 million in a year. Picture: NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

Brian Marlow, President of the Australian Taxpayers Alliance has called on the Prime Minister to lead from the front: “we’ve gone through years of interest rate rises and economic stagnation. Everyone else is suffering - except for politicians and their staff. They’ve had pay rises and untapped budgets.”

“When the Prime Minister says we’re all doing it tough… he means everyone except him and his staff. The private sector is going backwards. When you look at what the Prime Minister says versus what he does, it no longer passes the pub test.” Mr Marlow told The Daily Telegraph.

When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office simply said: “all expenses are in accordance with the relevant rules and guidelines administered by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.”

Comparatively, Scott Morrison’s expense bill was almost $1 million less during his final 12 months in government between 2021 and 2022, although that year was partially impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Other MP expense data of note in the 12 months from July 2023 include:

-Sacked Immigration Minister Andrew Giles spent more than $1 million on “office administration and facilities”, which includes rent, bills, printing, stationary, software and telecommunications

-Treasurer Jim Chalmers racked up $85,000 on a five-day trip to the United States in April

-Tim Ayres, the Assistant Minister for Trade, had an international travel bill worth $258,000

-Greens Leader Adam Bandt continues to slug taxpayers for a fuel allowance for his hybrid car.

-Labor Minister Ed Husic cancelled or failed to show up for 11 hire car bookings, at a total cost of $819.

Teal MP Sophie Scamps, representing the Northern Beaches, also spent $246,000 on “printing and communications.”

Minister for Skills and Training of Australia, Andrew Giles spent $1 million on office administration and office facilities in 12 months. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese had previously told this masthead his office was “very careful” with expenses, before adding “if I never had to get on a plane again I wouldn’t.”

Fowler MP Dai Le added “it’s unbelievable that this government is spending millions of dollars in taxpayer’s money at a time when Australians are hurting, with people seeing their energy and food bills sky rocket. Crossbenchers like me have seen our office budgets slashed by Labor, yet we are the primary interface between Australians and the government.”

Liberal MP Alex Antic added “this Labor government has failed households and small businesses who are bearing the brunt of their economic mismanagement, yet they fly in the face of the cost of living crisis and spend your money on themselves at every opportunity.”

Mr Antic also said it wasn’t mandatory for politicians to fly business class: “I fly economy for parliamentary business just like I would if I were spending my own money. It is significantly cheaper for taxpayers.”