Victoria’s politicians declare free tickets to marquee events and gifts

Tickets to big events, including the AFL Grand Final and the tennis, were some of the popular gifts Victorian politicians accepted last year — but others chose something a little more bizarre.

Tickets to AFL matches were among many sporting events offered as gifts to politicians last year. Picture by Jason Edwards

Victorian politicians are being wined and dined, reaping free overseas trips and highly sought after tickets to Melbourne’s biggest sporting and entertainment events.

The perks, which for one Labor MP bizarrely included two new suits, are revealed in new analysis of the politicians’ register of interest for 2023.

The most popular gifts reported among Victorian MPs and Senators were tickets to the Australian Open and AFL matches, Qantas and Virgin airport lounge memberships, as well as Foxtel subscriptions.

Tickets to sporting events like the Big Bash were taken up by politicians when offered. Picture: Getty Images

Anthony Albanese was showered with gifts from international leaders – which he had to surrender – concert tickets to the Foo Fighters, and AFL club merchandise.

Across the aisle, Opposition leader Peter Dutton had a few nights out at the ballet, attended NRL games, the cricket, return flights to Perth paid for by the Warburton Group.

As Matildas fever spread like wildfire across the nation, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney, Independent MP Zoe Daniel, Liberal MP Aaron Violi scored free tickets to games, while others got scarfs, pins and flags.

While some footy mad pollies such as Liberals Dan Tehan and Sarah Henderson attended AFL club functions, others including the Prime Minister, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Mr Marles also secured sought-after tickets to the big dance between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.

Melbourne’s renowned reputation as the arts and culture capital was also on show, with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus enjoying tickets to The Australian Ballet’s Don Quixote and Jewels performances.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese scored tickets to the Foo Fighters last year. Picture: Getty Images

Attorney-General and Acting Foreign Minister Mark Dreyfus Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

He also received tickets to a London Symphony Orchestra performance at Hamer Hall, Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie saw Bell Shakespeare’s classic of Romeo and Juliet, and Opera Australia invited Government Services Minister Bill Shorten to Miss Saigon.

Creatives were keen to share their work with Holt MP Cassandra Fernando receiving an acrylic painting from Provenance Artists, valued at $400, and a framed oil painting from Heather Sheppard.

Bruce MP Julian Hill also received framed artwork from exhibition by a Hazara artist from Pakistan.

But it was an “unsolicited gift” of a new black and blue suit, as well as two white shirts from Peter Jackson, plus a few bags of nuts and dried figs from a constituent that raised eyebrows last year.

Mr Hill, who reported it being impossible to refuse the gifts “without causing offence”, added the man had agreed not to bring gifts in the future.

However the clothing did not stop there, with Goldstein MP Daniel being gifted a teal blouse from Melbourne luxury fashion designer Lisa Barron.

United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet also received an akubra from Food Producers Land Owners Action Group.

Politicians took their chance to get to the Australian Open when tickets were offered. Picture: AFP

Parliamentary delegations were made to PNG, Israel, UAE, New Zealand, Africa, Denmark, India and Nepal.

And at least a dozen politicians had their flights, accommodation and meals during other delegations paid for by the US Department of State, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Regional Programme, Taiwanese government, Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, Tibet Information Office, and Pyne & Partners.

In December, the Australia Israel & Jewish Affairs Council took politicians including Macnamara MP Josh Burns and Ms McKenzie to Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Andrew Wallace, Joel Burnie, Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Zoe McKenzie, Simon Birmingham, David Fawcett and Josh Burns..

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles and Chisholm MP Carina Garland also got to stretch their legs in business class following upgrades on several domestic flights.

But Government Services Minister Bill Shorten lucked out with Emirates elevating him to its luxurious first class cabin on one leg of an overseas trip.

Nationals MP Darren Chester also got tickets to the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament, Wimbledon, after playing a parliamentary tennis tournament in the UK.

Only a few politicians rubbed shoulders with the who’s who at Derby Day in the swish Birdcage marquees of Furphy and Tabcorp, Labor Senator Raff Ciccone attended the Grand Prix, and Melbourne City FC gave Ms Fernando two chairman’s tickets.

Several politicians took their chance to score seats at some of Victoria’s biggest racing events. Picture: Getty Images

Cricket Australia gave Kooyong MP Monique Ryan and Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie tickets, while Netball Australia invited Lalor MP Joanne Ryan to Super Netball Grand Final lunch and match.

Labor Senator Linda White won one night at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge in a lucky door prize at the Visit Canberra showcase.

Representatives from foreign governments were also keen to show their appreciation with Ms Daniel receiving a necklace from embassy of Thailand, while the Ambassador of Japan gave Transport Minister Catherine King a pair of Ediko Kiriko tumblers worth almost $180.

The Indonesian Minister for Administration and Bureaucratic Reform gifted Mr Shorten a gold/black sarong and wooden plaque, and the Gold Coast Afghan Community presented Mr Giles with a $500 small woven rug.

Other smaller tokens of appreciation gifted included books, tea and coffee, chocolates, biscuits and cups.