Labor high-flyers ‘taking us for a ride’, says Linda Reynolds

Former defence minister Linda Reynolds has accused Anthony Albanese of having a ‘complete disregard for transparency and accountability’ over parliamentarians expenses and VIP flights.

Former defence minister Linda Reynolds.

Former defence minister Linda Reynolds has accused Anthony Albanese of having a “complete disregard for transparency and accountability” after Labor provided less-detailed public information about parliamentarians’ expenses and VIP flights.

Senator Reynolds, who served as defence minister from 2019 to 2021, also suggested that the Prime Minister and senior ministers ­deliberately hid detailed information about their use of specialty flights to conceal the number of times they used the service.

The attacks come after Mr Albanese spent nearly $4m on VIP flights in just over a year, even before his mammoth travel blitz this year when he visited China, the Cook Islands and the US twice within a month.

The new data released by the Department of Defence on Wednesday showed Mr Albanese spent more than his Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, who came under pressure earlier this year over the number and cost of VIP flights he had taken.

The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority also published new figures on Wednesday for the first time since the last federal election covering MPs’ expenses between July and September 2022.

However, VIP flights and parliamentary expenses were released as aggregate totals rather than itemised spending and the government no longer included the date a special purpose flight was taken or its departure and ­arrival locations.

Senator Reynolds said the move showed Labor had turned “this privilege into a routine service” and believes the planes should be used as an “ad hoc” basis.

“In just 18 months, this appalling Labor government has consistently shown a complete disregard for transparency and accountability to the parliament and to the Australian people,” Senator Reynolds said.

“The only reason they are not providing this flight information to the Australian people is to hide their abuse of this important and privileged service provided by the RAAF.

“Reporting on past use can only become a ‘pattern of life’ issue if Labor has turned this privilege into a routine service.”

The Albanese government has previously claimed that details about VIP flights for ministers could not be published for national security reasons.

The attacks come after Mr Albanese repeatedly promised to “change the way politics operates in this country” and govern transparently.

The IPEA figures revealed Mr Albanese spent more than any other MP in the third quarter of last year on parliamentary expenses, racking up a bill of almost $700,000 after taking on the country’s top job.

Leader of the House Tony Burke was the second highest spending parliamentarian in last year’s third quarter (more than $398,000), followed by Peter Dutton (more than $363,000), Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek (more than $326,000) and Resources Minister Madeleine King (more than $319,000).

Ms Plibersek on Thursday rejected claims she had abused privileges of being a parliamentarian after she spent the most money on rent.

“Simple fact is my electorate is the central business district of Sydney in the inner suburbs,” Ms Plibersek said. “So, I don’t think it’s any surprise that my rent is a bit higher than it would be if I was in a regional community.”

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen also defended the spending habits of Mr Albanese, saying the Prime Minister was required to fly on VIPs “as a matter of security”.