Hanson-Young billed taxpayers to fly family member to Byron Bay Bluesfest

Sarah Hanson-Young slugged taxpayers almost $3000 for flights and accommodation to attend Bluesfest Byron Bay with a family member.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Sarah Hanson-Young slugged taxpayers almost $3000 for flights and accommodation to attend a Byron Bay music festival with a relative, as calls grow for an overhaul of family travel entitlements for federal politicians.

It comes as embattled Communications Minister Anika Wells referred her travel expenses to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority for an audit, following a series of revelations about her use of family travel entitlements, including decisions to bill taxpayers $3000 for a family weekend at Thredbo, and $9000 to fly her husband to AFL grand finals, Boxing Day tests, and the Melbourne F1.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Ms Hanson-Young, a high-profile Greens senator, billed taxpayers for return flights from her home city of Adelaide to the Gold Coast for herself and a family member, as well as two nights’ accommodation in Byron Bay, to attend the Bluesfest music festival in April.

The flights cost taxpayers a combined $2250.64, while the accommodation cost $718.

According to her register of interest, Ms Hanson-Young received complimentary tickets to Bluesfest, which included sets from the likes of Crowded House, Vance Joy, and Ocean Alley.

During the visit, Ms Hanson-Young, the Greens’ arts spokeswoman, announced the party’s “Festival Support Package” – promising taxpayer-funded grants and support to the festivals sector – alongside Bluesfest director Peter Noble and then-Greens candidate for Richmond Mandy Nolan.

The Daily Telegraph understands Ms Hanson-Young also met with stakeholders and small businesses within the festivals sector, and does not suggest her travel was not within the rules.

Ahead of the May 3 federal election, Ms Nolan was considered a strong chance of clinching the seat from Labor’s Justine Elliott. While Ms Elliott retained the seat, Ms Nolan won 26 per cent of the primary vote.

The details of Ms Hanson-Young’s travel follow a series of revelations about Ms Wells’ use of family travel entitlements.

Communications Minister Anika Wells is under fire over her use of family travel entitlements. Picture: Instagram

It was also revealed on Tuesday that Trade Minister Don Farrell had billed taxpayers more than $123,000 for family travel in the last four years, including trips to AFL grand finals, the Australian Open, and a sunset dinner at Uluru.

It also emerged Attorney-General Michelle Rowland charged taxpayers $21,685 in flights and travel allowance for a week-long family trip to Western Australia.

Trade Minister Don Farrell has billed taxpayers more than $123,000 for family travel in the last four years.

Ms Hanson-Young’s Greens colleague, Senator David Shoebridge, slammed Ms Wells’ travel spending as “plain wrong”.

“A communications minister touring the world and boasting about a social media ban (that isn’t even in place yet!) instead of working with families and young people to deal with its impacts, is plain wrong. Young Australians deserve far better,” he tweeted on Monday.

In response to questions from The Daily Telegraph, Ms Hanson Young said she recognised the community’s concerns about politicians’ travel and expenses.

“As politicians we are in a privileged position to do the work we do,” she said.

“The travel policies relating to politicians should be open to review to ensure they are fit for purpose.”

Originally published as Hanson-Young billed taxpayers to fly family member to Byron Bay Bluesfest