Published assurance reviews

This Assurance Review examined staff use of unscheduled ground transport using parliamentary business resources between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM for the 2021-2022 financial year. IPEA identified staff in 12 parliamentarians' offices as having used travel expenses within the period and time in scope. Of these, four staff members (from the offices of Senator Hollie Hughes and The Hon Jason Wood MP) had transactions which were not consistent with the legislative framework, as the travel was not directed by the parliamentarian or an authorised person: two of these used a Cabcharge card in error.  Invoices were issued to recover the parliamentary business resources inappropriately used. The remaining transactions were in accordance with the legislative framework.

This Assurance Review examined parliamentarians’ travel to Sydney between 30 August and 4 September 2019 using parliamentary business resources, following media reports of a Liberal Party fundraising event held by Channel Nine at their studio in Willoughby, Sydney, NSW on 2 September 2019.  After analysis of the data, 9 parliamentarians were assessed as requiring further investigation as they had accessed parliamentary business resources in Sydney around the time of the event (Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, The Hon Dan Tehan MP, The Hon Stuart Robert MP, Senator the Hon Jane Hume, The Hon Alan Tudge MP, The Hon Michael McCormack MP, The Hon Ben Morton MP, Mr James Stevens MP, Mr Llew O'Brien MP). Based on a full review of the data, and the responses and evidence provided by parliamentarians within the scope of the review, IPEA is satisfied there was no misuse of parliamentary business resources.

This Assurance review examined the use of business class airfares for a staff member from the office of Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson. The review assessed the staff member's use of parliamentary resources to fly business class to travel from Melbourne to Brisbane and Brisbane to Mackay on 10 October 2022, accompanied by the employing parliamentarian. IPEA concluded that the use of business class airfares was not consistent with the legislative framework and raised an invoice for $819.28, the difference between the business class and economy airfares. This invoice was provided to the staff member on 26 May 2023. The invoice was subsequently paid.

This Assurance Review examined the use of parliamentary expenses for travel by the Hon David Littleproud MP on 9 to 12 February 2023 between Canberra and the Gold Coast. IPEA concluded that parliamentary business was not the dominant purpose of Mr Littleproud’s travel from Canberra to the Gold Coast on 9 February 2023, representing a contravention of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act, however Mr Littleproud’s return to Canberra on 12 February 2023 for a parliamentary sitting was consistent with the legislative framework. Mr Littleproud voluntarily repaid all expenses in scope of the Assurance Review, a total of $2,009.76, including the expenses found to be consistent with the legislative framework.

This Assurance Review examined Mr Craig Kelly's use of travel expenses during the period February to May 2022 in the lead-up to the 2022 election. After correspondence with Mr Kelly beginning 4 May 2022, IPEA concluded, based on the information available, that Mr Kelly's travel to a majority of locations was parliamentary business and not inconsistent with the legislative framework. As of 3 February 2023, Mr Kelly had not provided supporting evidence for his travel to Melbourne on 27 February 2022 and 5 to 6 March 2022, and IPEA raised invoices for this travel with 25% penalty loading, a total of $2,530.58. 

Assurance Review Memorandum –  2022/02 - Addendum – Mr Craig Kelly – Interstate Travel, 2022 – Addendum
Following the provision of additional information by Mr Kelly in October 2023, IPEA concluded that Mr Kelly’s travel to Melbourne on 27 February 2022 and 5 to 6 March 2022 was undertaken within the requirements of the legislative framework. IPEA has cancelled the previously raised invoice. 

This Assurance Review focussed on international travel by parliamentarians and their families between 1 July 2022 and 30 September 2022. Available information indicated 17 parliamentarians undertook international travel within this period, with no expenses incurred by family members. Of these, 5 parliamentarians were randomly selected for further assessment, and all travel was assessed as being not inconsistent with the legislative framework.

This Assurance Review focussed on travel using parliamentary business resources by parliamentarians to, from, and within Melbourne between 21 and 27 September 2022 around the time of  the AFL Grand Final on 24 September 2022. IPEA identified 60 parliamentarians who used parliamentary business resources for travel during this period: of these, only 4 travelled into or around Melbourne with parliamentary resources in the period around the AFL Grand Final (Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, The Hon Peter Dutton MP, The Hon Anika Wells MP, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie). After further investigation, IPEA was satisfied that the use of parliamentary business resources by all 4 parliamentarians was not inconsistent with the legislative framework.

This  Assurance Review focussed on travel by parliamentarians to, from, and within Sydney between 28 September and 5 October 2022. IPEA identified 12 parliamentarians' offices as having used parliamentary business resources during this period. After contacting and receiving responses from these parliamentarians, IPEA corroborated information and concluded that no travel by any parliamentarians within this Assurance Review fell outside of the legislative framework.

This Assurance Review examined travel using parliamentary business resources undertaken in April 2022 by Mr Andrew Laming, his spouse and his two children. The review aimed to determine whether the dominant purpose of this travel was parliamentary business as defined in the legislation, and that the definition of 'family reunion travel' was met. Mr Laming outlined the details of the travel to IPEA but refused to provide evidence for his claims when asked, as is required under the Regulations. As Mr Laming had not provided a response to the Assurance Review with the requested information, invoices were raised for the relevant expenses with 25% penalty loading. In a later email Mr Laming claimed to have material that would justify the April 2022 travel but did not provide it to IPEA.

This Assurance Review examined the Hon Amanda Stoker's use of travel resources to travel to, from, and within Melbourne, between 11 and 13 February 2022. Following correspondence with Ms Stoker, IPEA was satisfied that the dominant purpose of her travel during this period was parliamentary business and not inconsistent with the framework. IPEA was also satisfied that Ms Stoker's use of family travel expenses was not inconsistent with the framework.