Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a senator representing the Liberal Party, has come under scrutiny for charging taxpayers $2,500 to fly her husband to the CPAC conservative conference in Brisbane in September 2025. During her speech at the event, she criticized government spending and urged attendees to remain loyal to the Coalition party. This revelation has raised questions about the appropriateness of using taxpayer funds for personal travel.
According to data released by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA), Price claimed a total of $2,537.08 for flights between her home base of Alice Springs and Brisbane from September 19 to 21, 2025. The senator, who was a backbencher at the time, had recently lost her position as shadow minister following controversial remarks regarding Indian migrants.
In her speech at CPAC on September 20, Price emphasized the need for reduced government spending, stating, “you can’t subsidise your way to success, or spend your way to salvation.” She argued that less expenditure is essential to alleviate the nation’s significant debt burden, which she believes would adversely affect future generations of Australians.
Details of Travel Claims and Other Politicians’ Expenses
Price’s travel claims included $574.84 for a flight from Alice Springs to Sydney on September 19 and $173.72 for a Sydney to Brisbane leg on the same day. On September 21, she charged $1,788.51 for the return flight from Brisbane to Alice Springs. Notably, her husband, musician Colin Lillie, was present at the conference.
The IPEA data also indicated that other politicians, including Labor ministers Don Farrell and Anika Wells, utilized the contentious family travel entitlement for personal events. Farrell claimed $1,217.04 for travel from Canberra to Brisbane on September 5 and an additional $783.28 for a return flight to Adelaide on September 7, totaling $2,000.32. Notably, he received complimentary tickets to the AFL Grand Final and other events during this travel period.
Wells similarly used family travel entitlements to bring her husband to the AFL Grand Final, claiming $976.78 for flights on September 27 and 28, 2025. Both ministers have defended their travel claims, asserting compliance with existing rules and guidelines.
Government Response and Future Implications
The recent disclosures have prompted the government to amend the family travel entitlement, restricting the allowance for spouses accompanying politicians to major events such as sporting matches. This change follows mounting public scrutiny regarding the appropriateness of such claims.
According to a report by Guardian Australia, an explanatory document indicated that spousal travel for senior officeholders was previously regarded as “relevantly unlimited in respect of total expenses claimable each year.” The latest IPEA disclosures cover claims made before the new regulations were implemented.
Price’s office has been approached for comments regarding her travel claims, but no response has been provided as of this report. As discussions continue around the ethical implications of taxpayer-funded travel for politicians’ families, this case may serve as a pivotal example in the ongoing examination of parliamentary expenses.
