Senator Bridget McKenzie Defends Taxpayer-Funded Travel
Senator Bridget McKenzie, a member of the Nationals, has defended her use of taxpayer funds for travel, stating that it was entirely legitimate. The Victorian senator has come under scrutiny after parliamentary expense records revealed she charged taxpayers for flights to and from Tasmania in April 2022.
On April 29, she flew from Melbourne to Devonport for a Liberal campaign event. The following night, she attended her son’s engagement party before taking a return flight to Melbourne on May 1, which cost $259.40. Additionally, expense reports showed that she claimed $853.52 in public funds for a four-day trip to Tasmania in February 2023, which overlapped with her son’s wedding.
Her office later stated that she repaid $207 for one flight following questions about the trip. During an appearance on the Today show, McKenzie emphasized that the trips were for legitimate work purposes and denied any misuse of public funds.
“When we’re undertaking legitimate work … there are arrangements in place to assist us to do that work,” she told host Sarah Abo. “It is not right and appropriate to bill the taxpayer… for personal activities – and I did not do that.”
She added, “It’s a great privilege to be an MP… representing my community and fighting to make our country a fairer and safer place. Taxpayer funds should never be used for private business, nor were they in this case.”
The controversy has led to criticism within the Coalition ranks, with Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson questioning whether the situation passes the ‘pub test’. He said, “The focus always has to be on making sure we’re spending public money appropriately and doing it consistent with the rules.” However, he acknowledged that there may be a gap between the rules and public perception.
Abo raised concerns about the optics of the roughly $800 claim, suggesting it could be damaging regardless of whether it complied with the rules. But McKenzie dismissed this, saying she stood by her actions.
“I’ll leave you guys to commentate on the optics. The facts are the facts,” the senator told Abo. “These rules exist to make sure MPs can do their job … but also to ensure taxpayer funds aren’t abused.”
2GB presenter James Willis, who joined the panel on Today, suggested that repaying the funds would be the simplest way to resolve the issue. “To be honest … I’d be repaying the money today. It’s a couple of hundred dollars. It gets it out of the paper for tomorrow,” he said. However, McKenzie insisted she had complied with the rules governing parliamentary travel.
“I’m very comfortable that I’ve respected the rules,” she said. “When I’m working away from home, there are programs to assist, and when I’m on personal business, I pay my own way.”
This is not the first time McKenzie’s expenses have faced scrutiny. In 2024, she apologised for failing to declare 16 flight upgrades with Qantas, including several on personal travel. She also faced criticism late last year for billing taxpayers nearly $30,000 for travel and accommodation linked to sporting events after leaving the sports portfolio.
Addressing concerns earlier this week, Ms McKenzie’s office said the allegations were a ‘baseless smear by the Labor Party’. A spokesperson maintained that she undertook legitimate ministerial duties during her trips to Tasmania.
