Release: No Taxpayer Funding for Party Conferences
The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance (ATA), a 75,000+ member national grassroots advocacy group representing the nation’s taxpayers, today joined Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick in calling for an end to taxpayer funding for politicians to attend party conferences.
The call comes after revelations that Anthony Albanese and several senior MPs claimed more than $114,000 in taxpayer-funded travel entitlements to attend the Australian Labor Party's national conference held in Adelaide in December 2018.
"We agree with Senator Rex Patrick that flying to party conferences on the public purse is an unjustifiable waste of taxpayers' money." said Satya Marar, ATA Director of Policy.
"Engaging with constituents is one thing. But if pollies want to gallivant around the country with their mates or the assortment of stooges and factional operatives who congregate at party conferences, then they can pay their own way.
"Hardworking taxpayers shouldn't be footing the travel bill for partisan junketeering. Every dollar spent on a flight to a political conference at a swanky hotel is one less dollar for schools, hospitals, or tax relief."