The public cost of private gifts
Much is made of the corrupting impact of political donations but little attention is paid to the non-monetary kind: gifts, free travel and hospitality that many federal parliamentarians eagerly accept from vested interests. Open Politics looks at the risk these benefits pose and the need for reform.
Interests - 7,679
Shareholdings - 913
Trusts and nominee companies - 309
Real Estate - 760
Directorships - 227
Partnerships - 50
Liabilities - 664
Bonds and debentures - 170
Saving or investment accounts - 1,011
Other assets - 534
Other income - 353
Gifts - 717
Travel or hospitality - 494
Memberships / Office holder or donor - 1,275
Other interests - 202
Hollie's undeclared junket to the Holy Land
Liberal senator and shadow minister Hollie Hughes has breached Senate rules by not declaring her sponsored travel to Israel. Open Politics looks at a repeat offender and the need for reform.
No housing crisis for politicians
While owning a home has become out of reach for millions of Australians, many parliamentarians are building large real estate portfolios with the help of tax concessions and taxpayer-funded travel allowances.
Another minister in breach of the ministerial code of conduct?
Following Open Politics' revelations about the shareholdings of Bill Shorten, Tim Ayres and Kristy McBain on 27 August, we've found the Assistant Health and Ageing Minister Ged Kearney is potentially in breach of the code by having indirect shareholdings in the Australian healthcare sector.
Richard Marles MP
Member for Corio, Victoria
Deputy Prime MinisterMinister for Defence
Australian Labor Party
Total Interests: 88
Latest alteration: Directorships - 1/12/22
Source: Statement of Registrable Interests - this contains interests declared as at 11/04/22 and alterations since then. More info
This statement contains interests declared as at the dissolution of the previous parliament on 11/04/22 and, where applicable, alterations since then, including new interests and amendments and deletions to existing interests. The date of an alteration is when it was declared to the register, not when the change occurred.
Please note open politics has amended the wording and formatting of some MPs' and Senators' declared interests to improve readability or to correct mistakes. We recognise we may have made errors in transcribing interests, and recommend you verify the information below against the original statement. To notify us of a mistake or oversight, email sean@openpolitics.au.
Disclosure problems: In August 2022 the Deputy PM declared his sponsored trip to China in September 2019. He should've declared it 28 days after the event (not nearly 3 years later), so he could be found guilty of serious contempt of parliament.
Richo: The lobbyist prohibited from lobbying
Open Politics has exposed that lobbyist and notorious ex-Labor senator Graham Richardson is not on the federal lobbyist register. This prohibits him from talking to anyone in the federal government on behalf of his clients.
Liberal senator fails to declare helicopter flight
Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes has not declared to the Register of Senators' Interests a helicopter flight she took as a guest of the Port of Newcastle Corporation in 2020, Open Politics can reveal.
A system Eddie Obeid would love
Many federal politicians don't declare their private interests, fail to fully disclose them, or don't do so in the required time, and the officials who manage the interest registers say it's not their job to enforce the rules. Open Politics looks at a disclosure regime that only serves politicians.
The price of admission
Federal politicians from NSW and Queensland never miss an opportunity to promote their love of the people's game in the belief it makes them more relatable to voters - think the PM with the Sharks and the Opposition Leader with his Rabbitohs. But, unlike the average spectator, they rarely pay to attend games, with the NRL and others providing free tickets. Does the public end up paying the bill?
