Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he has asked for advice about the ongoing travel entitlement saga from the independent watchdog.
Questions at his press conference at the Tomago smelter inevitably turned to the travel entitlement saga. The prime minister was asked if he thought a review of the travel requirements was necessary.
Anthony Albanese and Anika Wells wanted to speak about the social media ban on Thursday, but questions quickly turned to MPs’ expenses. Alex Ellinghausen
“I’ve said repeatedly that I’ll take advice from the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA),” Albanese said. “I’ve said that publicly, and asked for that advice from IPEA.
“ I’ve said to IPEA, please give us some advice, and we’ll take that on board. And when that advice is received, we’ll make a decision in the usual way.”
Asked to confirm exactly when he had asked the watchdog for advice, Albanese said, “I ask all the time, publicly.” He did not specify whether a specific formal request had been made to the body.
On Thursday, Albanese said he would “await any recommendations” from the watchdog’s review of Communications Minister Anika Wells’ spending when questioned by reporters.
At a press conference in Canberra, he said, “We certainly would take advice which is there,” but did not appear to make his request for advice explicit.
