2m agoTue 9 Dec 2025 at 8:54pm
PM doesn’t know of any MP who hasn’t used travel entitlement
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he’s not aware any member of parliament has never used the family reunion entitlement.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, he says expenses are declared through the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Agency (IPEA), which is publicly available for people to see online.
“Those entitlements are there. I don’t know of any member of parliament who has never used any family entitlement. It might be that is the case. That’s all available for all to see,” Albanese says.
6m agoTue 9 Dec 2025 at 8:49pm
PM bats away questions on whether allowance rules need to be changed
The prime minister has batted away questions about whether the family reunion allowance rules need to be changed.
Anthony Albanese hasn’t said if he would look at changing the rules to clarify when the allowance should be used.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, the prime minister says the family reunion allowance has allowed women to enter parliament, and has made the place more representative.
“The parliament has changed and that is a good thing,” Albanese says.
“Minister Wells has three young children. She gave birth to twins while in office. It is a good thing that parliament is more representative than it used to be. People have a long time away from their families, from their children and from their partners,” he says.
11m agoTue 9 Dec 2025 at 8:45pmAlbanese says independent agency will review Wells’s expenses
The questioning has moved to the topic of travel expenses, after revelations Communications Minister Anika Wells billed taxpayers for multiple trips with her family.
The communications minister has referred her use of taxpayer-funded travel expenses for audit by the independent watchdog.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the rules governing the family reunion allowance were introduced under the former Coalition government.
He says the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Agency (IPEA) will have the chance to scrutinise her expenses.
“They scrutinise these measures. Minister Wells has self-referred all of her issues just to check that it is all within the rules which are there,” Albanese says.
21m agoTue 9 Dec 2025 at 8:34pm
PM thanks Peter Dutton for supporting social media ban for teens
The prime minister says the federal government understands the social media ban will be difficult for some at the start.
Anthony Albanese says people have become addicted to social media and that it’s having an impact on brain function.
“It is so important that young people are given the opportunity to actually grow as young humans and to differentiate as well between what is real in human interactions and what they can often be exposed to online,” Albanese says.
Albanese says “the world is watching” and other countries, including Malaysia, New Zealand and the European Union are looking to follow Australia.
He has given former opposition leader Peter Dutton credit for getting behind the ban when the government announced it.
22m agoTue 9 Dec 2025 at 8:33pmAustralian families ‘taking back power’ from social media companies, PM says
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stepped up on ABC News Breakfast to spruik the government’s social media ban.
The prime minister says today is a “proud day” for Australia after a long campaign from families and parents.
He says it’s an important reform.
“This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies. They are asserting the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind,” Albanese says.
31m agoTue 9 Dec 2025 at 8:25pm
Good morning 👋
Hello and welcome to another edition of our federal politics live blog. It’s great to have you join us here!
I’m Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today’s federal politics news.
The government’s social media ban officially comes into effect today, meaning teens under 16 will be barred from using social media apps.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Anika Wells has referred her use of taxpayer-funded expenses for audit by the independent watchdog, maintaining all her claims are within the guidelines.
It’s early but lots is happening so let’s get this show on the road!
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