From Bamboo Bikes to Vinyl Records: Quirky Assets of MPs Revealed

From stealing chips to owning a bamboo bicycle, MPs bare (almost) all in their declarations.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down the 2023 Budget in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on May 9, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The prime minister owns three properties—but is still paying one off—as does the Leader of the Opposition, although one of his is a farm.

Those are just some of the insights provided by the Parliament’s Register of Members’ Interests. Mr Dutton also lists a tractor amongst his assets, along with life insurance, furniture, and a motor vehicle.

Mr. Albanese is also the recipient of some interesting gifts—including a bamboo bicycle from the president of Indonesia, and “vinyl records and t-shirts” from his counterpart in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dutton lists the more prosaic Qantas Chairman’s lounge and Virgin Club memberships among his, along with a return flight to and from Perth provided by Hancock Prospecting.

But it is the declarations of lesser-known MPs that offer a real look into the life of Australia’s elected representatives.

Chip Theft Confession

For instance, Nationals Senator Ross Cadell declared a grilled chicken breast with coriander chimichurri and a Coke No Sugar drink “because the Kingo doesn’t stock Pepsi Max” when he dined at the Kingston Hotel in Canberra with “the great John ‘Wacka’ Williams.”

Demonstrating scrupulous honesty, the senator admitted to stealing some chips from a colleague’s table. “When it came time to settle the tab it had already been paid for by the Australian Association of Convenience Stores,” saving him $32.50.

Further insight into his dietary habits comes with the declaration that he consumed “the magnificent half-time party pies while witnessing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos claw back a draw from the Melbourne Victory in the 88th minute” in the Newcastle Jets chairman’s lounge after “the stress of missing two penalties.”

On another occasion, Senator Cadell had been given two tickets to a Newcastle Knights versus Canberra Raiders rugby match, where he had only been able to manage a single prawn because he was “too nervous to eat”. Fortunately, his team took the lead in the second half, enabling him to consume two party pies, and no less than seven Pepsi Max drinks.

Senator Cadell said he tried to declare everything he had been given in a political setting, including the beers—except he had always bought his own.

“I have been the supplier of beers not the acquirer of beers,” he told AAP.

Bob Katter’s Wife’s Investments

Bob Katter’s declaration manages to be both fulsome and vague.

Asked to list his wife’s shareholding and property interests he replied: “She does not provide me with this information—regards this as personal business and I respect her wishes in these matters,” while to the question of whether he'd been provided with free travel, a handwritten note says: “I can’t recall any ... but there might have been some.”

Australian federal MP Bob Katter at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 7, 2017. Michael Masters/Getty Images

However in October of 2023 he felt moved to inform the register that he had been “working hard” to get back into mining.”

“It is essential for myself and everyone else to put their shoulder to the wheel to provide copper ore or any other metal development in the area [Mt Isa] to take place. My very extensive knowledge from when I was mining copper myself, such knowledge I still have, and I must disclose that there would be a benefit for myself,” Mr. Katter said but he did not list any actual interests in mining.

In contrast, Pauline Hanson’s declaration is relatively ordinary, aside from a cryptic reference to receiving “A model train from Mr Smith,” while fellow One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts is hedging his bets, holding both several savings accounts as well as an unstated amount of “gold & silver bullion.”

And Jacquie Lambie reveals Channel 10 paid her $1,200 to appear on The Project, which she donated to charity.

Morrison Received Honorariums While in Office

Former Deputy deputy prime minister—under Prime Ministers’ Malcolm Turnbull and later Scott Morrison—Michael McCormack, was treated to an all-expenses-paid visit to the United States by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, while Mr. Morrsion revealed the Victory Life Church and the Chosun Ibo Co, a South Korean publishing firm, had both paid him an honorarium.

Fellow Nationals, Senator Bridget McKenzie, is particularly scrupulous in her accounting, mentioning a poster, a sticker book, a stubby holder and a pack of antiseptic wipes.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie speaks at CPAC Australia in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 19, 2023. Wade Zhong/The Epoch Times

Senate President Sue Lines reveals she recently traded in her 2021 MG for a more sober (and possibly eco-friendly, assuming she opted for the electric version) Hyundai Kona. Senator Michaela Cash reveals she has a soft spot for felines, with a donation to Cat Haven WA being her only notable contribution other than the Liberal Party.

National’s Leader David Littleproud recorded the receipt of a Christmas ham from Australian Pork Limited and a charter flight to the Barcoo Beef Challenge, while Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy was gifted five cigars from the Cuban ambassador but gave them to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

And while most MPs are members, or patrons, of local sports clubs and charities, former Labor leader and current Minister Bill Shorten revealed himself to be a life member of the Travelling Showmens’ Guild.