Perks of being an MP

Our politicians have been gifted items such as wine and tickets

WINE worth hundreds of dollars, tickets to major sporting events and access to exclusive luxury lounges were just some of the gifts our federal MPs have received since the 2016 election. According to the register of interests, Groom MP John McVeigh attended a Twenty20 cricket game against Sri Lanka last year as a gift from

Croplife Australia, a lobby group that promotes agricultural technologies such as pesticides and plant technology.

Dr McVeigh also received an “AFL ticket and hospitality” from Suncorp to attend a match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba in April this year.

Maranoa MP David Littleproud, whose electorate takes in the Southern and Western Downs, as well as most of Western Queensland, was gifted a REX flight worth about $500 in December 2017.

The MP, who is also the Agriculture Minister, was also gifted a box of Penfolds Shiraz, worth $350, from Croplife.

Wright MP Scott Buchholz, who represents the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim regions in the House of Representatives, has received tickets to the Melbourne Cup for the past three years. He received two tickets from Treasury Wine Estates in 2016, two from the Australian Hotels Association in 2017 and two again from Treasury Wine Estates this year.

Mr Buchholz was also gifted tickets and accommodation from the Federal Government to the Commonwealth Games held on the Gold Coast earlier this year and to last year’s Australian Open, from Optus.

Mr Littleproud and Mr Buchholz also received membership to the ultra-exclusive Qantas Chairman’s Lounge, an invite-only lounge which features an a la carte menu by Neil Perry, alcohol and a luxurious space in which to wait for a flight. Mr Littleproud also has access to the Virgin Australia equivalent.

Dr McVeigh, according to his register of interests, does not have access to the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge.