{"id":3400,"date":"2025-12-13T22:54:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T22:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=3400"},"modified":"2025-12-13T22:54:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T22:54:59","slug":"australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-to-make-repayment-for-2023-family-trip-found-to-breach-entitlements-australia-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=3400","title":{"rendered":"Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements | Australia news"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;693ddfa98f08b246d57a5f62&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The attorney general, &lt;strong&gt;Michelle Rowland&lt;\/strong&gt;, has become the first MP to make repayments for family travel amid growing controversy about politicians expenses, after some of her claims for a 2023 trip were found to be a breach of the rules.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;60ffa067-8f42-49b7-9146-239228386b13&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Rowland used family reunion travel entitlements to take her children on a trip to Perth. The independent parliamentary expenses authority has found some of the expenses should not have been paid for by taxpayers.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;eb5ae976-05b0-4ff3-b210-8bf975e7be2e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cDuring the trip to Perth, the attorney-general had at least 10 official engagements,\u201d a spokesperson said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ecdfbcaa-9f07-4f7f-a98d-f76207d3d153&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;IPEA finalised its advice on Friday 12 December and conveyed a portion of the family reunion travel expenses were outside the guidelines.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The attorney-general has formally accepted that advice on Friday and commenced steps to make a repayment.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a8776844-b713-4d48-96fb-26cede8f7d76&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Rowland did not claim travel allowance payments for the days she did not have official engagements on the trip, and paid for her own expenses and accommodation in Western Australia.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a89b7fb9-4911-474e-916c-fbf0d851e38d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Rowland\u2019s trip cost $21,000, which included about $16,000 for business-class air fares.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9a76998c-78fd-48a8-a831-20df1557c412&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1765663880000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1765664661000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1765664565000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.22\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;22.22&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to be partly outside guidelines&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Tom McIlroy&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/04\/30\/Tom_McIlroy.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=7569685c8316a272bbf1c0c6f163a8af&quot;,&quot;largeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/04\/30\/Tom_McIlroy.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=20292f2f01dd62725df42f8216da31a6&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sat 13 Dec 2025 22.47 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sat 13 Dec 2025 22.11 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning, and welcome to the blog! I am Cait Kelly and I will be with you throughout the day.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;323f4a5c-19fc-4b71-9263-7b4176e71b76&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A few things around this morning :&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0b4c91a5-b14a-4056-b71b-c0e919a9749b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Australia is experiencing severe weather across the country \u2013 with heatwaves in the west and cool fronts in the east. Western Australia is in the grips of a heatwave, with Perth forecasted to reach 39C and surrounding suburbs could exceed 40C on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6026851c-88c7-4534-9220-09eb3fba6166&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The federal government has introduced rules to limit \u201cexcessive pricing of groceries\u201d with changes to Australia\u2019s Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, which was made mandatory in April. The ban will prohibit very large retailers from charging prices that are excessive when compared to the cost of the supply, plus a reasonable margin, the government said on Sunday.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;059fa95e-b677-4156-a779-76a5318210a4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And Australia\u2019s koala population could be many multiples higher than previous estimates -New tools such as heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders uncovered an additional 244,000 of the furry marsupials nestled in trees across NSW. That\u2019s a significant jump from previous figures, which put the state\u2019s koala population anywhere between 15,000 and 30,000.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;357b0bff-55a7-43c6-9a23-d9a0aebfce6e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Let\u2019s get into it!&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fb65ae0d-7ff1-4a22-a83a-0705db2c1e6f&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1765663880000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1765663863000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1765663880000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;22.11&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Welcome&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sat 13 Dec 2025 22.47 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sat 13 Dec 2025 22.11 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1765666498313}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"src-component-110377_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"src-component-110377\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"src-component-110377_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-693dea088f08b246d57a5f9c\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has raised major concerns about the detention of indigenous people, children and migrants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The experts urged Australian authorities to engage in comprehensive reforms to reduce the imprisonment of First Nations peoples, raise the minimum age of detention to at least 14 years, and end the mandatory detention of persons with irregular visa status.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The working group wrote in a statement:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The gross overrepresentation of First Nations peoples in the prison population, the shocking detention of children as young as 10, and the punitive approach to migrants are human rights crises that continue to plague Australia.<\/p>\n<p>First Nations people make up just 3.8% of Australia\u2019s population, yet they account for 35% of those imprisoned in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Addressing this crisis requires authorities to work in genuine partnership with First Nations communities to co-design solutions, from early intervention, including prior to contact with the criminal justice system, through to reintegration after detention\u2014rather than relying on punitive approaches.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693dea088f08b246d57a5f9c&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693dea088f08b246d57a5f9c&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693dea088f08b246d57a5f9c#block-693dea088f08b246d57a5f9c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-693de8e98f08e69a0ce3ef3b\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/04\/30\/Tom_McIlroy.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=20292f2f01dd62725df42f8216da31a6\" alt=\"Tom McIlroy\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Tom McIlroy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The shadow treasurer, Ted O\u2019Brien, is on leave this week and will miss the government\u2019s mid-year budget update.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">O\u2019Brien is in the United States on a trip with family members.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Treasurer Jim Chalmers will release the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook on Wednesday, set to give a new snapshot of the government\u2019s budget position and update key economic forecasts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Chalmers says it will include about $20bn in new savings to help the bottom line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said there must be a good reason for O\u2019Brien to miss the annual statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cIt would be really strange, if not unprecedented, for the shadow treasurer to go on holidays during the mid-year budget update, particularly when we\u2019ve said for some time now, it will be in the middle of December.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cSo it\u2019s up for Ted O\u2019Brien to explain to his colleagues. I can\u2019t imagine they\u2019re happy about it, but from my point of view, I\u2019m not going to have a shot at him, because I\u2019ve got more important things to worry about than where Ted is in the country or in the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI\u2019m very focused on delivering this mid-year budget update, whether he\u2019s here or not.\u201d<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693de8e98f08e69a0ce3ef3b&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693de8e98f08e69a0ce3ef3b&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693de8e98f08e69a0ce3ef3b#block-693de8e98f08e69a0ce3ef3b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-693de08e8f08e69a0ce3ef07\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/04\/30\/Tom_McIlroy.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=20292f2f01dd62725df42f8216da31a6\" alt=\"Tom McIlroy\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Tom McIlroy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The federal government has taken the next step on plans to stop supermarkets from price gouging their customers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Promised during the federal election campaign, the new ban is designed to prohibit retailers including Coles and Woolworths from charging prices that are excessive when compared to the cost of the supply plus a reasonable margin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The new ban, delivered through the Food and Grocery Code, will come into effect on 1 July next year. The competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, will police the laws.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If Coles and Woolworths breach the laws, they face penalties of whatever amount is greater: $10m or three three times the value of the benefit derived, or 10% of the company\u2019s turnover during the past year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThese changes give the regulator the powers and the penalties it needs to hold supermarkets to account,\u201d Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWhether it\u2019s boosting funding for the regulator, banning price gouging or making the food and grocery code mandatory, we\u2019re doing everything we can to ease pressure on Australians.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cOne of the best ways to ease the cost of living for Australians is to help people get fairer prices at the checkout and that\u2019s what this is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693de08e8f08e69a0ce3ef07&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693de08e8f08e69a0ce3ef07&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693de08e8f08e69a0ce3ef07#block-693de08e8f08e69a0ce3ef07\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-693ddfa98f08b246d57a5f62\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to be partly outside guidelines<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/04\/30\/Tom_McIlroy.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=20292f2f01dd62725df42f8216da31a6\" alt=\"Tom McIlroy\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Tom McIlroy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The attorney general, <strong>Michelle Rowland<\/strong>, has become the first MP to make repayments for family travel amid growing controversy about politicians expenses, after some of her claims for a 2023 trip were found to be a breach of the rules.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Rowland used family reunion travel entitlements to take her children on a trip to Perth. The independent parliamentary expenses authority has found some of the expenses should not have been paid for by taxpayers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cDuring the trip to Perth, the attorney-general had at least 10 official engagements,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>IPEA finalised its advice on Friday 12 December and conveyed a portion of the family reunion travel expenses were outside the guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>The attorney-general has formally accepted that advice on Friday and commenced steps to make a repayment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Rowland did not claim travel allowance payments for the days she did not have official engagements on the trip, and paid for her own expenses and accommodation in Western Australia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Rowland\u2019s trip cost $21,000, which included about $16,000 for business-class air fares.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693ddfa98f08b246d57a5f62&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693ddfa98f08b246d57a5f62&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693ddfa98f08b246d57a5f62#block-693ddfa98f08b246d57a5f62\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-13T22:24:21.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Saturday, 13 December 2025 at 22:24 Greenwich Mean Time\">22.24 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-693de6bd8f08e69a0ce3ef34\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An investigation is underway after an alleged public place shooting in Sydney\u2019s west overnight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">NSW police:<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Just after 12.30am today (Sunday 14 December 2025), police were called to a home on Hunt Street, Guildford West, following reports of shots fired.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command were told a number of shots were fired at a house before a white hatchback left the scene.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The three occupants of the house &#8211; two women and a child &#8211; were not injured.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">About 3.20am on the same day, emergency services were called to James Street, Guildford West, following reports of a car fire. On arrival, police located a white hatchback well alight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Multiple crimes scenes have been established, and police commenced an investigation if the two incidents are linked.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693de6bd8f08e69a0ce3ef34&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693de6bd8f08e69a0ce3ef34&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693de6bd8f08e69a0ce3ef34#block-693de6bd8f08e69a0ce3ef34\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Welcome<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning, and welcome to the blog! I am Cait Kelly and I will be with you throughout the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A few things around this morning :<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Australia is experiencing severe weather across the country \u2013 with heatwaves in the west and cool fronts in the east. Western Australia is in the grips of a heatwave, with Perth forecasted to reach 39C and surrounding suburbs could exceed 40C on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The federal government has introduced rules to limit \u201cexcessive pricing of groceries\u201d with changes to Australia\u2019s Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, which was made mandatory in April. The ban will prohibit very large retailers from charging prices that are excessive when compared to the cost of the supply, plus a reasonable margin, the government said on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And Australia\u2019s koala population could be many multiples higher than previous estimates -New tools such as heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders uncovered an additional 244,000 of the furry marsupials nestled in trees across NSW. That\u2019s a significant jump from previous figures, which put the state\u2019s koala population anywhere between 15,000 and 30,000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Let\u2019s get into it!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Australia news live: Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to breach entitlements&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2025\/dec\/14\/australia-news-live-michelle-rowland-family-travel-entitlements-labor-liberal-coles-woolworths-price-gouging-nsw-vic-wa-fire-weather-heatwave-warnings-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa#block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;australia-news&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/australia-news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Australia news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/australian-politics&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Australian 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