Australian politicians frequently receive gifts and perks from dignitaries and officials, and some of them are more eyebrow-raising than others.Parliamentary rules require politicians to declare any gifts valued at more than $750, which are recorded on the publicly available register of interests.From an ornamental sceptre and a statue to concert tickets and hats, here are some of the more notable gifts our politicians have received.
Labor MP Julian Hill has declared a 75-centimetre-tall statue of himself sitting on a throne. (Supplied)Labor MP Julian Hill has declared a 75-centimetre-tall statue of himself sitting on a throne."Statue of me received from a constituent Mr Haidary. 56cm high. Seated on a 75cm high throne. Made in Iran," he wrote in his declaration.He added: "Value: Priceless."
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce – no stranger to a large hat. (9News)Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has declared $750 worth of made-to-order country trucker hats, and another bit of headwear valued at $500.He is no stranger to a good headpiece and often rocks a wide-brimmed hat at press conferences.Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen was gifted a signature licence plate by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who ran alongside Kamala Harris in their failed campaign for the White House.Bowen's surname was plastered onto a Minnesota license plate.Opposition Leader Peter Dutton declared tickets to Swan Lake ballet, an ornamental sceptre and an ornamental peacock.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen received a licence plate from Tim Walz. (Chris Bowen/Facebook)Greens Leader Adam Bandt received four tickets to see US popstar Taylor Swift when she performed in Melbourne, and Nationals counterpart David Littleproud declared a Christmas ham.And to our prime minister himself, Anthony Albanese has received vinyl records and t-shirts from former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern and a bamboo bicycle from former Indonesian president Joko Widodo.A known music-lover, hHe also received tickets to see Jimmy Barnes and Midnight Oil.