The bizarre and 'priceless' gifts our politicians have received

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.

READ MORE: Batches of over-the-counter medicine recalled over suspected tampering

Labor MP Julian Hill has declared a 75-centimetre-tall statue of himself sitting on a throne.

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." 

READ MORE: Swimming community gives well wishes for Dawn Fraser after hospitalisation

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. 

READ MORE: US veteran, 80, allegedly killed over parking spot dispute

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen received a license plate from Tim Walz.

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.



from 9News https://ift.tt/Wm21fQ0
via IFTTT

Comments