Farrer by-election - guidance regarding travel

A by-election for the electorate of Farrer will be held on Saturday, 9 May 2026. 

This communication provides general guidance to parliamentarians regarding travel to Farrer during the by-election campaign period, where that travel is undertaken to support a political party or a particular candidate.

General Guidance

Campaign travel - parliamentarians can only use Commonwealth resources when the dominant purpose of their travel is to conduct their own parliamentary business (Parliamentary Business Resources (Parliamentary Business) Determination 2025). Travel mainly for campaigning, or to support a political party or another candidate, is not considered parliamentary business. In these situations, Commonwealth resources—such as flights, travel allowance for overnight stays, and COMCAR or car transport—cannot be used. 

Staff travel - parliamentarians may only direct MOP(S) Act employees to carry out duties that support or assist their parliamentary business. Staff cannot be directed to undertake activities such as campaigning for another person (Member of Parliament (Staff) (Employee Direction) Determination 2025). 

This is general guidance only. IPEA recommends that parliamentarians seek personal advice for their specific travel circumstances.

Obligations

Under the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (PBR Act), parliamentarians may only claim expenses (including allowances) that are incurred for the dominant purpose of conducting parliamentary business. They must also meet all five obligations under the PBR Act, which require them to:

• ensure expenses are incurred for the dominant purpose of conducting their parliamentary business
• use public resources in a way that achieves value for money
• act ethically and in good faith in using, and accounting for the use of, public resources
• be personally responsible and accountable for their use of public resources, and be prepared to publicly justify that use
• meet all conditions attached to the provision of public resources

More information on the Principles-Based Framework is available on the IPEA website.

Legislation and Background

Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, part 3, division 2

Parliamentary Business Resources (Parliamentary Business) Determination 2025

Parliamentary Business Resources Regulations 2017

Member of Parliament (Staff) (Employee Direction) Determination 2025, section 5

If you require personal advice regarding your specific travel circumstances, please email enquiries@ipea.gov.au with relevant details, including dates, events, locations, and proposed transport arrangements. You can also contact us by phone on (02) 6215 3000.