A high-profile Greens senator is on the brink of an internal revolt after she was accused of causing ‘reputational damage’ to her party.
South Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is facing tough questions over her controversial travel entitlements, which included charging taxpayers nearly $50,000 to fly her husband, a lobbyist, to and from Canberra, where he works.
As reported by The Australian, a motion accusing her of ‘bringing the party into disrepute’ is set to be debated by the SA Greens State Council this weekend.
The motion claims the party has suffered ‘reputational damage’ after Greens MPs were named in reports over their ‘family reunion’ travel claims.
Hanson-Young’s colleagues have demanded she repay the $49,902 she claimed in airfares, as rival Greens members in Adelaide are said to be pushing for the senator to ‘consider a life after politics’.
While Hanson‑Young is not named in the motion, it is understood she is the senator referenced, as it cites ‘a report about a Greens MP financing a spouse’s work‑related travel using taxpayer entitlements’ published by News Corp.
‘We express concern over these media reports bringing the party into disrepute and risking reputational damage to the party and express disappointment over actions of MPs involved in this use of taxpayer funds,’ the motion states.
‘It is important that we ensure this does not happen again.’
SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is this weekend facing an internal revolt within her party
The revolt centres on the $50,000 she charged taxpayers in travel expenses to fly her husband to and from Canberra, where he also works
The Daily Mail put questions to Greens leader Larissa Waters (centre) on if she would support Hanson-Young (left) and if she believes she’s brought ‘reputational damage’ to the party
The motion said the Greens’ by-laws classify ‘behaviour that damages or seriously risks damaging the party’ as misconduct.
‘As such, it is urged that Greens MPs under public scrutiny engage in behaviour to restore public trust, such as repaying funds or refer their taxpayer spending for auditing,’ it continued.
In December, it was revealed Hanson-Young had claimed $49,902 in ‘family reunion’ travel expenses to fly her husband Ben Oquist to and from Canberra on 78 occasions.
The trips began in July 2022 – the same month Mr Oquist secured a job at DPG Advisory Solutions, a Canberra-based government relations firm whose clients include Wesfarmers, Rio Tinto, Ausgrid and Catholic Education.
It was also revealed Hanson-Young had claimed almost $3,000 for flights and accommodation to attend a Byron Bay music festival with a relative.
It included flights from Adelaide to the Gold Coast, plus two nights’ accommodation in Byron Bay where the Bluesfest music festival was being held.
The flights cost taxpayers $2,250.64, while the accommodation cost $718.
The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA), which reviews politicians’ use of family travel entitlements, said it was satisfied with the evidence and explanation Hanson-Young had complied when asked to provide further information.
Hanson-Young had claimed almost $3,000 for flights and accommodation to attend a Byron Bay (pictured) music festival with a relative
It included flights from Adelaide to the Gold Coast, plus two nights’ accommodation in Byron Bay where the Bluesfest music festival was being held (pictured, Byron Bay Blues fest in 2024)
SA Greens MP Robert Simms told the Daily Mail the embattled senator has his support
The SA Greens State Council will debate the motion this weekend. The council is believed to meet once a quarter to discuss the party’s administrative matters.
Hanson-Young’s colleague, Robert Simms, who is a Member of the Legislative Council in the SA Parliament, told Daily Mail he supports the senator.
‘Senator Hanson-Young has provided public comment on her travel entitlements and stated that she was operating within the rules. Senator Hanson-Young has my support,’ Simms said.
Another of Hanson-Young’s colleagues, SA Senator Barbara Pocock, gave the Daily Mail a practically identical statement.
‘Senator Hanson-Young has provided public comment on her travel entitlements and stated that she was operating within the rules. Senator Hanson-Young has my support,’ Pocock said.
Daily Mail has contacted Senator Hanson-Young’s office for comment.
Greens leader and Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters, has also been contacted.
