Good morning. The extensive housing portfolios of MPs and senators has been laid bare in a survey of the register of interests. A big town in Victoria has lost its only bulk-billing clinic, leaving thousands of patients struggling to access GP care and their medical records. And Taiwan has fired a warning shot at a Chinese drone.
Federal MPs and senators have impressive property portfolios, owning or having an interest in almost two properties each on average. Of our 151 MPs and 76 senators, 38 have property in the nation’s capital, Canberra, or in nearby Queanbeyan, for which they are entitled to claim a $299-a-night travel allowance for parliamentary business. Among the biggest property owners in parliament is the shadow home affairs minister, Karen Andrews, who owns her residence in Clear Island Waters (Queensland) and six investment properties.
