A Total of 459 Properties Owned by Lawmakers
Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Also Hold High-Value Assets
With the federal election in May approaching, real estate inequality has emerged as a major issue, as it has been revealed that more than half of Australia's federal lawmakers are property investors. This has fueled criticism over the benefits of negative gearing and capital gains tax, which could provide these lawmakers with indirect advantages.
On April 21, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing an analysis by Australia's public broadcaster ABC of the "Register of Members' Interests," that Australia's 226 federal lawmakers collectively own 459 properties nationwide, averaging two properties per lawmaker. Of all lawmakers, 137 own two or more properties, 68 own one property, and only 21 lawmakers do not own any property.
According to the data, more than half of lawmakers from the major parties?the Labor Party, the Liberal-National Coalition, the Greens?as well as independents, own at least two properties, with some lawmakers reportedly holding as many as five to seven properties.
Among the 103 Labor Party lawmakers, 70 (68%) own two or more properties, the highest proportion among all parties. Of the 83 Liberal-National Coalition lawmakers, 47 (56.6%) are multi-property owners. Among the 15 Greens lawmakers, 6 (40%) own more than one property, which is the lowest rate; notably, 4 of them do not own a home at all. The Greens have consistently maintained a policy of reducing real estate tax benefits. Meanwhile, among the 25 lawmakers from minor parties?including independents, the Pauline Hanson One Nation Party, and the "Teal" independents?14 (56%) are multi-property owners.
The lawmakers with the highest number of properties are Karen Andrews and Nola Marino of the Liberal-National Coalition, each owning seven properties. Both are set to retire after this election. Next, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke owns six properties, while Andrew Charlton, Louise Miller-Frost, Deb O'Neil, and Catryna Bilyk (all from Labor), along with Colin Boyce, Terry Young, and Gavin Pearce (all from the Liberal-National Coalition), each own five properties.
Among the Greens, Nick McKim owns the most properties with four, while independent Sophie Scamps, who represents Sydney's northern beaches, also owns four properties.
According to explanations from these lawmakers, Scamps is in the process of selling some of her properties, and some of McKim's holdings are vacant land or are used to house family members with disabilities. Part of Marino's properties are reportedly farmland. In contrast, Minister Tony Burke and Karen Andrews declined to comment on their property ownership.
Several lawmakers also own residential properties in Canberra. Of the 221 lawmakers whose constituencies are outside the capital region, 54 own homes in Canberra, including 31 from Labor, 22 from the Liberal-National Coalition, and independent Fatima Payman.
The daily travel allowance of $310 paid to federal lawmakers while staying in Canberra is provided regardless of whether they own a home there. This has sparked controversy, as the allowance could be used to pay off the mortgage on a second home.
The lawmakers' asset registration data is publicly available on the federal parliament's website and can be updated at any time by individual lawmakers. Senators are not required to disclose family assets, so the actual number of properties owned is likely higher. However, Greens lawmaker David Shoebridge voluntarily included information about the mortgages on three investment properties owned by his spouse.
This analysis is based on registration information as of April 9, 2025.
Previously, in February, it was revealed that Liberal-National Coalition leader Peter Dutton had bought and sold a total of 26 properties over the past 35 years, drawing public attention. As of now, he owns only a single property?a farm and residence purchased in 2020 for $2.1 million.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese owns a house in Sydney and a rental property on the Copacabana coast in New South Wales, with a combined value of $4.3 million.
As of July 1, 2024, the base annual salary for a member of the Australian House of Representatives is $233,660, with an additional $48,790 in pension contributions and a $39,700 electorate allowance. The Prime Minister receives an annual salary of $607,516, while the opposition leader receives $432,271. Cabinet ministers and standing committee chairs receive higher salaries than the base rate. Lawmakers also receive various additional benefits, including office operation expenses, vehicle and communication allowances, and committee activity allowances.
Dongchul Jung, Hanhotimes correspondent
*This article was produced with content provided by Hanhotimes (www.hanhotimes.com).
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