Senior Australian bureaucrats and military leaders have declared accepting thousands of dollars worth of free gifts, including premium sports tickets, luxury alcohol, and substantial flight upgrades, according to recent disclosures on the government's official register of interests.
Military Brass Accept Lavish Gifts from Foreign Allies
The period from July to September 2025 saw Defence chiefs declare some of the most significant perks compared to other senior public servants. Navy chief Mark Hammond reported receiving more than $1000 worth of tickets to AFL and NRL finals games, gifted by teams including the Canberra Raiders, South Sydney Rabbitohs, and Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Admiral Hammond, who is a candidate to replace Defence Force Chief General David Johnston next year, also declared a $764 bottle of Kentucky bourbon and a $240 bottle of Japanese dry gin as gifts from the United States Navy.
Outgoing Defence chief General David Johnston accepted a $660 ticket to watch the Wallabies play the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in July. During an official visit to Beijing in August, he was also treated to two separate dinners valued at $200 each, hosted by the People's Liberation Army of China.
Army chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart declared a $1000 flintlock pistol and a $200 KA-BAR knife from visiting US Army officials. Meanwhile, Air Force chief Air Marshal Stephen Chappell accepted a $500 Mori club weapon and bone tribal neck piece as a token of appreciation from the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Flight Upgrades and Lounge Access for Senior Bureaucrats
Beyond the military, a host of public service department heads declared complimentary flight upgrades and exclusive lounge memberships. This comes more than a year after revelations in journalist Joe Aston's book sparked a political scandal over entitlements in Canberra.
Defence chief information officer Chris Crozier declared a substantial $7439 in free flight upgrades from an airline in August. Social Services deputy secretary Corri McKenzie reported $720 in similar upgrades.
Climate Change secretary Mike Kaiser accepted a Virgin Beyond Lounge membership on his first day in the role, July 14. He was joined by several other senior officials declaring lounge access, including:
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources secretary Meghan Quinn
- Parliamentary Workplace Support Service chief executive Leonie McGregor
- Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority chief executive Christina Grant
- Inaugural Treasury director-general for housing Ben Rimmer
In a separate disclosure, a communications staffer at the Department of Veterans' Affairs declared receiving a $350 ticket to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, gifted by veterans' service provider Austability.
The $20,000 Desk Finds a New Home
In a related matter, the Department of Parliamentary Services has finally released an image of the infamous $20,000 custom-made desk that became a symbol of excess. The desk was originally commissioned for former DPS deputy secretary Cate Saunders.
After spending time in storage, the brush box timber sit-stand desk has now been moved into the office of Parliamentary Workplace Support Service CEO Leonie McGregor. The desk's cost and the circumstances surrounding Saunders' departure, including a $315,000 "incentive to retire" payment and her personal relationship with then-secretary Rob Stefanic, had drawn significant parliamentary scrutiny.
Liberal senator Jane Hume had specifically requested a photo of the desk during Senate estimates hearings in October. DPS secretary Jaala Hinchcliffe had previously described the desk as "quite beautiful," acknowledging the skilled work of the Parliament House carpentry team.
These disclosures on the register of interests provide a regular, though often startling, insight into the gifts and benefits afforded to Australia's most senior public officials and military commanders.
