The great political relationships list

Dick Adams:a member of the House of Representatives since the 1993 federal election, representing the Division of Lyons in central Tasmania, the feisty federal Labor MP hired his wife, Dee Alty.

Anthony Albanese: the federal Labor Infrastructure Minister and member for Grayndler since March 1996 is married to Carmel Tebbutt, deputy premier of NSW.

Peter Anderson: a former NSW Labor Police Minister who served in Parliament from 1981 until 1995. His son Jeremy Anderson was on the staff of Richard Face, former NSW gaming minister.

Peter Andren: the late independent federal member for Calare (1996-2007) and all-round good guy when it comes to ethics employed his sister until 2001 and was very open about it from the beginning.

Neil Andrew: a former Liberal Federal Speaker representing Wakefield, SA, from 1993-2004, his daughter Kate worked for Senator Alan Ferguson.

Mark Arbib: the former Labor general secretary in NSW turned Federal senator is married to Kellie Field who has previously worked as chief of staff to former state Labor Minister Michael Costa.

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Jim Bacon: the late Tasmanian Premier would have been proud to see his son Scott Bacon win a state seat for Labor at the 2010 election.

Fran Bailey: the Victorian Federal Liberal Member for McEwen's daughter Abby worked in her electorate office and then went on to Jeff Kennett's office. Fran and Jeff's former chief of staff Anna Cronin were great friends.

Tim Baldwin: the former CLP Minister and member for Victoria River in the Northern Territory employed his wife in the electorate office.

Ann Barker: the Victorian Labor MLA for Oakleigh is married to Jim Barker who worked for years as Simon Crean's electorate officer.

Colin Barnett: the WA Liberal Premier employed as a research officer Sarah Browne, daughter of Peter Browne (former head of Education Department when Colin was Minister) and niece of former Liberal Senator Noel Crichton-Browne.

Tom Barton: the former Queensland Labor Minister for State Development represented Waterford from 1992 until 2006 and at one point employed his daughter-in-law Natasha Barton under her maiden name Natasha Lackey as an electorate officer. She's married to Darren Barton.

Karen Baxter: the former Casey councillor in Melbourne's outer east resigned in February 2010 only to be replaced, via a count back system, by Beverley Hastie, who happens to be Baxter's mum.



Arch Bevis: the Federal Labor Member for Brisbane's son worked for former Queensland Labor Treasurer Terry Mackenroth. Another son and daughter were employed in his office.

Bruce Billson: the federal Liberal Member for Dunkley's former wife Tina worked for Peter Reith in his electorate office.

Flo Bjelke Petersen: worked for Sir Joh in the early days of his tenure as Premier of Queensland and then became a National Party senator for Queensland.

Ian Blandthorn: the Shop Assistants Union heavyweight has a daughter Lizzie Blandthorn who worked for SDA-aligned Victorian Senator Jacinta Collins. Lizzie is an aspiring MP.

Nick Bolkus: the litigious former Labor Senator and Minister in the Hawke Government saw his wife given a paid planning gig on the Local Government Grants Commission by left faction colleague and SA State Minister Jay Weatherill.

Steve Bracks: when first elected as Premier in 1999, Victoria's first lady Terri Bracks was an adviser to a Federal Labor MP although she soon gave that away.

John Brumby: his daughter, a nephew and two sisters-in-law work as electoral officers inside his office and that of Deputy Premier Rob Hulls, according to a Herald Sun splash in March 2010. Listen to interview on 3AW with Derryn Hinch about the topic.

Joan and John Budd: the former ALP General Returning Officer in Queensland had a son Sean employed by Labor state MP Michael Choi. Joan's husband John Budd was a state MP from 1992-95 but before and after this was employed variously by Con Sciacca, Senator Mal Colston and Senator John Hogg. Similarly, Joan's son Lee Hipkins was employed in various ministers' offices during the Goss and Beattie Governments, including Tony McGrady's.

Brian Burke: the son of former federal Labor parliamentarian Tom Burke, and the former WA premier from 1983 to 1988, his niece Sam (and Terry Burke's daughter) worked in Geoff Gallop's office as a press officer and speech writer.

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Alan Cadby: the WA Liberal MLC from 2001 to 2005, employed Helen Earle, the married daughter of fellow WA Liberal MLA Rob Johnson.

Paul Calvert: the former Tasmanian Liberal Senator who served from 1997 to 2007, used to employ Peter Lindsay's daughter Kylie as well as his daughter Kate.

Eoin Cameron: the Perth shock jock and former Liberal member for Stirling in WA from 1993-1998, had his son and also his daughter's partner working in his office.

Ian Campbell: the former WA Liberal senator and Environment Minister (1990-2007) had wife Brenda on the payroll over the years.

Elaine Carbines: the Victorian Labor MLC has a step-son Anthony Carbines who was chief of staff to John Brumby's Education Minister Bronwyn Pyke and has now been preselected for the seat of Ivanhoe. The former Geelong Advertiser journalist also briefly worked for his step-mum through the pooled staff system.

Kim Carr: Labor's lefty Senate powerbroker and Industry Minister from Victoria used to employ his wife.

Michaelia Cash: the daughter of the former WA Speaker and Liberal Minister used to work for Senator Ross Lightfoot at the same time as dating him. Yes, there was a huge age difference and this was after Lightfoot's marriage to Julie Bishop but before he married his current wife who also used to work for him.

Bob Catley: former ALP MP in South Australia who went on to be a lecturer at the University of Newcastle. His daughter works as a manager in Greg Combet's Charlton electoral office.

Yvonne Chapman: the former National Party MP (1983-1989) for the state seat of Pine Rivers in Queensland, mayor of the Shire of Pine Rivers (1994-2008) and one-time Minister for Families hired a number of her family members for electorate office and Ministerial office work.

John Cobb: the Federal National Party MP employed one of his seven daughter in his Canberra office.

Ian Cohen: the NSW Green employed his long-time girlfriend Jan Barham on the public payroll, despite the fact that she was living in Byron Bay.

Mal Colston: a former Labor party senator representing Queensland from 1975-1999, was the biggest rorter of them all. He hired his wife, two sons David and Doug, as well as Doug's fiancee.

Peter Cook: the late Labor Senator and Trade Minister from WA (1982-2005) employed his wife because he was away from Perth so much.

Robin Cooper: Jeff Kennett's then Transport Minister sat back and watched his daughter Rebecca make about $2 million from the privatisation of Victoria's energy industry as a director and 25% shareholder of specialist consultancy firm Troughton Swier which collected $24 million from the process. Before this Rebecca was a senior adviser to Jeff and Robin then added to his family record by hiring his son in the electorate office.

Russell Cooper: the former National Party State Minister in Queensland (1983-2001) and the 33rd Premier of Qld, has a daughter Penny who has worked for former Member for Aspley John Goss and also as Mike Horan's media adviser.

Brian Courtice: the former Federal ALP MP for Hinkler (1987- 1993) employed his wife on staff for a short period.

Greg Crafter: former Labor minister in South Australia whose son Sam was an adviser to defeated state Education minister Jane Lomax-Smith.

Winston Crane: the former WA Liberal Senator (1990-2002) employed his wife Thea White as a secretary.

Noel Crichton-Browne: the WA Liberal powerbroker's former wife worked for former WA Liberal Minister Norman Moore MLC.

Lynton Crosby: the former Federal director of the Liberal Party gave his wife Dawn Crosby a job at the Government Members Secretariat after a previous stint as ACT Director of the Liberal Party and before that a staff member for Queensland Senator John Herron.

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Elaine Darling: the former Federal ALP Member for Wayne Swan's seat of Lilley employed her daughter Vicky for some time.

Michael Danby: the MHR for Melbourne Ports employed his nephew, then 19-year-old student Gidon Brott, as an electorate officer.

Laurie Daly: the son of Labor legend Fred Daly was a staffer in the office of the NSW Minister for Fisheries from 1995.

Kay Darveniza: the former Labor Victorian upper house member for Melbourne West hired her brother-in-law at one point.

Burwyn Davidson: the former Victorian Labor MLC's son worked for Senator Robert Ray.

John Della Bosca: as General Secretary of the NSW ALP, he organised for his wife Belinda Neal to fill a casual senate vacancy following the retirement of Kerry Sibraa. Neal later took the Federal seat of Robertson whilst Della rose to be NSW Health Minister but both have come a cropper in recent times.

Hugh Delahunty: the Nationals MP in the Victorian Parliament told the Herald Sun in 2010 he employed a family member. Hugh is also the brother of Mary Delahunty, a former Education and Planning Minister in the Bracks Government.

Kay Denman: the former Tasmanian Labor Senator and opposition whip employed her son Paul in the office.

Peter Dowding: the former WA Labor Premier has a much younger half-brother Simon Dowding who forged a good career as a business newspaper journalist in Melbourne and then a television political journalist in Perth before sampling the political game where he has most recently been press secretary to Immigration Minister Chris Evans.

Alexander Downer: the Foreign Minister's wife, Nikki Downer, was appointed to the Australia Council board during the Howard years and in 2010 his daughter Georgina works for the Foreign Affairs and Trade Department.

Trish Draper: The Federal Liberal MP and travel rorter employed her son Chris, who went on to work for senator Cory Bernardi, another Liberal who appears on this list for employing his wife.

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Graham Edwards: the Vietnam veteran and former Federal Labor MP from Perth employed his daughter Janey Edwards which was understandable given that his legs were blown off in Vietnam and he needed assistance to get around that best came from a family member.

Cheryl Edwardes: the former Liberal Minister in WA has a husband called Colin who worked for former Senator Ian Campbell.


Kay Elson: the Federal Queensland Liberal member's daughter Selma worked for Kay in Canberra but was attached to the electorate office in Beenleigh south of Brisbane. Selma's husband Andrew worked in the Government Members Secretariat. Johleene Wright (nee Elson) used to work for Margaret May MP. Andrew Schuller (husband of Selma) also worked at the Government Members Secretariat and Kay's husband Dave has been an acting state Director of the Queensland Division. Kay's youngest daughter Talena Elson worked for the Federal Member for Ryan, Michael Johnson as chief of staff. Even her daughter-in-law, Tracey Thornbury, has worked in the Beenleigh office.

Paddy Embry: the former One Nation MLC from WA employed a Jackie Embry in his electorate office.

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Laurie Ferguson: the Federal ALP member has employed his son and also accompanies his brother Martin in Parliament. The other brother, Andrew Ferguson, is national secretary of the CFMEU, one of Labor's biggest donors and affiliated unions.

Jeannie Ferris: the late Liberal Senator from South Australia used to give casual work to Jacqui Featherstone, daughter of Barry Featherstone, the defeated Liberal candidate for Peter Lewis' seat of Hammond in SA. Ferris also gave casual work to Jeremy Whyte, son of Martin Whyte, defeated candidate for Senate preselection (beaten by Grant Chapman and Michelle Lensink for the 3rd and 4th positions), and nephew of recent SA Government Minister Carolyn Schaeffer MLC.

Michael Field: the former Tasmanian Labor Premier has a brother Terry Field who was employed by former Labor Education Minister Paula Wreidt as senior private secretary.



Fred Finch: the former CLP Minister in the Northern Territory employed his daughter.

Joel Fitzgibbon: the Labor MP for Newcastle inherited the seat from his father Eric.

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Tanya Gadiel: the ALP member for Parramatta in NSW used to be married to Michael Gadiel, who rose to be assistant secretary of Unions NSW. Michael's brother Aaron Gadiel was chief of staff to factional powerbroker Joe Tripodi before heading up the developers lobby group Urban Taskforce Australia and campaigning honorably for a complete ban on developer donations.

Steve Georganas: the former taxi driver now holds the Federal seat of Hindmarsh for Labor and he used to be a ministerial adviser to state minister Jay Weatherill. Steve's wife Wendy was once the the personal assitant to SA Labor minister Steph Key.

Petro Georgiou: the outgoing Federal Member for Kooyong has a son Dino who worked for former Finance Minister John Fahey and his daughter-in-law worked on the staff of former Attorney General Darryl Williams as an adviser on family law.

Brenda Gibbs: the former Queensland Labor senator hired her daughter, Toni, to fill in a temporary electorate office position. And Brenda's ex husband is former Goss and Beattie Minister Bob Gibbs.

Roger Goldsworthy: the former South Australian deputy premier allowed his son Mark Goldsworthy to take his seat but before that he worked for SA Liberal backbencher Ivan Venning and his uncle, Grant Chapman, the longest serving Federal Liberal MP never to have made the ministry.

Bruce Goodluck: former member for Franklin in Tasmania, employed his wife Cynthia and his daughter Catherine.

Julian Grill: former Labor Minister in WA turned notorious lobbyist partner of Brian Burke. His daughter was employed by former WA Labor speaker Fred Reibeling as a research officer.

Brian Greig: the former Democrat senator from WA employed his partner, Keith, on a short term basis when he was short-staffed.

Ray Groom: the former Tasmanian Liberal Premier has a son Matthew who was elected to the state parliament as a Liberal at the 2010 election.

Graham Gunn: Australian's longest serving politician who has served in the SA Parliament as member for Stuart since 1970. His nephew Tom Rayner has worked for SA Liberal MLC Caroline Schaefer.

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Dianne Hadden: the former Labor MLC for Ballarat Province in Victoria employed her sister Jenny as an electorate officer and also put her husband on the payroll too, but this wasn't why she was disendorsed by Labor.

Jill Hall: the NSW MP employed her son Chris part-time.

Joan Hall: the former South Australian Liberal MP was married to the late South Australian Liberal Premier Steele Hall and their son Ben Hall has worked for fellow SA Liberal Mark Brindal.

Keith Hamilton: Labor's former Victorian Agriculture minister used to employ his wife in the electorate office.


Steve Hatton: the former Northern Territory chief minister has a son Jason who was employed by the previous Chief Minister Denis Burke as a research officer prior to his failed attempt at succession to the family seat of Nightcliff.

Pauline Hanson: employed her son.

Len Harris: the former One Nation senator from Queensland hired one of his children on his staff.

Leisha Harvey: the former National Party MP and one-time Minister for Families was one of the four National Party MPs jailed as a result of the Fitzgerald Inquiry. She also multiple family members as either electorate officers or Ministerial staffers.

Michael Hatton: the former Keating staffer who took his boss's seat of Blaxland employed his wife Shirley in the electorate office.

Hazel Hawke: worked for Bob for a brief period.

John Herron: the former Aboriginal Affairs minister in the Howard government has a daughter Willie Herron who was a long-time staffer to the PM. Another daughter Samantha worked for David Kemp.

Dean Hersey: the defeated Liberal candidate for Kingston is a member of the SA state executive and his wife wife Karen works for Senator Jeannie Ferris.

Harold Hird: the former Liberal MLA in the ACT employed his son Mark in his office.

Kelly Hoare: the former Federal Labor MP for Charlton inherited the seat from her dad before it was taken by Greg Combet at the 2007 election.

Will Hodgman: the Tasmanian Liberal leader is the son of colourful former Federal Liberal MP Michael Hodgman.

John Howard: daughter Melanie was briefly on the Member for Bennelong's electorate staff (part-time) during those long years in opposition.

Brian Howe: daughter Abbey worked for Andrew Theophanus before Andrew ratted on the Left, whereupon Abbey found a job with the Public Transport Union. She then joined the payroll of the Victorian branch of the ALP.

Greg Hunt: the Federal MP for Flinders and former Alexander Downer staffer is the son of famous Kennett challenger and Victorian MLA Alan Hunt, who landed a couple of gigs off the Bracks government.

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Julia Irwin: the former Federal Labor member for Fowler in Sydney hired her husband Geoff Irwin as a paid adviser even though he was already on a parliamentary pension. Julia also employs David Grace, son of former Fowler MP Ted Grace, now retired to Batemans Bay on a nice pension.

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Judy Jackson: the daughter of Tasmania's former Attorney General was employed as a "legal advisor" to the late Premier Jim Bacon.

Harry Jenkins: inherited the Federal Labor seat of Scullin from his dad and survived a preselection challenge in 2007 from Nathan Murphy, son of Plumbers Union heavyweight Tony Murphy.

Michael Johnston: the Federal Liberal member for Ryan appointed a family member to his staff shortly after winning the seat in 2001.

Rob Johnson: MLA for Hillarys in WA who used to employ Sue Cadby, the wife of MLC Alan Cadby.

Ricky Johnston: a former Liberal member of the House of Reps from WA who had his wife on the payroll part time at various times. Another staffer, Janine Lacy, went on to marry Mark Latham.

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Trevor Kaine: the former ACT Chief Minister/Liberal leader employed then girlfriend and later wife Sandy Brooke in his Assembly office.

Bob Katter: who was MP for Kennedy from 1966 to 1990. He was an investor in cattle and mining interests before entering politics. Most of his children have worked out of his office at one time or another. Caroline came on board very swiftly as 'chief of staff' after the departure of George Price, just prior to Katter going independent. His son, Robert Katter is a federal politician. He has served as a member of the House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Kennedy, Queensland.

Paul Keating: the former PM's daughter Katherine become a "salinity advisor" to NSW Minister Craig Knowles at the tender age of 21 and is now a registered lobbyist.

Margaret Keech: the Queensland Fair Trading Minister's husband worked in Peter Lawlor's Southport electorate office.

De-Anne Kelly: the former Queensland National MP employed husband Roger.

David Kemp: the former Federal Environment Minister's niece Celia Kemp was appointed to the National Health & Medical Research Council at the age of just 19.

Peter Keogh: is a former CPSU SPSF assistant secretary, turned chief of staff for Victorian Socialist Left state housing minister Dick Wynne. His wife is Cath Bowtell - Labor's candidate to replace Lindsay Tanner in the seat of Melbourne.

John Kobelke: fomer WA Labor Minister who employed fellow right faction Minister Nick Catania's daughter Angela as a policy advisor in Indigenous Affairs.

Dorothy Kotz: the lower house MP once employed Leah Grantham, daughter of Liberal MLC John Dawkins.

Michael Kroger: the former state director of the Liberals in Victoria was married to Andrew Peacock's daughter Annie and his first wife Helen Kroger is now a Liberal senator.

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Bill Landeryu: the former Labor deputy leader in Victoria employed his son and daughter at different times. Bill also employed Bob Hawke's daughter Ros in the 1980s.

Brian Langton: the former NSW Labor Transport Minister who resigned over travel rorts has a daughter, Davina Langton, who works for NSW Premier Morris Iemma.

Mark Latham: a rare example of cross-party relationships when his second marriage was to Janine Lacy, a former staffer to Federal Liberal MP Ricky Johnson.

Michael Lavarch: the former Federal Attorney General and Queensland Labor figure briefly employed his lawyer wife Lynda on his electorate staff when he was a backbencher. Lynda went on to be a State Minister in Queensland.

David Lean: the former Victorian State Liberal Member for Carrum has a daughter Amanda who worked for one-time party leader Denis Napthine.

Paul Lennon: the former Tasmanian Premier's daughter Nicky Lennon worked for then Tourism Minister Paula Wreidt as an administrator.

Peter Lewis: the former South Australian independent kingmaker turned Speaker employed his wife as his electorate office cleaner.

Ross Lightfoot: the WA Senator's third wife, Anne Ferguson-Stewart used to work for fellow senator Winston Crane. And Ross's daughter Jo worked in his office, but because she had a different surname it largely went unnoticed.

Hong Lim: Labor MLA for Clayton in Victoria ensured that his son Geoffrey got a position on the Victorian Young Labor Executive in June 2002 and was elected as a delegate to the Australian Young Labor conference in Queensland.

Jenny Lindell: the Labor MP for Carrum's husband was employed by then Victorian Finance Minister John Lenders as his chief of staff.

Peter Lindsay: the former Federal Liberal member for Townsville has a daughter, Kylie, who worked with Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald prior to working for Senate President Paul Calvert.

Ted Lindsay: the former Federal member for Herbert has a son Eamon Lindsay who worked in the electorate office of Allan Morris, former member for Newcastle. His sister also worked for a Federal ALP figure.

Kevin Lingard: National Party MP for the Queensland state seat of Beaudesert and former National Party Minister, has employed family members as staff on a number of occasions. His daughter Trish Coyne has also worked for Andrea West.

David Llewellyn: senior member of current Tasmanian ALP cabinet. His son, Anthony Llewellyn, a Newcastle psychiatrist, is also a Health Services Union Councillor. It's not directly political but still relevent given gerrymandered 50% control affiliated unions have over the ALP.

Peter Loney: Victorian Labor MP whose wife Judy used to work for Gavin O'Connor, the former Federal Labor member for Corio.

Jospeh Ludwig: the Queensland Labor senator and special minister of state is the son of ALP powerbroker, Bill Ludwig, head of the Australian Worker's Union. Bill's daughter Carmen was also employed in Deane Wells' office in Queensland.

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Steve McArthur: the former Liberal MP for Monbulk in Victoria employed Jill Hutchinson, the daughter of fellow Liberal Rosemary Varty, with whom he shared an electorate office.

Stewart Macarthur: the keen runner and former Federal Liberal member for Corangamite had his wife Bev on the payroll.

Ted Mack: this legend employed his wife Wendy when he was the independent Member for North Sydney in the Federal Parliament but she never took a salary so congratulations to both of them. Ted also refused to take his parliamentary super.

Paul and Michael Macdonald: a father and son combination for Maroondah City Council in Melbouren's eastern suburbs who apparently voted for different candidates in the 2008 mayoral ballot.


Terry Mackenroth: the former Treasurer and deputy premier of Queensland has a daughter who worked in his Chatswood electorate office.

Jann McFarlane: the Federal ALP member for Stirling in WA employed her daughter, Heather, in the office.

Jim McKiernan: the WA Labor Senator from 1984 until 2002 at one point employed his wife, Jackie.

Leo McLeay: former federal member for Watson. Son Paul McLean is in NSW state parliament for the seat of Heatchcote. Paul's wife Cassandra Wilkinson was a former public servant. Other son Mark McLeay was an industrial organiser. Leo's wife Janice McLeay was a commissioner at the industrial relations commission.

Jan McLucas: the Queensland Labor senator used to work for her husband, State Member for Cook, Steve Bredhauer.

John MacQuilton: the former Labor MLC for Ballarat Province in Victoria has a son, Martin MacQuilton, who worked for Federal Labor MP for Melbourne Ports, Michael Danby.

Robyn McSweeney: the daughter of the WA Liberal MLC worked for fellow MLC Norman Moore.

Kirstie Marshall: the Victorian Labor MP and former skiing legend employed her mum to help look after her new baby.

Margaret May: the Federal Liberal MP's daughter Kristin May worked in John Howard's office when he was PM.

Andrew McKenzie: a member of the Socialist Left and adviser to Aged Care and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gavin Jennings. McKenzie had previously been the party's assistant state secretary from 1994 to 2000. His father, David McKenzie, was member for the since-abolished federal seat of Diamond Valley from 1972 to 1975.

Daryl Melham: the Federal Labor MP from NSW employed his sister-in-law Gail two days a week and claimed he "doesn't give a f*ck" who she's married to.

James Merlino: the Victorian Labor sports minister in the Brumby government told the Herald Sun in early 2010 that he employed his sister and sister-in-law in his electorate office.

Jenny Mikakos: the Victorian ALP upper house member employed her sister Nikki as an electorate officer.

Michael Moore: the former Independent and ACT Health Minister in the Carnell government employed his wife Helen.

Shayne Murphy: the former Independent Tasmanian senator and CFMEU heavyweight employed his wife as an electorate officer for a period.

Andrew Murray: the former Democrat senator from WA employed his wife Pam but she worked 80 hours a week and was only paid as a part-timer and did not claim travel allowance.

Nathan Murphy: unsuccessfully challenged Harry Jenkins in Scullin in 2007 with the support of his father Tony Murphy who controls 10 central committee votes through his role at the Plumbers Union. In 2010 he filled the casual vacancy in the Victorian upper house created by the retirement of Theo Theophanous but was defeated later in the year.

Grant Musgrove: the former Queensland Labor backbencher has two brothers Ashley and Ross who were both employed by then Police Minister Tom Barton. Since the Shepherdson inquiry all the Musgroves are off the public payroll. Ashley's wife Sarah Kleinschmidt worked for Federal Labor MP Craig Emerson.

Lisa Neville: the Labor MP for Bellarine in the Victorian Parliament is the former wife of Richard Marles, the Federal Labor member for Corio.

Peter Nugent: the late Liberal federal member for Aston in Victoria employed his wife Carole in his electorate office

Gavan O'Connor: former Labor MP for Corio who had his daughter Sophie working as his electorate officer for 12 months in 1995. She later got work as a reliever, as did son Adam. Gavin also employed the wife of state MP Peter Loney, Judy Loney.

Neil O'Keefe: the former federal ALP member for Burke employed his wife in his Kyneton electorate office.

Andrew Olexander: the former Liberal-turned-Independent Victorian MP hired his lover Jim Forbes, an experienced political operator, on a part-time basis in 2006 shortly before his defeat.

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Henry Palaszczuk: the former Queensland Primary Industries minister has a daughter Annastacia who has worked for a number of Queensland ministers, including Dean Wells.

Phillip Pendal: this WA Liberal turned Independent has a daughter Sasha who was chief of staff to Queensland Liberal and federal minister Mal Brough.

Inga Peulich: Victorian Liberal MP and spear carrier for the Kroger-Costello faction. Her son Paul Peulich was a Liberal candidate at the 2008 Kingston City Council elections. He is no longer employed by Inga Peulich MP where he worked one day per week on desk top publishing for a few months.

Charles Pick: Labor mayor in the City of Manningham in Melbourne's eastern suburbs who is the son of a former Liberal councillor Clive Pick.

Roger Price: the Federal Labor member for Chifley has hired his daughters in the past.

Alice Pryor: one of the female ALP councillors unfairly expelled from the party at Moreland City Council in early 2010. Her father is the well-respected former Labor mayor of Brunswick Simon Pryor.

Jaala Pulford: NUW powerbroker within the Victorian ALP whose husband Jeff Pulford got a job in John Brumby's office, then at Justin Madden's office and then a comfortable gig at the Commonwealth Games as "Communications Director".

Eric Poole: a former CLP Minister in the Northern Territory who had his wife on the public payroll.

Robert Poole: the former state ALP MP in the Queensland Parliament had both his daughter, M Bathman, and brother-in-law Sid working in the electorate office until he moved to Thailand and was forced to quit.

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Andrew Refshauge: the former NSW deputy premier has a brother Michael who worked for fellow Minister Carmel Tebbutt who is herself married to Anthony Albanese, Federal Member for Grayndler. Carmel was also a councillor at Marrickville Council while Michael was working there.

Fiona Richardson: the member for Northcote and Victorian ALP Labor Unity faction convener's husband Steve Newnham is the immediate past State Secretary of the Victorian ALP.

John Richardson: the former Liberal Member for Forrest Hill in Victoria not only employed his son Roland but tried to get him into Parliament. He lost the preselection contest and then ski queen Kirsty Marshall won the seat for Labor in the 2002 Brackslide.

Gary Rowe: the Victorian State Liberal member for Cranbourne has a daughter Nyah Rowe who worked for fellow state Liberal David Lean in his electorate office.

Peter Ryan: the Nationals leader in Victoria told the Herald Sun he employed his son for most of 2009.

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George Seitz: out-going Labor MLA for Keilor in Victoria has in the past had both his daughter and son (also called George) on the payroll. George's niece Heidi Seitz was also one of the sacked Brimbank councillors in 2009.

Caroline Schaefer: the SA Liberal MLC had Graham Gunn's nephew Tom Rayner on her staff whilst her own niece Brodie Sampson has worked for David Ridgeway, another SA Liberal MP.

Bob Sercombe: the former Federal Labor Member for Maribyrnong hired his wife Carmen as an electorate officer at the same time as she ran a migration agency business exclusively over her mobile phone. Sercombe vacated for Bill Shorten at the 2007 election.

Kerry Sibraa: former ALP senate leader whose wife Julie Sibraa worked for former NSW Minister John Della Bosca.

Fiona Simpson: took over the seat of Maroochydore in the Queensland Parliament from her dad who was the last to fall in the Joh era having been appointed a minister 24 hours before Sir JBP got the chop.

Ryan Smith: the state Liberal MP for Warrandyte in Victoria employs his wife part time in the Ringwood electorate office.

Alex Somlyay: the Federal Liberal member for Fairfax had daughter Victoria on the staff of Finance Minister Nick Minchin and before that she was a research officer for then Northern Territory chief minister Shane Stone.

Andrew Southcott: the little known federal MP had the infamous former MP Stan Evans on the pay. His brother-in-law James Simpson, former Liberal Club President at Adelaide Uni, worked for defeated Liberal candidate for Mitchell, Hugh Martin.

Greg Sword: the former NUW heavyweight and ALP national president's wife Cathy Sword has worked as an electorate officer for several Victorian Labor MPs including John Lenders and Tim Holding.

Bill Sykes: the Nationals state MP for Benalla in Victoria told the Herald Sun in 2010 he employed a family member.

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Dan Tehan: the Federal Liberal member for Wannon replaced former speaker David Hawker at the 2010 election. Dan was previously a deputy director of the Victorian Liberal Party, Fran Bailey's chief of staff and an advisor to Mark Vaile. His mother was the late Marie Tehan, Health Minister in the Kennett Government. The powerbrokers who supported Dan's preselection included Ted Baillieu, Robert Doyle, Louise Asher and Denis Napthine, all of whom were on close terms with one or both of Dan's parents.

Ken Ticehurst: the former federal Liberal MP for Dobell put his wife and daughter on his electorate office payroll within weeks of taking office in 2004.

John Tierney: the former NSW Liberal Senator employed his daughter Cathy as media advisor in his Newcastle office in the 1990s.

David Tonkin: the well-regarded former Liberal Premier in SA has a son James who was a press secretary and then adviser in the Kennett media unit before taking charge of Victoria Police spinning. He later went to Gavin Anderson and now spins for listed tollroad play Connect East.

Judith Troeth: the out-going Victorian Liberal Senator has a son Simon who has worked for numerous Liberals over the years, including Ian Campbell and Richard Alston.

Warren Truss: the Nationals leader and former Federal Agriculture Minister married Lynette, the electorate secretary of his immediate predecessor in the Queensland seat of Wide Bay, in 1989 before taking over the seat in 1990.

Spot Turnbull: the former Tasmanian Labor Treasurer and Australia's first Independent Senator employed his daughter, now Lady Grimwade, for three weeks over Christmas in the 1950s.

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Danna Vale: the federal Veteran's Affairs minister used to employ her husband Bob in her Hughes electorate office until the PM banned ministers from doing this.

Maria Vamvakinou: the Federal Labor MP's husband Michalis Michael worked for Senator Barney Cooney between 1998-2000 and is now in academia. However, he rightly argues that his wife was of no assistance whatsoever in getting this job.

David Vigor: the former South Australian Democrat Senator from 1984 until 1987 employed his wife, Janet.

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Barry Wakelin: the Federal Liberal member for Grey has had his wife Tina on the payroll from time to time.

Sue Walker: the Liberal MLA for Nedlands in WA who succeeded Richard Court had her two sisters working in the office for the first 6 months after her election. She later turned Independent but lost at the 2008 election.

John Watkins: the former NSW Transport Minister has a daughter whose boyfriend worked for then Tourism Minister Sandra Nori. Similarly, Watkins' former chief of staff, Emma Murphy, is the niece of a former Wran Minister.

Jay Weatherill: a senior Minister in the Rann Government whose wife Melissa Bailey worked as Ministerial Adviser for fellow South Australian Minister Pat Conlon.

Peter Wells: the former State Director of the Western Australian Liberal Party employed his wife Dorothy as office cleaner.

Andrea West: the former Liberal Member for Bowman in Queensland employed her sister for the entire length of her term.

Paul Whelan: the former NSW police minister's nephew, John Whelan, was formerly a chief of staff to the Minister for Transport, Michael Costa, and then landed a job $190,000-a-year job as director of community transport in NSW before joining Kim Beazley's office. Whelan's son (also John) worked for former NSW Treasurer Michael Egan and his daughter Bridgette worked for John Della Bosca.

Gough Whitlam: son Tony lost a preselection contest against Leo Macleay for the federal seat of Grayndler in 1975 following Fred Daley's sudden retirement, while his father was still parliamentary leader. The Wran government later made Tony a judge.

Martin Whyte: the brother of SA Liberal MLC Caroline Schaefer MLC and their father was Liberal MLC Arthur Whyte. Martin's wife Debbie was once employed in Senator Alan Ferguson's office.

Kim Wilkie: a rare breed in being a former farmer who rose to become a Labor MHR for Swan. Employed his cousin Jenny O'Reilly as an electorate officer.

Ian Wilson: was the Federal Liberal member for Sturt before Chris Pyne and employed his son in the electorate office.

Margaret Woodgate: former Labor member for Kurwongbah in the Queensland Parliament who hired her son-in-law, Philip Halton, as senior ministerial policy adviser when she was Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Disability Services and Families in 1995-96. Margaret's daughter Margaret was also hired by Gary Johns, federal Labor member for Petrie from 1987-1996.

John Woodley: the former Democrats Senator employed his daughter Lesley for a number of years.

Michael Wooldridge: the former Health Minister's sister Mary Wooldridge was picked up as an adviser to then Industry Minister Nick Minchin and is now the Liberal member for Doncaster and a rising star in the Victorian Parliament.

Trish Worth: the former Federal Liberal Member for Adelaide and Parliamentary Secretary employed her daughter in the electorate office.

Russell Wortley: a Justice of the Peace and former head of the Gas sub-branch of the TWU in SA, he was elected to the South Australian Legislative Council in 2006. He is married to Senator Dana Wortley.

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