<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fresh questions are being asked about the expenses federal politicians are allowed to claim and what reviews should be implemented.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying this week that the rules governing politicians' travel allowances were set by the previous government, documents reveal Labor's Special Minister of State Don Farrell made an alteration on February 12, just weeks before the federal election was called. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That change affected what classified as party political duties and seemingly broadened what politicians might be able to bill taxpayers for when it comes to travel expenses. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="http://9news.com.au/world/new-photos-epstein-estate-trump-bannon-bill-clinton/036bce34-b6ce-45db-8919-ef561400d2f5" rel="" target="" title="New Epstein photos 'no big deal', says Trump"><strong><span>New Epstein photos 'no big deal', says Trump</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's outrageous to change the rules so that the taxpayer can pay for campaigning and political party events," independent Senator David Pocock said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Clearly the rules are not in line with community expectations and we need to make sure they are in line with what Australians expect."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Energy Minister Chris Bowen defended the alterations, saying: "My understanding is that that change was simply a clarification of the rules to make them simpler."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/allegations-taxpayer-expense-parameters-were-altered-before-federal-election/a485230e-0ce9-4f96-be13-eb956102a01c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There was no change to what is allowed or not allowed," Bowen said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has also emerged that a review into political expenses was meant to take place this year but was postponed by two years, and now won't take place until 2027.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/mornington-victoria-police-ramming-man-flees/c8b9e9eb-233f-495f-9d5c-383adea6d1b0" rel="" target="" title="CCTV shows shirtless man run from scene after police car rammed"><strong><span>CCTV shows shirtless man run from scene after police car rammed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government, at the time of postponing the review, cited disruptions from the federal election as the reason for the delay.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Centre for Public Integrity executive director Dr Catherine Williams said changes needed to be made. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's clear that the rules need to be reviewed so that members of parliament and the public can have confidence that when taxpayer money is being spent on parliamentarians' travel, it's meeting community expectations," she said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese has said he's seeking advice from the expenses watchdog regarding the legislation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bowen responded to questions about his colleagues' expenses during the unveiling of a shakeup of the government's home batteries subsidy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bowen said the subsidy scheme proved "even more successful than the government originally anticipated", meaning most of the $2.3 billion set aside for the four-year program would be exhausted within the next year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As a result, the government has splashed an extra $5 billion into the program, but they're changing the parameters of the discounts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From May next year, only smaller batteries will receive the full 30 per cent discount.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That figure will taper down for larger batteries "to make sure the program continues to be fair and sustainable", Bowen said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>EV benefits are also set to be reviewed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></a><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and 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