Aroused by One Nation's complaints, and more recently those of ex-Labor Senator, Fatima Payman about Albanese's refusal to allow them staff, constitutional lawyer Anne Twomey has said the Albanese's ‘stubbornness’ might fall within the definition of corruption, and be a breach of public trust, under the National Anti-Corruption Act of 2022.

It has also been alleged that the PM tried to use his power over staffing for all politicians to “groom” an ON politician. That would be regarded as corrupt “even if the conduct is not for the person's personal benefit”, according to the constitutional lawyer.

While the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 does give the PM the right of discretion over allocation of staff to parliamentarians, that discretion must be exercised for a “proper purpose”.

That's for the law to sort out. But, why can't Senator Payman have staff she genuinely believes she needs?

Well, according to one of the PM's spear carriers, Don Farrell, the PM had provided “no reason”. Perhaps it is just spite from an increasingly grumpy Albanese.

The Centre for Public Integrity believes that there are serious concerns about staffing allocations.

They are “unique amongst other comparable parliamentary democracies”.

The PM himself has a personal staff of 59, paid between $210k - $422k.

30 Ministers have 433 staff between them.

(Source: Conner Breslin/Oscar Godsell, News 24 Nov.12)