Dave Hughes criticises Albanese’s 59 advisers and their cost
Comedian Dave Hughes has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for maintaining a team of 59 personal advisers, arguing the size and cost of the advisory staff is excessive and unnecessary. Hughes points out that this is more than double the number of advisers for any other Labor frontbencher, with salaries ranging from $210,000 to $422,000 plus superannuation and allowances.
According to Department of Finance records from May, Albanese's advisory team is significantly larger than those of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who each have 19 advisers. Hughes highlighted that the advisers also claimed an average of $56,000 each in travel expenses, totalling what he describes as an "unbelievable amount" of government spending. Whilst previous Prime Ministers such as Tony Abbott (58 advisers) and John Howard (50) had comparable numbers, academic analysis suggests that Albanese has more staff classified as senior advisers, with higher pay classifications than his predecessor Scott Morrison.
- Dave Hughes criticises Albanese's 59-strong advisory team as excessive and costly
- PM's advisers earn $210k–$422k plus super; 59 is more than double any other Labor frontbencher
- Previous PMs had similar adviser numbers, but pay classifications have increased
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Anthony Albanese has been Australia's Prime Minister since 2022 and, like all Prime Ministers, maintains a team of personal advisers to assist with policy and decision-making. These advisers provide counsel on significant issues and help manage the Prime Minister's office. The size and cost of advisory teams periodically come under public scrutiny in Australia.
According to government records, Albanese's advisory staff comprises 59 members with annual salaries ranging from $210,000 to over $400,000, plus superannuation and allowances. This team is substantially larger than those serving other senior ministers in his Cabinet—the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer each employ 19 advisers. The group also claimed considerable travel expenses, adding significantly to the overall cost to taxpayers.
Whilst previous Australian Prime Ministers including Tony Abbott and John Howard employed advisory teams of comparable size, analysis indicates that Albanese's team includes more senior positions with higher salary classifications than his immediate predecessor, Scott Morrison. This combination of scale and expense has prompted scrutiny about whether such spending on Prime Minister's office staffing represents necessary government expenditure.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Critics argue that spending over £20 million annually on a PM's personal advisory staff—almost double that of senior Cabinet ministers—represents inefficient use of public money. With 59 advisers compared to 19 for the Treasurer and Foreign Minister, the ratio suggests bureaucratic excess rather than functional necessity. The substantial travel expenses and high salary classifications exemplify wasteful government spending that could fund frontline services, and the disparity with other Labor leaders raises legitimate questions about whether such a large inner circle actually improves decision-making or merely insulates the PM from broader Cabinet scrutiny.
The case against
Prime Ministers face responsibilities fundamentally different from other ministers, requiring advisers spanning economic policy, international affairs, national security, media management and party operations. Whilst the numbers may appear large, previous governments including Abbott and Howard operated with similar advisory teams, suggesting this reflects established practice rather than profligacy. Well-compensated, specialised advisers can prevent costly policy errors and improve implementation; focusing on headcount rather than outcomes misses whether these appointments actually deliver value. Modern governance complexity justifies substantial advisory capacity, and comparisons to other ministers overlook the distinctive constitutional and operational demands of the PM's role.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Dave Hughes takes aim at Albanese’s fleet of 59 advisers: ‘Australia’s broth has been f***ing ruined’”.