⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Thursday, 23 April 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Register of Interests: Don Farrell (SA) — sponsored travel from State Theatre Company South Australia and NBL; Federal contracts: $30,523,429 awarded; largest to Max Solutions Pty Ltd ($12,776,769); Parliament: not sitting; Political donations: $126,205 from Matthew Hughes.
Today’s digest includes:
- Register of Interests: Don Farrell (SA) — sponsored travel from State Theatre Company South Australia and NBL
- Federal contracts: $30,523,429 awarded; largest to Max Solutions Pty Ltd ($12,776,769)
- Parliament: not sitting
- Political donations: $126,205 from Matthew Hughes
- MP expenses: Ben Small (Forrest, Lib) — $354,497 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $15,300 (YTD $1,418,850); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607)
Register of Interests Update — Farrell, Don
South Australia
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality | 2 tickets to RBG: Of Many, One at Adelaide Festival Theatre on 11 April 2026, courtesy of State Theatre Company South Australia. |
| Self | Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality | 3 tickets and hospitality to the Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on the 27 March 2026, courtesy of the NBL. |
Deletions
None
Max Solutions Secures $12.8m in Novated Youth and Mature-Age Employment Contracts
Max Solutions Pty Ltd has been awarded three employment services contracts worth a combined $12.8 million following novation agreements with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The contracts cover Transition to Work services for young people aged 15-24, Career Transition Assistance for jobseekers over 45, and Employability Skills Training, all running through to June 2027.
Max Solutions, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, is one of Australia's largest employment services providers. The company operates as a Registered Training Organisation and delivers Workforce Australia programs, Disability Employment Services, and vocational training across more than 250 locations nationwide. In November 2025, the Angus Knight Group acquired Max Solutions' Australian operations from Maximus, bringing over 1,200 employees into the AKG network.
The novation process transfers existing government contracts from one entity to another following corporate transactions such as mergers or acquisitions. Under federal procurement rules, the government must approve such transfers to ensure the new contractor can fulfil all obligations. Transition to Work provides intensive pre-employment support to help young people develop job-ready skills, while Career Transition Assistance offers mature-age workers training in resume writing, digital literacy and interview techniques. Employability Skills Training delivers 75 hours of practical workplace skills development for jobseekers aged 15 and over.
Sources: dewr.gov.au; maxsolutions.com.au; akg.com.au; linkedin.com; acquisition.gov [link]
All tenders
Fed govt contracts given today came to $30,523,429. The winner is Max Solutions Pty Ltd ($12,776,769) [link]
Consultant Tenders
$93,676,636 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {1213} [link]
What’s Parliament doing
Parliament… is not sitting today. There are no committees today. {11} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet hasn’t taken to the skies in the past few days; VIPs remained grounded. [link]
How does the tender money flow…
YTD tenders for Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: $9,338,117 {768} [link]
Politician Expenses
Ben Small (Reps, Forrest, Lib) claimed $354,497 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $363,687 less than the average. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Eastbound Estate donated $15,000 in 2023-24. That was $5,000 to Labor and $10,000 to the Coalition. {8810} #auspol [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Alison Penfold (representatives, Lyne, National Party) attended 80.0% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $15,300. (YTD: $1,418,850) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook yesterday: $93,552. (YTD: $642,607) [link]
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