Federal politicians who lodge ineligible expense claims will be hit in the hip pocket and can be named and shamed in parliament under new guidelines introduced by the government.
But the measures don't go far enough according to some who will be subject to the new rules.
In the wake of an expenses furore which sparked debate about MPs and senators using the public purse to fund travel and accommodation to attend events including weddings and sports events, the government on Saturday tightened the rules.
"They will only be travelling if indeed it is in their capacity as an elected representative or as a minister or a shadow minister," Special Minister of State Michael Ronaldson said while announcing the tightening of parliamentary entitlements.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has revealed he repaid more than $1700 in flights and accommodation claimed for travelling to the weddings of former colleagues Sophie Mirabella and Peter Slipper in 2006, admitting there was a question mark over whether taxpayers should foot the bill for such events.
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More than $20,000 has been repaid by politicians in the past month in cases of alleged inaccurate claims.
From January 2014 MPs and senators who are required to repay claims, will be hit with a "significant financial penalty": an additional 25 per cent fine.
"This loading will provide an additional incentive to ensure that care is taken when completing travel claims," Senator Ronaldson said.
However some parliamentarians have called for greater punishment.
"The approach in principle is good but the penalty is way too low," Independent Senator Nick Xenophon told AAP of the government reforms.
"For MPs on $250,000 (a year) this is a micro-deterrent ... it is just too weak."
The South Australian senator wants expense-claim errors to attract a penalty of double the amount being repaid.
The Australian Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt said for the government's reform to be effective, an integrity commissioner and entitlements adviser should be appointed.
"There are always grey areas and without proper oversight and guidance MPs will just be paying fines and nothing will really change," Mr Bandt said.
Senator Ronaldson said parliamentarians and their representatives will be provided with training on the new guidelines which tighten entitlements for MPs, senators, their staff and families.
Repeated slip-ups in expense claims will result in mandatory additional training for the parliamentarian and their administrators.
Mr Abbott said the reforms present an improved system, but admitted they might not be foolproof.
"Is it going to be absolutely perfect? In the end I guess there's always going to be arguments at the margins," he said.
Senior Labor MP Richard Marles said the opposition welcomed the tightening of rules.
"We will obviously look at the detail of what has been proposed, but we welcome the announcement," he said.
