Former federal politicians have launched a High Court bid to claw bigger allowances and better travel entitlements from the taxpayer.

Fairfax Media can reveal that even as the Bronwyn Bishop expenses scandal was at its peak last month, four former lower house MPs – Labor's Barry Cunningham, Tony Lamb and Barry Cohen and Liberal John Moore – issued the court with a writ of summons seeking a boost to their already generous post-parliament payments.

The men want to use section 51 of the constitution – made famous in the classic Australian comedy The Castle – to challenge legislative changes the Gillard government made in 2011 and a series of subsequent Remuneration Tribunal decisions that have slightly slowed the growth of their retirement allowances.

Even though the four men now get between $81,000 and $115,000 a year from the taxpayer – not including bonus allowances based on the various roles they served in Parliament – they want more.

They argue their allowances should be based on a percentage of the full salary of current backbench MPs, which is about $195,000. Under the changes, their allowances are instead based on a percentage of their pre-2011 salaries – about $154,000.

In court documents obtained by Fairfax Media, lawyers for the men also complain the changes have resulted in a "substantial reduction" in their bonus allowances.

The men claim the changes represented an unlawful acquisition of their property by the Commonwealth – the same argument the Kerrigan​ family used to fend off developers who wanted to take their home to expand a neighbouring airport in The Castle. Under section 51, the Commonwealth can acquire property only on "just terms".

What's more, Mr Cohen and Mr Moore are mounting a further fight to resurrect the original version of the Life Gold Pass, which once entitled them to take an unlimited number of domestic flights at public expense.

Changes in 2002 limited the pass to 25 return flights and then further changes in 2012 limited it to 10 return flights. The Life Gold Pass has been so controversial it has been scrapped altogether for MPs retiring post-2012.

But Mr Cohen, a minister in the Hawke government, and Mr Moore, a minister in the Fraser and Howard governments, want the changes rolled back so they can once again travel with no restrictions. They argue the changes also constituted an acquisition of property.

It's understood the four men sought financial assistance from the Commonwealth to mount their challenge.

Well-placed sources say their application was thrown in the bin.

Indeed, the High Court bid has sparked anger among current MPs, coming as it does amid the white-hot public fury over parliamentary entitlements sparked by the infamous $5000 chopper charter that led to Mrs Bishop's downfall as Speaker.

"This is quite simply outrageous," one current MP told Fairfax Media. "My view is the High Court will throw them out."

Constitutional law expert George Williams also believes the men are likely to have a tough time mounting their argument.

"The inherent difficulty is the court would see these entitlements as something the Parliament is entitled to alter," he said.

When the four were asked for comment through their lawyer, Yves Hazan, he declined to comment.

The case is expected to go to a directions hearing in the coming weeks.

WHO'S WHO

Labor member for Macmillan, Barry Cunningham, in 1981. Photo: Fairfax Media

Barry Cunningham is a former Labor MP from Victoria. He spent his 12 years in Parliament from 1980 to 1990 and then 1993 to 1996 as a backbencher. His most senior role was government whip. He gets about $92,400 a year from the taxpayer, not including bonus allowances.

Tony Lamb is also a former Labor MP from Victoria. He spent his nine years as an MP from 1972 and 1975 and then 1984 to 1990 as a backbencher. His most senior role was deputy government whip. He gets about $81,000 a year from the taxpayer, not including bonus allowances.

Former federal Labor minister Barry Cohen at a community meeting in 1981. Photo: Richard Briggs

Barry Cohen is a former Labor MP from New South Wales. He served in Parliament for 20 years, from 1969 to 1990. He was a minister under Bob Hawke, taking on the home affairs, environment and arts portfolios. He gets about $115,000 a year from the taxpayer, not including the generous bonuses attributed to his ministerial service.

Former defence minister John Moore. Photo: Angela Wylie

John Moore is a former Liberal MP from Queensland. He served in Parliament for 25 years, from 1975 until 2001. He was a minister under Malcolm Fraser and under John Howard, culminating with a stint as defence minister. He gets about $115,000 a year from the taxpayer not including a series of generous bonuses attributed to his ministerial service.