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Federal politicians claimed more than $55m in six months

Federal politicians claimed more than $55 million in expenses over the second half of 2015, new documents have revealed.

Federal politicians claimed more than $55m in six months

AAP

Among the latest figures on parliamentarians' entitlements published by the Finance Department was a $60,282.75 bill for "accommodation and meals" charged against former prime minister Tony Abbott between September 25 and 27 last year.

The expenses are listed as being for a trip to the United States, but Mr Abbott never got to make the journey after being removed as prime minister by his Liberal colleagues the week before.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop claimed the largest amount with a total of $808,649.49, more than half of which was for overseas travel in her ministerial role.

Her colleague, Warren Entsch, claimed more than $778,512 — including $441,460 for an office fit out.

Mr Entsch also purchased a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul at $22.72, while LNP MP George Christensen bought 15 books on radical Islam for a total of more than $300.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claimed a total of $508,200.67, while Opposition Leader Bill Shorten claimed $423,759.19.


1 min read

Published

By Heba Kassoua



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