Joe Hockey has defended flying his family business class to Perth during school holidays when he was shadow treasurer, less than five months before the 2013 federal election.
Responding to reports the trip cost taxpayers $14,000, a spokeswoman for the treasurer said Western Australia was critical to the election campaign given the prominence of the coalition's bid to scrap the carbon and mining taxes.
While in Perth, Mr Hockey did several radio, television and media appearances.
He also conducted many meetings, including with fellow Liberal shadow ministers, state government MPs, public servants and resources and energy companies.
"His chief of staff and family accompanied him on the trip, all within the rules," the spokeswoman told AAP on Sunday.
