Treasurer Joe Hockey's living arrangements moved centre stage alongside his budget during a solo appearance on Q&A.
Mr Hockey was the sole guest on Monday night, fielding questions on subjects ranging from marriage equality to the government's small business tax policy, its paid parental leave scheme and his rent arrangements.
The treasurer took a question from audience member Mark Travers, who asked if he believed it was double dipping when politicians receive a $270 a night living away from home allowance, but spent the money on a house owned by their spouse.
Host Tony Jones then asked Mr Hockey about a News Corp Australia article saying Mr Hockey had claimed more than $100,000 in allowances relating to a house owned by his wife.
"The figures they had was you claimed up to more than $100,000 in allowances relating to that. Did that go into the mortgage?" Jones asked.
"Well, Tony, I don't know. I pay rent," Mr Hockey replied.
"You pay rent to your wife?" Jones asked.
"Is there a problem with that?" the treasurer shot back.
Jones then brought the treasurer back to the original question - whether struggling home owners would find it acceptable that politicians get a taxpayer-funded subsidy for buying a house.
"Hang on, it is not a taxpayer-funded subsidy because we actually have to rent," Mr Hockey said.
"So politicians that go to Canberra, they live in their electorates, if they go to Canberra, they pay rent or go to a hotel room.
"I don't know, does the ABC do that when you travel?" Mr Hockey asked Jones.
"They do, but the hotel is not owned by my wife," Mr Jones replied.
During the hour-long program, Mr Hockey was asked to clarify aspects of his small business tax package, and about the language used by the government during its recent paid parental leave scheme announcement.
The treasurer agreed it was wrong for the government to use terms such as "rort" and "double dip" when referring to new mothers using the former scheme.
"Yes, I totally accept that. No problems. I accept that," Mr Hockey said.
Share
