Nationals leader backs George Christensen, despite 'considerable' time spent overseas

Embattled Nationals MP George Christensen is facing fresh allegations of his time away from his electorate a day after referring travel claims to parliament’s expenses watchdog.

George Christensen is facing fresh allegations of spending more time away from his electorate Source: AAP

Nationals leader Michael McCormack concedes embattled colleague George Christensen has spent a “considerable” amount of time away from his north Queensland electorate, amid fresh revelations Mr Christensen missed key parliamentary work because of his overseas travel.

Colleagues have reportedly dubbed Mr Christensen the “Member for Manila” due to his frequent visits to the Philippines.

Nationals leader Michael McCormack. Source: AAP

Mr Christensen is engaged to a Filipino woman.

On Wednesday, reports emerged the Dawson MP had claimed more than $3,000 of taxpayers' funds on flights connecting to his trips to the Philippines. He said while he was confident the claims were within the rules, he’d refer them to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.

However, Nine reported on Thursday, Mr Christensen missed a substantial proportion of the parliamentary hearings into an inquiry on boosting economic and infrastructure development in the Top End in 2014, as he was in the south-east Asian Nation.

Meanwhile, News Corp reports the Dawson MP earned more than $550 a day during his 28 trips to the Philippines.

When asked about the latest revelations on Thursday, Mr Christensen’s party leader, Mr McCormack, came to the MP’s defence, saying Mr Christensen is now aware of his "considerable" travel. 

Nationals MP George Christensen spent 294 days in the Philippines during a four-year period. Source: AAP

And he’d remained “in his electorate since July last year”, Mr McCormack added.

“I had a conversation with him last year when it became clear he’d been spending a considerable time away from his electorate,” the Nationals leader told reports in Tasmania.

“He understands that he has a job to do and ... he that has a role to do and he’s playing that role.

“Yes, he’s spent a considerable time away …. he’s certainly been concentrating on his electorate since (last year)”.

Labor has jumped on the revelations, with Senator Murray Watt branding him “Jetset George”.

“When George Christensen said he was “standing up for the North”, it seems he meant the Philippines,” Senator Watt said.