OUR POLLIES SPEND $500K

Our MPs rack up $500,000 spend in six months

GEELONG’S federal MPs claimed more than $500,000 in expenses in a six-month period.

The latest figures from the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority show Corangamite Liberal MP Sarah Henderson and Corio Labor MP Richard Marles racked up $534,000 in expense claims from April to September last year.

Mr Marles claimed the most of the pair, at $304,063 for the period — including $46,150 on domestic airfares, $77,864 on printing and communications, and $55,986 on employee costs.

Ms Henderson claimed $230,052 in the six month period, including $115,195 on printing and communications, and $17,310 on domestic airfares.

Both MPs regularly spent $1500 and $1280 on business class return trips to Canberra. They also claimed $12,806 on flags — with Mr Marles spending the lions share, $8281.

Mr Marles said his expenses were driven up by his position within the federal opposition, and said flying business class allowed him to better use his time.

“Being the Shadow Minister for Defence is a job with national responsibilities that require me to travel around Australia and at times overseas,” Mr Marles said.

“Often that involves staff travel as well. Those responsibilities mean I spend a lot of time on planes, and travelling business class allows me to use that time most effectively.”

Ms Henderson did not say why she travelled business class instead of economy, instead providing an assurance all of her expenses were within the rules.

“All expenses including flights have been incurred strictly within the rules,” Ms Henderson said. “I have never travelled overseas at taxpayers’ expense.

“I run a very frugal operation in my office and am extremely careful with my expenses as taxpayers rightly expect. The Turnbull government’s reforms of parliamentary work expenses have resulted in more frequent reporting and greater transparency. Taxpayers deserve no less.”

“Travelling business class allows me to use that time most effectively.” RICHARD MARLES