Full speed at the Green light of hypocrisy

Never stand between a socialist and a big fat pile of someone else’s money. And, when that pile of money is taxpayer funds, you can be sure that the most radical, hard Left crusader will suddenly discover a taste for the finer things in life.

Greens leader Adam Bandt might rail against capitalism but he sure loves private jets and luxury cars, as long as someone else is picking up the bill.

The global warming crusader, who wants to get rid of fossil fuels including a ban on all new coal, oil and gas projects, managed to rack up an annual expense bill for 2022 of more than $960,000.

As reported widely on Tuesday, that extravagant amount does not include Bandt’s $300,000-plus salary or the wages of his personal staff.

Bandt’s annual expenses bill of almost $1m included government COMCAR trips, taxis, a government provided private vehicle, domestic flights and even a couple of private jet charters.

You’d think the main transport favoured by a party that pushes the most extreme climate policies would be public transport, not private cars and jets, but I must’ve missed the expense report for public transport options.

It remains unclear why Bandt thought it appropriate to spend more than $15,000 of our hard-earned money on a private plane between Canberra and Brisbane to attend a Greens event when there are multiple airlines flying between those two destinations regularly.

Indeed, you can travel that route for as little as $240 with Virgin Australia, $273 with Jetstar and $340 with Qantas.

So, why should taxpayers be expected to stump up $15,000 for a neo-Marxist to attend the election campaign launch event for the Greens?

A Greens spokesperson has defended Bandt’s spend-a-thon, saying: “As the leader of the third largest political party in Australia you would expect Mr Bandt would engage in extensive travel and, unlike the Prime Minister and many Ministers, he doesn’t have access to government VIP flights … all Mr Bandt’s travel is within entitlements.”

You know what else was within entitlements?

Bronwyn Bishop’s $5000 helicopter flight was also “within entitlements” but that didn’t mean it passed the pub test.

And despite apologising and then covering the cost for the flight, Bishop was still forced to step down as Speaker.

Don’t expect such accountability from the Greens leader.