MPS’ CLAIM $200K EXES
Three months’ spending
Pictures: ALISON WYND GEELONG’S pair of federal MPs claimed more than $200,000 in expenses in the first three months of 2017, new data has revealed.
Corangamite Liberal MP Sarah Henderson clocked up $123,410 in expenses paid during the period, while Corio Labor MP Richard Marles claimed $86,242.
The independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority yesterday released expenditure reports for Australia’s federal ministers, revealing their claims between January 1 and March 31 this year.
The figures also include some expenses accrued prior to 2017.
About $105,000 of Ms Henderson’s expenses were listed as “office facilities” and “office administrative costs”, with almost half of that coming from “printing and communications”.
Ms Henderson yesterday said all of her expenses were incurred “strictly within the rules”.
“I run a very frugal operation in my office and am extremely careful with my expenditure, as taxpayers rightly expect,” Ms Henderson said.
“Each federal MP receives approximately the same printing and communications budget each year. Quarterly expenditure will vary depending on when expenses are incurred and when invoices are submitted for payment.”
Ms Henderson said communicating with Corangamite’s 113,000 people was a key part of the job.
Mr Marles spent about $50,000 on “office facilities” and “office administrative costs”.
The Shadow Minister for Defence also claimed about $30,000 on “car costs” and “domestic scheduled fares”, including about $5000 between February 21 and 22.
Mr Marles was understood to be attending an RAAF Base in New South Wales in that time, as well as a reception for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Marles has been contacted for comment.