MPs’ expenses hit $190k in 3 months
GEELONG’S two federal MPs cost taxpayers almost $200,000 in the first three months of 2018.
Corangamite Liberal MP Sarah Henderson and Corio Labor MP Richard Marles claimed an average of $62,588 each month during the period — more than $2000 a day — the latest MP expenditure report has revealed.
The Independent Parliamentary Expense Authority report detailing MPs’ expenses between January 1 and March 31 showed Ms Henderson claimed $100,309 during the period, while Mr Marles claimed $87,454.
Ms Henderson’s printing and communications expenses took up more than half of her claims, costing taxpayers $55,164 during the period.
Ms Henderson’s printing and communications claim was the second most expensive from any Victorian MP or senator during the period — and the 23rd most expensive out of 242 representatives nationally.
The MP has claimed more than $210,000 on printing and communications in the past 12 months of reporting.
Ms Henderson said all MPs received approximately the same office budget per annum but quarterly expenditure var- ied and depended on when invoices were received.
“I run a very frugal operation in my office and am extremely careful with my expenditure as taxpayers rightly expect,” she said.
Mr Marles’ $38,318 claim for office facilities was his biggest spend of the reporting period, followed by $12,377 on domestic airfares and $11,880 on printing and communications.
“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.
“Those responsibilities mean I spend a lot of time on planes, and travelling business class allows me to use that time most effectively.”
Almost all domestic flights for both MPs appeared to be for business class, with Mr Marles claiming almost $4000 for a return trip to Perth.