Queensland Government ministers spend almost $1 million on flights in six months

Taxpayers footed a travel bill of almost $1 million for State Government ministers to jetset around the country and the world in just six months.

TAXPAYERS footed a travel bill of almost $1 million for State Government ministers to jetset around the country and the world in just six months.

Ministers and their staff racked up $732,208 in domestic flights between July 1 and December 31 last year — ballooning by 24.7 per cent when compared to the previous reporting period.

More than $250,000 was also spent on international flights.

The figures were revealed in the ministerial office expenses tabled in Parliament this week.

Ministers and assistant ministers are allowed to travel business class, while staff may also fly business class if accompanying a minister.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk spent $147,000 on flights in the second half of 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

A Government spokesman defended the spending, stating Queensland was the most decentralised state in Australia.

“As the most decentralised state in Australia, Queensland has a large proportion of its population located in major regional centres and small communities, hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from Brisbane,” he said.

“The Premier has made it clear to ministers she expects them to hear first-hand from communities right across the state.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk spent $147,000 on domestic and international flights during the second half of last year, while Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad spent $93,298.

Several ministers travelled for trade missions, including the Premier who went to China and South Korea in November and Tourism Minister Kate Jones who jetted to Singapore and India also in November.

The spokesman said the Premier typically travelled with two to three staff.

“As an export-oriented state, thousands of new and existing jobs rely on overseas markets,” he said.

“Last month, Queensland’s exports hit a record $80.5 billion for the preceding 12 months.

“To continue to grow Queensland’s exports and the jobs that go with them, from time to time Government Ministers undertake trade missions to existing and developing markets.

“Overseas travel is typically more expensive than domestic travel.”

Salaries across the 18 ministerial departments also rose by more than $1.1 million between July 1 and December 31 last year — up from $12.5 million

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said Labor’s priorities were all wrong.

“Queensland taxpayer’s money should be treated with respect,” she said.

The Opposition’s expenses, also tabled this week, revealed Ms Frecklington and Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander spent $33,613 on domestic travel.

Originally published as Queensland Government ministers spend almost $1 million on flights in six months