How South Australian politicians spent your money
A book about the hard right, a digital camera and $40,000 worth of Australian flags were billed to taxpayers during the first three months of the new parliament. SEE WHAT OUR POLLIES ARE BUYING.
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A book about the hard right, a digital camera and $40,000 worth of Australian flags was billed to taxpayers during the first three months of the new parliament.
South Australian federal politicians racked up more than $324,000 in travel expenses from July to September.
About two thirds of the bill was spent on domestic flights, new figures reveal.
New Social Services Minister, Anne Ruston, splashed $23,650 flying across the country to have meetings with stakeholders to inform government policy.
A spokesman for Senator Ruston said five million people receive welfare payments and that the department gives more than 7000 grants to community organisations.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham had the highest overseas travel bill of $44,365 following trips to Singapore, Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and New Zealand to represent exporting businesses.
“I am expected to travel to meetings with counterparts or world leaders, such as the G20 Leaders Summit, and trade negotiations such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which will be the largest trade deal in history and deliver significant benefits for South Australian farmers and businesses,” he said.
His bill was followed by Labor MP Nick Champion, whose travel expenses for a three-month parliamentary delegation to the United Nations were recorded as $21,197.
The latest parliamentary reports also include an array of books from Centre Alliance.
Senator Rex Patrick spent $2381 on 15 law books, while Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie added books about the hard right in Australia, Tesco, Walmart and Arianna Huffington’s book, Thrive.
“Rebekha reads these books for work,” a spokeswoman said.
New Sturt MP James Stevens spent $2725 on digital camera and lens to take photographs for newsletters and social media.
While he spent $226 on an annual subscription to Italian news service, Il Globo, to “stay in touch with what is happening within the Italian community” in his electorate.
More than $40,000 was spent on Australian flags for community groups and schools.
Makin MP Tony Zappia had the largest printing and communications bill, racking up almost $80,000.
A spokesman said was report included expenditure from the previous quarter.
Grey MP Rowan Ramsey, who represents the largest electorate in South Australia, spent $10,356 on unscheduled travel during the quarter.
Mr Ramsey visited Coober Pedy, Port Pirie, Marree, Port Lincoln and Whyalla.
He said his travel expenses between July to September were not part of a post-election tour, but just normal business in an electorate bigger than NSW.
“A substantial part of that expense is associated with his charter budget put in place to enable him to service that enormous area,” a spokeswoman said, adding he continues to use about half of the allocation.