Where is the best free lunch in town? The Federal Court has a compelling claim to the title, after telling the Senate it spent more than $160,000 on catering and other costs for judges’ welcome and farewell ceremonies over the past three financial years.

The expenditure figures were provided to the Senate in January, months after the Federal Court told the Attorney General’s Department – which was responding to a question from Liberal senator Jane Hume – it had spent no money on functions during the last financial year.