Qld MPs’ luxe getaway: Taxpayers hit with $187k hotel bill for Cairns trip

Taxpayers have forked out at least $187,000 for MPs to stay at ritzy hotels during this week’s regional parliament – including two of the four Cairns MPs.

Taxpayers have forked out at least $187,000 for the majority of the parliament’s MPs to stay at ritzy hotel accommodation during this week’s regional parliament – including two of the four Cairns MPs.

The state’s politicians are currently in Cairns for this term’s regional parliament – the first such sitting since Townsville in 2019.

Contracts revealed on the Queensland parliament Services disclosure log show accommodation costs for the running of the parliament have so far added up to about $187,000.

The luxury 5 star waterfront Hilton hotel in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

It also reveals MPs and staff have been staying at three locations – the Hilton Cairns, which is understood to be Labor members; the Shangri-La, which the LNP is calling home for the week; and a Mantra hotel.

But The Courier-Mail understands Labor’s Michael Healy and Minister Craig Crawford are staying at home during the week, with Speaker Curtis Pitt and Cook MP Cynthia Lui staying at hotels.

The Shangri-La luxury 5 star waterfront hotel in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Parliament Clerk Neil Laurie said the rules surrounding accommodation for regional parliament were applied the same as they were in Brisbane, and were dependent on whether they lived within the city limits. and their Ministerial status.

Mr Laurie explained the rules meant certain MPs – such as Mr Healy – were not given taxpayer-funded accommodation, as he was not a Minister and because of where he lived.

The Speaker and Ms Lui both live outside the Cairns City boundaries.

The Mantra luxury waterfront hotel in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Crawford would have been allowed to have stayed in the city at a hotel, but chose not to.

Mr Laurie also said MPs were entitled to claim a daily allowance on top of their accommodation – about $120 per day – but said not all chose to claim the extra funds.

Speaker of the House and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt appeared unwell during the regional sitting of Queensland parliament, at the Cairns Convention Centre, on Tuesday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Pitt was in the spotlight earlier this week after missing the start of Tuesday’s morning session after sleeping through his alarm, and then leaving early citing illness.

The Speaker was again absent from parliament on Wednesday – again citing illness – with deputy Joe Kelly stepping into the role.