Gold Coast MP John-Paul Langbroek’s hotel stays a cab ride away from home

GOLD Coast MP John-Paul Langbroek slugged taxpayers $800 in the last financial year to stay in hotels only minutes from his house.

John-Paul Langbroek slugged taxpayers $800 to stay in hotels only minutes from his house. Photo: Josh Woning.

GOLD Coast MP John-Paul Langbroek slugged taxpayers $800 in the last financial year to stay in hotels only minutes from his house.

Travel expenses reveal the opposition spokesman for health claimed $270 for three nights’ accommodation in Main Beach and Broadbeach after attending events.

A one-way Uber fare from Broadbeach to Mr Langbroek’s address in Clear Waters Island costs as little as $11 and $21 to Main Beach.

Mr Langbroek denied any wrongdoing over the claims, saying: “All my travel claims have been assessed and ticked off on by parliamentary officers according to the rules.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Langbroek later said all claims were made on dates when he was attending events in his electorate.

Mr Langbroek claimed $270 in travel in three separate transactions: To stay at Main Beach on September 5; Broadbeach on February 13, 2016; and a black-tie charity ball at the Sofitel Hotel, Broadbeach, on June 18, 2016.

Mr Langbroek’s expenses claim comes to light amid increased scrutiny around the way politicians spend public money in the wake of the scandal that cost former federal health minister Sussan Ley her portfolio.

Ms Ley purchased a Gold Coast unit while she was on official ministerial business in Queensland.

Former federal health minister Sussan Ley lost her portfolio after purchasing a Gold Coast unit while on official ministerial business in Queensland. Photo: Evan Morgan

Under the rules which govern expenses for Queensland MPs, politicians are able to claim a $270-a-day allowance for meals and accommodation when they travel within their electorate, which in many cases covers a huge area.

To claim the allowance an MP must be away from home for more than 12 hours.

A spokesman from the Queensland Labor Party said: “It’s up to Mr Langbroek to ­explain how these claims are appropriate.”

Professor of parliamentary and electoral law at the University of Queensland Graeme Orr said the claim looked odd at face value.

“Overall Mr Langbroek is not a big spender,” Prof Orr said after looking through a parliamentary report which detailed MPs’ expense claims for the past financial year.

“Perhaps he chose to crash at Gold Coast hotels because he had Gold Coast business the next morning after a late night or all-day Gold Coast-based function or conference.

“If so, that might be convenient for use of his time, but hardly economic for taxpayers if two cab rides would have achieved the same purpose.”

How much Gold Coast MPs spent on travel in 2015-16

Michael Hart LNP MP for Burleigh $10,375.29

Ray Stevens LNP MP for Mermaid Beach $7551.90

Verity Barton, LNP MP for Broadwater $6187.12

John-Paul Langbroek LNP MP for Surfers Paradise $5793.20

Jann Stuckey LNP MP for Currumbin $4314.17

Rob Molhoek, LNP MP for Southport $2298.34

Ros Bates LNP MP for Mudgeeraba $1687.58

Sid Cramp LNP MP for Gaven $1400.82

Mark Boothman LNP MP for Albert $631.20