Analysis of Tim Pallas’s travel expenses since 2015 shows he spent $650,000 of public money on luxury travel

Jetsetting former treasurer Tim Pallas slugged taxpayers a staggering amount for 14 international junkets.

Jetsetting former treasurer Tim Pallas slugged taxpayers more than $650,000 during a decade of luxury travel in the top job.

An analysis of Mr Pallas’ travel expenses since 2015 ­reveals the eye-watering cost of his 14 international junkets.

Details of his $72,683 farewell tour of the UK, France, Italy and Spain in October – as he planned to resign from politics – were published this month.

They showed more than $37,000 was spent on airfares, $22,000 on accommodation and almost $13,000 on other expenses for Mr Pallas and his chief of staff.

Tim Pallas took multiple international junkets while he was treasurer. Picture: Aaron Francis

“Travel was undertaken to the United Kingdom (UK), France, Spain and Italy to promote Victoria’s economic credentials, strengthen trade and investment relationships, and engage with government counterparts to advance Victoria’s international engagement priorities,” the official travel ­report said.

The trip included AUKUS-focused discussions in London including plans to work with Rolls-Royce regarding investment opportunities in Victoria.

Mr Pallas also attended a Victoria-UK housing conference to consider policies, including private equity investment and unlocking public land for development.

And he met with the Bank of England and Banque de France leaders to discuss opportunities to sell off Treasury Corporation of Victoria bonds.

Jacinta Allan with Tim Pallas after he announced his retirement from politics in December. Picture: Aaron Francis

“Over the past 10 years the Treasurer has undertaken 14 international trips and had 128 engagements with international companies,” the report said.

“In addition to engaging with many existing investors in the state, 54 engagements were in relation to active investments that have been subsequently secured, resulting in 4423 jobs and $4.9bn in capital expenditure for the state of Victoria.”

In what appeared to be a jab at Mr Pallas, Acting Premier Ben Carroll said it was up to the former treasurer to prove to taxpayers that his latest junket was value for money.

Asked if his most recent trip to Europe passed the pub test, Mr Carroll said: “Tim Pallas has resigned and he will have to justify that trip, like we all have to”.

Asked whether he would take a similar trip just weeks before he was planning to resign from public life, Mr Carroll responded: “No”.

Mr Carroll, speaking at a press conference in Mr Pallas’ old electorate of Werribee, said he was focused on helping candidate John Lister get elected to parliament.

“I’m focused on the future not the past,” he said.

“I’m here with the future. Tim Pallas has resigned. John Lister is our candidate for Werribee and hopefully the member for Werribee.”

But shadow minister for ­industry and economic growth, Jess Wilson, said the trip missed the mark.

“How can the Allan Labor government justify spending more than $70,000 of taxpayer money on Tim Pallas’ international farewell tour?” she said.

“With the trip including meetings to sell off Victoria’s debt to English and French banks, the Premier must answer why she is sending her ministers overseas to grow Victoria’s debt rather than grow Victoria’s economy.”

The trip was one of three taken by the former treasurer within 12 months, during which time he had already visited the UK and France.

He also visited the USA twice, China, and Canada.

Despite insisting he had no plans to quit politics midterm, Mr Pallas resigned in December after months of speculation about his political future.

He left Victoria on track to reach a projected debt of $188bn by 2027-28, after inheriting $22.3bn in debt in 2014.

A by-election will be held in his former Werribee electorate on February 8.