Taxpayers foot bill as High Court judges host lavish meals, functions

TAXPAYERS have forked out more than $70,000 for High Court judges to host lavish lunches, dinners and functions over the past year-and-a-half.

TAXPAYERS have forked out more than $70,000 for High Court judges to host lavish lunches, dinners and functions over the past year-and-a-half.

An afternoon tea costing $7540, a $2305 dinner with then-Attorney-General George Brandis and $5632 on “refreshments” were among the bills charged to the public purse.

The seven High Court judges, who already receive salaries of at least $541,050 a year, spent $70,917.43 on wining and dining between January 2017 and June 2018.

JUDGES, MAGISTRATES FLOUTED SPEED LAWS

$60M BILL FOR TAXPAYERS UNDER DONATION LAWS

JUDGES REFUSE TO SIT ON SENTENCING COUNCIL

The High Court was forced to hand information on dinners and functions to a Senate inquiry. Picture: AAP

The dinners and other functions included:
THE retirement dinner for Chief Justice Robert French, attended by High Court judges and their partners, costing $2112.24;
A FAREWELL lunch for Justice French, held on the same day, which was attended by 28 people and added up to $3469.06;
A WELCOME dinner for Justice James Edelman, costing $2247.15 and attended by the judges and their partners;
AN AFTERNOON tea to welcome new senior counsel, costing $7539.99;
THE dinner with Mr Brandis, which was attended by the judges and their partners; and
REFRESHMENTS for about 150 staff and guests after a public lecture, which cost $5632.50.

The most expensive event was the official opening of the Australian Constitution Centre, which cost $8333.11.

The function was attended by 140 staff, officials and guests.

The High Court — which was forced to hand the information to a Senate inquiry — said it could not provide a list of food and wine served as “substantial information would be required” and some of it may not be available.

In response to a list of questions from the Herald Sun, the High Court said it did not wish to comment on the events hosted by the judges.

Details of the meals comes after it was revealed taxpayers last year forked out $120,000 for spouses of High Court judges to follow them on overseas jaunts and around the country in first and business class.

Benefits paid by taxpayers totalled more than $600,000 — covering international flights, phone, internet, car hire, home security and fringe benefits tax — in 2016-17.

[e-mail]

Twitter: @Gallo_Ways