Nationals MP George Christensen repays thousands for trips

George Christensen has paid back more than $2100 for airfares and COMCAR claims following an audit.

George Christensen referred his travel expense bills to the parliamentary expenses watchdog last year. Picture: Kym Smith

Nationals MP George Christensen has paid back more than $2100 for airfares and COMCAR claims, following an audit by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority into domestic travel linked with unofficial overseas trips.

The IPEA audit found one domestic flight and one COMCAR journey “failed the dominant purpose test” under the Parliamentary Business Resources Act and sought to recover $327.28 from the Queensland MP.

“During the audit, Mr Christensen voluntarily offered to pay an additional amount of $1,843.16 being for a number of COMCARs and domestic airfares. Both amounts to a total of $2,170.44 were received by IPEA prior to publication,” the IPEA audit report said.

The audit, which assessed travel claims between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018, came after the Australian Federal Police looked into the Dawson MP’s travel to the Philippines during 2017 and 2018.

Mr Christensen referred his travel expense bills to the parliamentary expenses watchdog last year following reports he had claimed domestic travel connected with trips to the Philippines.

The IPEA audit examined 14 of Mr Christensen’s travel itineraries, including Commonwealth funded domestic travel before and after “non-official international travel”.

“Of these, twelve related to the rules-based system (pre 1 January 2018) and two related to the principles-based framework (post 1 January 2018).”

“The twelve itineraries which occurred during 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017 were found to comply with the relevant legislative framework.

“Of the two travel itineraries which occurred during 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, one was found not to have complied with the relevant legislative framework.”

The IPEA warned MPs and staff they were expected to “understand the legal framework in which they are operating” after it was found Mr Christensen failed to certify travel expenses between January to June, 2014.

The audit included direct communication and information provided by Mr Christensen, internal IPEA records, Department of Finance and Ministerial and Parliamentary Services Division records, COMCAR records, travel bookings and other Commonwealth agencies.

“On 28 June 2019, Mr Christensen offered to repay part of the cost of six travel itineraries

spanning both legislative frameworks. This included domestic airfares and COMCAR

transactions,” the audit said.

“(The) IPEA acknowledged his request of voluntary repayment and advised him to wait

until the end of the audit as contravened transactions may include GST and penalty loadings.”

A bulk of Mr Christensen’s overseas travel coincided with committee hearings or parliamentary sittings held outside of his electorate.

The IPEA noted the Mackay-based MP would typically end his official travel in a capital city before flying overseas.

“Mr Christensen stated that after completing official business, he had to pass through a capital city to return to Mackay, even if he did not return to his home base.”

“In these instances, Mr Christensen could not recall if any official business was conducted in the capital cities of his embarkation.”

“(The) IPEA also noted instances where upon entry into Australia after non-official international travel, Mr Christensen also claimed domestic travel expenses from Brisbane to his home base. In these instances, Mr Christensen cited official business, however, he was only able to provide details and evidence in some instances.”

Two itineraries examined by the IPEA in 2018 showed at the conclusion of parliamentary sitting weeks, Mr Christensen had used Commonwealth funds to travel to an international airport.

“Mr Christensen contended that his decision to pay his own way back to Mackay from the port of arrival from his international trip represents value for money as the taxpayer was not required to pay the full return airfare back to his home base.”

“However, Mr Christensen’s contention does not recognise the personal benefit he obtained by not returning to his home base.”