By political reporters Dan Conifer, Francis Keany and Stephanie Anderson
Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop spent more than $50,000 on a country-hopping South American trip earlier this year.
Mrs Bishop resigned as speaker in August following weeks of pressure over her taxpayer-funded expenditure.
Documents reveal she travelled to Ecuador, Peru and Argentina between January 10-25 this year.
Four other MPs and senators were part of a delegation that travelled to Ecuador and Peru for the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
Mrs Bishop travelled to Argentina without other members of the group.
The other four charged taxpayers less than $24,000 each.
The latest expenditure report for MPs and senators showed $32,046.28 was spent on airfares and $12,625.35 on accommodation and meals, while the total cost was $52,700.62.
Mrs Bishop’s office has been contacted for comment.
Earlier this year it was revealed she spent more than $5,000 chartering a helicopter from Melbourne to Geelong in November to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser.
The expenditure report, released today, showed Mrs Bishop continued to charter aircraft after the notorious November helicopter trip.
On March 6 this year, $4,100 was spent on a return trip to Port Macquarie, where she attended the Hastings Heroine Awards — an event recognising local women leaders.
No direct flights are available between Canberra and Port Macquarie, but the journey can take less than three hours flying via Sydney.
A six-day trip by Ms Bishop to Vietnam in March and April cost taxpayers $19,218.99, including nearly $13,000 on flights.
This post originally appeared on ABC Online.
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Top Comments
A big contrast to the PM who catches public transport and drives a little fiat 500
I really do believe that there should be a central office that is employed for nothing more than to book and arrange ALL politician travel requirements. I think then, we will see a much more appropriate expenditure, and not these crazy, over the top expenses.
That might work. I would rather see a considerable increase in politician salaries, but no other special privileges. All their travel, food and accommodation expenses would come solely from their wallet. I'm sure they would start being more stringent with their finances.