The Foreign Minister has enjoyed her fourth AFL grand final allegedly at taxpayers’ expense.
Julie Bishop reportedly dipped into taxpayers’ funds for her trip to Melbourne this week to watch the Richmond Tigers break their 37-year drought, Fairfax Media reported.
Last year, Julie Bishop charged taxpayers $3,500 so she could attend the grand final which included flights costing almost $2,000 and almost $600 on a private car.
Ms Bishop also claimed $2,628 in travel allowances last year for the six nights spent in Melbourne.
The Foreign Minister has been able to enjoy her fourth AFL grand final paid for by taxpayers
Last year, Julie Bishop charged taxpayers $3500 so she could attend the grand final (pictured) which included flights
On 17 occasions between 2009 and 2013, $29,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent on flights to the same city her beloved footy team, West Coast Eagles, were playing, the publication reported.
The minister attended the 2010 and 2011 grand finals costing taxpayers $6,695.
A spokeswoman for Ms Bishop told the publication it ‘was appropriate’ for senior leaders from all parties to attend the AFL grand final as part of their official duties.
It was also reported the minister had a list of ‘official commitments’ surrounding the biggest day of the AFL calendar.
The Foreign Minister previously told The West Australian that attending the grand final meant she was supporting the AFL.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the AFL are partners in sports development in the Pacific and I intend to continue to be a strong supporter of the AFL in our joint endeavours to use sport as a means of developing young people in the Pacific,’ Ms Bishop said.
A spokeswoman for Ms Bishop told the publication it ‘was appropriate’ for senior leaders from all parties to attend the AFL grand final as part of their official duties
It was also reported the minister had a list of ‘official commitments’ surrounding the biggest day of the AFL calendar
During her visit, the minister was seen attending the Liberal Party’s Dunkley blue ribbon fundraiser and the Liberal Ladies Who Legislate forum.
However, Ms Bishop’s office have not issued any official engagement alerts since arriving in Melbourne.
It is against the parliamentary expense regulations to use taxpayer funding to travel to party fundraisers.