New documents published by the Department of Finance show that Australia’s federal politicians claimed more than $48m between January 1 and June 30 in 2016.
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Deputy leader of the Liberal Party Julie Bishop topped the list, claiming $839,810 in that six month period, with the majority of her claims arising from international travel in her role as foreign minister.
On the Mid North Coast, Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie claimed $214,417.93, while Cowper’s Luke Hartsuyker notched $181,495 in expenses.
Both MPs biggest expenditures went towards their offices, with Dr Gillespie’s spending $102,827.53 on office administrative costs, while Mr Hartsuyker main claim was on office facilities, claiming $71,881.94.
In comparison, deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek headed the office facilities category, claiming $233,192.38.
Labor’s Michael Danby topped office administration costs with more than $180,000 claimed.
According to the Department of Finance, the office budgets include such things as stationery, printing, publications, software, and Australian flags.
Mr Hartsuyker’s total of $181,495 for the first half of 2016 was a marked decline from the $380,389.62 he claimed in the six month period from July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
Dr Gillespie claimed $208,443.95 in the latter half of 2015.
Dr Gillespie undertook no work-related overseas travel in the first half of 2016, with Mr Hartsuyker claiming $3,641.81 for a trip to New Zealand in April as part of a parliamentary delegation.
Mr Hartsuyker spent $18,175.32 on domestic fares, compared to Dr Gillespie who claimed $5900.36.
In the other categories measured, both MPs are relatively similar.
Release of the documents comes soon after Health Minister Sussan Ley stood herself down from the Government frontbench pending an investigation into her taxpayer-funded travel.
Ms Ley has come under fire for buying an $800,000 apartment on a taxpayer-funded trip to the Gold Coast in May 2015. Fairfax Media has also reported she has taken 27 flights in and out of the Gold Coast over recent years.