Sunday 21 July 2013

Four days in Australian Opposition Leader's life



On Monday 5 March 2012 the Leader of the Federal Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott chose the large RSL Sub-Branch at Bendigo, Victoria to formally launch the commitment of the Federal Coalition Parties to improve the indexation of DFRB and DFRDB superannuation payments. Mr Abbott was accompanied by the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson and Senator Bridget
McKenzie. 

Later that day Abbott attended one of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days near Horsham – a distance of 215 kms from Bendigo.

To travel down to Bendigo on that Monday Mr. Abbott decided he wouldn’t drive or get on a bus, train or scheduled commercial flight – he would charter a plane for two days.

On the second day he visited an Adelaide school.

Tony Abbott Flickr Member since 2010 Taken on March 6, 2012 
Tony with the school captains from St Pius X School in Adelaide

This is what that trip cost Australian taxpayers……


http://www.finance.gov.au/publications/parliamentarians-reporting/docs/T30/ABBOTT_Tony.pdf

Fast forward to federal election year 2013 and yet another charter flight from Sydney to Rockhampton is about to be billed to the taxpayer:



In the first three years after Tony Abbott was elected Leader of the Opposition by one vote, he spent at least $256,281.27 on private charter flights and been fully recompensed from the public purse.

In 2010 - an est. $65,969.64

In 2011 -an est. $138,209.55

In 2012 an est. $52,102.08

During that same period his family travel jaunts cost the taxpayer an estimated $56,152.52 

1 comment:

Unknown said...

MyJet aviation is based in Bendigo.

They have benefitted through Bendigo Airport, substantial LNP Govt Grants both State and Federal. (2013 and 2015 respectively)$10 million in total - 5 each.

Bendigo airport is having major upgrades. Funnily enough the Federal Grant was the very first awarded under the LNP Fed Gov National Stronger Regions Fund. (Yes, the first)

http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/publications/administration/pdf/NSRF_Round_One.pdf

I couldn't find any other info about what charter company was used on those two days. Dept of Finance would have records. The Age might have more info from their photographers diaries/records - hopefully a pic of Tony stepping out of the plane...