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Family holiday not a rort, says minister
Topic Started: Feb 8 2009, 12:17 PM (59 Views)
Warren
Administrator
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Family holiday not a rort, says minister

August 05, 2007 11:38am
Article from: AAP

* Politicians can claim unused trips to Canberra
* Senator has claimed $1000 trip for five years
* Defended the claims as within his entitlements

MINISTER for Human Services Chris Ellison has rejected claims that he inappropriately used taxpayers' money to fund family holidays in Western Australia.

The Liberal MP has claimed the cost of taking his wife and three children on holiday to the five-star Cable Beach Club Resort at Broome, in WA, every July since 2001, The Sunday Telegraph reported today.

The costs, including air tickets and part of the cost of a beachside bungalow, were claimed by Senator Ellison under remuneration tribunal rules which allow federal MPs to use money allocated for trips to Canberra to travel instead within their home state.

Mr Ellison denied using a loophole to take his family on taxpayer-funded holidays and said he has acted within his entitlements.

"This entitlement enables a member or senator's family to travel with them on a limited number of occasions each year," Senator Ellison said.

"It exists precisely for the purpose of enabling a member or senator's family to travel and spend some additional time with them while they are working because of the huge demands parliamentary life imposes on a person's time and family life.

"In my case, I have three young children. Given their age and distances involved, they rarely travel to Canberra. It is easier for my family to accompany me while working in the northwest of our home state and the July break."

Mr Ellison said he undertook all of his ministerial responsibilities, including visits to regional centres, while on holiday with his family.

"On all visits to the north-west I have undertaken full schedules of work," he said.

"It is regrettable that a Sunday newspaper has overlooked these very salient facts and chosen to instead sensationalise an entitlement which goes some way to reducing the burden on the family life of members of parliament and senators."
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