Sir lastnail wrote on Jan 23
rd, 2014 at 12:22pm:
what about all of the libereal scumbags who stole tax payers money to go to weddings and travel around looking to buy investment properties etc
you are right except for one thing labrats have been doing it as well..even your mate Craig..
Disgraced former MP Craig Thomson quizzed over new travel expenses
PATRICK LION THE DAILY TELEGRAPH DECEMBER 16, 2013 12:00AM
THE federal government yesterday questioned almost $14,000 in expense claims made by Craig Thomson around the time of a Bali family holiday and for travel to Melbourne on the same day he attended court in the city.
But the former NSW Labor MP defended his use of the parliamentary perks, insisting everything was work-related and within guidelines.
New expense records reveal Thomson claimed three return flights for himself and two family members between Sydney and Perth earlier this year at a total cost of $8820.
The flights came either side of a two-week family holiday in Bali in April that Thomson said was necessary to relax after being charged with a string of fraud offences including claims he used union funds to pay for prostitutes. He denies wrongdoing.
Thomson yesterday said while he benefited from cheaper airfares to Bali - the Perth-Bali route is almost half the Sydney-Bali journey - he had not claimed a travelling allowance for Perth accommodation so his overall bill was more.
CRICKET GREAT THOMO SLAMS THE FAKE THOMO
More questions ... disgraced former MP Craig Thomson / Picture: Jason Sammon
More questions ... disgraced former MP Craig Thomson / Picture: Jason Sammon Source: News Limited
He said he claimed the flights to Perth on March 30 as he was entitled to so he could hold meetings with lobbyists, media and other stakeholders about legislation.
"Remember, I am a crossbencher at this point so I am more in demand than Ned Kelly,'' he said.
But he would not detail the specific appointments because he said they were confidential. After the Perth stop, Thomson confirmed holidaying in Bali for a fortnight before returning to Perth.
On April 16, expense records show Thomson flew himself and his family from Perth back to Sydney on the taxpayer.
Records show Thomson also claimed $3501 for "mobile PDA overseas calls'' a few days after returning from the trip. He said all MPs claimed overseas holiday calls.
The expense records also detail how the then Dobell MP claimed $1199.56 for return flights between Sydney and Melbourne on May 22 this year, the same day he appeared in a Melbourne court on the fraud charges. He also claimed two cab charge expenses of $53.89 and $51.06.
Thomson yesterday said he had work-related meetings in Melbourne as well as attending court but again would not detail the appointments.
Asked about the claims, Employment Minister Eric Abetz said: "On the face of it, it appears as though Mr Thomson has even more explaining to do.''
The new parliamentary expense claims were discovered over the weekend by blogger and former Sydney radio host Michael Smith.
Mr Thomson also charged about $1500 for "emergency service - site establishment
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/disgraced-former-mp-craig-thomson-quiz...