Tony Abbott’s ironman, ocean swims and fun run: all on taxpayers’ dime
November 2011
Tony Abbott billed taxpayers more than $1,200 in travel and accommodation costs to compete in the 2011 Port Macquarie Ironman. He also claimed travel costs to compete in Lorne’s Pier to Pub, the Hervey Bay ocean swim and Wagga Wagga’s Lake to Lagoon fun run.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Abbott, who was opposition leader at the time, claimed $941 for return flights from Sydney to Port Macquarie and $349 for an overnight stay in the NSW town.
Abbott said he was entitled to bill taxpayers as he also attended other community events in the marginal electorate during his visit.
Mr Abbott’s parliamentary expenses report describes the overnight stay as “official business”.
According to The Australian, the records also show Abbott claimed $349 in travel allowances in January 2012, plus $1095 worth of flights, for the weekend of Lorne’s Pier to Pub race.
A few months later, Abbott claimed $349 in travel allowance, plus $2023 worth of flights, to compete in the Hervey Bay ocean swim. In September 2012, he claimed $354 in travel allowance plus $160 in flights to compete in Wagga Wagga’s Lake to Lagoon fun run.