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AAP
AAP
Tess Ikonomou

Biggest spending politicians revealed in expenses data

Anthony Albanese charged the public purse $684,665.31 between July and September of 2022. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Taxpayers have been slugged almost $700,000 by the prime minister over three months, while one MP racked up a surprising foreign travel bill.

Data released by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority shows Anthony Albanese charged the public purse $684,665.31 in total between July and September of 2022.

Australians forked out $82,729 for Mr Albanese's overseas travel, and more than $10,000 on car costs.

The prime minister took trips to Japan, Indonesia and Europe soon after winning the election in May 2022, when a number of summits were held.

The nation was charged $2658 for his family to travel, while Mr Albanese's staff racked up $512,232 on trips.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong prepares to board a plane in Canberra.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong spent $19,169 on international travel from July to September 2022. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

More than $41,000 was spent on office facilities, more than $30,000 on office administration, more than $3000 on telecommunications and almost $2000 was claimed in travel allowance.

The troubled Parliamentary Expenses Management System is back reporting data after it was suspended late 2022 after a bungled upgrade.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke cost taxpayers the second highest amount at $398,410.

He clocked up $23,420 on international travel, a higher amount than Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who began a blitz of the Pacific.

Senator Wong spent $19,169 on international travel during that period.

While the prime minister spent the most on international travel, he was followed by Defence Minister Richard Marles who spent more than $30,000 on overseas trips.

The third highest spender on international travel was coalition backbencher Darren Chester, who charged taxpayers more than $26,000.

Mr Chester's travel costs were for a trip to the US as part of a delegation to the 77th United Nations General Assembly, with accommodation and meals totalling $19,664.

Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres spent the fourth highest amount on international trips, charging almost $26,000. The fifth spot was taken by Mr Burke.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton spent about $363,000 over the three-month period and almost $196,000 in travel expenses for his staff.

Mr Dutton's family travel cost taxpayers more than $5000, higher than the prime minister's.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley spent almost $55,000 for staff travel, but did not charge Australians anything for travel for family members.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek spent almost $162,000 on her office, the highest amount of all parliamentarians for expenditure on such facilities.

She was closely followed by Ms Ley who spent almost $161,000 and independent MP Kylea Tink with $159,000.

The five parliamentarians who racked up the highest family travel expenses are all from the Labor Party and Western Australia.

They include Tania Lawrence, Fatima Payman, Zaneta Mascarenhas, Patrick Gorman and Madeleine King.

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