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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Christopher Knaus

NSW Liberal senator billed taxpayers for travel allowance on day of Melbourne Cup marquee event

Liberal party senator Hollie Hughes
Liberal party senator Hollie Hughes billed taxpayers for a trip to Melbourne, during which Victorian brewery Furphy treated her to an $800 spot in its marquee on Melbourne Cup day. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

New South Wales Liberal senator Hollie Hughes justified claiming a taxpayer-funded travel allowance for Melbourne Cup day by saying the alcohol company that gave her a spot in its marquee had employees in her home state, making her attendance parliamentary business.

Hughes billed taxpayers for a short trip to Melbourne in 2019, during which Victorian brewery Furphy, owned by alcohol giant Lion, treated her to an $800 spot in its Flemington marquee on Melbourne Cup day.

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