Travel Costs Embarrass Opposition

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday August 19, 1992

By TONY WRIGHT

CANBERRA: The 26 staff of the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Hewson, amassed an impressive $206,340 in travel allowances in the past 12 months.

This is more than double the combined total of the bigger staffs of both the former Prime Minister Mr Bob Hawke and Mr Keating during the year.

As well, Dr Hewson and his staff cost taxpayers far more on official cars than any other senior politician. His hire-car bill for the year was $143,638, and his staff spent a further $60,297.

The figures, in documents released last night by the office of the Minister for Administrative Services, Senator Bolkus, come at a particularly embarrassing time for the Opposition.

The shadow Treasurer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Reith, said on television on Tuesday night: "I think the pollies should cut back on their white cars, their VIP fleets and so on."

The figures reveal Mr Reith spent $108,513 on hire cars for the year -among the top four in Parliament.

The Opposition tried to contain the damage last night by pointing out that Dr Hewson's main office was in Sydney, necessitating frequent travel by staff to Canberra. As well, his staff flew by commercial aircraft, whereas Mr Keating's staff travel by VIP jet, which could return them home the same day.

The figures bear out the heavy use of commercial planes: Dr Hewson's air charter costs were $104,656, far higher than any other minister or Opposition office holder.

The Opposition said Dr Hewson's bills were also high because when MPs attended functions on his behalf, their costs went onto his account.

The figures show that Mr Keating's 36 staff were paid $40,257 in travelling allowances. Mr Hawke's 32 staff got $45,901. Mr Keating and Mr Hawke each spent six months as Prime Minister to June 30.

Mr Keating spent $117,341 on hire cars, while Mr Hawke clocked up $127,744. Mr Keating's staff spent $30,792 on hire cars, and Mr Hawke's $59,452.

The 17 staff of the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Howe, were among the heaviest users of travel allowances. They received $113,332. But his $99,355 on hire cars could not compete with that of the Minister for Employment, Education and Training, Mr Beazley. His bill was $131,296.

Dr Hewson, in a letter to Senator Bolkus this week, said his office had contained and even reduced travel costs in some areas. He had ordered that staff use more taxis.