Labor MP Tony Burke defends travel expenses claims while facing “hypocrite” accusations by opposition

Former environment minister Tony Burke is the latest MP to be under scrutiny for his travel expenses claims, with Government frontbencher Eric Abetz suggesting that Burke should be careful about his position after questions were raised about the expenses incurred during Burke’s family trip to Uluru.

Reports published by the Department of Finance show that in April 2012, Mr Burke bought airfares worth AU$2,181.43 on a four day return trip from Sydney to Uluru along with AU$8,565.48 for his family members. He also used for travel allowances and hiring a car, bringing the total cost of the trip to AU$12,707.65.

However, Burke has maintained that all the travel expenses claims were within the rules and defended himself over the claims of overspending taxpayers’ money. “There is no allegation that I have broken any of the rules at any point,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. He has also said that he is not being accused of any wrongdoing by the government.

Following the media reports about his trip to Uluru, Burke's office also released a statement saying that the expenses were claimed to cover the official business trip to Uluru and mentioned details of the meetings he held with the members of the Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu, and managers and rangers at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

"The cost of flights and the amount payable for accommodation while on official business are determined by the Department of Finance and the Independent Remuneration Tribunal, and flights are organised by the travel agent holding the Government contract,” the statement said.

It has also been reported that the Labor MP has paid back the cost of numerous trips he made over the years, including to a Robbie Williams concert in 2014 which he has said was work-related because he had a meeting with the promoter as part of his business as an opposition.

Burke, who had been very vocal about former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s travel expenses scandal, which eventually saw her stepping down from her position, was criticised by parliamentary secretary Alan Tudge who addressed the issue as an example of “classic Labor hypocrisy.” Mr Tudge said that apparently the standards which were demanded by Burke himself, didn’t seem to apply to him. Similarly, parliamentary frontbencher Josh Fryndenberg has also accused Burke of hypocrisy and independent MP Clive Palmer also called for answers from Mr Burke.

However, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has also tried to rule out the possibility of such claims by blaming the Government for deflecting the fallout from Mrs Bishop's resignation. "You've got to love the Liberal Party don't you," he said, claiming this was an attempt to “throw dirt” at a Labor politician.

Meanwhile, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is expected to announce an audit to check all travel claims by MPs and senators starting from 2010 and called for more vigilance while scrutinising Burke’s travel expenses claims.

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