Liberal minister spent $230K on travel

(AAP) Senator George Brandis spent an average of $8,000 of taxpayers' money a week on travel and entertainment in the last six months of 2007, figures show.

The Brisbane-based Liberal senator ran up a travel bill of more than $230,000
between July and December last year while he was arts and sports minister in the
former coalition government, the Seven Network reported on Wednesday.
His spending almost matched former prime minister John Howard and then opposition
leader Kevin Rudd, who spent $290,000 each while campaigning across Australia for
the 2007 election.
Senator Brandis spent $72,000 on domestic airfares, $22,000 on accommodation and
travel, $26,000 on Commcar costs and $62,000 on a seven-day trip to the US and
Canada.
In a statement to Seven, Senator Brandis said his overseas trip was approved by the
prime minister and was within ministerial and departmental guidelines.