Poirot, this snouts in the trough mentality by the "born to rule" mob is getting out of hand. There have been to every big wedding bash under the sun, all at taxpayers expense.
SM if Alan Jones should ever decide to get married in say France or New Zealand do you think The Mad Monk and his motley crew will jump on board a jumbo jet at taxpayer expense to be there for the "nuptials".
Isn't that the same Sophie Mirabella, who got rolled at the last election? Obviously not enough sex appeal. Tony should have checked that out with hubby Greg before tossing her name into the ring. Bad call.

Quite so, Paul.

Here's a wrap up of the latest Coalition snouts in trough situation.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/coalition-mps-must-lift-game-20131006-2v2bf.html

But of course, there's ex-ministers like Peter Reith who disagree:

"But former Howard government minister Peter Reith disagrees, describing the wedding expenses scandals as ''petty'' and arguing that politicians should be entitled to unlimited travel...."

Erk....

Snouts in trough indeed.

These pollies (both sides) have been rorting the system for years.
The Travelling Allowance system is more financially generous for them than for their Public Service minion counterparts yet I know of PS employees who have been dismissed, charged or even imprisoned for lesser indiscretions.

I haven't forgotten Howard's extended UK stay so he could take in a couple of days' cricket at a top class London Hotel and then added insult to injury by incurring a $10,000 late check-out fee into the bargain. It was his personal responsibility and fault yet the mug taxpayer picked up the tab.

We are yet to be told (in the main stream media) about Abbott's tendency to claim TA plus airfares to participate in (non-parliamentary) sporting events for image-building photo-opportunities and his claimed personal costs being sometimes triple those of Gillard - all while squealing about "stopping the waste".

Nevertheless, it will all blow over (as it usually does) but the ramifications for those cab charges against Slipper will be entertaining.

At best it will be an interesting opening to the first Parliamentary session when it comes.

obviously those obsessed with abbott abbott and abbott are silent about Ms Gillards defacto using commonwealth vehicles to do private business.

Dear runner,

Back it up with evidence please.

for u foxy

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/julia-gillard-wrote-personal-cheque-for-4243-to-department-of-finance-because-partner-tim-mathieson-misued-taxpayer-funded-car/story-fncynjr2-1226720672955

ps please don't blame abbott