Liberal senator defends $1069 parking expense claim

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 01:32 · Archive

Liberal senator Sarah Henderson has defended a $1069 parking charge she claimed from taxpayers, despite it exceeding Melbourne Airport's highest published rate.

Liberal frontbencher Sarah Henderson has defended a $1069 parking charge she billed taxpayers for, saying members of parliament are entitled to claim parking costs when engaging in parliamentary business. She told News24 it was "an appropriate cost to claim back".

The charge was incurred over a 13-day period for parking at Melbourne Airport. However, when checked against the airport's online rates, its most expensive parking service for 13 days cost $809, equating to $62.23 per day, while its cheapest option was $195.

Senator Henderson said she generally incurs parking costs when travelling from regional Victoria to Tullamarine Airport for trips to Canberra. The senator was asked about the charge on Sunday while defending her own expenses against accusations that Communications Minister Anika Wells had been dishonest about hers.

How it is being reported

• Senior Liberal blames Melbourne Airport for $1069 taxpayer-billed ‘parking costs’A senior Liberal senator has defended a $1069 parking claim she billed taxpayers for, while accusing a Labor minister of lying about expenses.The West Australian · 18 Oct, 01:23
• Senior Liberal blames Melbourne Airport for $1069 taxpayer-billed ‘parking costs’A senior Liberal senator has defended a $1069 parking claim she billed taxpayers for, while accusing a Labor minister of lying about expenses.Perth Now · 18 Oct, 01:23

In this story: Sarah Henderson · Anika Wells · Melbourne Airport · Victoria · Canberra

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem