Questions over parliamentary entitlements have reached the Hunter, with former and serving MPs in the spotlight.
Fairfax reports, former Paterson Mp, Bob Baldwin spent almost $7,000 to meet with executives of a renewable energy company in Perth in the months before he retired from politics.
The company is now a client of his new lobbyist firm.
Bob Baldwin says the trips were all above board as they were related to his environment portfolio and were legitimate parliamentary business.
Hunter Mp, Joel Fitzgibbon was the region's biggest spender, running up $243,000 in travel costs, office expenses and electorate materials over the first 6 months of last year - he says too often people just look at the costs without taking into account the long hours spent traveling around the country on parliamentary business.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Mp, Sharon Claydon spent $174,000. Shortland Mp, Pat Conroy chalked up $169,000 and retired Shortland Mp, Jill Hall spent $105,000 over the same six month period.
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| Former Paterson Mp, Bob Baldwin |
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| Hunter Mp, Joel Fitzgibbon |
