Liberal Amanda Stoker repays taxpayers $2,600 for travel with family through Whitsunday region

The freedom of information documents reveal Stoker took a four-day trip with her family in December 2020, charging taxpayers for flights and the use of a hire car.

Stoker flew with her three children from Brisbane to Townsville on 12 December, hiring a car and staying the night. The assistant minister had legitimate parliamentary business in Townsville, Cape Cleveland and Ayr on the first two days of the trip, including meeting with a state MP and local residents, small businesses and graziers, and a visit to the Australia Institute of Marine Science.

But the senator and her family then continued travelling through the Whitsunday region, staying in Gumlu and Bowen, before travelling to Proserpine.

Stoker billed taxpayers for the ongoing costs of the hire car as they travelled through the Whitsunday region, and for return flights from Proserpine to Brisbane on 15 December.

Ipea wrote to Stoker in August 2021 seeking an explanation of her travel through the Whitsundays. The senator responded with evidence showing the first two days of the trip had involved parliamentary business.

The watchdog billed Stoker $2,620 for the claims, which included return flights and car hire costs, and added a 25% penalty. Stoker paid the invoice almost two months later in October.

No further action was taken.

Earlier this week, Ipea released a separate audit of the travel of Liberal MP Andrew Laming, who claimed expenses for family reunion travel involving his wife.