Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I note with interest the Labor Party’s fascination with this matter. The Liberal Party, the Prime Minister and the government are happy with the arrangements that have been entered into. A function was held on 1 June 2007 at Kirribilli House, and delegates to the Federal Council of the Liberal Party and business observers were invited to attend that function. The decision to hold that function was made taking into account previous advice from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that it is appropriate to hold such functions on a full cost recovery basis as long as the function itself is not of itself a fundraising function. The function was attended by 225 guests. The total function cost was $5,186.69, covering food, beverages, casual staff and associated hire charges. This cost of that function has been fully reimbursed by the Liberal Party. The food and beverage served at the function was purchased separately for the function and existing stock was not used. Audiovisual costs for the function were billed directly to the Liberal Party. The cost of full-time staff was not charged to the Liberal Party, as that cost would have been incurred in the normal running of the house. The full costs of that function were just over $5,000, and the Liberal Party has paid that amount in full.