Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Cormann. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott gets two taxpayer-funded staff members, a driver, an office, a private vehicle, free travel, and a pension worth over $300,000 a year. Mr Abbott has accepted a role advancing the interests of a foreign nation. There is a strong probability that Mr Abbott will be employed to assist the UK to negotiate trade deals that may not necessarily benefit Australia's sovereign interest. Is the Prime Minister really going to allow Australian taxpayers to pay Mr Abbott, pay for his office, pay for his travel, pay for his staff, and pay for his car while he's working against the interests of the same Australian taxpayers that are covering his bills?