How much is too much to pay the gardener? $200,000 a year?

Not according to Tony Abbott. The Prime Minister's department has just approved a $600,000 three-year contract to maintain the grounds at his luxury taxpayer-funded Sydney home, Kirribilli House.

Kirribilli House. Credit:Peter Rae

The contract was awarded to Sydney company VIP Home Services last month.

And it looks like costs are going up. The company is being paid approximately $17,000 a month for its services. A few years ago, the same company was charging about $10,000 to $12,000 a month.