Tony Abbott has claimed thousands of dollars in expenses for competing in surf swims, cycle races and fun runs — almost all of it involving no official business whatsoever. PhonyTonyAbbott reports.

SOMEONE RECENTLY tweeted an image that I found very interesting. Unfortunately, I don't know who created, so I can't provide them with any credit.

Amongst other things, it showed that Tony Abbott had claimed expenses (travel allowances and flight costs) for two surf events held in 2012.

The two surf events were the Pier to Pub swim in Lorne (January 7, 2012) and the Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Pier to Pub swim (April 21, 2012).

The Pier to Pub swim in Lorne cost taxpayers $349 for travel expenses and $1,095.24 for flight costs — a total of $1,444.24.







The Hervey Bay Surf Livesaving Pier to Pub swim cost taxpayers $349 for travel expenses and $2,023.81 for flight costs - a total of $2,372.81.

That is a combined total of $3,817.05 — just so that Tony Abbott could jump into the surf and have a swim.

Is it possible that Tony Abbott combined official business with his budgie smugglers?

Yes, although a look at Tony Abbott's official website shows that he hasn't included any interview transcripts or speeches on those days in either Lorne or Hervey Bay, except for a very brief (three questions only) interview he gave talking, ironically, about Peter Slipper and "allegations of potentially criminal misuse of entitlements".

Indeed.

But Abbott's taxpayer funded jollies don't end there.

Two other events that Tony Abbott participated in were the Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge (August 5, 2012) and the Wagga 'Lake to Lagoon' Fun Run (September 9, 2012).

The Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge cost taxpayers $349 for travel expenses, $653.24 for flight costs and $148.75 ($78.68 and $70.07) for Com Cars — a total of $1150.99.

The Wagga 'Lake to Lagoon' Fun Run cost taxpayers $254 for travel expenses, $161.69 for flight costs and $127.15 for Com Cars — a total of $542.84.

In relation to both the Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge and the Wagga 'Lake to Lagoon' Fun Run, there doesn't appear to have been any official business whatsoever.

All up, it appears as though taxpayers have funded Tony Abbott's ironman dreams to the tune of $5,510.88.

In my opinion, that's $5,510.88 too much.

You can view Tony Abbott's expenses for January to June 2012 here and Tony Abbott's expenses for July to December 2012 here.

This story was originally published at phonytonyabbott.com and has been republished with permission. See also Tony Abbott’s #Battlerorts scandal goes mainstream and Tony Abbott’s dodgy Pollie Pedal expense claims.