Former Labor MP billed taxpayers more than $22,000 to pay James Bingham for communications services ‘outside normal work hours’

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The former Labor MP Michael Danby billed taxpayers to pay a staffer consultancy fees to help him with Sky News interviews, internal documents show.

In July it was revealed Danby, who retired at the 2019 federal election, had for the last few months of his time in parliament recruited his then staffer James Bingham to work for him as a contractor under Bingham’s company name, Developer Approvals Australia.

On top of Bingham’s regular salary, Developer Approvals Australia was paid more than $22,000 for communications work Danby said was done outside of normal work hours.

Emails obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information reveal on 9 November 2018 a staffer in Danby’s office emailed the Department of Finance asking for the forms to get Developer Approvals Australia approved for payment.

Michael Danby charged taxpayers to pay staffer 'after-hours' consultancy fees Read more

“This company is a new supplier. Can you please send me the forms that new suppliers need to complete prior payments,” the staffer said.

A finance department employee told Danby’s office that more information would be required in order to approve the company.

“Specifically, could you please provide further information on the social media campaign advice and metrics examination services which have been provided under this invoice, including the relevant social media accounts for which the services have been provided,” the finance department employee said. “Once the above information has been provided, we will arrange for further processing of the invoice.”

Danby’s office then sent back a one-page explainer detailing the work Bingham had completed for Danby. It included advising Danby on three Sky News appearances – twice with Paul Murray and once with David Speers.

The nature of the consultancy work was described as “advise member on media appearance and topics for discussion” and “attend appearances with member”.

Bingham had also advised Danby to run targeted social media campaigns on the live sheep export trade, “anti-terrorism” and the Adani coalmine.

He then used Danby’s Facebook page “to reach as many constituents in the electorate on issues that are likely to be important to them”. A live exports ad went to 24,000 people, with 347 click throughs, at a cost of just over $1,000.

He also advised on print media for his local papers, including an “anti-terrorism” print ad and an anti-coal ad.

Danby did not respond to a request for comment. But he previously defended paying Bingham beyond his staffer salary because it was work undertaken outside office hours, and said it was approved by the finance department.

“The staffer concerned provided a communications service outside normal work hours,” he said.

“Many MPs use consultants and must get approval from the dept (as I did) for their projects.”

The Department of Finance said it did not comment on individuals or individual expense claims. But it said more broadly that printing and communications expenses must be “for the dominant purpose of conducting parliamentary business” and must be value for money. “Parliamentary business includes parliamentary duties, electorate duties, party political duties or official duties,” the department said in a statement.

“The office expenses budget may be used for relevant printing and communications, including mail outs related to a MP’s parliamentary business responsibilities.”

The emails between Danby’s office and the department do not mention that Bingham was at the time employed as a staffer in Danby’s office, however the emails do mention several phone calls about the invoicing.