It's the political equivalent of copying each other's homework - but a pair of Liberal MPS who filed remarkably similar overseas study tour reports appear not to have broken any rules.

Liberal MP Nola Marino confirmed to Fairfax Media she "collaborated" with colleague Louise Markus to produce the travel reports about a study tour the pair took to Papua New Guinea.

Nola Marino says she and Louise Markus 'collaborated' on their reports. Credit:Andrew Meares

The pair of five-page reports - which are the only requirement the Finance Department imposes on MPs returning from taxpayer-funded overseas trips that can cost thousands of dollars - cover a six-day journey to PNG as part of the Pacific Partnership Humanitarian Civic Assistance program from June 29 to July 4 last year. Large blocks of text in the report are almost, but not quite, identical.

On its website, Finance states MPs must be aware of sensitive material they may learn when they submit an overseas study tour travel report within 30 days of returning overseas. It asks that MPs keep their reports to five pages and notes that "the responsibility for accuracy, completeness and presentation of a report rests with the individual Senator or Member". No mention is made of "collaboration".