Assistant treasurer charged taxpayers more than $1,000 a month for data since 2016

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The assistant treasurer Stuart Robert says he has repaid the almost $38,000 he accumulated in taxpayer-funded home internet bills.

The federal government sent Robert a bill after it was revealed he had charged taxpayers more than $1,000 a month for data at his Gold Coast home since 2016.

Special minister of state Alex Hawke said he had been advised the finance department signed off on Robert’s internet connection.

Liberal MP Stuart Robert to repay huge home internet bills Read more

“Due to the location of his residence, Mr Robert was only able to access mobile broadband services with limited monthly download capabilities,” Hawke said in a statement on Friday.

Despite the plan being approved, the high excess data charges had “understandably caused concern”, Hawke said.

Robert wrote on Twitter on Friday, after his colleague issued a media release, that he had paid $37,975, which reflected excess usage charges beyond those covered under the plan.

The minister intends to hook up the NBN when it is available in his area.