"Her work expenses are within the guidelines," the spokeswoman said. Ms King, Labor's consumer affairs spokeswoman, did not issue any press releases, speeches or advice of engagements between September 28 and October 4. The AFL grand final was on September 29. That day she tweeted "bad luck all" in response to a picture of Labor's defence spokesman Richard Marles, with fellow Melbourne Labor MPs Peter Khalil and Tim Watts dressed in Collingwood gear. On September 27, Ms King warned "all footy fans need to be aware of potential ticket reselling rip-offs and scams, in the lead-up to the grand final weekend," and chastised the government for "dropping the ball" on ticket resellers preying on fans wanting to travel to the grand final. Ms King also claimed $308 in a chauffeur driven car (Comcar) expenses for her and her husband to travel to and from the airport in Perth and one in Melbourne, taking her total grand final bill to more than $8000.

Morrison government Minister, Ken Wyatt, a Fremantle Dockers fan, diverted his return home to Perth from Sydney to Melbourne the night before the AFL grand final at the cost of $980, before adding an extra $1963 to continue to Perth the next day. Asked if this was a reasonable use of taxpayer funding, internal communications forwarded by the Aged Care Minister's office said: "less is more with this response." "Minister says the response should be he was on official business and he did not claim travel allowance and the travel was in accordance with the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority guidelines. "He wants this to be short and sweet."

Mr Wyatt told his staff to say that "I broke the return journey in Melbourne at my own expense." But the expense records show Mr Wyatt did claim a further $80 to use a Comcar while in Melbourne, where he had no official business. Labor's sports spokesman Don Farrell travelled from Adelaide to Sydney the next day to watch the NRL grand final. He took his wife with him at the cost of an extra $588 to taxpayers. Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen They took $467 worth of Comcar rides during their time as guests of the NRL, with Mr Farell's wife staying on an extra night, paying for her own accommodation but charging taxpayers $116 for her own driver and car. Mr Farrell also claimed $898 in travel allowance for being away from home for two nights.

A spokesman said Senator Farrell was invited to attend the grand final by the NRL in his official capacity, along with his wife, and returned to Adelaide the next day. "In his official capacity, the Senator met with the Chair and Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority while in Sydney," the spokesman said. The Sunday Age and The Sun-Herald do not suggest any MP's use of travel claims breach the rules, which allow MPs three interstate return fares for family members each year, as well as family reunion travel to Canberra and around the MP's home state. However, there have been calls for expenses reform, and MPs have been forced to pay back costs in the past. Labor Senator Don Farrell. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie, who has official duties attending the AFL and NRL grand finals, flew back from Hobart to Melbourne to attend the AFL grand final at the cost of $811, with Comcar costs of $1000 that day, including one charge of $450. She then went on to Sydney for $271 in flights, and another $667 in Comcar charges. She also claimed $900 in travel allowance.

"The Minister attends many sporting events throughout Australia in this capacity," a spokesman said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten attended both grand finals in their official capacities, adding up more than $4500 to the total bill in Comcars, airfares and travel allowance. On AFL grand final day, Mr Shorten incurred one Comcar charge of $605 between the North Melbourne Breakfast and the MCG, but a spokeswoman said the figure was for four separate legs.