Taxpayers forked out $8800 last year for veteran Liberal MP Philip Ruddock and his wife to travel to Perth for a work trip that included a Hollywood-themed ball.

The figures are revealed in Mr Ruddock's parliamentary entitlements report for July to December 2014.

Mr Ruddock and wife Heather flew commercially from Sydney to Perth on September 6, at a total return flight cost of $6400.

The couple attended a ball hosted by the West Australian Chinese Chamber of Commerce along with 700 guests.

The ball, held at Crown Perth, was described in the West Australian newspaper at the time as "a touch of exotic Hollywood glamour".

Top-priced tickets were $5500 for a table of 10.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott delivered a "special address" to the ball via video link and the audience was entertained by "tributes to Hollywood of the 40s and, of course, exciting Chinese traditions of dance and spectacle".

On the trip, which Mr Ruddock described on his Finance Department form as "chief whip official business", he claimed $1876 in travelling allowance, $157 on Comcars and $357 on other car costs.

Mr Ruddock, who is being tipped as the replacement for Speaker Bronwyn Bishop who quit after an expenses row, told AAP on Monday the main purpose of his trip was his work as chief government whip.

He said he spent half a day meeting with his deputy whip Nola Marino.

"We had some difficult issues, not just related to some individuals," Mr Ruddock said.

"I saw some other colleagues but I'm not going to name them - it's not appropriate to do so."

Mr Ruddock was sacked as chief government whip in February this year after he failed to foresee a spill against Mr Abbott's leadership.

Two WA MPs led the charge for a spill motion.

Mr Ruddock also met community representatives, including an Islamic leader.

The Chinese ball was important because he had a "significant interest in supporting the cultural diversity of our broader society", Mr Ruddock said.

"All members of parliament - including whips and if I ever became Speaker - should be involved in ensuring all Australians ... have access to our parliamentary representatives."

Asked whether Liberal Party donors could have attended the ball, Mr Ruddock said: "Quite possibly, but I wouldn't know."