“As discussed, the Min is going to be in Cairns on a personal trip this weekend.

“Is there a quick event we can throw together for this?”

The Minister for Police Jack Dempsey. Credit:Harrison Saragossi

An advisor for police minister Jack Dempsey asked a staffer at police headquarters to “throw together” an official event during Mr Dempsey's pre-arranged personal trip to north Queensland in May last year.

The switch from a personal to an official reason meant Mr Dempsey could pay for the trip using his government travel allowance.