"It is not sufficient to include the spouse in the minister's existing program of meetings. The travel must be justified and defensible," the guidelines state. Christopher Pyne, and his wife Carolyn, in a file picture. Credit:David Mariuz The Department of Education has revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request that it has no documents showing a foreign government invitation for Mrs Pyne nor an official program of events for her. But documents published by the Finance Department show Prime Minister Tony Abbott's chief of staff Peta Credlin approved Mrs Pyne's travel because of the "significant representational aspect of the travel". Mr Pyne, whose chief of staff also accompanied him, attended Anzac Day events in London on April 25 and went to Rome the next day to attend the canonisation of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.

Tax invoices show that, after returning to London from Rome mid-morning on April 28, Mr Pyne hired a day suite at London's swish Corinthia Hotel at a cost to taxpayers of $1352. He and his wife departed from Heathrow Airport later that day to return to Australia. His schedule of events show that he gave a speech at London's Policy Exchange and met two senior British government ministers during the day of April 28. On April 24, Mr Pyne attended an education roundtable lunch at the Australian high commissioner's London residence. A letter from Ms Credlin to Mr Pyne's office approving the trip also notes that the attendance of Mrs Pyne was expected to cost the Commonwealth no more than a business class airfare for the minister. As a minister, Mr Pyne is entitled to fly business class on official overseas travel. Mr Pyne flew business class from Adelaide to Sydney but switched to economy for the rest of the journey to London.

Documents show taxpayers were also billed $2060 for Mr Pyne to use the "VIP Suite" at Heathrow for his arrival and departure. This service involves being greeted by airport staff on the plane, limousine transfers and the use of a private lounge where security and check-in procedures take place away from other travellers. A spokesman for Mr Pyne said that, as an official Australian government representative at the canonisation of Pope John Paul II, the minister was accompanied by his wife "as was considered appropriate for an event of such solemn significance". "Approval of the travel arrangements stipulated there was to be no additional cost to the taxpayer for Mrs Pyne to attend the canonisation and none was incurred," the spokesman said. "The other Australian government representatives at the canonisations were also accompanied by their spouses. Mrs Pyne was recognised as an official guest at the event." The spokesman said the booking of two rooms for day use in London was "in line with normal government practice and used throughout the day to support the Minister and his chief of staff".

"The rooms were accessed between meetings with the UK Minister for Education Michael Gove, the Minister responsible for Universities David Willets and a speech at the Policy Exchange. The rooms were used as a base throughout the day but not overnight, as the party flew directly to Australia after having started the day at dawn in Rome." Mr Pyne also charged taxpayers $244 for a passport application made on April 15 and a further $108 to have it processed as a priority. Two thousand dollars was also allocated for Mr Pyne's travel while in London and taxpayers were also charged for scones, croissants and coffees, as well as meals. The minister's trip came two months after Treasurer Joe Hockey declared "the age of entitlement" to be over and weeks before the federal budget made significant cuts to education and health spending. The Abbott government last year made changes to politicians' travel entitlements after a series of reports about high-profile ministers and MPs billing the taxpayer to attend weddings, NRL games or investment properties.