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Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) Attorney general's dept officials say Michaelia Cash's legal bill for the AWU raid matter is up to $288,000. That's taxpayer funded. #auspol #estimates

In Senate estimates, attorney general’s department deputy secretary Ian Anderson has revealed small business minister Michaelia Cash’s legal bill for the AWU matter has so far been ... $288,812.

It is routine for the commonwealth (taxpayers, i.e. you) to pay minister’s legal bills if litigation relates to their work as a minister. The attorney general approved the spending and the costs are certified by the department (presumably to ensure we’re all getting value for money!)

Anderson said that Cash is the only minister with taxpayer-funded legal costs approved.