Prime Minister Julia Gillard says there is nothing unusual about the $7 million annual travel bill for federal MPs.
Slightly more than half the bill goes on chauffeured limousines – $3.6 million, The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday.
Taxpayer-provided cars cost about $2 million to lease and $760,000 to fuel, hire cars cost $410,000 and taxis $138,000.
More than 200 MPs used fuel cards supplied by taxpayers. More than half lodged fuel bills for more than $3000 each in the 2010-11 year.
Ms Gillard says there has been no change in the way MPs’ travel is funded.
“This is the standard entitlements for MPs that have been there for years and year and years,” she told reporters in Townsville on Saturday.
“MPs are able to use cars to move around and get about their work and there’s been no change in the system.”
The prime minister topped the list of Commonwealth car users, clocking up a $344,524.49 bill, with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott second on $217,866.39.
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