What about something a bit more recent, the PM's $600,000 jaunt that the taxpayer was paying.
PM's $600,000 jaunt
May 12, 2006
Prime Minister John Howard's 10-day trip to the United States, Britain and Iraq cost more than $600,000, new figures show.
In response to a question on notice, Mr Howard revealed travel for last year's trip, on which he was accompanied by his wife Janette, cost just under $220,000.
Accommodation for the trip, which included four days in the US, four in Britain, and an overnight stay in the United Arab Emirates, was $250,000.
Mr and Mrs Howard stayed at the upmarket Willard Hotel in Washington, the exclusive Claridges in London, and the high-end Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Another $145,454 was spent on what Mr Howard termed "other expenses" while just under $3,000 was spent on security.
During his trip to London, Mr Howard spent a day at Lord's watching an Ashes cricket Test. In the US, he caught up with his son Richard on top of his official meetings.
The total cost of the trip was $616,800.
During the trip, Mr Howard held meetings with US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He also made a flying visit to Iraq, from the UAE, during which he met then Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari.
Mr Howard today flew out for another trip that will take in the US, Canada and Ireland.
