Six former prime ministers slugged taxpayers more than $360,000 in three months for office facilities and administration as well as telecommunications and car costs, the parliamentary expenses watchdog revealed.

Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s tally came in at the highest, claiming more than $91,000 from the public purse – more than $88,000 of which was for office facilities – between October 1 and December 31, 2021.

The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority also revealed John Howard charged taxpayers more than $87,000, including $75,000 for office facilities, almost $5500 for other car costs and almost $1280 for domestic fares.

Tony Abbott’s bill came to more than $78,000 in three months for parliamentary expenses. 

Kevin Rudd’s and Paul Keating’s total came to just over $39,000 each, while Julia Gillard’s was slightly lower, at just over $29,000.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison racked up more than $500,000 in the three months for his parliamentary duties. 

This includes more than $360,000 for 49 employees to travel, $50,000 for office facilities and $47,500 for overseas ministerial visits.

The prime minister’s G20 and COP26 visit between October 28 and November 4 cost taxpayers almost $65,000, half of which was on accommodation and meals.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese charged taxpayers just under $500,000 in the same three months, which included just under $255,000 for the domestic travel of 32 employees on top of $10,500 of domestic fares.

Just under $175,000 went to office facilities.

By Dominic Giannini in Canberra

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