Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I again refer to the Liberal Party function at Kirribilli House—which included fine wine, oysters and prawns—overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour. Can the Prime Minister guarantee today that the total bill of $5,100 charged to the Liberal Party from the $8,250 charged per head covers the costs of all catering, alcohol, food, security, insurance, cleaning and the hire of the venue—as is required for community organisations which hire rooms in this Parliament House?

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can confirm that the figure I have given—and the precise figure is $5,186.78—includes all of the additional costs of the function. The food and beverage served at the function was purchased separately for the function; existing stock was not used. There was an audiovisual cost for the function, and this was billed directly to the Liberal Party. The situation is that all of the additional costs—

Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mrs Irwin interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mrs Irwin interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Fowler is warned!

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Obviously any additional staff required are included in the cost, and that is a figure of $829.57. Clearly the existing staff would have been on duty and paid anyway, so that is not part of it. I know that the Labor Party find the amount involved rather low, but perhaps their lifestyle is a little more extravagant than mine.