Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I only just heard the question. There is not really much I can add to my previous two or three answers on this issue over the last couple of days. I reported yesterday that the decision to hold the function was made taking into account previous advice from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that it is appropriate to hold non-fundraising functions on a full cost recovery basis. That is internal advice to the government. I am not going to table it. It was clear advice to the government as to the nature of the Prime Minister’s appropriate behaviour in hosting functions. Prime Ministers—whether they are our Prime Minister, Labor Prime Ministers or others—have always and traditionally hosted functions of a variety of kinds, such as for the press gallery, business observers or community groups from around the country, at the Lodge and Kirribilli House. On this occasion the Prime Minister hosted drinks for delegates to the federal council of the Liberal Party and their business observers. The Liberal Party was billed fully for the marginal costs of hosting that function—that is, for food, beverages, casual staff and associated hire charges. I have nothing further to add.