Labor Minister Matt Keogh ‘grateful‘ for Perth MP’s trip to Paris defending the high spend

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Labor Minister Matt Keogh ‘grateful‘ for Perth MP’s trip to Paris defending the high spend

Labor Minister Matt Keogh has defended his colleague’s $25,000 trip to Paris that spruiked the first direct flights from Perth to the city of love and lights.

Perth MP and Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman and an adviser spent the sum on business class flights, accommodation, meals and other allowances on a six-day trip that began on July 14.

Disclosures to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority reveal Mr Gorman and his staffer billed taxpayers $20,211 on airfares alone and $5,071 for accommodation and meals.

Speaking to media on Monday, Mr Keogh, who represents the Federal seat of Burt in Perth’s east, said the trip on the first Perth-Paris direct flight was “very important”.

“That was around encouraging tourism to Australia through the direct flights that will now be available coming from France into Australia,’ he said.

Camera IconMinister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West ***********

Mr Keogh said direct flight to Perth made “an incredible difference” for the State’s tourism, business and study opportunities.

“I’m very grateful to see that Assistant Minister Gorman was able to fly the flag for Australia, and for Western Australia, as part of his journey supporting direct tourism and travel from Europe into Perth,” he said.

Mr Gorman has also defended the trip, telling The West he was promoting WA.

“I will always promote Perth for tourism and business investment,” he said.

“These direct flights have been a huge success for WA and support jobs in my electorate and across Australia.”

But Liberal MP and opposition “government waste” spokesman James Stevens last week lashed Mr Gorman’s spend.

“While many Australians can only dream of visiting Paris, they were given no choice but to pay for a junior minister’s business class flights to the City of Lights,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Camera IconQantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West ***********

At the time of the trip, the MP said the direct flight would benefit both cities.

“This is great news for the *********** tourism industry,” he said.

“And it’s excellent news for people across France who will now have the opportunity to come to this wonderful city of Perth.”

Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson and Tourism WA chair Di Bain were also on the VIP flight.

The direct link to Paris was the third non-stop European destination from Perth established after London and Rome.

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