Nationals leader David Littleproud defends travel breach

Nationals leader David Littleproud has defended taking a taxpayer-funded flight to see family in 2023. The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority found the leader had contravened parliamentary laws by claiming expenses for a private visit to the Gold Coast. It's understood the trip took place days after the settlement of his $1,000,000 ­Surfers Paradise apartment. Mr Littleproud said he only made the mistake of flying back into Brisbane rather than the Gold Coast. "I wasn't aware that was wrong; I thought I could come to either two because they're similar in price, and I paid not just the price of the flight coming back but I paid for the flight going back to Canberra and any other associated costs," Mr Littleproud said "But I didn't claim any nights I wasn't there on the taxpayer, I came home to be with my family, which is what most MPs do between sitting weeks," he said.