http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3864956.htm
HEATHER EWART, REPORTER: Tony Abbott is hooked on exercise. It's how he starts his day, every day. He loves to compete in sporting events and now we know he claims travel expenses to do so.
Fresh media revelations that the taxpayer was charged $1,300 for him to take part in the annual Ironman competition in Port Macquarie in 2011 sparked this defence at a news conference in Bali today.
TONY ABBOTT, PRIME MINISTER: Look, I believe that all of my claims have been within entitlement and let's not forget that Port Macquarie was a marginal seat effectively and I want to assure you that I don't go to marginal seats simply for sporting events although the sporting event in question was a community event. I think you will find that there were quite a few other community events involved in those visits.
HEATHER EWART: The Federal Opposition disagrees.
CHRIS BOWEN, INTERIM OPPOSITION LEADER: In the absence of a better explanation from Mr Abbott, in the absence of other community events being held which he attended in his official capacity on the face of it, it would appear that would not be a legitimate claim and I would ask Mr Abbott to reflect on his position and to consider repaying the taxpayer allocation for his participation in a private sporting event.
HEATHER EWART: Tony Abbott won't be repaying his travel allocation, insisting the iron man was about community engagement.
The key point here is whether the sporting event was the drawcard and his travel plans were built around it. Department of Finance records also reveal that then Opposition Leader routinely claimed travel allowance and flights for Pollie Pedal charity cycling trips through regional Australia.
TONY ABBOTT: Pollie Pedal is a very intense engagement with the community. I mean the great thing about Pollie Pedal is that it takes me to towns and communities that very rarely see a politician. I invite every one of you to go back, to look at the program for this Pollie Pedal, previous Pollie Pedals and ask yourself the question, "is this a frolic or is this a very serious act of community engagement?" And I think you'd have to conclude, if you're fair dinkum, that this is a very serious act of community engagement.
HEATHER EWART: It doesn't stop there. While the Opposition says raising funds for charity is commendable, and it won't pursue the matter, a pattern is emerging of Tony Abbott using his travel entitlements to compete in more than just the odd sporting event. 7:30 can reveal a number of others he's attended and claimed for.
In 2012 Tony Abbott went to the famed Lorne Pier to Pub race in Victoria. He claimed $1,095 on flights and $349 for travelling allowance. A total of $1,444.
Later that year in August, Tony Abbott went to Coffs Harbour for a cycle challenge. He claimed $653 on flights and $349 in travel allowance. A total of $1,002. The next month he went to Wagga for its Lake to Lagoon fun run claiming $161 to fly there, and $354 in travel allowance. A total of $515.
