Just not cricket: NSW taxpayers hit for six
FIRST ON 7: For many a dream holiday involves first class travel, plush hotels and going to a Test cricket match overseas, and one NSW politician has done just that.
Minister John Ajaka has defended spending at least $25,000 of taxpayers' money during a trip to India and Dubai, saying he was promoting the Illawarra.
There were few spectators in Dubai, as Australia tried to survive Pakistan's attack last October.
But there was some unexpected support.
John Ajaka is the Minister for Disabilities and Ageing, who oversees the Illawarra, as well as some Test cricket.
7News can reveal his seven day trip to Dubai and India cost taxpayers $25,000.
The first class flights for him and his advisor came in at more than $17,000.
They then checked into one of Dubai's best hotels, the $600 a night Grosvenor House.
While taxpayers also picked up the $244 tab for his wife's diplomatic passport, even though she was not on the trip.
"This sounds too good to be true... an all expenses paid trip to watch the cricket overseas," Shadow Treasurer Michael Daley said.
"It's the taxpayers of NSW that really got hit for six."
The minister denies it was a junket, saying he attended 17 meetings, and was invited by Wollongong University.
"This was a very successful visit," Ajaka told 7News.
There are several ministers with regional responsibilities - the Hunter, Central Coast and western NSW - but none have travelled overseas in that capacity this term.
The Opposition says what makes this trip more curious is that the State Government closed its office in Illawarra not long after the election.
"It's ironic that the most enthusiasm he's shown for his Illawarra portfolio has been on the other side of the world," Michael Daley said.
7News has also discovered while John Ajaka had business class tickets, he was upgraded to first class on one leg of the trip.
Until today he had failed to declare that favour from Emirates to the Premier's Department or Parliament.
He now says he will adjust the parliamentary pecuniary interest register.
It is worth noting disgraced former Labor minister Ian Macdonald was sacked after failing to disclose his Emirates upgrades.
Morning news break – January 28