George Brandis's $1,100AU dinner

Was surprised to read such a scathing commentary in the main stream Sydney Morning Herald. This is the gov's version of heavy lifting. No wonder they reckoned the $7 charge for a doctor was a "modest" fee. Just no idea. I wonder if they had cigars as well?

A freedom of information request lodged by the Labor Party has revealed Senator Brandis opted for Australian wine on the night of April 4 when he dined with a group of senior British arts representatives at the Corinthia Hotel's fine-dining Massimo Restaurant. 

The group ordered three bottles of 2010 vintage Tyrrell's Semillon-Sauvignon and supped on a bottle of upmarket Italian Vin Santo del Chianti Bonacchi dessert wine, as well as glasses of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. 

The dinner cost taxpayers £627, with £228 in alcohol charges alone. Currency site XE said the Australian dollar was worth 56p at the time, meaning Senator Brandis's bill came to $1123, including $408 in alcohol. 

Just five days earlier, Treasurer Joe Hockey, who was preparing to unveil his first budget - which included the now-revised GP tax, a rise in the fuel excise and an extra tax on the rich - said everyone in the community needed to help to do the "heavy lifting" in repairing the budget deficit. more