Peter Dutton took $23k private jet to Tamworth where he spoke on cost-of-living crisis

Exclusive: Figures reveal that opposition leader traveled at taxpayer's expense to event sponsored by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Opposition leader Peter Dutton used a taxpayer-funded private jet to travel to a News Corp event in Tamworth, claiming $23,000 in travel expenses to speak at the summit where he criticised the government's response to the cost-of-living crisis.

Despite multiple flight connections daily between Canberra and Tamworth, it's understood Dutton had a pre-existing commitment, meaning no commercial flight could get him to the Daily Telegraph's annual bush summit" in August 2023 in time.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup