By Paul Osborne in Canberra
TAXPAYERS forked out $2.55 million in legal costs for former coalition government ministers attending the robodebt royal commission.
The figures were released to a Senate committee ahead of the commission’s report being handed down on Friday.
Under parliamentary business resources rules, assistance can be approved for a range of legal-related costs.
Former social services minister Christian Porter’s support totalled $795,053, while ex-PM Scott Morrison, who held the social services portfolio in 2014-15, received $477,528.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was provided with $98,935.
Other ex-ministers who had their costs covered included Paul Fletcher ($120,772), Anne Ruston ($5626), Dan Tehan ($112,696), Marise Payne ($240,520), Michael Keenan ($518,064) and Stuart Robert ($183,835).
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