Prime Minister Scott Morrison immediately announcedthe government would investigate the expense claims,and Mr Robert's office said the Fadden MP would pay back"over $20,000"of data costs.
However,after the Finance Department reported back,the value of the reimbursement increased to almost $38,000.
"I‘ve immediately[repaid] a full amount of $37,975 that reflects excess usage charges under the Finance Department’s approved plan,"Mr Robert said in a post on Twitter on Friday afternoon.
Special Minister of State Alex Hawke said the excessive charges were not covered by Mr Robert's department-approved plan and did not meet community expectations.
Mr Hawke said Mr Robert had only been able to access mobile broadband with limited data capacity because of his residential location but added the National Broadband Network had recently come online in the area and the MP was moving to a new plan.
"Whilst the Department of Finance approved the current internet solution,very high excess data charges have understandably caused concern,"he said.