Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann during a Senate estimates hearing at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“I made a booking through Helloworld engaging with Mr Burnes,that is right,” Senator Cormann said,adding that he had known the businessman for at least seven years and regarded him as a friend after being introduced by former treasurer Joe Hockey.
Senator Cormann released a statement on Tuesday saying Helloworld had acknowledged an “administrative error” was the reason his credit card was not charged the $2700 for the flights booked in July 2017 and taken in January 2018.
The outstanding sum was paid by Senator Cormann on Monday after he was made aware of it byThe Age andHerald.
Senator Cormann said he took responsibility for not checking his credit card statements to determine that he had been charged for the Singapore trip.
“I deeply regret that and it is highly embarrassing for me personally,” he said.
Mr Burnes,who has donated more than $500,000 to the Liberal Party either as an individual or through his companies,booked the flights on Helloworld’s “staff and family” account,according to internal company records.