Exclusive: Kelly told the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority he took the trips to meet United Australia party members

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The expenses watchdog has told Craig Kelly he must pay back more than $2,000 for two taxpayer-funded trips to attend party meetings on Clive Palmer’s boat in Melbourne, documents show.

Kelly charged taxpayers for air fares, travel allowance and private car use during two trips to Melbourne in February and March last year, while Palmer’s boat was docked in the city. At the time, the United Australia party was in the middle of its $123.5m election campaign and Kelly was its only sitting MP and parliamentary leader.

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