MPs' travel budget topped up by $1.5m

An extra $1.52 million was needed to meet MPs' travel budgets last year.

Parliamentary Services finance manager Simon Wall said an increase in air fares of up to 18 per cent forced the top-up.

"We predicted the need for an increase which was approved, so it's not a blowout."

The additional spending was included in supplementary estimates. "Last year we overspent by $171,000 so ... with the $1.52 million top-up, we're currently about $26,000 underspent [in the June year]."

That comes from a total travel budget of $7.73 million.