http://www.canberratimes.com.au/fed...big-bill-for-royal-visit-20151112-gkxwuc.html
It's important not to blow this expenditure out of proportion; after all, what kind of servile colonial outpost would Australia be if it didn't bow and scrape to the Queen of Australia and all her heirs and successors? And really, poor Charles is so busy promoting 'alternative' therapies and derailing the careers of modern architects he needs a getaway with his wife and a box of Tampax more than anyone.
Australian taxpayers will be charged close to half a million dollars for this month's brief royal tour.
Prince Charles and Camilla are due to fly out of Australia on Sunday after a five-day tour that took them to Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, Canberra, Sydney, Perth and Albany.
But they'll be leaving a hefty bill behind.
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has confirmed it is covering the costs of the trip.
"The total cost of the visit is not yet known but it is expected that it will be consistent with past visits," a spokesperson said.
The department pointed out the royal couple's last visit, a similar six-day trip in November 2012, cost it $437,057.
That included roughly $257,000 for transport, $85,000 for meals, accommodation and incidentals, $66,500 for media work, $5500 for hospitality and events and $23,000 in so-called miscellaneous costs.
The department's figures do not include the cost of security, which would take the total much higher.
Taxpayers were charged $474,000 to host Prince William and his young family in April last year but that was considered a "budget" trip because the costs were spread over 10 days.
A 2011 visit by the Queen and her husband cost taxpayers $2.7 million.
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Prince Charles celebrated his 67th birthday with a beachside barbecue in the Perth suburb or Cottesloe on Saturday.
It's important not to blow this expenditure out of proportion; after all, what kind of servile colonial outpost would Australia be if it didn't bow and scrape to the Queen of Australia and all her heirs and successors? And really, poor Charles is so busy promoting 'alternative' therapies and derailing the careers of modern architects he needs a getaway with his wife and a box of Tampax more than anyone.