Prime Minister Scott Morrison expects a Queensland Nationals MP will abide by the findings of a review into his travel expenses, after revelations the backbencher charged taxpayers more than $3000 for connecting flights to the Philippines.
George Christensen used the money to pay for flights between Canberra and other capital cities to connect to the Philippines instead of returning to his home base of Mackay.
The MP is "absolutely confident" his travel was within the rules.
"But to remove any doubt I will refer the matter to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority today," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mr Morrison said he had not spoken to Mr Christensen but believed the MP was happy to have his expenses scrutinised.
"I have no doubt George will abide by the ruling handed down," he told reporters in Tasmania.
Earlier this month, it was revealed the Queenslander spent more than 300 days over four years overseas instead of in his Dawson electorate.
Senior Labor figure Chris Bowen isn't sure how Mr Christensen is keeping up with the demands of his job.
"You can't be an effective member of parliament with that level of overseas travel," he told reporters in Perth.
"This is beyond the pale. He's not the member for Dawson, he's the member for Manila south."
Charging taxpayers for connecting flights was not appropriate and the MP had "very, very serious" questions to answer, Mr Bowen added.
But senior minister Mathias Cormann has defended Mr Christensen's travel as being within the rules.
"My advice is that all of the travel undertaken by George Christensen was within relevant rules on work expense arrangements," he told Sky News.
"In the end, it's a matter for each individual member of parliament to explain what they've done and why."
Mr Christensen's partner lives in the Philippines and he has not disputed the amount of time he has spent in the country.
He holds the Queensland seat of Dawson by a notional margin of 3.4 per cent.
