2.50 in to this video

KATE ELLIS, FMR EMPLOYMENT MINISTER (excerpt from QandA): Weddings are not work. The taxpayers did not contribute to my wedding.

This exchange with Greg Hunt was not pretty.  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-08/hunt-ellis-trade-barbs-over-politicians-expenses-claims/5004108

Kate's 35th birthday in Melbourne might not be quite so clear cut.

It was apparently pretty important that the Minister for Child Care, Kate Ellis MP was in Melbourne on Friday, 21 September 2012 to tell us this:

21 Sep 2012 - Record Number of Children in Child Care in Victoria

Kate Ellis was in Canberra on Thursday, 20 September for the final sitting of the parliamentary week.

She flew from Canberra to Melbourne on Thursday, 20 September.

She claimed official business travel allowance as a Minister in Melbourne on Thursday, 20 September and Friday, 21 September, hitting taxpayers for $429 for each night.

She used Comcar quite a bit.

She was apparently in Melbourne on Friday, 21 September to do this, taken from her media release:

Minister Ellis headed into Melbourne Ports to tour Tree House Child Care in St Kilda and to hear from local child care staff and parents.

"The Federal Government funded two centres in Melbourne Ports, one in St Kilda and one in Port Melbourne," Federal Member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby said.

"This Government has recognised the growing need for Australian families to access quality and affordable childcare and I am thrilled that the people, not just in my electorate but across the whole country are benefiting from this important work."

She also released a report on cutting red tape.

Saturday, 22 September 2012 was Kate Ellis's 35th birthday.   The evening of Friday, 21 September was memorable.   At 9.21AM Kate used her official Twitter service to tell us this.

thankyou Miss Shannon, & thanks for fun effort to lead me astray xxx RT @ShannonRees And...happy maraschino cherry birthday @KateEllisMP

— Kate Ellis (@KateEllisMP) September 21, 2012

Later that Saturday, Kate's Adelaide Crows played Hawthorn in a Preliminary Final at the MCG, just down the road from Kate's favourite hotel, the Melbourne Sofitel.   Even though the Crows went down to the Hawks 97/92 Kate was still proud enough of her team to tweet:

So proud of my Crows tonight. #bringon2013

— Kate Ellis (@KateEllisMP) September 22, 2012

And how do we know that Melbourne's Sofitel is Kate's "#myfavhotel"?   Because KateEllisMP told us.

Melbourne's Sofitel on Collins St is all class. French champagne and beautiful flowers sent to my room as B'day gift. #thankyou #myfavhotel

— Kate Ellis (@KateEllisMP) September 23, 2012

Then Kate flew to Brisbane for her next official appearance with Wayne Swan for the corporate champions breakfast.

Joined by @KateEllisMP in the great electorate of Lilley for the Corporate Champions Breakfast this morning pic.twitter.com/AknFXjzb

— Wayne Swan (@SwannyQLD) September 25, 2012

Happy belated Maraschino Cherry Birthday greetings for last September Kate!

And good on Melbourne's Sofitel Hotel for feting you with French Champagne and flowers on your birthday minister.  

And for the taxpayers who funded it?

Let them eat cake.