Attorney General George Brandis splashed out $1100 on a dinner during a trip to London earlier this year, but Mr Brandis’s office has called the dinner “usual practice”.

According to a Fairfax report, the Coalition minister spent £627 on dinner and £228 on alcohol, which came to AUD $1123 in April when the dinner was held.

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A spokesperson defended the cost of the dinner for four because Mr Brandis was hosting important senior British art representatives in his capacity of minister for the arts.

“It’s usual practice for senior cabinet ministers to host dinners for important stakeholders within their portfolios,” the spokesman said.

“On this occasion the Attorney-General and Minister for Arts hosted key UK senior arts representatives.”