Australia’s former prime ministers continue to pile up taxpayer-funded expenses with John Howard leading by a fair distance.

Politician travel costs for the first six months of 2016 released by the Department of Finance show Mr Howard’s total spend came to $152,968, followed by Bob Hawke on $83,371.

Mr Howard incurred domestic air travel worth $14,378, followed by Mr Hawke with $9543 and Julia Gillard with $7872.

Paul Keating doesn’t appear to fly much – his airfares were under $1500.

Offices are the major expense. Mr Howard’s office cost $112,434, with Kevin Rudd next on $63,210.

Former PM’s aren’t the only people with a post-politics taxpayer-funded entitlement. The Life Gold Pass entitles former ministers and others who held high office to domestic air travel, which many don’t use much.

But some do, such as former speaker Peter Slipper who came first with $12,262 worth of airfares, followed by Labor minister Simon Crean on $9827.

Partners of deceased former PM’s are also entitled to taxpayer-funded travel, office facilities and phone costs.

There’s only two and they’re not very expensive. Costs for Tamie Fraser were $2899 while Lady Nancy Gorton ran up a $414 phone bill.