The political pressure on Lismore MP and NSW Minister Janelle Saffin has intensified, with the State Opposition referring her taxpayer-funded travel and accommodation expenses to the NSW Auditor-General.

NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh announced the move today, saying the Liberals and Nationals would seek independent scrutiny while the public continued to wait for the outcome of a “rapid audit” ordered by Ms Saffin last month.

The controversy initially centred on Ms Saffin’s taxpayer-funded accommodation, including stays in Sydney and Ballina, less than an hour from her Lismore home.

But the Opposition says subsequent reporting has raised questions about a broader range of expenditure, including more than $13,000 spent on 40 domestic flights and about $3,000 on Sydney hotel accommodation for ministerial staff.

Mr Singh’s statement also points to previously reported expenditure of almost $20,000 for 52 nights in Sydney hotels, including $4,400 for eight nights at the five-star Sofitel Wentworth and a $530 room service bill.

Sources close to Ms Saffin have previously told Ballina News Daily the Sofitel Wentworth stay, which coincided with Sydney’s Mardi Gras celebrations, was booked because it was the only accommodation available that weekend.

“It appears the government is trying to wait this one out, so we have referred this reckless spending of taxpayer funds to the NSW Auditor General,” Mr Singh said.

The Opposition is also demanding the immediate release of the findings of Ms Saffin’s rapid audit and explanations for the flights, accommodation expenses and travel involving members of her ministerial office.

Mr Singh said the matter could no longer be dismissed as a one-off administrative error.

“The Government’s taking the piss,” he said.

According to the Opposition’s statement, Ms Saffin told Budget Estimates her expenditure was “above board” and characterised the issue as a misunderstanding.

Speaking to Ballina News Daily last week, Ms Saffin said she was “mortified” by the controversy and acknowledged the public was entitled to question what had happened.

“People have certainly got the right to ask me,” she said, adding that she was still getting to the bottom of the issue and would provide a fuller explanation.

Ms Saffin also defended the questioned Ballina hotel stay, saying it was a single night connected to a national disaster-related event requiring an early start. She said she had arrived in Ballina about 10pm the previous evening.

“One night, out of a year,” she said.

Ms Saffin said at the time she would ultimately be clear with the community about what had occurred.

“I’ll be very clear,” she said.

Ballina News Daily has contacted Ms Saffin for further comment following the Opposition’s decision to refer the matter to the Auditor-General.

Photo: Janelle Saffin speaking to media in Ballina last week.