How many train fares to Geelong can you get for a $5000 helicopter ride? More than 300 return trips, if you're travelling off peak.
Malcolm Turnbull is well known for using public transport to get from A to B, and for letting the public know about it through social media.
After 2 interesting tram trips last night now on the 109 on Collins St to Sth Cross to get the train to Geelong to visit @SHendersonMP— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm)
July 28, 2015
On Wednesday, the Communications Minister tweeted that he was on his way to Geelong to meet fellow Liberal MP Sarah Henderson and that he would be travelling from Melbourne by train.
It was as subtle as a three-word slogan.
Social media couldn't help but join the dots and compare Mr Turnbull's 80-kilometre commute with Speaker Bronwyn Bishop's now-infamous $5000 chopper ride to a Liberal Party fundraiser, also in Geelong.
Ms Bishop paid back the money but is continuing to come under pressure for taxpayer-funded trips, including a flight to ex-Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella's wedding in Albury.
The Hon. Bronwyn Bishop MP, ade a spectacular arrival at Clifton Springs Golf Club on Wednesday November 5th. pic.twitter.com/t5Nqv53HKx— Neil Remeeus (@NeilRemeeus)
November 6, 2014
And just to make it clear that he wasn't dodging taxpayers, Mr Turnbull stated that his myki card had been checked by a ticket inspector and was given the all clear
"So flattered he thought I was fit enough to have been able to leap over the barrier," he tweeted.
But the Turnbull tour de PT didn't just stop at trains: the Sydney-sider also went for a ride on Melbourne's tram network, mixing it with the locals.
Enjoying the pleasure of the 96 tram on the way to St Kilda this evening in Melbourne the tram network of which is the largest in the world.— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm)
July 28, 2015
Well for the sceptical here it is @vanbadham having a chat with @DanCWatt about music journalism pic.twitter.com/3gU9gVTRbs— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm)
July 28, 2015
On Tuesday night he tweeted that he was "enjoying the pleasure" of the 96 tram, which travels between East Brunswick and St Kilda.
When asked for proof, he posted photos of himself chatting to locals "about music journalism".
While Mr Turnbull wanted to appear at ease on the train and trams, it remains to be seen whether he will have a word to his Victorian colleagues about the state of the public transport system.
Mr Turnbull said he wasn't sold on the policy of free trams in the CBD, introduced this year.
And the tram Mr Turnbull was on also looked a bit cramped, with the minister sitting not on a seat but in the bendy bit where the carriages join.
Though he may not have made the direct link himself this time, Mr Turnbull hasn't been shy of joking about Ms Bishop's travel claims.
At a recent dinner, he joked that the Speaker had come under some unfair criticism because "travelling through the city isn't as cheap as it used to be" as a mock $5227 Opal card trip flashed on the screen.
At Sth Geelong station with @SHendersonMP before going to Torquay to inspect the @NBN_Australia rollout. pic.twitter.com/PWJI7dBNAD— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm)
July 28, 2015
A conductor checked my myki to confirm I had tapped on. So flattered he thought I was fit enough to have been able to leap over the barrier— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm)
July 28, 2015
