Richard Marles’ $350 breakfast and laundry bill is exposed after he was blasted for being out of touch with the cost-of-living crisis in Australia

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles reportedly charged Australian taxpayers more than $350 for breakfast and laundry during his stay in the United States.

In documents obtained by news.com.au Thanks to Freedom of Information, it was revealed that Mr Marles had spent $80USD ($115AUD) on a single breakfast and $253AUD on laundry during a $2000 stay in Washington DC last December.

The Defense Secretary’s breakfast for one included a ‘power bowl’ for $26AUD, ‘two eggs’ for $34, a $15.72 coffee, a $20.44 orange juice and a 20 per cent free tip.

His dirty laundry, including three pairs of socks and underwear, cost taxpayers more than the average family’s weekly shopping trip.

The deputy prime minister earns $416,212 a year – which is significantly more than the average salary of $90,000 in Australia.

Mr Marles was criticized by Karl Stefanovic on Channel Nine’s Today show for being “out of touch” with Aussies struggling with the cost of living, just hours before the documents were released on Friday morning.

A spokesperson for the minister told news.com.au that the minister can claim the costs of laundry and food during a work trip.

“All travel undertaken by the Deputy Prime Minister, whether in his role as Minister of Defense or as Acting Prime Minister, is in accordance with relevant guidelines and security procedures,” the spokesperson said.

Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Mr Marles’ office for comment.

Mr Marles, who is acting Prime Minister while Anthony Albanese attends the Pacific Islands Forum, had damage control appearing on Today as Stefanovic took aim at the government for disappointing Australians.

“I know it’s not all your fault, but I think Australians are starting to feel like you’re seriously letting them down,” Stefanovic told Mr Marles.

“You’re letting them down because of cost-of-living pressures,” he added.

The cash rate was raised by the Reserve Bank of Australia for the thirteenth time in eighteen months on Tuesday and now stands at 4.35 percent.

The increase has sent monthly mortgage bills soaring, while electricity bills, gasoline and groceries continue to hover around 20-year high prices.

Mr Marles argued that inflation is a problem felt around the world and had initially risen in Australia under the former coalition government.

“The cost of living has clearly been the focus of what the government has been dealing with since we came to power because we understand the pressure this is putting on Australian household budgets and businesses,” Mr Marles said.

“Last week we saw the tripling of the bulk billing incentive, the largest investment of that type in Medicare history.”

‘That’s about making it cheaper to go to a doctor. We fought for cheaper medicines, more affordable childcare and free Tafe.”

Mr Marles spent a total of $115 AUD on breakfast at the hotel restaurant, including $13 USD orange juice and a 20 percent tip (photo, breakfast coupon)

His laundry bill for three dirty shirts, four pairs of socks and three pairs of underwear set the Australian taxpayer back $253AUD (photo, laundry receipt)

Stefanovic fired back: “Every time you are asked about this, everyone in your government comes up with the same lines.”

“I feel like you don’t understand the pressures that Australian households are under right now.”

Mr Marles said he “of course” understood those pressures and that the Albanian government was focusing on managing the budget so as not to “contribute to the inflationary environment.”

“We have done something the previous Liberal government never did and that is run a budget surplus.”

“The biggest increase in inflation occurred when the Liberals were in power.”