Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has apologised for another ''oversight'' after failing to declare a private health insurer had paid for his accommodation when he went to the State of Origin last year.
Mr Fitzgibbon made the revelation in Parliament last night, saying Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had asked him to ensure his declarations to the registrar of members' interests were in order.
Yesterday, his staff had identified an issue with accommodation paid for by NIB which also supplied tickets to the rugby league match.
Mr Fitzgibbon's brother is the company's chief executive and the pair had planned to share a room.
But his brother cancelled, so Mr Fitzgibbon picked up the $450 tab.
The confusion was created because the company contacted the hotel, cancelled his payment and paid the $450 bill.
''I apologise to the House for this oversight,'' he told Parliament.
Mr Fitzgibbon put his ministerial career in jeopardy earlier this year after he failed to declare two trips to China in 2002 and 2005.
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