Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull watched Sydney's world famous New Year's Eve fireworks from the lawns of Kirribilli House, splashing out on champagne and Australian rock oysters for more than 180 of their closest friends.
Documents released under freedom of information show the government spent $198,500 for functions during Mr Turnbull's first six months as prime minister.
The official events – regular fixtures on the calendar of all Australian prime ministers and traditionally planned by public servants without involvement by politicians – include Christmas parties in Sydney and Canberra, Australia Day events at The Lodge and receptions for a range of overseas dignitaries and sporting teams at Parliament House.
The December 31 event at Kirribilli was attended by 22 government ministers, one state premier, MPs, public servants and more than 150 other guests.
Extensive canapes included cooked king prawns, teriyaki beef rolls, tuna sashimi, octopus balls, soba noodle salad, baby lamb cutlets, smoked salmon and grilled haloumi.
Guests drank $30 bottles of Croser vintage and non-vintage sparkling wine, Margaret River semillon sauvignon blanc, Barossa Valley shiraz, chardonnay from the Hunter Valley, imported beers and sparkling mineral water.
The party cost taxpayers $4811.70 – well below the cost of Mr Turnbull's official Canberra Christmas reception, which came in at more than $30,000.
Invitees for the November 25 reception in the Prime Minister's courtyard at Parliament House included High Court Chief Justice Robert French, 50 government frontbenchers, 170 MPs and their guests, defence chiefs, overseas diplomats and senior public servants.
The menu included sushi, prosciutto and bocconcini skewers, prawns, fruit mince tarts and rum balls. Guests drank $15 Riddler sparkling wine, $18 Hen and Chicken chardonnay and $16 Sticks pinot noir.
Former prime minister John Howard, two premiers and more than 200 guests were on hand for Mr Turnbull's Sydney Christmas reception on December 8, racking up a bill of more than $17,000 for prawns, oysters, green gazpacho and turkey rolls.
Other events included a reception for the Prime Minister's XI, a dinner in honour of German minister of state Dr Maria Bohmer in Mr Turnbull's private dining room, a morning tea for the unveiling of the 2004 tsunami memorial in Canberra and receptions for Council of Australian Governments.
Attendees at the December 10 economic reform summit enjoyed duck and onion tarts, zucchini fritters and lamb kofka at Sydney's Commonwealth Offices, drinking wine from central Victoria and Italian beer.
The February 7 garden party for MPs and their families at The Lodge cost taxpayers $16,205.58, while two Australia Day events on January 25 and 26 came in at a combined $38,000.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott incurred similar costs for official events, including $20,000 for a Christmas party for public servants and their families in 2013.
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