A state minister says Ipswich councillor Paul Tully has a lot to answer for after Nine News lifted the lid on historic excessive spending. 

He, along with disgraced former Mayor Paul Pisasale and two senior colleagues, went on a a two-week, taxpayer-funded overseas tour in 2012, worth $170,000.

Nine News reporter Josh Bavas learned through Right To Information they hired a private jet, stayed at fine hotels, dined at expensive restaurants and missed official meetings.

Press PLAY below to hear Josh Bavas lay out the findings in full 

When asked whether it’s appropriate for Mr Tully to retain his position in Ipswich City Council, Minister Mark Bailey this morning said the councillor needs to be held accountable.

“I saw him dodging and weaving like a boxer last night,” he told media at a press conference on the Sunshine Coast.

“I think he needs to articulate to what extent he was involved in that and you know, if he has been involved in a lot of these sorts of things, he should fess up.”

Mr Bailey said he backed then-local government minister Stirling Hinchliffe’s decision to dismiss the entire council in July, 2018.

“The kind of behaviour that was exposed last night was absolutely indefensible,” he continued.

“There’s nothing more a severe action that we could have done than when Minister Hinchliffe sacked the city council.

“I think that’s an appropriate and tough action that we took and I support it 100 per cent.”

Press PLAY below to watch the Minister Bailey’s press conference (Josh Bavas’ report discussed at 16:00) 

Former Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller says she wants the state government to intervene, to try and recover the money.

“What I think the government needs to do is put another bill into parliament, and I suggest it be called the local government (Ipswich City Council) Recovery of Monies bill,” she told Neil Breen on Brisbane Live,” she said.

“In relation to this bill they would be able to give the state and the council the power to recoveries the monies that have been spent, not only from this trip but also any other trips that may come to light in future years.”

Press PLAY below to hear how it would work