(1) Further to his answer to question No 1612 ( Hansard, 28 August 2000, page P17723) concerning the 1999 Regional Australia Summit, if invitations were not issued to all Senators and Members to attend the Regional Summit Dinner, how can Senators and Members claim payment for travel allowances, airfares, cars and taxi costs under clause 10(g) of Determination 8 of 1998, which relates to payment of travel allowances for attendance at official government, parliamentary or vice-regal functions.

(2) Since when has clause 10(g) of Determination 8 of 1998 been extended to the payment of travel allowances for attendance at official government, parliamentary or vice-regal functions when the only Members and Senators invited to such events are Coalition Members and Senators.

(1) and (2) The provisions now contained in clause 10(g) of Remuneration Tribunal Determination No 8 of 1998 have been in place since 1975. For the purpose of these provisions, a function is taken to be official if it is hosted or authorised by someone with appropriate authority. In the case of official government functions, a Minister is regarded as having such authority.

I am also informed that the allegation made in part (2) of the question that only Coalition Senators and Members were invited to the function is incorrect. I am informed that the following non-Coalition Parliamentarians were also invited to attend the Regional Summit Dinner:

The Leader of the Opposition;

The Leader of the Australian Democrats;

Ms Cheryl Kernot MP;

Mr Martin Ferguson MP; and

Senator Sue Mackay.