(1) Were any flights chartered to allow officials of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to attend the hearings of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration in (a) Sydney on 31 May 2002 and (b) Warrnambool on 6 December 2002; if so, what was the cost of each charter flight.

(2) How many commercial airline sectors were travelled by RBA officials for each hearing.

(3) What was the cost of each commercial airline sector travelled for each hearing.

(4) What was the cost of using (a) hire cars and (b) Comcar for each hearing.

(5) What was the cost of (a) overnight accommodation and (b) travel allowance for RBA officials for each hearing.

As the member is aware, the RBA is an established statutory authority, regulated by the provisions in the Reserve Bank Act 1959.

As you are also well aware, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration is empowered to inquire on matters that may enhance the RBA's transparency and accountability.

In this instance, the Reserve Bank has been kind enough to provide me with the answers to your questions.

(1) (a) No

(b) No

(2) For Warrnambool hearing: 12

(3) For Warrnambool hearing: 7 x $502.82, 5 x $352.12

(4) For Warrnambool hearing:

(a) cost of hire car: $168.52

(b) Comcar: Nil

(5) For Warrnambool hearing:

(a) overnight accommodation: $707.49

(b) travel allowance: $388.73