In respect of the visit by the Governor-General to Malaysia in August-September 2007: (a) what sum was spent by the Government on (i) travel, (ii) accommodation, (iii) security, and (iv) other expenses (including meals and incidentals); and (b) where did the Governor-General stay throughout this journey.

(a)  

(i)   Costs of travel by Special Purpose Aircraft will be tabled in the Parliament by the Department of Defence in accordance with established practice;

(ii)   Nil.  The Governor General visited Malaysia at the invitation of the Government of Malaysia to represent the Government and people of Australia at celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of Malaysia’s Independence.  The Governor General and party were accommodated as guests of the Malaysian Government which met the cost of accommodation and meals;

(iii)   Not available.  It is an established practice that the Australian Federal Police does not provide detail, including costs, on security arrangements or protection for the Governor General, as doing so may compromise the Governor General’s security;

(iv)   $1254 (includes staff allowances, local transport costs and other costs such as laundry, but excludes meals which were covered by the Malaysian Government under its guest of government arrangements).

(b)   The Governor General stayed at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur (30 August - 2 September 2007).