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Thursday, 9 February 2012
Page: 750

Foreign Affairs and Trade: Corporate Credit Cards

(Question Nos 779 and 782)

Mr Briggs asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade, in writing, on 24 November 2011:

In (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, and (d) 2010-11, (i) how many corporate credit cards were issued to departmental staff, and (ii) what was the total cost of all transactions made on these corporate credit cards.

Mr Rudd: On behalf of the Minister for Trade and myself, the answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

The number of corporate credit cards issued to departmental staff in Australia and the total value of transactions are as follows:

(a) 2007-08: 212 cards and transactions of $3,418,187

(b) 2008-09: 233 cards and transactions of $3,827,420

(c) 2009-10: 263 cards and transactions of $4,035,134

(d) 2010-11: 525 cards and transactions of $6,041,072*

* The increase in cards issued and transactions in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10 is primarily due to a change in departmental policy on use of credit cards allowing certain travel expenses to be charged to the corporate card.

Prior to receiving a departmental credit card staff are required to sign an undertaking that they understand the conditions governing the use of the card. The credit card payment process includes a third party review of all credit card transactions.

Information on credit cards issued by the department's overseas offices is not maintained centrally. It would entail a significant diversion of resources to collate this information and, in these circumstances, I do not consider the additional work can be justified.