Has the department, or any agency within the portfolio, had any involvement, or expect to be involved, in the preparation for the Australia Week trip to the United Kingdom in 2000; if so: (a) what is the nature of that involvement; (b) what is the total cost, or expected total cost, of this involvement; (c) what are the specific components of this cost; (d) how many staff will be involved with these preparations and are these staff based in Australia or overseas; (e) how many portfolio staff are expected to travel overseas, and will this be with the official party, or prior to the party's travel; (f) what is the purpose for the involvement of these officers; and (g) will the department/agency budget be supplemented for these costs; if not, how will the department/agency involvement be funded.

The Treasury and the Australian Prudential and Regulatory Authority (APRA) were both involved in Australia Week.

(a) The Treasury through the Axiss organised a half day conference on 4 July to promote Australia as an international finance centre in the Asia Pacific. The Chairman of the APRA Board spoke at the Conference. Axiss also organised a dinner on the evening of 4 July for Chairpersons and CEOs of international financial service companies.

(b) The total direct cost to the Treasury was around $180,000. The direct cost to APRA was $11,164.61.

(c) The cost of organising the conference, dinner and the travel and accommodation costs of the CEO and the Promotions Manager of Axiss, and the travel and accommodation costs of the APRA Board Chairman.

(d) Other than the involvement of the CEO of Axiss as a speaker, two Axiss staff-members, based in Australia, were involved in preparations as part of their normal duties. APRA's involvement was limited to that of the Board Chairman.

(e) The CEO and the Promotions Manager of Axiss and the APRA Board Chairman were the only portfolio staff who travelled to London and they did so at the time of Australia Week.

(f) The CEO of Axiss and the APRA Board Chairman spoke at the conference. The Promotions Manager of Axiss assisted in managing the Conference.

(g) No. Costs were met from within the portfolio's budget.