Senator O'Brien asked the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 24 March 2003:

For each of the following financial years: 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03: What has been the cost met by the department for overseas travel by the minister responsible for primary industries and agriculture.

Senator Abetz (Special Minister of State) —The answer to the honourable senator's question provides payments made by Ministerial and Parliamentary Services as follows:

1996-97 The Hon John Anderson MP $63,232.00

Minister for Primary Industries and Energy

1997-98 The Hon John Anderson MP $93,862.00

Minister for Primary Industries and Energy

1998-99 The Hon John Anderson MP -$196.00

Minister for Primary Industries and Energy

(1 July 1998 - 20 October 1999)

The Hon Mark Vaile MP $83,313.00

March 2003:

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

(21 October 1998 - 30 June 1999)

1999-2000 The Hon Mark Vaile MP $3,795.78

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

(1 July 1999 - 19 July 1999)

The Hon Warren Truss MP $136,766.12

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

(20 July 1999 - 30 June 2000)

2000-01 The Hon Warren Truss MP $79,713.53

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

2001-02 The Hon Warren Truss MP $153,724.30

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

2002-03 Costs related to overseas travel for the period 1 July to 31 December 2002 (Tabling 11) will be tabled in Parliament during the Winter Parliamentary Sitting period, and Tabling 12 will be tabled in Parliament during the Spring Parliamentary Sitting period, after the normal confirmation of information has been completed.