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Wednesday, 1 March 2006
Page: 141


Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 6 May 2005:

For each of the financial years 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 to date, can details be provided of all privately or commercially sponsored travel, including cost and sponsor for: (a) the Minister; (b) the Minister’s family; (c) the Minister’s personal staff; and (d) officers of the Minister’s department.


Senator Minchin (Minister for Finance and Administration) —The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(a)   and (b) The Special Minister of State has responded on behalf of all Ministers.

(c)   The Special Minister of State has responded on behalf of all Ministers in relation to sponsored travel associated with the Australian Political Exchange Council undertaken by Ministers’ personal staff. During the financial years 2000-01 to 2004-05 inclusive, one member of my personal staff undertook sponsored travel. The staff member travelled to the United States from 15 October 2004 to 14 November 2004 as a participant in the United States Department of State International Visitor Programme. All costs, including airfares, accommodation and incidental expenditure, were met by the United States’ Department of State.

(d)   I am advised that requests for sponsored travel by officers of my department are dealt with on a case by case basis. Officers are required to declare in writing any instance where sponsored travel has been accepted. No such declarations were located for the financial years 2000-01 to 2004-05 inclusive.