Did the Minister or Parliamentary Secretary within the Minister’s portfolio travel overseas during July or August 2008; if so:

(1)   Where did the Minister/Parliamentary Secretary travel.

(2)   What was the duration of the travel.

(3)   What was the purpose of the travel.

(4)   For each country visited, what was the total cost to the taxpayer of: (a) travel; (b) accommodation; and (c) any other expenses.

(5)   How many personal staff accompanied the Minister/Parliamentary Secretary.

(6)   How many family members accompanied the Minister/Parliamentary Secretary.

(7)   In regard to staff and family accompanying the Minister/Parliamentary Secretary, what was the total cost of: (a) travel; (b) accommodation; and (c) any other expenses.

(8) (a)   How many departmental officers accompanied the Minister/Parliamentary Secretary; and (b) what was the total cost of their: (i) travel, (ii) accommodation, and (iii) any other.

(1)   The Minister travelled to Chile and the United States (US).

(2)   22 June - 2 July 2008.

(3)   Chile: To attend the 60th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission; US: to hold meetings with Californian Government officials including the Governor, and representatives from the energy and film industries.

(4)   As at 5 March 2009, the cost of Minister Garrett’s travel to both Chile and the US is as follows:

(i)   Travel: $19,341.64

(ii)   Accommodation: $8,214.10

(iii)   Other expenses: $5,894.21

(5)   In Chile, Minister Garrett was accompanied by two advisers. In the US, Minister Garrett was accompanied by one adviser.

(6)   No family members accompanied Minister Garrett.

(7)   As at 5 March 2009, the total cost of the Minister’s advisers’ travel to both Chile and the US is as follows:

(i)   Travel: $28,949.50

(ii)   Accommodation: $5,894.23

(iii)   Other expenses: $1,791.39

(8)   One departmental officer accompanied the Minister in both Chile and the US. A further six departmental officers accompanied the Minister in Chile as part of the Australian delegation to the 60th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission. One further departmental officer on official travel to the US accompanied the Minister for one day in that country. The total cost of these departmental officers’ travel is as follows:

(i)   Travel: $106,783.28

(ii)   Accommodation: $32,628.84

(iii)   Other expenses: $16,512.33