Download Fragment

Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Page: 7102

Special Minister of State: Staffing

(Question No. 1014)

Senator Ian Macdonald asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 22 August 2011:

In relation to the costs of travel and travel allowances paid to private staff of ministers and parliamentary secretaries:

(1) What has been the total amount paid by the department or by the Government in each financial year since the 2007 election for costs of travel.

(2) What has been the total amount paid each financial year since the 2007 election for travelling allowance to staff of: (a) ministers; and (b) parliamentary secretaries.

Senator Wong: The Special Minister of State has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

'Private staff' has been interpreted to mean personal staff employed under Part III of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.

(1) The total amount payable by the Department of Finance and Deregulation for the cost of travel for personal staff of ministers and parliamentary secretaries is:

03/12/07 to 30/06/08	$3,881,299.88
01/07/08 to 30/06/09	$9,029,197.60
01/07/09 to 30/06/10	$9,046,374.38
01/07/10 to 30/06/11	$8,985,156.71
01/07/11 to 22/08/11	$1,316,259.30

Note: The above figures include airfares (both domestic and overseas) Travelling Allowance (including Motor Vehicle Allowance) claims, and travel by taxis and hire cars.

(2) The total amount of travelling allowance paid to personal staff of ministers and parliamentary secretaries is:

Ministers	Parliamentary Secretaries
03/12/07 to 30/06/08	$1,481,488.05	$121,655.53
01/07/08 to 30/06/09	$3,081,728.24	$224,254.51
01/07/09 to 30/06/10	$3,632,545.48	$284,869.71
01/07/10 to 30/06/11	$4,785,594.49	$318,450.44
01/07/11 to 22/08/11	$484,401.54	$40,446.40