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Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Page: 2368

Veterans' Affairs

(Question No. 301)

Senator Humphries asked the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans ' Affairs , upon notice, on 29 November 2010:

Since 14 September 2010, for each Minister and any Parliamentary Secretaries within their portfolio:

(1) Do the Minister and Parliamentary Secretaries have access to a departmental credit card; if so, can a copy be provided of all bank statements.

(2) (a) How many mobile devices are provided to the Minister's office; and (b) what is the total spend on mobile devices for each office to date.

(3) At what level is each staff member employed in the office.

(4) What has been the total cost of travel for the Minister and Parliamentary Secretaries.

(5) What has been the total travel for all staff, by office.

Senator Chris Evans: The Minister for Veterans' Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) No.

(2) (a) Six Blackberrys and two data cards have been provided by the Department. (b) For the period September 2010 to March 2011 the cost was $7,150.57 (incl GST) - cost is based on usage for the full month.

(3) The employment of staff under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 is administered by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. On 19 October 2010, the Department of Finance and Deregulation tabled with the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee, Government Personal Positions as at 1 October 2010.

(4) In the last week of the June 2011 sittings, the Special Minister of State will table Parliamentarians Travel Paid by the Department of Finance and Deregulation for the period 1 July 2010 to 30 December 2010.

The costs of official travel by Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and accompanying staff employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 are largely paid by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. As such, with the exception of those costs listed below, the information sought will be tabled by the Special Minister of State in the last sitting week of June 2011 in his six-monthly report on Parliamentarians Travel Paid by the Department of Finance and Deregulation.

As at 31 March 2011, the total cost of short-term transport (such as hire cars and taxis) was $10,113.47 (excl GST).

(5) The Special Minister of State will respond on behalf of other ministers.