22 February 2011

* 203  MR CROOK: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs—In respect of Australian embassies, trade missions and consulates in the United States of America (USA) during 2010-11: (a) how many staff in his department are located in (i) the USA, and (ii) Australia, but supporting his department’s operations in the USA; (b) what staffing costs are associated with part (a)(i) and (ii); (c) how many staff from Australian Government departments other than his are supporting his department’s operations in the USA; (d) how many consultants are engaged by his department in the USA, and at what cost; and (e) what is the total budgeted expenditure for his department’s operations in the USA, and what sum has been spent to date.

* 204  MR BRIGGS: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs—In respect of the media report ‘A rails run on the champers’ ( Daily Telegraph , 30 November 2010, page 16), is it a fact that chef Mr Tony Bilson was contracted to work at an event held by the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh; if so, (a) on what date and for what purpose was this event held, (b) what sum of money was Mr Bilson paid for his services at this event, (c) did the Government pay for Mr Bilson’s airfares and accommodation; if so, what was their combined cost, and (d) what was the total cost to the Government for this event.

B. C. WRIGHT

Clerk of the House of Representatives