Senator Colston asked the minister representing the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 27 June 1997:

Apart from Senator Colston, whose travelling allowance details have been extensively tabled and debated in the Senate, for the period 1 July 1993 to 27 May 1997.

(1) Are there any discrepancies between the flight details and other documentation held by the department and the original travelling allowance claims filed by present and former Australian Labor Party (ALP) and Australian Democrat (AD) senators; if so, for individual senators for whom any discrepancies have occurred: (a) what amounts of travelling allowance have been incorrectly paid; and (b) to what dates do those amounts relate.

(2) Have there been any repayments related to incorrectly paid travelling allowance claims for present and former ALP and AD senators; if so, for individual senators for whom any discrepancies have occurred: (a) what amounts have been repaid in relation to incorrect travelling allowance claims; and (b) to what dates do those amounts relate

Senator Kemp —The Minister for Administrative Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) and (2) The Department maintains records of flight details and travelling allowance claims in respect of Senators who are Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and Opposition Officeholders. Travelling allowance claims and flight details for these Senators have not been the subject of a general reconciliation by the Minister's Department. Travelling allowance claims for all other Senators have been handled by the Department of the Senate. While Senators from time to time have repaid travelling allowance claimed in the period in question the Minister's Department is not aware of any claims that have been repaid on the basis that the Department has identified the original payment of those claims as "incorrect".