Minister for Defence: Community Cabinet Meetings

Senator Johnston asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 13 November 2008:

In the period 1 April to 30 September 2008:

1. What was the cost of the travel and expenses for the Minister for Community Cabinet meetings.
2. (a) How many ministerial staff and departmental officers travelled with the Minister for these Cabinet meetings; and (b) what was the total cost of this travel.

Senator Faulkner - The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

1. Minister for Defence: $1415.82, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel: $1492.64.
   
   Advice from the Department of Finance and Deregulation is that the above figures include airfares and Travelling Allowance (including Motor Vehicle Allowance) claims.  They do not include travel by taxis (due to the difficulties determining exact destinations using the electronic information as provided by Cabcharge) or travel on Special Purpose Aircraft. The Minister drove his own vehicle to Newcastle Community Cabinet as it was near his electorate.
   
   The figures provided for the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel from the Department of Finance and Deregulation include additional destinations.  Given the nature of the flight bookings, the cost of the additional destinations is not able to be disaggregated from the cost of travel to attend the Community Cabinet meeting.
   
   The Minister travelled by Special Purpose Aircraft from Adelaide to Williamtown, returning from Community Cabinet in Hallet Cove South Australia. He was accompanied by his Aide de Camp. Details regarding the cost of flights and passenger manifest can found in the Schedule of Special Purpose Flights which is tabled every six months. The schedule for 1 July to 31 December 2008 will be tabled in June 2009.
   
   The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel travelled by Special Purpose Aircraft from Canberra to Darwin for Community Cabinet in the Northern Territory on 23 July 2008. Details regarding the cost of flights and passenger manifest can found in the Schedule of Special Purpose Flights which is tabled every six months. The schedule for 1 July to 31 December 2008 will be tabled in June 2009.
2.  
   1. The Department of Finance and Deregulation advises that seven ministerial staff accompanied the Minister for Defence across three Community Cabinet meetings.  One departmental officer accompanied the Minister for three Community Cabinet meetings. No ministerial staff or departmental officers accompanied the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel during his attendance at one Community Cabinet meeting.
   2. The Department of Finance and Deregulation advises that the cost of travel for ministerial staff was $4611.76. The cost of travel for the departmental officer was $2279.83.

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