Defence: Hospitality

Senator Abetz asked the Minister for Defence upon notice, on 16 June 2009:

1. (a) Can an itemised list be provided of how much the department has spent on hospitality since 24 November 2007; and (b) of this, how much was spent on alcohol.
2. For each Minister and any associated parliamentary secretary: (a) can an itemised list be provided of how much each office has spent on hospitality since 24 November 2007; and (b) of this, how much was spent on alcohol.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows:

1.  

   1. Defence: $3.860 million, inclusive of GST.
      
      This amount comprised:

      Representation allowances paid to members stationed overseas This expense related to Defence members required to represent the Defence organisation at official events while on duty overseas.	$2.334 million
      Other official entertainment costs incurred by Defence This expense includes dinners for official visitors from overseas and refreshment costs for events that marked significant achievements and involved attendance by people external to Defence	$1.526 million

      
      Defence Housing Australia: $41,151, inclusive of GST.
   2. Defence’s financial systems do not include the detailed breakdown requested on alcohol expenditure.  However, Defence’s Chief Executive Instruction on official hospitality requires written records of attendees, venue, delegate’s approval and final costs to be kept.  These records are maintained on individual files across Defence Groups and the Services.  To collate information manually solely for the purpose of answering this question would be a major task and I am not prepared to authorise the expenditure and effort that would be required.
2.  
1. Due to the intensive effort required to manually collate information on hospitality for the period 24 November 2007 to 30 March 2008, I am not prepared to authorise the diversion of resources solely for the purpose of answering this part of the question.
   
   For details on hospitality expenditure for the period 1 April to 30 September 2008, Defence has provided details in response to Senate Question on Notice No. 808 and 809 and for the period 1 October to 31 December 2008, Defence has provided details in response to Senate Question on Notice No. 1317 and 1318.  For the period 1 January to 16 June 2009 the following amounts were expended: 
   
   Minister for Defence:  $1,103.00, inclusive of GST.

   13 February 2009.
   Parliament House, Canberra.
   Working lunch to discuss issues relating to conditions of service.
   $185.00.

   26 February 2009.
   Robert’s at Peppertree, Pokolbin.
   Lunch for NZ Minister for Defence, NZ CDF and 14 other guests.
   $918.00.

   Minister for Defence Science and Personnel:  $1,022.20, inclusive of GST.

   2 February 2009.
   Parliament House, Canberra.
   Working lunch with the CDF Reference Group on Women.
   $122.20.

   7 April 2009.
   The Queenscliff Hotel, Queenscliff.
   Official Dinner with key staff from the Soldiers Career Management Agency.
   $900.00.0

2. Expenditure on alcohol can only be calculated when an itemised receipt is provided which includes the cost of alcohol.  Since 24 November 2007 to 16 June 2009 there are records that show $2,655.36 was expended on alcohol.  The details of these events are:
   
   Minister for Defence:  $2,048.43, inclusive of GST.

   28 May 2008.
   Aubergine Restaurant, Canberra.
   Dinner for UK Secretary of State for Defence, the UK Chief of the Defence Staff and 13 other guests.
   Total Cost        $2,057.00.
   Alcohol Cost    $671.00.

   2 July 2008.
   Daniels Steakhouse, Sydney.
   To meet with newly appointed Service Chiefs.
   Total Cost        $449.50.
   Alcohol Cost    $96.50.

   21 July 2008.
   Sofitel Wentworth.
   White Paper team to provide Minister with an update on progress.
   Total Cost        $554.00.
   Alcohol Cost    $221.00.

   1 December 2008.
   Parliament House, Canberra.
   34 Squadron ‘thank you’ function.
   Total Cost        $2,767.73.
   Alcohol Cost    $857.93.

   26 February 2009.
   Robert’s at Peppertree, Pokolbin.
   Lunch for NZ Minister for Defence, NZ CDF and 14 other guests.
   Total Cost        $918.00.
   Alcohol Cost    $202.00.

   Minister for Defence Science and Personnel:  $606.93, inclusive of GST.

   24 June 2008.
   Parliament House, Canberra.
   Passage of the DHOAS Legislation with 40 departmental officials.
   Total Cost        $1,210.29.
   Alcohol Cost    $606.93.

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