ID :
144406
Fri, 10/01/2010 - 14:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/144406
The shortlink copeid
Vic ministers spend $110K on travel
Victorian Premier John Brumby ran up a $50,000 bill during a trip to the Middle East
and China in a quarter in which ministers splashed out $110,000 on travel.
Mr Brumby and two advisers racked up the bill during a nine-day trip to the United
Arab Emirates and China in May.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike spent more than $32,000 on travel in the June
quarter and Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan $28,000.
Mr Brumby's $50,000 bill included more than $36,000 on business class airfares,
$8000 on accommodation and $5000 on other expenses.
During the trip the premier met with government officials and opened Victoria Week
at the Shanghai World Expo.
Mr Brumby justified the lavish trip saying the purpose of his visits was to "enhance
Victoria's international competitiveness and attractiveness as a business, trade,
tourism and investment partner".
Ms Pike was accompanied by her husband and a staffer on her 11-day trip to the UAE
and India in May and June, totting up $15,000 in airfares and more than $17,000 in
accommodation and other expenses.
Ms Allan and a staffer billed taxpayers $28,000 for their nine-day trip to China in
May, including $17,000 in airfares and more than $10,000 on hotels and other costs.
The premier and two ministers are frequent jet setters, each enjoying two overseas
trips last financial year.
Together they and eight other ministers spent $466,000 on a total of 15 trips in
2009/10.
Mr Brumby spent $143,000 on his two trips - more than double what the average
Victorian earns in a year.
A government spokesman said ministerial travel played an important role in
attracting investment, business opportunities and jobs to the state.
The details of the trips were posted on the Department of Innovation, Industry and
Regional Development website quarterly.
David Davis, opposition spokesman for Scrutiny of Government, says the government
has not demonstrated any real value for Victorians in the overseas trips.
"John Brumby and his arrogant government are way out of touch with Victorians
struggling from a lack of basic services and skyrocketing costs of living," Mr Davis
said.
"They have clocked up frequent flyer points on international travel and lived high
on the hog courtesy of Victorian taxpayers."
and China in a quarter in which ministers splashed out $110,000 on travel.
Mr Brumby and two advisers racked up the bill during a nine-day trip to the United
Arab Emirates and China in May.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike spent more than $32,000 on travel in the June
quarter and Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan $28,000.
Mr Brumby's $50,000 bill included more than $36,000 on business class airfares,
$8000 on accommodation and $5000 on other expenses.
During the trip the premier met with government officials and opened Victoria Week
at the Shanghai World Expo.
Mr Brumby justified the lavish trip saying the purpose of his visits was to "enhance
Victoria's international competitiveness and attractiveness as a business, trade,
tourism and investment partner".
Ms Pike was accompanied by her husband and a staffer on her 11-day trip to the UAE
and India in May and June, totting up $15,000 in airfares and more than $17,000 in
accommodation and other expenses.
Ms Allan and a staffer billed taxpayers $28,000 for their nine-day trip to China in
May, including $17,000 in airfares and more than $10,000 on hotels and other costs.
The premier and two ministers are frequent jet setters, each enjoying two overseas
trips last financial year.
Together they and eight other ministers spent $466,000 on a total of 15 trips in
2009/10.
Mr Brumby spent $143,000 on his two trips - more than double what the average
Victorian earns in a year.
A government spokesman said ministerial travel played an important role in
attracting investment, business opportunities and jobs to the state.
The details of the trips were posted on the Department of Innovation, Industry and
Regional Development website quarterly.
David Davis, opposition spokesman for Scrutiny of Government, says the government
has not demonstrated any real value for Victorians in the overseas trips.
"John Brumby and his arrogant government are way out of touch with Victorians
struggling from a lack of basic services and skyrocketing costs of living," Mr Davis
said.
"They have clocked up frequent flyer points on international travel and lived high
on the hog courtesy of Victorian taxpayers."
