Page 1509 - Week 04 - Thursday, 26 March 2009
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(2) What proportion of travel was domestic as opposed to international.
(3) Did any officers from Housing ACT undertake international travel during the periods listed in part (1); if so, what was the purpose of the trip and how much did each trip cost.
(4) What proportion of airfares were for business or first class travel as opposed to economy.
(5) What proportion of trips were on Qantas as opposed to Virgin Blue and other airlines.
(6) Does Housing ACT have a scheme where frequent flyer points accrued on departmental travel are used to help meet the costs of future travel; if so, what is the level of participation.
Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) (a) In the 2007-08 financial year $69,868 (travel), $18,490 (accommodation) and Nil (travel allowance); and
(b) In the 2008-09 financial year to 31 December 2008, $25,357 (travel), Nil (accommodation) and $17,417 (travel allowance).
(2) In 2008-09 all travel was domestic. In 2007-08 approximately 25% of expenditure was for overseas travel.
(3) Yes. In 2007-08, the Executive Director, Housing and Community Services accompanied the Minister for Housing on a trip to China. The cost of this travel was $11,084. Also the travel expenditure in 2007-08, included the cost of $11,524 associated with travel to the United Kingdom by the Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services. The purpose of the trip was to attend the 2008 Chartered Institute of Housing Conference and look at homelessness services models including foyer services. In addition, the Deputy Chief Executive also looked at street population issues, youth services and assisted in the recruitment of child protection workers for the Office for Children and Family Support.
(4) Less than 1% travel in 2007-08 was business class and in 2008-09 to 31 December 2008 business class travel was 2.4%.
(5) Travel by QANTAS constituted approximately 87% of flights for both years, with the balance by Virgin Blue.
(6) The Department is subject to whole of government travel guidelines which generally require the joining of loyalty programs (such as frequent flyers) to be met by the individual. Points accrued from such programs through work related travel are not for personal use as it is the responsibility of travellers to effectively manage points accrued as a result of travel or accommodation paid by the Territory and to ensure that these points are redeemed only for further official travel.
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