Page 402 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2010

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video

Public service—corporate credit cards
(Question No 477)

Mr Seselja asked the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, on 10 December 2009 (redirected to the Acting Minister for Territory and Municipal Services):

(1) How many corporate credit cards are used by employees of each department or agency in the Minister’s portfolio.

(2) For what purpose is each card issued.

(3) What is the average amount spent each month on each credit card.

(4) What was the total amount spent on each credit card in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 (c) 2008-09 and (d) 2009-10 to date.

(5) What is the limit on each credit card.

(6) How much has been spent on any form of catering, including official meals, at restaurants.

Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) During 2008-09 and 2009-10 there were 74 employees who used credit cards to make payments for goods and services.

(2) Credit cards are used by employees with a financial delegation to make payments urgently, or where it is more convenient and efficient than other payment mechanisms. They allow employees to perform their duties more effectively and provide prompt payment for suppliers. Types of use include:

• Field officers needing immediate capability to pay for supplies;

• Officers regularly travelling on Government business;

• Internet or other payments for training courses, seminars, subscriptions; and

• Foreign currency transactions.

(3) Please see attached.

(4) I am advised that the Territory’s financial system does not distinguish between credit card transactions and other payment transactions. Monthly credit card statements must be manually analysed in order to answer this question. Given this time consuming requirement, it is not considered reasonable use of the agency’s limited resources to answer this question for more than two financial years. As a result, total credit card expenditure for 2007-08 and 2006-07 is not provided. Please see attached for 2008-09 and 2009-10 to date information.

(5) Please see attached.

(6) Please see attached, which includes meals whilst travelling on official business (including interstate/overseas fire suppression deployments).

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video