Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Gillard government has deployed a national telepresence system, with at least two facilities operating in each capital city. Usage of the system commenced in October 2009 and full interjurisdictional capability was achieved in July 2010. At the end of January 2011, 344 meetings had taken place, using the system for a total of 580 hours. Usage has been increasing steadily since it was first commissioned. Savings to date from not using airlines, taxis and hotels and from less lost productivity are $3.009 million. The use of telepresence has resulted in approximately 490 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents not being attributed to the Australian government. (Time expired)