David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011:

With reference to the answer provided to Question on Notice No's. 117-119:

(1) How many attended the 34 Squadron Thank You function at Parliament House on 24 November 2010.

(2) What was the cost per head for this function.

(3) What was the official purpose of this function.

(4) Who approved the expenditure.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The figures originally provided by the Department in response to Questions on Notice No's 117-119 (Table 3) in relation to the 34 Squadron function are incorrect. This was due to a transcription error in the data provided to respond the question.

(1) Approximately 100 guests attended the 34 Squadron function at Parliament House on 24 November 2010.

(2) The cost per head for the function was $32.18 (excluding GST). A full breakdown of the cost of the 34 Squadron function is detailed in the table below:

Note:

(a) Per head cost has been calculated by dividing the total cost by the number of attendees.

(b) Costs reported in the above table have been taken from submitted invoices/receipts to the Ministerial and Executive Support Branch as at 25 March 2011.

(3) The purpose of the official function was to 'thank' 34 Squadron personnel for their on going efforts and outstanding efficiency in providing special purpose transport to visiting Heads-of-state, Governor-General, Prime Minister and other Australian Government officials.

(4) Expenditure of the official hospitality was approved in accordance Chapter 2.2 (Clause 2.2.3) of Department of Defence Financial Management Manual by the Assistant Secretary of Ministerial and Executive Support.