asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 22 September 2011:

What was the department's total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment for the 2010-11 financial year, and of this, what sum was used for entertainment provided:

(a) overseas;

(b) within Australia; and

(c) in conjunction with the United Nations Security Council bid.

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

For the financial year 2010-11, the department spent $4.75 million in Australia and overseas on hospitality and entertainment.

The composition of entertainment and hospitality expenditure overseas and in Australia:

(a) Overseas $4.02 million

(b) Australia $0.73 million

TOTAL $4.75 million

(c) Hospitality and entertainment expenditure relating to the United Nations Security Council bid has been incurred both through a range of specific events and as part of broader hospitality events across the diplomatic network. To collate records to identify this expenditure would entail a significant diversion of resources and, in these circumstances, I do not consider the additional work can be justified.