Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 19 April 2012:

With reference to question on notice no. 1696:

(1) What was the total amount spent on catering Cabinet and Cabinet committee meetings for each the following financial years: (a) 2008-09; (b) 2009-10; and (c) 2010-11.

(2) What is the current balance of the Cabinet Trust Fund.

(3) What contribution is each minister expected to make to the fund.

(4) Apart from catering Cabinet and Cabinet committee meetings, for what other purposes is the Cabinet Trust Fund used.

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

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

I am advised that the answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The total amount spent on catering for Cabinet and Cabinet committee meetings over the financial years was:

(2) and (3) As the Cabinet Trust Fund is a private bank account with automatic deductions from ministers' salaries paid into the account, the level of contributions and the overall balance of the Fund is a private matter for ministers.

(4) The Cabinet Trust Fund is only used to assist in the costs of catering for Cabinet and Cabinet committee meetings.