Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin) | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice, on 22 November 2012:

(1) Did the Minister and/or Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency attend the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil in June 2012; if so, for how many days.

(2) Did any ministerial staff attend; if so: (a) how many staff; (b) for how many days did each attend; and (c) how many staff travelled: (i) first class, and (ii) business class.

(3) Did any departmental staff attend; if so: (a) how many staff; (b) for how many days did each attend; and (c) how many staff travelled: (i) first class, and (ii) business class.

(4) Can a full breakdown be provided of all costs associated with attendance at Rio+20 including, but not limited to, flights and accommodation.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) No.

(2) No.

(3) Yes.

(a) Three staff members.

(b) Two staff members attended for 13 days. One staff member attend for 7 days.

(c) Three staff members travelled.

  (i) None travelled first class.

  (ii) Three travelled business class.

(4) A full breakdown of costs associated with attendance at Rio+20 is outlined below.

Flights: $31,013.24

Accommodation: $12,583.55

Car hire: $4,560.65

Travel allowance: $4,664.44

Visas and Travel doctor: $448.50

Total cost: $53,270.38