Wong, Sen Penny

Senator Wong: The Special Minister of State has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question: 'Private staff' has been interpreted to mean personal staff employed under Part III of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984. (1) The total amount payable by the Department of Finance and Deregulation for the cost of travel for personal staff of ministers and parliamentary secretaries is: 03/12/07 to 30/06/08 $3,881,299.88 01/07/08 to 30/06/09 $9,029,197.60 01/07/09 to 30/06/10 $9,046,374.38 01/07/10 to 30/06/11 $8,985,156.71 01/07/11 to 22/08/11 $1,316,259.30 Note: The above figures include airfares (both domestic and overseas) Travelling Allowance (including Motor Vehicle Allowance) claims, and travel by taxis and hire cars. (2) The total amount of travelling allowance paid to personal staff of ministers and parliamentary secretaries is: Ministers Parliamentary Secretaries 03/12/07 to 30/06/08 $1,481,488.05 $121,655.53 01/07/08 to 30/06/09 $3,081,728.24 $224,254.51 01/07/09 to 30/06/10 $3,632,545.48 $284,869.71 01/07/10 to 30/06/11 $4,785,594.49 $318,450.44 01/07/11 to 22/08/11 $484,401.54 $40,446.40