OVERSEAS TRAVEL EXPENSES

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:33): I refer to copies of emails and information I have received under FOI in relation to expenses for overseas travel. I first refer to an email dated 3 March 2004 from Sharon Curtis of PIRSA to Andrew Scott, which states:

Also, Leon Bignell, the minister's adviser, went overseas on a separate trip regarding energy issues as well as tourism issues. As Leon used his unspent traveller's cheques on this second trip, we will need to invoice you (and the appropriate Department for Tourism) for these expenses. I will have these expenses set out clearly for you in the invoice.

In response on the same date, Mr Andrew Scott said:

In relation to Leon, I don't think that is our problem. We agreed to fund the minister and an adviser. Leon went along for other reasons but I don't believe we can meet any of his expenses. We can sort that out once you have the figures.

Subsequently, on 20 April 2004, Sharon Curtis from PIRSA sent an email to Cathie Seal from Minister Conlon's office, in which she indicates:

The difference between Leon's advance—

that is his traveller's cheque advance—

and his reconciliation will need to be invoiced to the right Agency which relates to Leon's second overseas trip—can you help me out with getting this information? (for your information, Leon didn't return his unspent traveller's cheques and used them on his 2^nd trip overseas)

Please also find attached a copy of...reconciliation and Leon's reconciliation of what their expenditure was for, for your information. Minister Conlon does not have any of his receipts from this trip so our Accounts section have based the Minister's expenditure on Leon's reconciliation (as advised by Leon).

Then on 22 February 2005, so almost two years later, Sharon Curtis from PIRSA sends an email to Leon Bignell:

Leon

I refer to your overseas trips back in June and July—

there are two of them—

2003 where you received a travel advance from PIRSA to travel with Minister Conlon and [another person] on the first trip and the second trip was on your own (where you spent the unspent traveller's cheques from your first trip).

You advised me some time ago that you didn't have any receipts for your second overseas trip however you were going to send me through your itinerary and as much information as possible about the trip.

I have been asked by PIRSA's accounts section to have this finalised as soon as possible as it refers to a previous financial year.

Can you please either call me or send me an email with the appropriate information from your second overseas trip in July 2003 at your earliest convenience.

Leon Bignell's reply on 22 February is:

Thanks for the email.

I did have receipts for the second trip and forwarded them through our office manager. My understanding was the amount of the unspent traveller's cheques (from the June trip) was deducted from the amount I was reimbursed.

We'll chase it up this end to clarify the situation.

Thanks again, Leon.

An investigation of those accounts for 2003, and then I followed it up again for 2004, showed that there is no reference at all to any reconciliation by Mr Bignell in all of the freedom of information dockets that I have received in relation to this particular trip.

I must say that, as a former minister, I have never known a ministerial adviser to be authorised to travel overseas by himself, or herself, without any itinerary being approved and without authorisation, it would appear, from departments in relation to various expenditure items. Certainly, in this case, some two years later, a departmental officer was still chasing Mr Bignell to try to get a reconciliation.

Mr Bignell flew out from Australia on 21 July. I note that he went via Pau and Biarritz in France. I note that the Tour de France stopped off in Pau in France on 23 July. Mr Bignell then found his way to Barcelona for the World Police and Fire Games where, I think, on 30 July, some eight days later, minister Conlon joined him.

I think it behoves Mr Bignell now to provide an explanation to the parliament on a reconciliation of his expenses. In particular, did he go to the Tour de France at taxpayers' expense? What was he doing between 21 July and 30 July 2003? Why did he not provide the reconciliation that was requested by the departments of him?

Time expired.