Ministerial Travel

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:54): My question is directed to the Leader of the Government. Given that ministers have access to both ministerial office budgets and a parliamentary travel allowance for overseas trips, are there currently any cabinet guidelines for ministers travelling overseas which govern how and whether they should use their parliamentary travel allowance?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for his question. In relation to the travel requirements, ministers are required to provide a travel report to cabinet within a certain period of time of returning. And, of course, with our parliamentary allowances, and use of the travel allowance, there is a requirement that we provide a report to parliament within a certain period of time as well.