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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-05-04 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Travel

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the Premier, regarding living costs and ministerial travel expenses.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: In September 2022, Deputy Premier Susan Close spent $44,729 on a European trip, the tourism minister, Zoe Bettison, spent $17,364 on a trip to the Philippines and Norway, and in January, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan spent $75,000 on a trip to the US. It has been reported that Premier Peter Malinauskas cost taxpayers $157,654 on travel to South Korea and Japan. All four examples provided included the use of five-star accommodation whilst on travel.

South Australian families' living costs have increased by almost $17,000 comparatively to the same time in 2022. In Victoria, Premier Dan Andrews has recommended that his ministers should refrain from frequent travel amidst the current economic conditions being faced by Australians. My questions to the Attorney-General, representing the Premier, are:

1. Will the Premier direct the Treasurer to lower costs of ministerial travel to reflect the current conditions the economy is facing?

2. Given the amount of pressure working families are under at the moment, is five-star accommodation appropriate for ministers to be staying in while on travel?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for her question. I know that all of us are conscious of the cost-of-living pressures facing many, many South Australians, and all of us, I am sure, do whatever we can to make sure that the costs that are incurred in performing our duties are kept to a minimum.

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