Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in writing, on 22 September 2011:

What was his department’s total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment in 2010-11, and of this, what sum was used for entertainment provided (a) overseas, (b) within Australia, and (c) in conjunction with the United Nations Security Council bid.

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

For the financial year 2010-11, the department spent $4.75 million in Australia and overseas on hospitality and entertainment.

The composition of entertainment and hospitality expenditure overseas and in Australia:

(a) Overseas $4.02 million

(b) Australia $0.73 million

TOTAL    $4.75 million

(c) Hospitality and entertainment expenditure relating to the United Nations Security Council bid has been incurred both through a range of specific events and as part of broader hospitality events across the diplomatic network. To collate records to identify this expenditure would entail a significant diversion of resources and, in these circumstances, I do not consider the additional work can be justified.