David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 22 March 2011:

With reference to the answer provided to Question on Notice No's. 117-119:

(1) Can details be provided of the Defence Materiel Organisation's expenditure at Defence Materiel Washington.

(2) Why is this a regular fortnightly recurring expense.

(3) What is the official purpose of this expenditure.

(4) Who approved the expenditure.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The information supplied under Question on Notice 117-119 for Representational Allowance was the amount paid to officers within the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) as a fortnightly allowance. Actual expenses must be acquitted biannually with any unused allowance paid back to the DMO at the end of an officer's posting. Actual expenses incurred over the same period for the five Washington based Defence Materiel officers are as follows:

Table 1

Defence Materiel Washington

Representation Expenditure 1 July 2010 — 31 December 2010

(2) See (1) above.

(1) Representational funds assist the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) members posted on long term duty overseas to meet the costs of officially entertaining host country nationals. The sole purpose of providing such hospitality is to enable ADO members to conduct Australian and Defence business more efficiently and effectively.

(2) General Manager Commercial, Defence Materiel Organisation or Head of Australian Defence Staff Washington.