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

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 9 May 2012:

(1)   What was the total cost incurred by the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in hosting the reception that was catered for by contestants of the television program MasterChef Australia in 2011.

(2)   Did the Australian Government provide any financial support to cover the accommodation or travel expenses of the contestants, hosts and/or producers of MasterChef Australia during their visit to New York in 2011; if so, how much.

(3)   What assistance was provided to the contestants, hosts and/or producers of MasterChef Australia during their visit, and did the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations incur any associated costs; if so, how much.

(4)   What assistance was provided by the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations prior to the filming of MasterChef Australia.

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) On 26 May 2011, Australia co-hosted with the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues a reception to coincide with the Tenth Session of the UN Permanent Forum, and to launch a photographic exhibition on Indigenous issues. Over 400 people attended, including approximately 35 Indigenous Australian non-government representatives and five Australian Government representatives, along with representatives from UN Permanent Missions and delegations to the Permanent Forum. The reception featured food prepared by the chefs of the television show MasterChef Australia, and MasterChef contributed substantially to the food and venue costs (including audio-visual equipment).

The Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations provided AUD8,947.06 towards the event, which was a unique public diplomacy opportunity for Australia to promote our work on indigenous issues, and promote indigenous issues globally. Details of that expenditure were as follows:

(2) No. Nil.

(3) The Mission provided advice to the producers in their interaction with the United Nations. There were no costs incurred.

(4) The Mission liaised with the United Nations on the arrangements to enable filming on United Nations premises.