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The Tasmanian Government’s recent trade mission to the US cost taxpayers 34 per cent more than estimates released to the public before the trip, documents obtained by the ABC reveal.
The seven-day mission to Washington DC in April was estimated to cost $125,000, but Right to Information documents obtained by the ABC revealed the ultimate total was $168,104.
The bill included business-class fights for Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his chief of staff that cost more than $35,000.
The mission centred on the Sea Air Space Expo and was focused on establishing connections in Mr Rockliff’s newly-created portfolio of Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries.
Tasmanian defence advocate Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore and eight Tasmanian businesses attended, with government departments covering the travel of five people.
A government spokeswoman said the State Growth Department’s budget for the trip was increased to $145,000 after initial estimates were reported at $125,000.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) spent an additional $41,674 that the spokeswoman said had not been included in the estimates.
The government spokeswoman said due to the timing of the state election, the flights were booked late, resulting in a higher cost.
Participant expenses formed the biggest single cost of the trade mission at $58,093, while accommodation was $18,930.
The spokeswoman said the mission members had the opportunity to meet with key defence industry representatives and US Navy officials, including US Under Secretary Thomas Modly.
“The trade mission is part of an overall defence industry strategy, which has already begun to boost Tasmania’s reputation in advanced manufacturing and defence supply, both locally and around the globe, with several Tasmanian companies recently winning multi-million dollar defence supply contracts,” she said.
“Attendance at the Sea Air Space Expo in Washington and private meetings with US Defence representatives and private defence businesses provided invaluable networking opportunities and helped build global relationships for our Tasmanian companies.”
The 2016 trade mission to South Asia and Singapore cost a total of $337,550.
State Growth spent $180,873 of that, the Office of the Coordinator General’s expenses were $46,536, the ambassador’s program added $54,937 and DPAC spent $55,203.
University of Tasmania political scientist Richard Eccleston said both Liberal and Labor State Governments saw merit in trade missions.
“While they can be expensive, delegations including members of parliament and industry leaders do seem to be important in creating trade opportunities, particularly in Asia,” he said.
Topics: states-and-territories, tas
