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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 9 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 2865 ..
(Question No. 174)
Mr Kaine asked the Chief Minister, upon notice, on 24 August 1999:
In relation to the "Promote ACT Account"
(1) By whom was this account established.
(2) When was it established.
(3) For what purpose was it established.
(4) Noting your comments to the Assembly on 1 July 1999 (Proof Hansard; p 71)
that the source of funds in the account is "Qantas's money", what is the basis
for the provision of funding by Qantas Airways Ltd.
(5) Who authorises access to this account.
(6) Has anyone benefited from the establishment of the accounts, if so
(a) who;
(b) on which occasions; and
(c) by what amounts.
(7) If those who have benefited are Members of the Assembly, has the Chief Minister
sought advice on whether this benefit would cause them to vacate their seat under
section 14,(c) of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988
(Commonwealth) and if so, will she table the advice.
Ms Carnell: The answer to the Member's question is as follows:
(1) The Travel Assistance Account was established by Qantas Airways Ltd.
(2) The Account was established on 1 May 1997.
(3) In accordance with the Qantas Travel Contract, Travel Assistance can be utilised
on Qantas services for, but not limited to:
promoting and encouraging business in the Canberra Region
visiting guest speakers to address forums; and
promoting sport in Canberra.
As part of the tender process Qantas was able to demonstrate that they would
assist in attracting business to Canberra and the Australian Capital Region.
(4) Qantas Airways Ltd. provides $35,000 per annum in the form of free of charge air travel to assist in the promotion of the Canberra Region, with the Department being able to draw upon the assistance at its discretion The Account finishes with the contract when it expires at the end of April 2000, and no other funds will be credited to it before then.
(5) Until the end of July 1999 the Executive Director of The Office of Strategy and Public Administration (OSPA) authorised access to the Account. The Chief Executive of the Chief Minister's Department now authorises access to the Account.
(6) (a) The Territory benefits from the establishment of the Account.
(b & c) Refer to Attachment A.
(7) No Members of the Assembly other than myself have accessed the account.
The Government Solicitor's Office (GSO) advised in July 1999 that this travel is for a purpose of executive business, unrelated to any business of the legislative program or of an Assembly committee. The use of the Qantas travel assistance for
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