Kevin Rudd spent $3.4m in international trips

[NM]

from news.com.au:

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has splurged close to $3.4 million on overseas travel since coming to power.

The globe-trotting PM has racked up one overseas trip every month on average - and spent close to one in six days on foreign soil.

Taxpayers have paid a hefty price for Mr Rudd's 15 global trips, but the PM is defending the time he spends meeting world leaders.

....

But the PM, dubbed Kevin 747, has racked up plenty of frequent flyer points as he seeks to recast Australia's image as a middle-ranking power.

 

[codash1099]

I would guess that the RAAF VIP fleet doesn't award frequent flyer points (unless they have a reciprocal arrangement with QF :mrgreen

 

[NM]

I would guess that the RAAF VIP fleet doesn't award frequent flyer points (unless they have a reciprocal arrangement with QF :mrgreen

But imagine the points available through his Amex card just for accommodation and meals! He may even hand over the Amex when it comes time to refuel the BBJ while travelling .

 

[ric_melb]

I am the last one to defend Kevin Rudd, and have some wonder at his need to spend so long overseas. However $3.4 million is a drop in the bucket, compared to the magnitude of the federal budget.
And I would far prefer our PM to be flying in a 737BJ, than a clapped out 707.

 

[simongr]

I think the government is managing to find many ways to waste money and personally the leader of the country travelling overseas (I assume the $3.4M includes his staff travelling) is a cost of being a outward looking country.

I would be more concerned about teh next layer down and their overseas travel...

On my first QF F flight I actually saw Mr Rudd sat in 1K - this was back in 2006.

 

[dajop]

Ithe leader of the country travelling overseas (I assume the $3.4M includes his staff travelling) is a cost of being a outward looking country.

Or we could save the $3.4m, use it increase the handout from $900 to $900.20 ... and become an inward looking country like .... hmm let me see ... North Korea

 

[drron]

Leave the Fairy Ruddfather alone!

 

[Platy]

One assumes that a significant part of the cost will a a fixed cost. Lease, maintain, house and crew a couple of BBJs.

The more these aircraft are used by Gov, the more value is potentially derived from those costs. They are better being used than sitting idle now that we tax payers have paid for the overheads.

Other costs will be variable, such a fuel costs. My understanding is that many folk will ride the same flight, even journos if there are spare seats, so the variable costs are effectively spread over the number of pax.

One wonders how the figures one reads in the media are calculated - no doubt in a way which the generates spin by the opposition of the day.

Personally, I have no problem with the PM of Australia getting out and about and putting Australia back on a solid International footing - especially at this time of the GFC, need for multi-lateral agreement on climate change response, etc (at least he's getting on the with the job and not at Lords watching the cricket!).

 

[Platy]

Leave the Fairy Ruddfather alone!

Yes, indeed, well said, sir!

Then at least some of us can enjoy, when he's away, the spectacle of red riding hood dole it out to the bumbling dwarfs of the opposition...

 

[turtlemichael]

(at least he's getting on the with the job and not at Lords watching the cricket!).

Give it time

 

[drron]

Give it time

Or maybe a bar in NYC.

 

[Platy]

Or maybe a bar in NYC.

Or lost in a church somewhere...

 

[NYCguy]

My understanding is that many folk will ride the same flight, even journos if there are spare seats, so the variable costs are effectively spread over the number of pax.

The Government apparently charges the equivalent to the J sector-fare for Jounos who travel on the Prime Ministerial BBJ...

 

[codash1099]

Leave the Fairy Ruddfather alone!

Communist sympathiser! :mrgreen:

 

[turtlemichael]

Or maybe a bar in NYC.

If going to Lords does as much for his popularity as going to that "club" he'll plan on the whole 5 days

 

[pauly7]

Well at least we know how he finds the time to write 7000 word essays about nothing...

 

[drron]

Well at least we know how he finds the time to write 7000 word essays about nothing...

Probably terrible IFE on his flights

 

[Hvr]

Of course to be totally fair we should be told how much "Honest"Johnny flew in the same period. Reckon it would have to be at least equal if not greater than Kevin.

 

[Platy]

Of course to be totally fair we should be told how much "Honest"Johnny flew in the same period. Reckon it would have to be at least equal if not greater than Kevin.

If the PM wasn't making international visits many would be rightly giving him flak.

To be totally fair you'd want to look at the outcomes of the visits if attempting comparison with the Dishonest Coward.

Bottom line, to suggest a PM is doing a good or bad because of the need to make overseas trips is total nonsense and a media beat up.

Of course questions need to be asked IF undue funds are spent on hotels etc - one thinks of the Cowards trip to Italy staying in ridiculously expensive hotel suites.

 

[Platy]

It is being reported that:

"...in his first year as prime minister in 1996, Mr Howard took only three short trips overseas, all to Asia, at a cost of $637,807.

After a hesitant start, Mr Howard became a well-travelled leader, touching down in 48 countries. He made 13 visits to the US, 12 to Indonesia, called in on Britain on 11 occasions and went to Japan and China seven times - the same important countries Kevin Rudd visited in his first year as Prime Minister.

In 2002 alone, Mr Howard's 10 overseas trips to the US, Europe, Asia and Africa cost $4.5 million..."

Note that some travel costs (VIP jets) were transferred from appearing on the books within the Finance Dept to those of the Dept Defense a few years ago.