Kevin Rudd spent $3.4m in international trips

[turtlemichael]

3.4m aussie pesos is just a good mileage run these days! Of more interest to me is who is paying for the ex-PM's travel, such as the US visit to get anointed by that other ex. Hmm..let me guess.

 

[straitman]

3.4m aussie pesos is just a good mileage run these days! Of more interest to me is who is paying for the ex-PM's travel, such as the US visit to get anointed by that other ex. Hmm..let me guess.

Good guess :!:

 

[jakeseven7]

Probably terrible IFE on his flights

my definition of terrible IFE on those flights would be listening to k-rudd penning another doom and glood world ending speech to destroy the last few shreds of consumer/business confidence in oz

 

[Platy]

my definition of terrible IFE on those flights would be listening to k-rudd penning another doom and glood world ending speech to destroy the last few shreds of consumer/business confidence in oz

To coin a phrase from a former Qld Premier: "Now don't you worry about that!"

In fact, we can now offer the following new entertainment titles coming soon to a tax-payer funded VIP BBJ aircraft IFE system:

• Ordering in a restaurant in Italian hosted by Amanda Blobstone
• Arrivals guide to members' stand seating presented by J Winston Coward
• Using phone cards on your travels explained by Peter Thief
• Alternatives to airport limosines revealed by Alexander Clowner
• Avoiding queues at immigration with Philip Cruddock
• BBJ silk lined decor presented by Janette Howeird
• Choosing the wine when boozing with overseas bankers hosted by Peter Cost-me-no
• The Kokoda Trail by forklift presented by Jabba the Hocknee
• Presidential dummy spits explained by Mal Hadenough
• Wonderful Wentworth for the Discerning Tourist revealed by Malco Trotsbull

...

 

[Alanslegal]

To me $3.4m is a reasonable expense amount for any PM's travel trips. I'm also guessing the money includes the cost of his staffers travels, security escorts, etc plus the fixed costs.

I know if I was PM I'd be flying in and out

 

[JohnK]

When I read the article in the Courier Mail and then saw the breakdown of the trips and the costs I thought the spending was a little over the top. And yes I know in the grand scheme of things the overall cost is not huge compared to the Federal budget it is still a significant amount and I am glad that it is out in the open.

To the ordinary person, who has been told to tighten the belt in this economic crisis, it is very difficult to comprehend hotel bills of $1,000+ per room/right for the PM and his staff.

Not quite the same but similar to the recent reporting of salary increases of up to 80% for the CEOs of 6-7 councils around Brisbane.

 

[Platy]

When I read the article in the Courier Mail and then saw the breakdown of the trips and the costs I thought the spending was a little over the top. And yes I know in the grand scheme of things the overall cost is not huge compared to the Federal budget it is still a significant amount and I am glad that it is out in the open.

To the ordinary person, who has been told to tighten the belt in this economic crisis, it is very difficult to comprehend hotel bills of $1,000+ per room/right for the PM and his staff.

Not quite the same but similar to the recent reporting of salary increases of up to 80% for the CEOs of 6-7 councils around Brisbane.

How about hotel bills of $11,250 per night?!

In July 2002 Mr Howard spent $45,000 for four nights at the St Regis Grand Hotel (Italy) - the Aussie taxpayer paid 50% and ther Italian Gov 50%.

 

[JohnK]

How about hotel bills of $11,250 per night?!

In July 2002 Mr Howard spent $45,000 for four nights at the St Regis Grand Hotel (Italy) - the Aussie taxpayer paid 50% and ther Italian Gov 50%.

I totally agree with you. I can sort of understand how the Prime Minister may be staying in a Presidential suite, or what ever it is called, in a hotel but there is really no justification for staff to be staying in rooms of $1,000+ per night.

 

[dajop]

To the ordinary person, who has been told to tighten the belt in this economic crisis, it is very difficult to comprehend hotel bills of $1,000+ per room/right for the PM and his staff.

You are right to the ordinary person it is very difficult to comprehend.

To someone who has travelled a bit, it could be easier to comprehend depending on the city.

I've stayed in NYC in basically a bed with four walls around it and enough space to open the door, and a rack to put suitcase on hanging on wall - for about $155 AUD/night, when the ER was .85. So that same room may be around $230/night now. Not really idea for the PM, or any of his staff. USD $650/night in places like NYC wouldn't be that far off the mark....at least for the country's leadership team (although at the moment I'd guess that hotel prices may have cooled off a little).

 

[Alanslegal]

Let's hope some of the frequent stay points they earn - will be used to redeem some nights for future trips rather than free nights for personal future trips.

 

[drron]

What intrigues me is the continuing call by pollies for company executives to tighten their belts when many companies have downgraded business travel to J from F or Y from J.Are our pollies going to move down the back of the plane?After all their business enterprise is now going into debt big time as well isnt it?

 

[NYCguy]

USD $650/night in places like NYC wouldn't be that far off the mark....at least for the country's leadership team (although at the moment I'd guess that hotel prices may have cooled off a little).

Prices haven't cooled-off all that much at the sort of establishments one might expect a Prime Minister of an affluent nation to lay his/her head. Four Seasons aren't discounting their suites...