Question On Notice No. 1989 asked in the Legislative Council on 14 March 2019 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the use of booking agents, booking platforms or multinational online travel agencies by departmental staff and Ministers, and I ask:
(a) in the last year have ministerial departments used the services of booking agents, booking platforms or multinational online travel agencies other than Corporate Travel Management (CTM) for the provision of accommodation for the Minister, ministerial staff and departmental staff; and
(b) if yes to (a), please list the following information:
(i) the name of the booking agency, booking platform or multinational online travel agency;
(ii) the number of times it was used;
(iii) for which portfolio area of responsibility;
(iv) who the booking was made for;
(v) and the reason for the travel; and
(vi) the reason why CTM was not used for the booking?
Answered on 10 April 2019
Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services:
(a) No.
(b) Not applicable.
The Department of Justice advises:
(a) Yes.
(b)(i) Booking.Com.Australia
Expedia
Wotif
(ii) Booking.Com.Australia - 14
Expedia - 1
Wotif - 7
(iii) Corrective Services and Courts.
(iv) Various departmental staff.
(v) Matters related to the functions of the department.
(vi) Booking accommodation via CTM is not compulsory but the preferred method by the Department in accordance with the Department of Finance Travel Management Services TMS 2017 Buyers Guide “Accommodation bookings do not have to be made through the CUA. Accommodation bookings can be made using the Online Booking Tools”. Where there is no availability or accommodation can be booked at a lower price or is of a more suitable location, then it may be booked by other methods.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises:
(a) Yes.
(b) (i) Booking.Com.Australia
Expedia
Airbnb
Bookaroom
Event Travel Management
(ii) Booking.Com.Australia - 2
Expedia - 8
Airbnb - 6
Bookaroom - 2
Event Travel Management – 1
(iii) Various areas within the department.
(v) Various departmental staff.
(iv) Matters related to the functions of the department.
(vi) Booking accommodation via CTM is not compulsory but the preferred method by the Department in accordance with the Department of Finance Travel Management Services TMS 2017 Buyers Guide “Accommodation bookings do not have to be made through the CUA. Accommodation bookings can be made using the Online Booking Tools”. Where there is no availability or accommodation can be booked at a lower price or is of a more suitable location, then it may be booked by other methods.
The Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services advises:
(a) No.
(b) Not applicable.
Supervised Review Release Board advises:
(a) No.
(b) Not applicable.