M1992-27 Overseas Travel by Ministers

I refer to discussions at Cabinet recently concerning overseas travel. I now wish to confirm that:

• The one State funded visit in each Parliamentary term ('study tour') is to be strictly confined to a maximum of 21 days.
• Other official overseas visits are to be kept as short as possible and should not exceed 7 days. These visits are to be for a specific purpose and will need to be fully justified in terms of their relevance to New South Wales Government operations. It is expected that any such visits will be to the Asia region unless exceptional circumstances apply.
• Ministers are not to proceed on private leave during a study tour or other official visit.
• Backbench Members of Parliament are not to travel overseas at State expense (other than any travel relating to their Parliamentary duties which has been authorised by Parliament) unless there are exceptional circumstances and my prior approval has been obtained.
• Commencing with the quarter ending 30 September 1992 Ministers are to furnish to me quarterly returns of any official overseas travel undertaken by officers of all agencies within their portfolio/s. The returns should be marked to the attention of Mr R. Humphry, Director-General, Premier's Department. Information to be supplied is name and position of person who travelled, countries/cities visited, purpose of visit, duration, cost and source of funds.

John Fahey
Premier