Sydney 30 July 2010: NSW taxpayers spent over
$105,000 on a week-long trade trip to China for Premier Kristina Keneally,
including almost $65,000 in international and domestic airfares.
Ms Keneally's office on Friday detailed the costings
of the trip taken earlier this month, saying they totalled $106,018.
Of that, $52,303 was spent on international airfares
for eight people, and $12,552 on domestic flights for 10.
Accommodation for the delegation cost $13,738, while
$5,743 was spent on hospitality and meals. "During the successful visit
Premier Keneally made several key announcements enhancing our relationship with
China and promoting NSW trade, finance, business investment, education and
tourism," her office said in the statement.
Her itinerary included officially launching NSW Week
at the Shanghai World Expo, meetings with Chinese banks about doing business in
NSW, and promoted the sale and distribution of the state's produce with the $16
billion Bright Food Group.
Ms Keneally has been forced to defend the trade
trip, with the opposition repeatedly describing it as a week-long photo
opportunity. (The
Daily Telegraph)
