5.2 Ministers
Cabcharge Cards
Ministers are entitled to a Cabcharge card. See EXPENSES RELATING TO A MINISTER'S OFFICE - Taxis.
Computers
Ministers are entitled to a desktop PC or a laptop to undertake official duties.
Peripheral equipment is supplied on the basis of business needs.
Credit Cards
Ministers may be issued with general purpose Credit cards for overseas travel only.
See EXPENSES RELATING TO A MINISTER'S OFFICE - Overseas Travel and Credit Cards.
Entertainment
Ministers are authorised to entertain.
See EXPENSES RELATING TO A MINISTER'S OFFICE - Entertainment - Minister.
Expenditure Authorisation
Expenditure not exceeding $1,500,000 may be approved by the Minister.
See EXPENSES RELATING TO A MINISTER'S OFFICE - Delegations
Partner's Expenses
Ministers may incur expenditure for their partner for official purposes. Eg. where the partner of a Minister is required to attend meetings, entertainment, conferences and conventions in an official capacity.
See EXPENSES RELATING TO A MINISTER'S OFFICE - Partner's expenses.
Reimbursement of home telephone expenses
Home Telephone
Ministers may regard the following as a standard for their residence:
Lines
1 official line
1 fax line
1 private line
Equipment
1 answering machine
1 fax machine
Alternatively, one of the telephone lines and/or this equipment may be located in the Minister's Electorate Office or Parliament House suite. Where a Minister shifts residence the Minister will be required to personally meet the costs of transfer of one telephone line. All costs associated with the other phone/fax lines will be a charge to the Office of the Minister.
The movement of phones within the Minister's residence is a private cost.
Official Phone
Ministers will be provided with one digital mobile phone as a standard. A mobile phone and car kit will also be provided in the Minister's official vehicle.
The mobile service is in the name of Ministerial Services and is billed direct to Ministerial Services. Reasonable call costs will be a charge to the Office of the Minister. Use of the phone is at the total discretion of the Minister including private non business use.
Pagers
If required, Ministers will be provided with a pager with national coverage.
Reimbursements
Reimbursements or upfront payments will be made for rental and service charges and 85% of the cost of all calls for the Minister's private line.
Reimbursements or upfront payments will be made for installation costs, rental and service charges, 90% of call costs for the facsimile line and 90% of call costs for the official line.
These costs will be a charge to the Office of the Minister. Use of the phone, facsimile line and private Internet connection is at the total discretion of the Minister including private non business use.
Internet Connection
Home broadband Internet connections assist in utilising remote access facilities to the Ministerial Network. Ministers may choose to be reimbursed 85% of a private Internet connection in lieu of the reimbursement for one home telephone line. This reimbursement would be to a maximum of $100 per month.
Newspapers
Ministers are entitled to home delivery of newspapers as appropriate. For regional Ministers this would include to the Parliamentary Annexe when resident.
Staff
Appointment of staff is approved by the Premier's Office.
See HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Office staff.
Travel Entitlements
Ministerial Services will pay actual travel expenses for Minister's for overseas and domestic travel.
Mini bar can be utilised to a maximum of $25 per day.
When overseas, Ministers may claim daily 'out of pocket' expenses to cover incidental items.
See APPENDIX 1 (PDF, 18 KB)
Taxis.
Travel to and from Electorate
The costs incurred by the Minister, or partner of the Minister when travelling to or from the Minister's Electorate for the conducting of, or at the conclusion of, Ministerial business are a charge against the Office of the Minister.
Vehicle
Ministers are provided with a chauffeur and CEO level motor vehicle for official purposes.
- These vehicles are also available for private use. However, fuel when on leave is a personal expense and should not be placed on the fuel card except if the Minister is carrying out work duties. The vehicle must not be used for any commercial or business related purposes, or to display any form of advertising.
- Fuel cards will be provided.
- Toll cards will be provided if there is a business requirement.
Home Security
Ministers may request home security in accordance with Queensland Police recommendations.
Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009
Last updated: 22 July, 2009
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