Daniel Andrews tells ministers to cut back on expensive overseas trips

Daniel Andrews has told his ministers to reduce overseas travel — and to prioritise trips to Asia over Europe or the US — citing Victoria’s cost of living pressures.

Daniel Andrews, Treasurer Tim Pallas, Ben Carroll and Lily D’Ambrosio have all travelled overseas since November’s election. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Daniel Andrews has told his ministers to cut back on overseas travel citing Victoria’s ongoing cost of living pressures.

Leaked ministerial correspondence, obtained exclusively by the Herald Sun, reveals that ahead of his own trip to China the Premier urged ministers to prioritise travel to Asia over more exotic trips to Europe and the US.

Mr Andrews, Treasurer Tim Pallas, Ben Carroll and Lily D’Ambrosio have all travelled overseas since November’s election.

Gayle Tierney, the minister for Training and Skills, Higher Education and Agriculture, will travel to New Zealand this month.

The Herald Sun this week revealed questions had been raised about Ms D’Ambrosio’s trip with claims departmental officials were tasked with retrospectively creating an itinerary to justify the travel.

Ms D’Ambrosio travelled through the United Kingdom, Spain and Denmark, between March 11 and March 23.

On February 28, a month before his own trade mission to China, Mr Andrews wrote to ministers urging them to carefully consider the need for international trips.

Gayle Tierney, pictured with Daniel Andrews, will travel to New Zealand later this year. Picture: David Crosling

“Travel should...seek to promote Victoria’s interests by advancing our state’s international reputation, relationships with key partners, and expanding capability in areas of strategic interest,” he said.

“While travel to major markets such as the European Union, United Kingdom and United States remains important, all travel should ideally also accommodate travel to one or more priority markets of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Vietnam.

“With Victorians facing significant cost of living pressures, the justification and efficiency of official ministerial travel is more important than ever.

“Fewer, more integrated trips, incorporating the countries identified above should be considered.”

Ministers were advised to consider instead hosting international visitors, and engaging with locally-based stakeholders.

The Premier’s letter was sent just a week after it was revealed tax payers forked out tens of thousands of dollars to fund a multi-continental travel junket for Mr Pallas last year.

The Treasurer flew business class to Europe and the United States in July for an official trip to meet with financial, technological and other key stakeholders.

The three-week jaunt across Germany, France, England and the United States cost more than $67,000.

The Treasurer flew business class to Europe and the US in July for an official trip to meet with financial, technological and other key stakeholders. Picture: David Geraghty

Business class airfares for Mr Pallas and his staff set tax payers back $41,771.62 while accommodation in Europe and America cost $20,969.89.

Mr Pallas spent $4,563.72 on other expenses, including travel allowances, bringing the trip’s total cost to $67,304.23.

Ministers were due to lodge requests for travel over the next 12 months with the Department of Premier and Cabinet by March 20.

Opposition spokesman James Newbury said the letter raised fresh questions about Ms D’Ambrosio’s recent trip.

“On the back of Daniel Andrews’ secret trip to China, another minister has been caught out. Lily D’Ambrosio has spent tens of thousands of dollars on the taxpayers’ credit card on a trip to Europe without properly explaining what she’s been doing,” he said.

“Given the Premier’s concern about Victorians facing significant cost of living pressures, the Minister has some explaining to do. Who authorised her trip? What was the purpose of the trip and how much did it cost taxpayers? And why did she travel to Europe when the Premier said Asian countries were a priority?”

A government spokesperson said no further ministerial travel had been approved at this stage.