NSW: Carr government jetsetters must be made accountable - oppn

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NSW: Carr government jetsetters must be made accountable - oppn

SYDNEY, April 11 AAP - NSW ministers have spent almost $2 million on travel since thegovernment's re-election three years ago, it was revealed today.

The figures, obtained by the state opposition, have prompted a call for ministers tobe made more accountable over their travel costs.

Opposition Waste Watch Committee chairman Barry O'Farrell said the government shouldforce its jet-setting ministers to reveal their travel costs on a quarterly basis.

He said $1.8 million had been spent by Premier Bob Carr and his ministers since thegovernment's re-election in March 1999.

"Labor ministers including the premier have spent $1.8 million on overseas travel,"

he said today.

"That's $50,000 a month, every month, since that last election campaign.

"This government I believe should force ministers to publicly release on a quarterlybasis their travel costs."

Ministers also should deliver reports on the overseas trips, he said.

"I think also this government should force ministers to write reports on their tripsto demonstrate what practical purposes have been served by those visits," he said.

"This government, which promised low-cost, no-frills government, has to deliver."

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KEYWORD: ALLOWANCES