WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding the use of booking agents other than Corporate Travel Management (CTM) by ministerial departments and port authorities. The responses reveal varying practices and justifications for not using CTM.

AnsweredQoN 1988Legislative Council
Asked
14 March 2019
Portfolio
Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the use of booking agents, booking platforms or multinational online travel agencies by departmental staff and Ministers, and I ask: (a) in the last year have ministerial departments used the services of booking agents, booking platforms or multinational online travel agencies other than Corporate Travel Management (CTM) for the provision of accommodation for the Minister, ministerial staff and departmental staff; and (b) if yes to (a), please list the following information: (i) the name of the booking agency, booking platform or multinational online travel agency; (ii) the number of times it was used; (iii) for which portfolio area of responsibility; (iv) who the booking was made for; (v) and the reason for the travel; and (vi) the reason why CTM was not used for the booking?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
9 April 2019
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade
Response time
7 days
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
(a) and (b)  As DPIRD officers all book their own accommodation using corporate credit cards answering this question would require a manual examination of all bookings made by all staff. The government is not prepared to divert such a substantial and unreasonable portion of agency resources away from core operations to undertake such an intensive search. If the Member has a question about a particular booking made by a DPIRD officer I would encourage him to ask a specific question and I will endeavour to answer it.
Pilbara Ports Authority
(a)  No
(b)  N/A
Southern Ports Authority
(a)  No
(b)  N/A
Fremantle Port Authority
(a)  Yes
(b) (i)-(v)  Bookings.com was used once by the Fremantle Ports Harbour Master to attend an International Harbour Masters Association biennial meeting.
(vi)  Significantly cheaper than CTM.  Fremantle Port Authority is not obliged to use CTM as it is not bound by the State Supply Commission Act.
Kimberley Port Authority
(a)  Yes
(b) (i)-(v)  Flight Centre was used on three occasions by the CEO to attend meetings.
(vi)  Kimberley Port Authority is not obliged to use CTM as it is not bound by the State Supply Commission Act.
Mid West Port Authority
(a)  Yes
(b) (i)-(v)  230 accommodation bookings have been made through Corporate Traveller over the past twelve months for travel by board members, CEO, pilots, engineers, enviornmental officers, and other various other staff to attend training, meetings and conferences.
(vi)  Mid West Port Authority is not obliged to use CTM as it is not bound by the State Supply Commission Act.  Corporate Traveller is the preferred supplier for the MWPA.

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