RESPONSE TO ARTICLE IN THE AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER

17 May 2007

Letters Editor
The Australian


Your story ‘Taxpayers hit for G-G jaunts’ (17 May) frames the travel by the Governor-General as something undertaken for pleasure.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

These visits are undertaken in consultation with the government of the day and are all about advancing Australian interests, especially trade, at the highest levels.

Your readers can make their own judgement by reading the Governor-General’s speeches on our website at www.gg.gov.au. The ANZAC travel occurred in April 2006 and the Netherlands visit in September 2006.

It is customary for Australia to be represented at significant events such as the death of a Head of State. That is why the Governor-General attended the state funeral for the late King of Tonga last September and will be attending the funeral for His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II in Samoa on Friday.

Malcolm Hazell
Official Secretary to the Governor-General