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Official Visits: Australia

Volume 454: debated on Tuesday 5 December 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many officials are accompanying the Minister for Sports on his trip to Australia; what the estimated cost of the visit is; and whom he intends to meet. (104689)

I was accompanied by an assistant private secretary and a press officer. The estimated total cost of the trip was £20,050.

I held meetings with Richard Brading (Principal Solicitor, Betsafe), Brian Farrell (Casino Control Authority), Michael Foggo (Commissioner NSW Office of Liquor and Gaming), hon. Nick Xenophon (SA Legislative Council member) and hon. Paul Caica MP (SA Minister responsible for Gambling) to discuss problem gambling and gambling regulation. I discussed Olympic legacy issues at meetings with Ron Walker (Chair Melbourne 2006), hon. Sandra Nori MP (NSW Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation), hon. Michael Wright MP (SA Minister for Sport) and Bob Adby (NSW Department for Arts, Sport and Recreation). In addition, I met with SA Premier hon. Mike Rann MP and ex-Premier John Brennan, hon. Ian McLachlan (Chairman Adelaide Oval), Percy Sonn (ICC President), Creagh O'Connor (Chairman Cricket Australia) to discuss sport and cricket matters.