Ms SYLVIA HALE: My question is directed to the Minister for Commerce. Carlson Wagonlit charges members of Parliament and parliamentary staff a travel booking fee of $31 per booking and $195 per international booking, and a $25 surcharge for after-hours bookings. How much has the New South Wales Parliament paid Carlson Wagonlit in booking fees since the commencement of the contract? How much was paid to the previous contractor for the equivalent period? Why are members and staff not able to avail themselves of fee-free booking transactions, such as those available via the Internet? Are the people of New South Wales, who ultimately pay these fees, being ripped off by this contract?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: Ms Sylvia Hale should have put this question on notice. Although that course of action would have been more appropriate I will endeavour to respond now. The government travel management services contract commenced on 1 December 2005. The contract provides a full range of travel management services, including air travel. I am advised that in the first calendar year of the contract—2006—the Government saved approximately $22 million on travel costs due to the success of increasing the use of discounted fares versus full economy fares. I am advised that these savings have continued in 2007. In the first six months—

The Hon. Duncan Gay: We can save you money by not using this contract.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition could resign and save the Parliament money! In the first six months of this year the Government has saved a further $13.5 million on air travel, and this amounts to a 28.5 per cent improvement in savings compared with the corresponding period in 2006.