t is paradoxical that in an era of cost cutting and pruning, one domain which seems to be forever expanded and never curtailed by government ministers, aids, departmental heads and employees relates to travel and accommodation costs associated with meetings, conferences and gatherings. Without being too cynical, it seems to me that people within government and its agencies take every opportunity possible to travel for the purpose of meetings. Some meetings attended, last for very short periods of time but that doesn’t reduce travel costs.

There is absolutely no need for these constant gatherings. They are disruptive, detract from work function and add hugely to enterprise costs. One of the first changes I would make if PM or Treasurer would be to institute a program of meeting online through whichever of the technologies is most appropriate. It could be by teleconference, video-conferencing, Skype or some other cyberspace methodology. Meetings would be instantaneous. Within the framework of reasonableness, people could connect worldwide and engage in conversation of the subject under discussion. While socialisation and getting together are important, the issue of time utilisation and cost saving makes this method one that needs further exploration.

I suspect that airline companies, convention organisers and accommodation providers may not be particularly impressed by this alternative method of gathering. In the interests of budget setting and establishing expenditure priorities cuts to travel and alternative meeting options would go a long way to budget balancing.

Of course, after they leave parliament, politicians of both persuasions dip more than liberally into the retirement fund bucket for travel purposes.