Ministerial overseas travel is crucial to attracting investment, trade and business opportunities to Victoria. Since 1999, the Victorian Government has helped facilitate almost $10 billion of international investment in the state. Victoria has one of the most resilient economies in the world and is the location of choice for many global organisations and companies.
Victoria's 11 international business offices often request a ministerial presence to help secure business and trade opportunities. A strong and ongoing overseas focus benefits all Victorians by supporting business and trade by cementing existing relationships and forging new ones with export markets.
Ministerial overseas travel is also central to promoting Victoria as a premium tourist destination for international travellers. Tourism makes an important contribution to Victoria's economy. In 2007 Victoria received more than 1.5 million overseas visitors who spent a total of $3.1 billion.
Overseas travel also enables Ministers to learn from the policies and programs of other governments and enhances Victoria's reputation of being an innovative state.
In August 2007, Premier John Brumby announced a new policy on the publication of all Ministerial overseas travel.
As part of his commitment to strengthen accountability in Victoria, the Premier committed to releasing quarterly reports that detail the costs and benefits associated with Ministerial overseas travel.
The reports include information on the purpose and benefits of travel, and expenses which include air and surface travel, accommodation and travel allowance.
