http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/12882805/taxpayers-foot-dinner-bil...

Federal bureaucrats saddled taxpayers with a bill of almost $12 million for hospitality and entertainment last year.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials chalked up the biggest bill of $4.75 million.

An analysis of figures from departments and agencies to the Senate estimates committee show diplomats spent $4 million of this at overseas postings.

Centrelink, the agency entrusted with paying welfare benefits to struggling families, was the second biggest spender at $1.3 million.

Defence was the only other department to top the million dollar mark at $1.2 million.

Austrade, which promotes Australian business and exports overseas, spent $980,000.

Some departments and agencies were much more modest. ComSuper, which oversees Federal bureaucrat and military personnel superannuation schemes, has 539 employees but spent just $820.

One of the more eye-catching expenses was $55,000 spent by Screen Australia at the glitzy Cannes Film Festival. It also spent $12,000 on a Christmas party.

Receptions hosted by Julia Gillard for visiting world leaders were among the most expensive functions. A luncheon at Parliament House for New Zealand Prime Minister John Key cost $33,000.

The figures show hospitality cost $11.7 million across the entire public service in the 2010-11 financial year but the actual amount is probably higher because some departments are yet to list spending for the whole year.
Hospitality and entertainment includes receptions for dignitaries, exhibition launches at galleries and museums, community functions, working lunches and dinners and staff parties.