Defence Force chiefs will be required to submit an advance summary of their overseas travel plans to their minister each year to ensure the Government is getting value from the trips.
The policy change was revealed yesterday after reports that the Army's Chief of General Staff, Major-General Maurice Dodson, has spent 150 days overseas at a cost of more than $100,000 since taking up his post in April, 1998.
His wife accompanied him on six trips overseas. The total cost of those trips, which included a fortnight in the United States and Australia, another week in Australia and two weeks in the Philippines and Malaysia, was just under $30,000.
Defence Minister Mark Burton told Parliament yesterday that he had requested a "forward planning" document listing intended travel for next year.
The information - to be supplied by Chief of Defence Air Marshal Carey Adamson - would "ensure we are getting appropriate value for money and an appropriate spread of diplomatic-related travel."
Air Marshal Adamson yesterday said that spouse travel on official visits at the invitation of host countries was a matter of protocol.
"All internal travel expenses are met by the host country. Similarly, when New Zealand hosts international visitors, internal expenses are met by the New Zealand Government.
"All travel by service chiefs and their spouses on official visits is endorsed by me and approved by the Government."
- Staff reporter, NZPA
Government to check travel value
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