bit of reading...between the lines, page-74

This -

‘Our aim is to set things higher; to set the benchmark higher. And it's time frankly, for Victoria to substantially increase its presence and trade engagement with one of the world's fastest growing economies. What we want to do is to move from just engagement with India to a real partnership with India. And you'll see this in the coming weeks and months as we set in train a two-year strategy to ensure India becomes a key focus of our global plans.’

Ted Baillieu MLA - Premier of Victoria - 2011

(extract from Premier of Victoria's speech at the recent Victorian Australia India Address)

goes well with this -

THE cost of Ted Baillieu's super trade mission to India was more than $1 million.
..Taxpayers spent $132,000 sending four ministers and six staff overseas.

The Premier soaked up almost $64,000 by taking four staff with him on the trip, in late February.

Innovation and Small Business Minister Louise Asher, who went to the Middle East as well as India with one staff member, spent $37,000 on both trips.

Manufacturing Minister Richard Dalla-Riva, who also took one staff member, racked up nearly $20,000 in bills.

Technology Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips, who did not take any staff, spent only $11,000, including time in Singapore.

Ms Asher has defended the expenditure, saying it was money well spent.

"To call it a junket is absurd. It was a trade mission with a very significant economic outcome," she said.

More than $200 million worth of exports would be sent from Victoria to India in the second year after the mission, she said.

Businesses that joined the mission were entitled to a subsidy of up to $3000 for travel and other costs.

Officials were joined by 267 business delegates, who so far have claimed $389,000 in grants.

Additional taxpayer-funded costs to run the mission totalled $658,000.

B Rubes