Gifts and Benefits Register

We report quarterly on all gifts and benefits we receive with a value over $100.

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Austrade reports on gifts and benefits valued over $A100 (excluding GST) received by employees while carrying out Austrade activities. This is required by the Australian Public Service Commission.

We update the register quarterly by 31 January, 30 April, 31 July, and 31 October.

Latest quarter gifts and benefits

1 April to 30 June 2023

Date ReceivedDate RecordedGiftReceived byPresented byEstimated value in $AOccasion
4-Apr-236-Apr-23Business Iftar / dinnerTrade Commissioner (Dubai)The Victorian Government Trade and Investment office  $117Gift was provided directly to the office in recognision of the end of Ramadan. It is a cultural norm for business to provide small gifts to business associates and clients at this point in the calender. Gift was accepted to meet social norms and shared within the office as intended by the provider.
17-Apr-2319-Apr-23Assorted sweets and dates platterTrade Commissioner (Dubai)Kanoo Group $140Gift was provided directly to the office in recognision of the end of Ramadan. It is a cultural norm for business to provide small gifts to business associates and clients at this point in the calender. Gift was accepted to meet social norms and shared within the office as intended by the provider.
23-Apr-238-Jun-23Noisecancelling HeadphonesTrade Director (San Francisco)Multiple Companies $200Noise cancelling headphones received in gift bag (amongst fliers and miscellaneous, low-value non-descript items, eg, pens etc.) at the end of an informal networking opportunity to help build business relationships. Headphone will remain as Austrade assets when recipients leave department. 
23-Apr-2331-May-23Noisecancelling HeadphonesActing CG & STC (San Francisco)Several Companies $250Noise cancelling headphones received in gift bag (amongst fliers and miscellaneous, low-value non-descript items, eg, pens etc.) at the end of an informal networking opportunity to help build business relationships. Headphone will remain as Austrade assets when recipient's leave department. 
23-Apr-2312-Jun-23Noisecancelling HeadphonesInvestment Director (San Francisco)Multiple Companies $200Noise cancelling headphones received in gift bag (amongst fliers and miscellaneous, low-value non-descript items, eg, pens etc.) at the end of an informal networking opportunity to help build business relationships. Headphone will remain as Austrade assets when recipients leave department. 
23-Apr-238-Jun-23Noisecancelling HeadphonesInvestment Director (New York)Multiple companies $200Noise cancelling headphones received in gift bag (amongst fliers and miscellaneous, low-value non-descript items, eg, pens etc.) at the end of an informal networking opportunity to help build business relationships. Headphone will remain as Austrade assets when recipients leave department. 
5-May-234-May-23HKABA National Business Awards Dinner Senior Business Development Manager (Hong Kong)HKABA - SA Chapter  $288Business Dinner used as networking opportunities with key Australian and Hong Kong government and industry stakeholders and to support HKABA and SA award winners.
11-May-2330-May-23Shaun the sheep circus showTrade Commissioner  (Singapore)Circa  $100Tickets use as an informal networking opportunity to help build business relationships.
25-May-2329-May-23National Press Club luncheon ticketDCEO Trade and Investment (Canberra)Qantas $100The lunch was used as an informal networking opportunity to help build business relationships while Austrade Minister addressed the National Press Club. 
5-Jun-2314-Jun-23Working lunch in Kanapi ResturantSenior Business Development Manager (Taipei)Kanpai Group $200The lunch was used as an informal networking opportunity to help build business relationships.

Previous quarters

1 January to 31 March 2023

Date ReceivedDate RecordedGift Received by Presented by Estimated value in $A  Occasion
29/3/202329/3/2023AlOkozay corporate gift for the month of RamadanTrade and Investment Commissioner (Dubai)Al Okozay$ 150.00Corporate Ramadan gift.  Common for businesses to provide small gifts to business associates and clients to recognise the year just past.  Gift shared across office staff.
25/3/202329/3/2022One ticket to Osaka sumo tournamentSenior Trade and Investment Commissioner (Osaka)Kami Electronics$ 225.00Decision not to refuse reflecting on cultural sensitivity.  Used as an opportunity to build business networks and informally strengthen relationships. 
24/3/202329/3/2023Life Pharmacy: corporate gift for the month of RamadanTrade and Investment Commissioner (Dubai)Life Pharmacy$ 200.00Austrade works closely with Life Pharmacy to promote Australian products in the healthcare sector. Life Pharmacy sent a corporate gift for the month of Ramadan. Products shared across staff in the Office.
10/03/202315/3/2023Bottle of Glenfiddich Vat 01 Whiskey Trade and Investment manager (Sydney)Sojitz $ 210.00Unable to refuse as due to cultural concerns.  Bottles donated to Austrade Social Club.
03/03/202327/2/2023UN Women Australia's International Women's Day LunchHead of Business, Engagement, and Program Management (Canberra)Ora Advisory$ 190.00The International Women's Day lunch provided an opportunity to create networks and informally build relationships, with interesting and relevant speakers.
03/03/202301/03/2023UN Women Australia's International Women's Day LunchDirector of Communications and Media (Canberra)Ora Advisory$ 190.00The International Women's Day lunch provided an opportunity to create networks and informally build relationships, with interesting and relevant speakers.
13/2/202327/3/2023MyPuras Diffuser Travel Kit (2 sets)Senior trade and Investment Commissioner (Kuala Lumpur)My Puras Sdn Bhd$ 226.21At an introductory meeting the gifts of essential oils and a sample of product was presented as product examples.  
07/02/202307/02/2023Six boxes of cookies from DoubleTree by Hilton Trade and Investment Commissioner DubaiDouble Tree by hilton Hotel$ 164.00Gift sent by client in recognition of working relationship with Austrade. Cookies were distributed across staff in the office.
02/02/202308/02/2023Global Space Technology Convention - Complimentary Ticket Defence and Security Director (Singapore)Singapore Space Technology Limited $ 1600.00Austrade staff to attend with a view to build and expand knowledge of this sector, and build business relationships and create networks in this evolving subject area.
02/02/202309/02/2023Global Space Technology Convention - Complimentary Ticket SA Regional Director (Singapore)Singapore Space Technology Limited$ 1600.00Austrade staff to attend with a view to build and expand knowledge of this sector, and build business relationships and create networks in this evolving subject area.
19/1/202319/1/202310 boxes of rendang/beef Senior Investment Manager (Jakarta)BUMA$ 150.00Gift of food sent directly and refusal would of caused offence. Shared across Office staff.
12/01/202312/01/2023A bottle of wineSenior trade and Investment Commissioner (Shanghai)Monteperle Wines$ 300.00This bottle of wine is from an Australian winery promoting  gift wine packaging to their Chinese customers.  Gift was sent directly as a product example.
11/01/202313/1/2023Gift Hamper Senior Global Engagement Manager (Melbourne)Midfield Group$ 136.50Gift sent by client in recognition of its working relationship with Austrade. No opportunity to refuse gift. Hamper shared via the Social Club. 
10/01/202310/01/2023Penfolds Gift WineSenior Trade and Investment Commissioner (Taipei)Penfolds Taiwan Office$ 140.00Unable to refuse as refusal would have caused offence. Bottles retained for use at an official function.
05/01/202312/01/20232 bottles of Red WineSenior Trade and Investment Commissioner (Taipei)St. Finesse Inc.$ 148.00This gift will be retained for use at an appropriate function.

 

1 October to 31 December 2022

Date ReceivedDate RecordedGiftReceived byPresented by Estimated value in $A Occasion
19/12/202219/12/2022Christmas Hamper- AlokozayGeneral Manager Middle East (Dubai)AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE GENERAL$ 350.00It is the end of the year and companies in the Middle East usually distributed corporate gifts and hampers to consulates and companies.
It is a cultural thing and it is inappropriate to reject the gift
8/11/20228/11/2022Food & Drink Business LIVESenior AdvisorFood and Drink Magazine$ 185.00I was invited by the editor of Food & Drink Magazine to attend their live conference this week 10th of November in Melbourne. I have pitched a few stories to her in the past and she said this would be a good
opportunity to meet in person.
23/11/202229/11/2022Bramble & HedgeGlobal Engagement Manager (Melbourne)Bramble & Hedge$ 144.00Products can be used for Austrade Christmas Hampers or for Social Club
31/10/202220/11/2022EventsAir User ConferenceDirector Group Engagement & EventsEventsAir$ 1,785.00We are paying for 2 registrations and they have offered three free. Attendance at the conference will enable events team to learn about what is upcoming from EventsAir; be part of discussions and meet other users. This will allow all team members to attend.
26/11/202228/11/2022ScarvesSenior Trade and Investment Commissioner (Mumbai)Central Queensland University$ 160.00The giver provided all guests with a gift in a gift bag. Refusing would have been embarrassing to the client at the time of presenting it.
1/12/20223/12/2022Make in OdishaTrade Commissioner KolkataOdisha government$ 280.00Presented to audience at Make in Odisha Conclave at request of DFAT.
Opportunity to promote ECTA
9/12/202214/12/2022Christmas Drinks with Landlord (including spouse)Trade Commissioner AgribusinessTrinity Corporation$ 200.00development of relationships with other tenants of the landlord (including
India Maersk, Skoda and Lego representatives) and other Mumbai contacts.
13/12/202215/12/2022Christmas HamperSenior Business Development ManagerMA Financial$ 100.00Christmas Hamper from MA Financial couriered to office.

1 July to 30 September 2022

Date ReceivedDate RecordedGiftReceived byPresented by Estimated value in $A Occasion
9/09/20222/09/2022Breakfast at Hyatt for CEDA networkingManager Corporate ServicesCommonwealth Bank of Australia$ 159.00Breakfast at the Hyatt for CEDA, hosted by CBA.
31/08/20221/09/2022Senior Global Engagement ManagerGlobal Engagement Manager (Melbourne)Dairy Australia$ 310.00Asked to be on the Dairy Australia table at the Australia Japan Society Spring Gala Table along with several Japanese dairy companies based in
Melbourne, including one of my clients.
17/08/202225/08/2022EY Canberra Senior Public Servants dinnerChief Executive Officer of AustradeEY$ 130.00Dinner organised by EY for public servants
15/08/202217/08/2022Cashew Nuts (10 Kilos)Trade Commisioner (Dubai)Life Pharmacy$ 250.00Chairman of the Pharmacy group is having a family marriage and issued
invitations + gift to Trade Commissioner Dubai.
15/08/202217/08/20223 x bottles of french wineSenior Trade Commissioner (Taipei)Mingmen industrial$ 400.00Received in gift bag as a courtesy at the conclusion of a working dinner to
discuss investment in Australia.
16/08/202216/08/2022Dinner with STIC and Senior Investment DirectoSenior Trade Commissioner (Taipei)Mingmen Industrial Company$ 300.00Routine Australian investor aftercare dinner hosted by the investor. Value is for two Austrade attendees.
19/07/202219/07/2022Working LunchInvestment DirectorChina Sichuan International Investment Limited (CSII)$ 154.00Invited to a working lunch with Acting STIC, to discuss CSII's investment
intention and the key areas they are focusing on; as well as their existing projects in Australia.
16/07/202219/07/2022Australian food and wine dinnerSenior Global Engagement ManagerKCW and Associates$ 200.00Invited to attend a networking dinner promoting and showcasing premium Australian food and wine to senior business leaders in HK. Opportunity to build business relationships and support the promotion of
premium Australian food and wine in HK.
24/06/20221/07/2022Remedy Kombucha - 50 bottles - SampleTrade and Investment Commissioner (Shanghai)Roolife Group$ 150.0050 bottles of Remedy Kombucha drink were sent to the Shanghai office by the brand’s distributor, Roolife Group. Drinks were politely declined but were sent anyways. The drinks were retained for official use and
donated to the Austrade office.

More information

Email: corporatesupport@austrade.gov.au.