Senator Townley asked the Minister representing the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 8 November 1979:

(   1 ) Did the Prime Minister give a commitment in early 1979 to ensure that appointments to statutory authorities, trusts, statutory committees and similar bodies would in future include representatives on their boards, councils, etc., from among young Australians under 30 years of age, who now make up 51 per cent of the nation's population; if so, when, and to whom, was that commitment given.

(2)   To what statutory authorities, trusts, statutory committees and similar bodies has the Commonwealth made appointments since December 1977, and what is the purpose of each such organisation.

(3)   What are the names of the persons who have been appointed to the board, council or management committee to supervise the management of each organisation in part (2 ) above.

(4)   When did each appointment take effect, and when did it, or will it, cease, as the case may be.

(5)   Which of the persons mentioned in part (3) above were under 30 years of age at the time of their appointment, and what age was each appointee at the time of appointment.

(6)   What are the specific reasons, in the case of each appointment, for excluding young Australians from representation on organisations and agencies to which appointments have been made since December 1977 and on which young Australians have not been represented.

(7)   Will young Australians who are willing to serve on such boards and committees, etc., be publicly invited and actively encouraged to submit their names and biographies to the Office of Youth Affairs, with a view to involving them positively in the processes of government

(8)   Will proof of age have to be submitted to the Government in future in respect of all appointees to statutory authorities prior to actual appointment; if not, why not.

(9)   To which such bodies will the Government be making appointments from 8 November 1979 until December 1980.

Senator Carrick - The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(   1 ) I am not aware of the Prime Minister making a specific commitment in early 1979 to ensure that appointments to statutory authorities, trusts, statutory committees and similar bodies would in future include representatives on their boards, councils, etc from among young Australians under 30 years of age. The Government has determined, however, that Ministers should seek to ensure that appropriately qualified young people receive consideration for such appointments.

(2)   to (6) I do not see that I would be justified in asking departments to spend the considerable time and resources which would be involved in extracting and drawing together the information which the honourable senator has requested.

(7)   The Office of Youth Affairs is to develop a list of young men and women who might be interested in and be suitable for appointment to such positions. The most effective way to develop such a list is under examination.

(8)   No. The question of exact age is not so critical as to require formal proof as a general rule.

(9)   Again, I do not see the justification for the effort which would be required to answer this question. In any event, it is not possible to predict all vacancies.