Mr Campbell asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 23 June 1997:

Did the Minister's Department or agencies within the Minister's responsibility provide assistance for persons to attend the Reconciliation Convention in Melbourne in May 1997; if so, what.

Mr Williams —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

I am advised by my Department and agencies within the portfolio of the following details in relation to attendance at the Convention and the associated costs:

Attorney-General's Department

Two staff members attended the Convention.

Costs paid:

Registration fees; Airfares; Travelling Allowance—$1,888.20

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

One staff member attended the Convention.

Costs paid: Registration fee—$350.00

National Native Title Tribunal

The President, seven Members and four staff of the Tribunal attended the Convention. The President and two members were invited as guest speakers and had their registration, airfares and sitting fees paid by the Convention organisers. Where possible, staff utilised Frequent Flyer/Global Rewards points to minimise costs to the Tribunal.

Costs paid: Registration; Airfares; Travel Allowance; Sitting fees—$17,076.20

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

The President, three Commissioners and five staff members attended the Convention as speakers, session leaders and in support roles.

Costs paid: Airfares; Travel Allowance—$8,746.40

The President paid his own registration fee. Registration fees for the rest of the group were waived by the Convention organisers.

A further two staff members attended the Convention as participants.

Costs paid: Registration; Airfares; Travel Allowance—$2,553.75

The Commission paid $916.00 towards the cost of the airfare for the Co-Commissioner, Professor Marcia Langton, to return from the Convention via Canberra for a formal Inquiry-related event at Government House, in recognition of her work on the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families.

Five officers travelled to the Convention venue to assist with the launch of the "Bringing Them Home " Report.

Costs paid: Airfares; Travel Allowance—$5,306.10