Mr Fitzgibbon asked the Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, upon notice, on 28 May 1998:

(1) What is the unemployment rate in the local government areas of (a) Cessnock, (b) Maitland, (c) Singleton, (d) Muswellbrook, (e) Scone, (f) Murrurundi, (g) Quirindi, (h) Merriwa and (i) Tamworth.

(2) What presence will (a) Employment National, (b) Mission Australia, (c) Drake, (d) the Salvation Army, (e) Northumberland Network and (f) the Samaritans have in the local government areas of (i) Cessnock, (ii) Maitland, (iii) Singleton, (iv) Muswellbrook, (v) Scone, (vi) Murrurundi, (vii) Quirindi, (viii) Merriwa and (ix) Tamworth.

(3) Did the (a) Northumberland Network, (b) Upper Hunter Community Training and (c) Samaritans Foundation fail to secure Flex 1, Flex 2 or Flex 3 contracts; if so, on what basis.

Dr Kemp (Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs;Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1)—

Unemployment Rate Estimates, Local Government Areas, March Quarter 1998

Source: Small Area Labour Markets, Australia

These data are derived from Department of Social Security (DSS) statistics of persons in receipt of unemployment benefits, and Australian Bureau of Statistics population and labour market statistics. The estimation system used produces small area labour market estimates that reflect the regional disparities of the DSS data, while being consistent with the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey estimates. All data are presented in original terms and have not been adjusted to take account of seasonal or other variations. Accordingly, they can be subject to considerable volatility from quarter to quarter and should be used with caution.

(2) (a) Employment National will provide Job Matching and Intensive Assistance services at Cessnock, Maitland, Muswellbrook and Tamworth as well as Job Search Assistance at Tamworth. They are also providing a mobile Outreach service to Quirindi.

(b) Mission Australia will provide Job Matching and Intensive Assistance services at Maitland, Muswellbrook and Singleton and will also cover Scone, Murrurundi, Cessnock and Merriwa within their service areas.

(c) Drake Employment Services will provide Job Matching and Intensive Assistance Services at Maitland and will also cover Cessnock and Singleton within the service area.

(d) The Salvation Army will provide Job Matching, Job Search Assistance and Intensive Assistance at Maitland and Job Matching and Intensive Assistance at Merriwa and will also cover Cessnock within their service areas.

(e) Northumberland Network is not a Job Network Member.

(f) Samaritans is not a Job Network Member.

(3) It is not possible to provide particular details of any tenderer's bid or reasons for selection or non selection of particular tenderers as these details are Commercial in Confidence.