Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 23 November 1998:

Did the Minister, his or her predecessor or his or her Department appoint a (a) former member of the Commonwealth Parliament or (b) member of the secretariats of the national offices of the Liberal Party of Australia, National Party of Australia, Australian Labor Party, Australian Democrats or Australian Greens as a (i) statutory appointment,(ii) consultant or (iii) other appointment to government boards or posts between 30 April 1996 and 31 August 1998; if so, in each case, (A) what was the person's name and the position to which he or she was appointed, (B) to which political party was he or she affiliated, (C) what remuneration was involved, (D) was the appointment (I) full-time, (II) part-time or (III) casual (E) what fees were applicable and (F) with respect to (I) travel allowance, (II) vehicles, (III) telephones and (IV) attendance fees, (aa) what entitlements were claimable, (ab) how often were entitlements claimed and (ac) what sum was paid under each entitlement.

Mr Vaile (Trade) —The Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

The following appointments were made during the period 30 April 1996 and 31_August 1998:

(A) Mr Bruce Lloyd was appointed a member, Natural Heritage Trust Advisory Committee, on 20/11/97, under the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997.

(B) National Party of Australia (former Member for Murray, 1971-96)

(C) Sitting fees of $247.00 per day plus travel costs and travel allowance, are paid in accordance with the Remuneration Tribunal determination.

(D) Part-time.

(E) see (C)

(F) (I)—(IV) and (aa)—(ac):

(A) Mr Christopher Puplick was announced as Chair of the National Task Force on Whaling on 30 September 1996.

(B) Liberal Party of Australia (former Senator for New South Wales, 1985-90)

(C) Sitting fees of $285.00 per day plus travel costs and travel allowance are paid in accordance with the Remuneration Tribunal determination.

(D) Part-time

(E) see (C)

(F) (I)—(IV) (aa)—(ac):

Other payments

In his capacity as Chair of the National Task Force on Whaling, Mr Puplick was invited by the Government to be a member of the Australian delegation to annual meetings of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

IWC49 held in Monaco, in October 1997

TRAVEL ALLOWANCE: $151.72 per day (SES rate for France) for 9 days.

IWC50 held in Oman, in May 1998

TRAVEL ALLOWANCE: $156.25 per day (SES rate for Oman) for 7 days.

(A) Mr David Connolly was appointed as Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Oceans Policy in August 1997.

(B) Liberal Party of Australia (former member for Braddon)

(C) Sitting fees of $285.00 per day plus travel costs paid in accordance with the Remuneration Tribunal determination.

(D) Part-time

(E) See (C)

(F) (I)—(IV) (aa)—(ac):

Other payments

Mr Connolly was paid out of session fees for approved work out of session:

12/9/97—$300.00; 13/11/97—$480.00; 3/12/97—$1020.00; 1/1/98—$300.00; $6,10,28—29/2/98

and 23/2/98—$720.00.