Ms Burke asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 28 May 2002:

(1) How many Full Time Equivalent staff did the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998, (e) 1999, (f) 2000, (g) 2001 and (h) 2002 in Victoria.

(2) How many ATO office locations were there in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998, (e) 1999, (f) 2000, (g) 2001 and (h) 2002 in Victoria.

(3) How many of the offices listed in part (2) provided or provide face to face assistance to taxpayers in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998, (e) 1999, (f) 2000, (g) 2001 and (h) 2002.

(4) How many GST dedicated staff were employed in the ATO in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

Mr Costello (Treasurer) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Staff numbers by region are published in Annual Reports (p189 of 2001-02 Annual Report).

(2) and (3) ATO addresses are published in annual Reports (p319 2001-2002 Annual Report)

(4) Staff attributed to GST activities across Australia totalled in the following financial years were:

1999-2000 4,835

2000-2001 5,341

2001-2002 4,900