Ms Roxon asked the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 1 March 2004:

(1) How much did the Minister's department spend during 2002-2003 on outsourced (a) barristers and (b) solicitors (including private firms, the Australian Government Solicitor, and any others.

(2) How much did the Minister's department spend on internal legal services.

(3) What is the Minister's department's projected expenditure on legal services for the 2003-2004 financial year.

Dr Kemp (Minister for the Environment and Heritage) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) (a) and (b) $1,047,707 (this figure represents the total amount paid to the Australian Government Solicitor for general legal services, including the engagement of barristers as required)

(2) $499,232.

(3) $2,015,000 (combined outsourced and internal legal services)