(1)   In respect of the operation of Comcar, how many people are employed in administrative functions and what are their classifications and salary ranges.

(2)   How many permanent and casual drivers are based in each State and Territory and where are they based.

(3)   In respect of the trips to Tasmania by the Prime Minister, when did Comcar introduce the policy of taking drivers and cars to Tasmania to meet the needs of the Prime Minister and what is the itemized cost of providing this service on each occasion it has been used.

(4)   For each of the last five years, on what other occasions, other than major events such as the Olympic Games or CHOGM, has Comcar had cause to move drivers and cars from one State or Territory to another to provide transport services.

(5)   How many casual employees are employed directly by Comcar in each State and Territory and how many are employed by labour hire companies.

(6)   In respect of the decision to cease employing some casuals directly, (a) when did Comcar make the decision, (b) what was the basis of the decision, (c) was it done with ministerial approval; if so, (i) when and (ii) by whom, (d) what is the cost of using the labour hire service in each State and Territory since it was introduced, and (e) which labour hire companies are being used.

(7)   What superannuation entitlements are available to Comcar drivers employed (a) full-time, (b) on a casual basis, and (c) by labour hire companies.

(8)   Does Comcar ensure that the Governor-General is always provided with a permanent driver; if not, (a) why not, and (b) when and in which States and Territories has this been the case since the current Governor General was appointed.

(1)   As at 31 May 2005, staff employed in administrative functions (not including drivers or reservations and allocations staff) in COMCAR were:

   The classifications and salary ranges are:

(2)   As at 31 May 2005 the number of permanent and casual drivers based in each State and Territory were as follows:

(3)   COMCAR has not introduced a policy of moving drivers and cars interstate in respect of trips by the Prime Minister. From time to time drivers and vehicles may be relocated by COMCAR to meet client requirements.

(4)   COMCAR has moved drivers and cars interstate on the following occasions and apart from the Royal Visit where a COMCAR vehicle was moved to Adelaide, the vehicles moved were not COMCAR vehicles. 2001 - Nil 2002 - Her Majesty, The Queen’s visit to South Australia 2003 - Prime Minister’s visit to Tasmania in April and again in August 2004 - Prime Minister’s visits to Tasmania in February, June, August, September and October 2005 - Prime Minister’s visit to Tasmania in May

(5)   The number of casual employees currently employed directly by COMCAR and through labour hire companies as at 31 May 2005 are:

(6)   COMCAR has employed casual administrative staff through employment agencies for a number of years. The practice of employing casual drivers through employment agencies was first trialled in early 2003 and has been used since that time, although COMCAR still directly employs casual drivers. The following answers relate only to the employment of casual drivers:

(a)   COMCAR first employed casual drivers through employment agencies in early January 2003;

(b)   the trial of a new and more flexible way of recruiting casual drivers;

(c)   no;

(d)   the cost of using the labour hire service in each State and Territory since it was introduced is:

State	2002-03	2003-04	2004-31 May 2005
ACT	$116,415	$430,098	$382,461
NSW		$ 55,244	$162,174
Vic			$ 72,719
Qld			$ 37,245
SA			$ 17,090
WA			$ 23,507
NT
Total	$116,415	$485,342	$695,196

(e)   Kelly Services and Ready Workforce (an arm of Chandler Macleod)