Download Fragment

Thursday, 12 May 2011
Page: 3963

Ministers: Staff, Capital Works and Acquisitions

(Question No. 273)

Mr Briggs asked the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, in writing, on 3 March 2011:

(1)    How many personal staff are employed by the Minister.

(2)    What is the (a) total cost, and (b) breakdown of costs, of all capital works and acquisitions in the Minister's private office since 3 December 2007.

Mr Butler: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The employment of staff under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 is administered by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. On 22 February 2011, the Department tabled with the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee a list of Government Personal Staff Positions as at 1 February 2011.

(2) The cost of capital works and acquisitions for Ministers' offices is shared by the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS), Department of Finance and Deregulation (DoFD) and home departments in line with Appendix 2 of Supporting Ministers, Upholding the Values. The Special Minister of State will accordingly respond on behalf of all ministers in respect of costs incurred by the DPS and DoFD.

The costs incurred by the Department of Health and Ageing are as follows:

(a) Total cost is—$1,427.33

(b) The costs include acquisitions for standalone objects and equipment hired and/or purchased for the office. This may include items such as printers, audio visual equipment, polycoms and safes. The department's financial system does not capture data to differentiate between a specific item or office. The data includes the Minister's private office at Australian Parliament House as well as any Commonwealth Parliamentary Office or Commonwealth Parliamentary Office and Electorate Office combined.

The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing was appointed on 14 September 2010. As such, no data is provided for the period prior to this date.