Senator Short asked the Minister for Local Government, upon notice, on 6 April 1989:

(1) How many participants are expected to attend the National Workshop for those involved in local government to discuss how councils can better meet the special needs of migrants living within their communities.

(2) Will any of the participants be from the trade unions; if so, what organisations will be represented.

(3) Will any participants be from private enterprise organisations; if so, what organisations will be represented.

(4) What will be the costs involved for participants.

(5) Will the Federal Government be sponsoring any of the participants; if so, in each case what is the cost involved and the contribution by the participant.

(6) What will be the cost to the Commonwealth for the workshop.

(7) Where will the workshop be held.

Senator Reynolds —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) It is anticipated that the National Workshop on Local Government, Immigration and Ethnic Communities, to be held on the 26 and 27 June 1989, will attract some 125 participants.

(2) The participants will include representatives of the three spheres of government, local government associations, ethnic community associations and trade unions. It is expected that members of the major local government trade unions will participate. Representatives of the Municipal Officers Association (MOA) and Municipal Employees Union (MEU) have been invited to lead sessions.

(3) As the major focus of the workshop is on local government's role in immigration and ethnic affairs, there is no specific intent to include participants from private enterprise organisations.

(4) The cost will be $75 for registration and the workshop dinner.

(5) Yes. It is proposed that a range of people from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds (NESB) who have a significant contribution to make to the National Workshop, will be sponsored through the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA). These people will be identified by OMA, in consultation with the Association of Non-English Speaking Women of Australia (ANESBWA) and the Federation of Ethnic Communities of Australia (FECCA).

The sponsorship includes registration fee ($75), return economy airfare and a per diem equivalent to non SES public servants of $101 to assist with accommodation costs.

The total cost to OMA is estimated to be $8,000, which will, on current airfare structures, enable at least one participant from all capital cities outside Melbourne as well as participants from regional and rural areas.

(6) The workshop budget, including the cost of sponsorship of NESB participants, is an estimated $23,000 which will be met by the Federal Government.

(7) The workshop will be held at the Altona City Council Civic Centre, in Victoria.