Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 25 November 1996:

With reference to the visit to Canberra by the President of the United States of America (Mr Clinton):

(1) Were private hire cars used in the presidential cavalcade in preference to Comcars.

(2) If private cars were used: (a) were the drivers of the cars adequately trained, and by whom; (b) what was the cost of such training and who paid it; (c) what was the overall cost of hire and incidentals; (d) were no Comcar vehicles or personnel available; (e) if a Comcar alternative was available, it being the case that such personnel are already trained for such duties, why was it not used; (f) which hire car companies were used; and (g) from which cities did the cars originate.

Senator Hill —The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The motorcades in Canberra and Sydney consisted of some vehicles provided by the United States Government, some vehicles provided by Comcar, and the remainder were vehicles hired from commercial hire car operators by the United States Government. There are no Comcar vehicles in Cairns/Port Douglas.

(2)(a), (b), (c), (f), and (g) The use of hire cars was a commercial transaction between the United States Government and the hire car company(ies). I am therefore unable to answer these questions.

(d) Comcar vehicles and personnel were available and were used in Canberra and Sydney.

(e) For an official visit by any Head of State, the Australian Government provides four vehicles for the use of the party. On the occasion of the visit by President Clinton, four Comcar vehicles, or Comcar arranged contractor vehicles, were provided in accordance with the normal guidelines.