Motion (by Senator Campbell) agreed to:

(1)   That estimates hearings in 1997 be scheduled as follows:

   1996-97 additional estimates:

   Wednesday, 26 February to Friday, 28 February (initial hearings)

   Wednesday, 7 May to Friday, 9 May (supplementary hearings)

   1997-98 budget estimates:

   Monday, 2 June to Friday, 6 June (initial hearings)

   Tuesday, 10 June to Friday, 13 June, and, if required, 16 June (initial hearings)

   Monday, 18 August to Friday, 22 August (supplementary hearings)

   1997-98 additional estimates:

   Monday, 10 November to Friday, 14 November (initial hearings).

(2)   That legislation committees consider proposed expenditure and expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance in accordance with the allocation of departments to committees agreed to on 1 May 1996.

(3)   That the committees report to the Senate on or before the following dates:

      6 March 1997 in respect of the 1996-97 additional estimates

      19 June 1997 in respect of the 1997-98 budget estimates

      20 November 1997 in respect of the 1997-98 additional estimates.

(4)   That, subject to the sittings of the Senate, legislation committees meet to hear evidence in accordance with the following schedule:

   (a)   Community Affairs

      Employment, Education and Training

      Economics

      Finance and Public Administration

      1996-97 additional estimates:

      Wednesday, 26 February and, if required, Friday, 28 February (initial hearings)

      Wednesday, 7 May and, if required, Friday, 9 May (supplementary hearings)

      1997-98 budget estimates:

      Monday, 2 June to Thursday, 5 June and, if required, Friday, 6 June (initial hearings)

      Monday, 18 August, Tuesday, 19 August, and, if required, Friday, 22 August (supplementary hearings); and

   (b)   Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts

      Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

      Legal and Constitutional

      Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport

      1996-97 additional estimates:

      Thursday, 27 February and, if required, Friday, 28 February (initial hearings)

      Thursday, 8 May and, if required, Friday, 9 May (supplementary hearings)

      1997-98 budget estimates:

      Tuesday, 10 June to Friday, 13 June, and, if required, Monday, 16 June till 2 pm (initial hearings)

      Wednesday, 20 August, Thursday, 21 August, and, if required, Friday, 22 August (supplementary hearings).