Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister for Communications and the Arts, upon notice,

on 4 September 1997:

(1) Has the department negotiated or indicated a willingness to negotiate salary packaging for its employees.

(2) Has the department informed any staff of its intention to offer salary packaging schemes to its employees.

(3) Can a copy be provided of the communication in (2), as well as information regarding: (a) when it took place; and (b) what developments have occurred regarding implementation of salary packaging.

(4) Can details be provided of any salary packaging arrangements which have been made available to employees of the department.

(5) Can details be provided of the number of salary packaging arrangements which have been entered into by employees.

(6) (a) Are salary packaging arrangements being offered to all employees or only selected employees; (b) if selected employees, what class of employee is being offered salary packaging; and (c) what are the salary ranges applicable to these employees.

(7) What percentage of an employee's total salary is allowed to be taken as non-salary benefits.

(8) Please list the options or items that are allowed to be salary packaged under any department arrangement.

(9) Do any of the arrangements offered benefit from an employer exemption from fringe benefits tax.

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

(1) The department has indicated to employees that some salary packaging may be considered and discussed as part of the department's draft agreement and within the Government's Policy Parameters.

(2) No.

(3)—(9) Not Applicable.