Senator Faulkner asked the Minister representing the Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business, upon notice, on 4 September 1997:

(1) What contracts for public relations services has the department, or its agencies, signed since 3 March 1996.

(2) What was the value of each contract.

(3) Did the value of any contract vary from the original cost; if so, what was the reason for the price variation.

(4) How many of the contracts in (1) were awarded following an open tender process.

(5) Where there was no tender process, what assessment criteria were followed in selecting the contractor and why was the normal practice of calling tenders not followed.

(6) Did the department seek guidance from the Office of Government Information and Advertising before signing the above contracts; if not, why not.

(7) How many journalists were employed by the department as at 3 March 1996.

(8) How many journalists are currently employed by the department.

Senator Alston —The Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Contracts were entered into by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business and the Office of the Employment Advocate.

Advertising was undertaken by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business to notify the commencement of the new workplace relations legislation. Grey advertising was used to design the copy and layout of the advertisement. Neville-Jeffress (now TMP Worldwide) was used to book and place the one-off advertising, under the Government's Central Advertising System contract.

Advertising was undertaken by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business to promote the handover of the new industrial relations arrangements for Victoria. Neville-Jeffress (now TMP Worldwide) was used to book and place the one-off advertising, under the Government's Central Advertising System contract.

Advertising was undertaken by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business to promote the Victorian "Workplace Relations Weeks". Neville-Jeffress (now TMP Worldwide) was used to book and place the advertisements, under the Government's Central Advertising System contract.

The Office of the Employment Advocate entered into contracts relating to the following public relations services:

Corporate Identity

Communication Partners were engaged during 1996-97 to undertake corporate identity work on behalf of the Office of the Employment Advocate.

This involved the design of the Office of the Employment Advocate and Employment Advocate logos, stationery items, signage and press advertise ments. The consultancy also involved the provision of finished artwork for each of these items and printing of stationery and business cards.

Newspaper advertising

In March 1997, an advertising campaign was undertaken to promote the availability of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) as a new option under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. The campaign involved advertisements in national, state, metropolitan, rural and ethnic newspapers.

Ad hoc advertising

The Office of the Employment Advocate (OEA) has also placed ad hoc advertisements in a number of journals, magazines and newspapers promoting the roles and responsibilities of the OEA.

(2) The total cost incurred by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business for placement and design of advertising to notify the commencement of the new workplace relations legislation was $50,439.44.

The total cost incurred by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business for placement and design of advertising to promote the new industrial relations arrangements for Victoria was $4,329.12.

The total cost incurred by the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business for placement and design of advertising to promote the Victorian "Workplace Relations Weeks" was $2,552.98.

The total cost incurred by the Office of the Employment Advocate for the corporate identity work undertaken by Communication Partners was $21,801.00.

The total cost of newspaper advertising campaign regarding AWAs paid by the Office of the Employment Advocate was $180,756.13.

The total cost of ad hoc advertising incurred by the Office of the Employment Advocate to date is $6,915.30

(3) There were no significant price variations.

(4) None of the Department's contracts was awarded through an open tender process because the Department used the Government's Central Advertising System, TMP Worldwide.

The contract for corporate identity work for the Office of the Employment Advocate was awarded through an open tender process.

(5) All advertising was booked through the Government's Central Advertising System, TMP Worldwide.

(6) The Office of Government Information and advertising was advised of the proposed advertising. As the advertising was classified as non-campaign it was booked through the Government's Central Advertising System, TMP Worldwide, recommended by the Office of Government Information and Advertising.

(7) As at 3 March 1996 the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business employed seven Public Affairs officers.

(8) As at 19 September 1997 the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business employed seven public affairs officers.