Senator O'Brien asked the Minister representing the Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business, upon notice, on 30 March 1998:

(1) (a) Prior to 6 December 1997 what discussions did the Minister have with representatives of the National Farmers Federation regarding the creation of a new stevedoring operation or stevedoring workforce for the Australian waterfront; (b) when and where did these discussions occur; (c) who was present; and (d) what was the content of the discussions.

(2) (a) Was the Minister present at a meeting in Melbourne on 18 September 1997 at which the contents of the ACIL report on waterfront reform was discussed; (b) who else was present at the meeting; (c) were members of the National Farmers Federation present; and (d) were copies of the report given to any persons other than the Government representatives.

(3) Has the Minister discussed the contents of the ACIL report, or any other waterfront consultancy reports commissioned by the Government, with any persons other than Government ministers, officials or the consultants themselves; if so, with whom, when and where.

(4) (a) How much money has been paid by the Government to each of the following consultants on waterfront reform listed at (4)(c); (b) what was the nature of the work performed by each consultant; and (c) are there any other consultancies relating to the Government's waterfront reform strategy that do not appear in the following list: David Trebeck of ACIL, Paul Houlihan, Stephen Webster, John Davies, BGC Media, Mark Textor of Australian Research Strategies, Jonathon Gaul of Canberra Liaison, Minter Ellison, Corrs Chambers Westgarth and National Institute of Labor Studies.

(5) (a) In what capacity is Dr Stephen Webster employed in the Minister's office; (b) is he on a fixed-term contract; and (c) what level of remuneration is he being paid.

(6) Is Dr John Davies employed in the Minister's office; if so: (a) in what capacity; (b) when did he commence; (c) is he on a fixed-term contract; and (d) what level of remuneration is he being paid.

(7) (a) Which waterfront reform consultancies commissioned by the Government have produced written reports; (b) what is the approximate length of each of the reports; (c) what is the subject matter of each of the reports; and (d) when were they delivered to the government.

(8) What connection exists between the Government's waterfront reform consultancies and the Fynwest Pty Ltd attempt to train waterfront workers in Dubai; (b) what connection exists between Government's waterfront reform consultancies and the P&C stevedoring operation being established at Webb Dock; (c) if there is no connection, what alternative proposals does the Government have for improving waterfront productivity; and (d) when will the Government begin implementing these proposals.

(9) (a) What discussions has the Minister had with Chris Corrigan, Peter Scanlon or any representatives of Patrick Stevedoring regarding waterfront reform; (b) when and where did these discussions occur; (c) what was discussed; and (d) was the possibility of sacking the entire Patrick Stevedoring workforce discussed.

(10) With reference to a minute from Darren Gillespie from the department, dated 10 March 1997, and headed `Meetings with Stevedoring Employers': (a) was action taken on the recommendation at the end of the minute that a further meeting involving the Prime Minister take place in April 1997; (b) did such a meeting occur; if so, when and where; (c) who was present; and (d) what was discussed.

(11) (a) Is the Minister aware of the affidavits signed by Lucas Rene and Richard Scougall on 25 February and 24 February 1998, respectively, detailing accusations of fraudulently conducted crane licence tests by PC Training Services Pty Ltd; (b) have any inquiries into these allegations been made; if so, what inquiries and with what outcome; and (c) has any action been taken in this matter, or is there any proposed action.

(12) (a) Has the Minister had any discussions, either in person or by telephone, with either Michael Wells or Peter Kilfoyle; if so, when, by what means, and where; and (b) what was discussed.

(13) Has there been any examination of alleged management inefficiencies and deficiencies in Patrick Stevedoring's operations; if so, what has been the outcome from such inquiries.

(14) (a) Since 8 January 1998 has Mr Peter Wilson, or any other member of the Minister's personal staff, contacted any stevedoring or other companies to urge them to publicly or industrially attack the Maritime Union of Australia; if so, who did they call, when, and what did he ask the companies to do.

Senator Alston (Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts) —On 28 May 1998, on behalf of the Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business, I tabled an answer to this question.