Senator McKIERNAN (8:57 PM) —I have only one question, and I preface it by saying that I am disappointed we are not being given the information as to the geographical locations of the MRT offices. To a certain extent I can understand why the decision has not yet been made, because the bill, as it is passed into amending the act, will not come into effect until promulgation, and there is some flexibility on that.

However, let me just stress that, apart from what I said in my second reading contribution about the accessibility by applicants to the tribunal, I also have concerns about the employment aspects of this merger. There are MIRO offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. These of course will be amalgamated with IRT offices to form the MRT. The MRT, as at 30 June 1996, had 35 members, one principal member, five senior members, 12 full-time members and 17 part-time members. There are also 40 administrative staff and eight temporary staff. They are also located at registries across Australia. Apart from the principal location here in Canberra, there are registries situated in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

I would hope that an early decision can be made on the geographical location of the MRT so that individuals whose lives and livelihoods depend upon their continued employment within the tribunal, be it as tribunal members on a full- or part-time basis or as administrative staff, can be advised at the earliest possible opportunity so that they can organise their lives.