Senator O'Brien asked the Minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 13 April 1999:

(1) How many employees of stevedoring companies have taken redundancy packages, or plan to take a redundancy package since the answer to Senate question on notice no. 311 was provided.

(2) Where were the employees located.

(3) How many of the above companies received assistance, or have applied for assistance, to meet the cost of redundancy packages through the Maritime Industry Finance Company Limited (MIFCo).

(4) What is the value of assistance provided by, or sought from MIFCo, to each of the above companies.

(5) Have any of the employees who have taken redundancy packages been re-employed by a contractor engaged by their former employer, or re-employed by their former employer; if so: (a) how many employees have been re-engaged; (b) when were they paid out; (c) when were they re-engaged; (d) which company did they work for; and (e) what is the name of their new employer.

Senator Ian Macdonald (Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) —The Minister for Transport and Regional Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) I have been advised by MIFCo that since 14 December 1998, a further 72 employees of stevedoring companies have taken redundancy packages.

The exact number of employees who plan to take a redundancy package is yet to be determined although the Department estimates there will be several hundred further redundancies to be funded under the scheme, in addition to the 838 already funded. More detailed information about the total number of employees planning to take redundancy packages may be indicated in submissions from companies seeking assistance in meeting redundancy related costs. These submissions are provided to the Government in confidence. The information can be made publicly available when MIFCO has made a determination as to the amount of redundancy related payments that should be offered and made.

(2) Employees who have taken redundancy packages since 14 December 1998, as well as between 8 April 1998 and 14 December 1998 have been located as follows:

(3) Six companies have received assistance from MIFCO as at 30 April 1999:

* Patrick Stevedores No 1 Pty Limited (PS1)(subject to Deed of Company Arrangement);

* Patrick Stevedores No 2 Pty Limited (PS2) (subject to Deed of Company Arrangement);

* Patrick Stevedores No 3 Pty Limited (PS3) (subject to Deed of Company Arrangement);

*National Stevedores Tasmania Pty Limited (NSTAS) (subject to Deed of Company Arrangement);

* Patrick Stevedores Holdings Pty Limited (PSH); and

* Northern Shipping and Stevedoring Pty Limited (NSS).

The Government has received requests for assistance from a further 12 companies.

(4) MIFCo has advised me that as at 30 April 1999, it that it has provided the following assistance:

These are net amounts including interest earned by the recipient and deducting amounts repaid to MIFCO by the recipient. As the companies have not finalised their redundancies, these amounts may change.

Information about assistance sought from MIFCO is contained in submissions which are provided to the Government in confidence. The information can be made publicly available when MIFCO has made a determination as to the amount of redundancy related payments that should be offered and made.

(5) MIFCo has advised me that it has not received any information concerning redundant employees who may have been re-employed by a contractor engaged by their former employer. I am also advised that to the best of MIFCo's knowledge none of the employees that have been made redundant have been re-employed in any capacity by their former employer.