Senator Robert Ray asked the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care, upon notice, on 10 March 1999:

What was the total cost during the 1997-98 financial year of the provision of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals to the minister's: (a) Parliament House office; (b) home/state ministerial office; and (c) private home.

Senator Herron (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs) —The Minister for Aged Care has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

During 1997/98 aged care was the responsibility of the Minister for Family Services. There were two Ministers for Family Services during 1997/98, Mrs Judi Moylan and Mr Warwick Smith. Their other responsibilities included family and children's services, youth suicide, carers and disability services.

The total cost of providing newspapers, magazines and other periodicals to the Ministers for Family Services during the 1997/98 financial year as provided by the Department of Health and Aged Care is:

(a) Cost of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals provided to the Parliament House office: $4,646.70

(b) Cost of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals provided to the home/state ministerial office: Nil

(b) Cost of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals provided to private home: Nil.