Senator Robert Ray asked the Minister for Family and Community Services, upon notice, on 23 June 1999:

(1) What savings were projected over 5 years as a consequence of the department's outsourcing of information technology infrastructure.

(2) What savings have actually been achieved in the years so far.

(3) In each year, what were the projected savings.

(4) Where there is a difference between the projected and the actual savings, what are the reasons for the difference.

Senator Newman (Family and Community Services; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) The Request for Tender process that includes the department's IT infrastructure is currently under way. As such no savings from a decision to outsource these services have been projected or can be reported at this time.

(2) As for Question 1.

(3) As for Question 1.

(4) As for Question 1.