Senator Bolkus asked the Minister for Justice and Customs, upon notice, on 2 July 1999:

(1) Did Coastwatch conduct trials of satellite communications equipment during the 1997-98 financial year.

(2) What was the result of these trials.

(3) Did Coastwatch write an operational specification for this type of equipment; if so: (a) when was the specification completed; and (b) when did Coastwatch first propose purchasing equipment based on this specification.

Senator Vanstone (Justice and Customs) —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) Yes.

(2) The trials demonstrated that satellite-based communications had potential to provide more robust communications capacity.

(3) Based on the outcome of the trials, the Government has agreed to funding of approximately $0.6 per annum to upgrade the communications capability of all Coastwatch aircraft.