(1) How many departmental liaison officers are employed in, or were seconded to, the Minister's office as at 23 August 1999.

(2) (a) What are the names of the officers; (b) what are their employment classifications; and (c) what duties are they assigned, that is, to which policy areas or agencies are they allocated responsibility.

(3) What was the total cost to the department of these officers.

(1) Two.

(2) (a) Julia Dimitriadis and Mark Laduzko.

(b) Executive Level 2 (Senior Officer Grade B).

(c) Ms Dimitriadis, departmental liaison in aviation matters; Mr Laduzko departmental liaison covering matters portfolio-wide (except aviation).

(3) For the period from 21 October 1998 to 23 August 1999 (being the period from the time the second Howard ministry was sworn in to the time the question was asked), the costs to the Department were $144,567.05.

These costs include salary, superannuation, Departmental Liaison Officer allowance and travel.

For the information of the honourable Senator, the following relates to the DLO in the office of Senator the Hon Ron Boswell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services:

(1) One.

(2) (a) Caroline Linke;

(b) Executive Level 1 (Senior Officer Grade C).

(c) All matters coming within the Parliamentary Secretary's portfolio responsibilities.

(3) For the period from 26 July 1999 to 23 August 1999, the costs to the Department were $6,845.39. These costs include salary, superannuation, Departmental Liaison Officer allowance and travel.