With reference to a recent survey conducted by Freehill, Hollingdale and Page which found that 75 per cent of companies periodically record or monitor their employees' e-mail:

(1) Does this not amount to spying on staff.

(2) Is the Government concerned at the report that only a third of the companies told their staff they would be spying on them.

(3) Does the department or any other federal department, record or monitor e-mail used by employees or elected representatives.

(4) (a) How long are the contents of e-mails sent by staff and parliamentarians stored by the department; and (b) when is it totally erased.

(5) Are there differences between the recording or monitoring of staff e-mail compared to the recording or monitoring of Parliamentarians' e-mail.

(6) Does the department, or any other department of the Commonwealth, monitor websites visited or downloaded by employees of federal departments or elected representatives.

(7) What is the Commonwealth Government's position on privacy regarding e-mail correspondence.

(8) It has been argued that opening and reading personal e-mail is equivalent to opening a letter addressed to someone else, does the Government share that view.

(9) What is the department's official policy on staff and Parliamentarians' use of e-mail and has this policy been distributed to all staff and parliamentarians.

(10) What would constitute, according to the department's policy, a misuse of e-mail warranting disciplinary action or termination or suspension of employment.

(11) Given that compliance with the department's policy on e-mail use has serious consequences for staff, has the department ensured that all staff are aware of their specific responsibilities and the penalties for non-compliance.

(1), (2), (7) and (8) I am advised that the Attorney-General has portfolio responsibility for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and it would be appropriate to address these questions to him.

(3), (5) The DOFA system does record e-mails sent and received. DOFA does not monitor e-mail usage but the system logs would allow a limited scope to investigate usage if required. I am advised that the Presiding Officers' have responsibility for the Parliamentarians' e-mail system and it is appropriate to address any questions regarding the use of parliamentary e-mail systems to them. In relation to the Electorate Office computing facilities the department does not monitor the use of this system. In relation to other Federal departments' it would be appropriate to address any questions regarding the use of their e-mail systems to the appropriate Minister.

(a) In regard to the departmental system, the e-mail log is overwritten weekly. The parliamentary system is the responsibility of the Presiding Officers' and it is appropriate to address questions regarding its operation to them. As a normal user of the parliamentary e-mail system DOFA retains a record of the email sent to and received by the Department.

(b) In regard to the departmental system the overwriting erases the data. The parliamentary system is the responsibility of the Presiding Officers' and it is appropriate to address questions regarding its operation to them.

(6), (9) and (11) The DOFA system does not monitor websites visited or downloaded. The department's policy on “Use of Electronic Resources” is on the Departmental Intranet and staff notices have been circulated. The policy instructs that breaches of the policy could, depending of the offence, lead to dismissal, legal action or the matter being referred to the Police. I am advised that the Presiding Officers' have responsibility for Parliamentarians' e-mail system and it is appropriate to address any questions regarding the use of parliamentary systems to them. In relation to other Federal departments' it would be appropriate to address any questions regarding the use of their systems to the appropriate Minister.

(10) According to the DOFA policy it would be inappropriate for staff to store, copy or transmit material that is hateful, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, harassing, offensive or illegal.