(1) How many agencies within the Minister's portfolio are administered by a board.

(2) Are all members of the above boards appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Executive Council; if not, who is responsible for making board appointments.

(3) In each case, does the Remuneration Tribunal have a role in the setting of fees, allowances and other benefits for members of the boards; if not: (a) under which section of the relevant legislation are such fees, allowances and benefits authorised; and (b) how is the value of these fees, allowances and other benefits determined.

(4) In each case, what is the nature and value of fees paid to board members.

(5) What other benefits, such as mobile phones, home computers and home phone/facsimile machines, are provided to board members by virtue of their membership of a government board.

(6) What class of air travel, what standard of accommodation and what car allowances are paid to board members and, in each case, what is the value of these benefits and who determines that value.

(7) Are board members entitled to, or do they receive, any spouse benefits; if so, what is the nature and value of these benefits.

(8) (a) On how many occasions since January 1998 have the above fees, allowances and other benefits been varied, (b) what was the reason for each variation; and (c) what was the quantum of each variation.

(9) If variations to fees, allowances and other payments to board members were not determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, who determined the quantum and timing of each increase.

(10) Do board members qualify for, and are they paid, superannuation benefits; if so, are such payments additional to, and separate from, other allowances they receive.

(11) Do board members receive any additional allowances if they are appointed to board sub-committees; if so, are such additional benefits provided for in the relevant legislation.

(1) 3

AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE COMMISSION

(2) No. The Chair and up to 6 Commissioners are appointed by the Governor General. The Commission itself can appoint up to 2 co-opted Commissioners for a period not exceeding 12 months.

(3) Yes. The Remuneration Tribunal sets the fees, allowances and other benefits for the Chairman and Commissioners. Full-time Commonwealth employees, holding or performing duties of a public office on a part-time basis, are not entitled to be paid any remuneration in accordance with sub-section 7(11) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973).

(4) Remuneration:

(5) The Chairman is provided with a mobile phone; and the Chair and Commissioners are provided with cabcharge cards for Australian Heritage Commission business. No other benefits are provided.

(6) Business class travel. The Chairman and Commissioners pay for their own accommodation and meals etc. from their travel allowance which is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. No car allowance is paid.

(7) No.

(8) (a) One. (b) Remuneration Tribunal determination 1999/03 effective from 1 March 1999. (c) Annual remuneration was increased by:

(9) Not applicable.

(10) To meet the requirements of the Superannuation (Productivity Benefits) Act 1988, where applicable the Commission contributes the prescribed percentage of the Chair's and Commissioners' fees into AGEST or an approved fund.

(11) Not applicable.

GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHORITY (GBRMPA)

(2) Yes.

(3) Yes. The Remuneration Tribunal sets the fees, allowances and other benefits for members of the Board of the GBRMPA. Full-time Commonwealth employees, holding or performing duties of a public office on a part-time basis, are not entitled to be paid any remuneration in accordance with sub-section 7(11) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

(4) The Chair of the Board of GBRMPA is a full time member; this position is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and is remunerated at SES Band III level. Part time members of GBRMPA are entitled to be paid an annual sitting fee of $12,600.

(5) There are no other benefits provided to members of the Board of GBRMPA.

(6) Members of the Board of GBRMPA travel by air on business class; accommodation and travel allowance are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.

(7) No.

(8) (a) One. (b) Remuneration Tribunal determination 1999/03 effective from 1 March 1999. (c) Annual remuneration was increased by $470 pa.

(9) Not applicable.

(10) The current part-time members of GBRMPA do not receive superannuation benefits. To meet the requirements of the Superannuation (Productivity Benefits) Act 1988, where applicable GBRMPA would contribute the prescribed percentage of the Chair's and members' fee into an approved fund.

(11) One part-time member of GBRMPA is a member of GBRMPA's Audit Committee. Fees and allowances are set by the Remuneration Tribunal.

NATIONAL OCEANS OFFICE

(2) No. The National Oceans Office is administered by the National Oceans Ministerial Board. The Government decided that the Board would comprise of Commonwealth Ministers responsible for the environment (Chair), fisheries, resources, shipping, tourism and science, with other relevant Ministers co-opted as required.

(3) No. The National Oceans Ministerial Board members do not receive any allowances or other benefits. Participation on the National Oceans Ministerial Board is undertaken by individual Ministers as part of their Ministerial responsibilities.

(4) Not applicable.

(5) Not applicable. All meetings to date have been held in Canberra.

(6) Not Applicable

(7) Not applicable.

(8) (a)-(c) Not applicable.

(9) Not applicable.

(10) Not applicable.

(11) Not applicable.