In a media release, dated 12 July 2000, the Chairman of the New Tax System Advisory Board announced new courses to be run at 70 locations Australia-wide for the small to medium business, community and education sector. The following courses were planned to be held in the Northern Territory: NT B1 Darwin, 9 August 2000; and NT B2 Alice Springs, 10 August 2000:

(1) Were these courses actually held; if so: (a) where were these courses held; (b) who conducted these courses; (c) what was the cost of each course; and (d) how many people attended each course.

(2) How many of the people that attended each of the courses live or work outside of Darwin or Alice Springs.

(3) Did anyone attending the courses obtain any assistance or funding to attend the courses.

(4) Did anyone attending the courses have to pay a fee; if so, what was that fee.

(1) Yes.

(a) The courses were held at the following venues:

NT B1 Darwin 9 August 2000: Rydges Plaza Darwin, 32 Mitchell Street, Darwin; and

NT B2 Alice Springs 10 August 2000: Rydges Plaza Alice Springs, Barrett Drive, Alice Springs

(b) The courses were conducted by TEO Training.

(c) The seminars within the series have not been individually costed.

(d) Registrations for the two courses were as follows:

NT B1 Darwin 9 August 2000: 104; and

NT B2 Alice Springs 10 August 2000: 59.

(2) This cannot be precisely determined as at registration people are asked only for their postal addresses. Many living in rural areas give only their postal addresses in their nearest town. Registration records reveal attendees with postal addresses outside the Darwin area were 33; and outside the Alice Springs area, 2.

(3) No.

(4) No.