(1) Can the Minister indicate what funding has been allocated in the 2000-01 financial year and future years for the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner and his office.

(2) What resources have been provided to the Complaints Commissioner (including staff, premises, travel allowance, etc).

(3) (a) Under what terms has the Complaints Commissioner been employed (for example salary, conditions, period of office); and (b) is the Complaints Commissioner a full-time position; if not, what hours of duty are expected each week.

(4) Can details be provided of the role and responsibility of the Complaints Commissioner.

(5) How does the commissioner's role relate to the responsibilities of: (a) the Commonwealth Ombudsman; (b) the Accreditation and Standards Agency; and (c) the department.

(6) When did Mr Rob Knowles formally accept the position of the Complaints Commissioner.

(1) and (2) Resources will include two staff members and office accommodation in Melbourne.

(3) (a) To be determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. The period of office is three years. (b) The position is part-time.

(4) The Commissioners' role and responsibilities are as stated in Item 5 of the Committee Amendment Principles 2000 (No 1) which inserts s.10.34A to the Committee Principles.

(5) The Commissioner will operate within the scope of the amended Committee Principles.

(6) 31 August 2000.