Senator O'Brien asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, upon notice, on 24 February 2003:

With reference to the work done by Acumen Alliance on the introduction of full cost recovery by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR):

(1) (a) How much was Acumen Alliance paid by the Commonwealth to conduct this work; (b) who are the principals of Acumen Alliance; (c) how was Acumen Alliance selected for this work; (d) what other organisations or individuals expressed an interest in performing this work; and (e) can a list be provided of stakeholders consulted by Acumen Alliance as part of the work.

(2) Can a copy be provided of the recommendations made by Acumen Alliance to the OGTR.

(3) Has the Minister received recommendations from the OGTR stemming from the study by Acumen Alliance into the introduction of full cost recovery within the OGTR; if so: (a) on what day did the Minister receive this advice; and (b) when does the Minister expect to finalise her consideration of that advice.

(4) What communications and consultations are planned between the OGTR and stakeholders in implementing the recommendations the OGTR has made to the Minister on the issue of full cost recovery, between the time when all or part of those recommendations are approved by the Minister and 1 July 2003.

(5) To date, how much have the current applications by Monsanto and Bayer for the commercial release of genetically-modified canola cost the OGTR to process.

(6) What is the expected total cost to the OGTR of processing these applications.

(7) To date, what is the quantum of fees and charges which have been levied on each of Monsanto and Bayer by the OGTR in relation to these applications.

(8) What is the expected total of fees and charges that will be levied upon each of Monsanto and Bayer by the OGTR in relation to these applications.

(9) What modelling has been conducted or commissioned by the OGTR on the effect of full cost recovery on the seed price paid by canola growers who may wish in future to purchase seed for genetically-modified canola currently the subject of the applications of Bayer and Monsanto being considered by the OGTR.

(10) Can a summary be provided of the Grains Council of Australia's opposition to the introduction of full cost recovery within the OGTR.

Senator Patterson (Minister for Health and Ageing) —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) (a) $53,296 including GST.

(b) Robert Buker; Robert Kennedy; Paul Smith; David Gray; John Lewis; Nick Sheppard; Nick Kelly; David Murphy; Janine McMinn; and Jane Hayden.

(c) Acumen Alliance was selected from the Department of Health and Ageing Panel of Providers for Accounting, Financial Management, Audit, Risk Management and Ethics Advisory Services. An invitation to submit a submission to provide consultancy services was sent to each member of the Panel of Providers. A tender selection committee was established and the tender submissions evaluated by the committee.

(d) The non-Panel of Provider organisations approached to undertake the consultancy service were: Access Economics; Monash University; and Australian HealthCare Associates. They did not express an interest in performing the consultancy service.

(1e)&(2) The report prepared by Acumen Alliance contains a list of stakeholders consulted by Acumen Alliance.

A copy of the Acumen Alliance report on the options for cost recovery for the operation of the gene technology regulatory system, August 2002, is available from the Senate Table Office.

(3)&(4) The Acumen report, including the recommendations made by Acumen, is currently being considered by the Government in the budget context.

(5)-(8) Separate costing details are not maintained. Until 30 June 2003, the OGTR is fully funded by the Commonwealth and therefore no fees and charges have been levied on Monsanto or Bayer by the OGTR.

(9) No modelling has been conducted or commissioned by the OGTR in respect of this matter.

(10) The Grains Council of Australia should be approached for this information.