(1)   Can details be provided, as of 24 November 2008, of the total number of all staff in:

(a)   the Minister’s office whose job description involves: (i) media relations, (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy; and

(b)   the department whose job description involves: (i) media relations,          (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy.

(2)   Can details be provided of the aggregate salary and superannuation costs during the 2008 calendar year for all staff in:

(a)   the Minister’s office whose job description involves: (i) media relations, (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy; and

(b)   the department whose job description involves: (i) media relations, (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy.

(3)   Can details be provided of the aggregate travel costs during the 2008 calendar year for all staff in:

(a)   the Minister’s office whose job description involves: (i) media relations, (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy; and

(b)   the department whose job description involves: (i) media relations, (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy.

(4)   Can details be provided of the aggregate mobile phone costs during the 2008 calendar year for all staff in:

(a)   the Minister’s office whose job description involves: (i) media relations, (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy; and

(b)   the department whose job description involves: (i) media relations, (ii) media advice, (iii) public relations, (iv) public affairs, (v) communications, and (vi) communications strategy.

(5)   Can a breakdown be provided of every review, inquiry and committee which is being conducted in the department that has been announced since 1 December 2007.

(6) (a)   How many of the department’s reviews, inquiries and committees are in progress or incomplete as of 24 November 2008; and (b) what are their reporting dates.

(7)   In regard to each of the department’s review, inquiry and committee (completed and incomplete as of 24 November 2008) that has or is being conducted during the 2008 calendar year: (a) what is the number of departmental staff allocated to each; (b) what is the aggregate number of departmental staff allocated to all; (c) were external consultants engaged to assist in any; if so, which consultants and how much has each consultancy cost (please itemise for each); and (d) what have been the travel costs associated with those staff involved in each (please itemise for each).

(8)   For the 2008 calendar year, what is the total cost of each departmental review, inquiry and committee, including staff costs, consultancy costs, travel and any other associated expenditure (please itemise for each).

(1) (a)   (i) to (vi) One. (b) (i) to (vi) Two.1

(2) (a)   (i) to (vi) Note: This part of the response has been amended for clarification. The response previously tabled did not make clear that the figures provided included salary, superannuation and allowances. In addition, there are different possibilities in relation to superannuation for Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 employees which the previous response did not describe.

Salary range only is provided so as not identify the personal information individual employees:

   Depending on their individual circumstances, employees may be eligible to be a member of the CSS, PSS or PSSap. Alternatively, employees under the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Collective Agreement 2006-2009 may have an employer superannuation contribution of 15.4 percent paid to an eligible superannuation fund of their choice, while employees above the level of Adviser may have an employer superannuation contribution of nine percent paid to an eligible superannuation fund of their choice. Individual details are not supplied due to privacy reasons.

   (b) (i) to (vi) $231,892.2

   (3)   (a) (i) to (vi) $29,774. (b) (i) to (vi) $1,810.

   (4)   (a) (i) to (vi) $8,391. (b) (i) to (vi) $731.

   (5)   to (8) See table below. Note: for reviews that have not been completed costs have been calculated as at 24 November 2008.

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2Figure represents the combined salaries and superannuation of the two staff members