With reference to the new unit created within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for the purpose of boosting press coverage of the Australian Government’s policies by foreign media outlets and coordinating Australian diplomatic involvement in global fora and international organisations:

(1) (a)   What is the title of the unit; and (b) when was it created.

(2)   Where is the unit physically located.

(3) (a)   How many staff have been allocated to this unit since its inception; and (b) how many staff are currently working in the unit.

(4) (a)   How many of the staff working in the unit since its inception are: (i) Australian Public Service (APS) staff, and (ii) employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MoPS); and (b) what are the classification levels for each of these staff members.

(5) (a)   What is the annual budget of this unit; and (b) can an itemised list be provided of the budgets for: (i) total remuneration packages, including both salaries and additional non-salary benefits, (ii) travel and travel allowance, (iii) local and overseas transportation, and (iv) entertainment, gifts and miscellaneous items.

(6) (a)   How many overseas trips have been taken by members of this unit during the course of their duties; (b) what was cost to the Commonwealth for these trips; and (c) can an itemised list be provided for each trip, including: (i) dates, (ii) destinations, (iii) purpose, (iv) number of participating staff, (v) APS/MoPS levels of participating staff, (vi) travel and travel allowance costs, (vii) local and overseas transportation, and (viii) entertainment, gifts and miscellaneous items.

(7)   Which unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was previously responsible for the execution of the foreign media relations duties that are now assumed by this new unit.

(8)   Which unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was previously responsible for the execution of the international diplomatic coordination duties that are now assumed by this new unit.

(9)   Has the budget for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade been cut to offset the costs of this new unit; if so, by how much.

(1) (a)   The Global and Regional Architecture Section coordinates advice to the Prime Minister on global and regional architecture issues, including international advocacy and engagement with key decision makers in relevant countries on key foreign policy priorities. It brings together in a new section issues on which the department was already actively engaged, with a strengthened focus on advocacy and engagement. The establishment of the section thus represents an enhanced focus rather than a new function.(b) The section was established on 19 October 2009.

(2)   1 National Circuit, Barton ACT.

(3) (a)   Four staff have been allocated to the unit (that is, selected for current or future work in the unit) since its inception. (b) Two staff are currently working in the unit.

(4) (a)   (i) 2; (ii) n/a; (b) EL2 and APS6.

(5) (a)   The section has been established in the department’s International Division. No additional budget funding has been provided by the Government for this function. (b) The section’s budget is absorbed within the International Division’s budget. Remuneration for staff is as per the department’s collective agreement.

(6) (a)   As at 10 December 2009, no overseas travel has been undertaken by staff of the section. (b) n/a. (c) n/a

(7)   No unit.

(8)   None.

(9)   No.