4 March 1998

2709   Mr Andren: To ask the Minister representing the Special Minister of State—

(1) Has it been established whether the G reenfields Foundation, which was recently revealed as having made a loan to the federal Liberal Party, is an associated entity within the terms of Part XX of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 .

(2) Do the disclosure provisions of Part XX of the Act include in the definition of gifts requiring disclosure to the Australian Electoral Commission any dispositions made for inadequate consideration.

(3) Has it been established whether loans for inadequate consideration are considered gifts within the terms of the Act.

(4) Is the Minister able to say whether the loan by the Greenfields Foundation to the Liberal Party was on commercial terms and for adequate consideration; if so, how was the information to support this conclusion obtained; if not, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure all gifts and loans for inadequate consideration made to political parties are subjected to the disclosure provisions of the Act.

2710   Mr Mossfield: To ask the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs—

(1) What criteria were used to select the successful tenders which will replace the existing Adult Migrant Education Service (AMES) in New South Wales.

(2) Were new and privately owned tenderers successful in 3 of the 5 regio ns in New South Wales; if so, what (a) assessments were used in awarding tenders and (b) were the failings of the existing AMES.

(3) Will up to 500 teachers within AMES in New South Wales be lost under the new system; if so, how can the loss of their experience and expertise be justified.

2711   Mr Latham: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment—

(1) Which properties were inscribed on (a) the World Heritage List and (b) the World Heritage List in Danger at the 21st session of the World Heritage Committee (Naples, 1-6 December 1997).

(2) How many properties are now inscribed on each list.

(3) Who attended the session on behalf of Australia.

(4) Did the committee review any Australian properties which had already been inscribed on the World Heritage List; if so, with what outcome.

(5) Did the committee consider any Australian properties which have been nominated for the list but not inscribed on it; if so, with what outcome.

(6) What is the timetable for inscribing the Sydney Opera House in its Harbour Setting, which was first nominated at the fifth session of the committee (Sydney, October 1981).

2712   Mr Latham: To ask the Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs—

(1) What was the value of (a) current asset investments, (b) non-current asset investments, (c) equity reserves and (d) investment income for each Australian university in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997.

(2) What type of commercial holdings constitute th e definition of university investments referred to in part (1).

2713   Mr Cobb: To ask the Minister for Health and Family Services—

(1) Will he provide lists of each drug (a) added to and (b) withdrawn from the Ph armaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in each year since 1980.

(2) What criteria are used in adding or withdrawing drugs.

(3) What was the approximate cost or cost saving of adding and withdrawing drugs in each year since 1980.

(4) Approximately how many drugs were listed under the PBS in each year since 1980.

(5) What was the approximate cost of operating the PBS in each year since 1980.

2714   Mr Kerr: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts—Is it a fact that yachts and fishing vessels, in full survey with approved radio equipment, voyaging in southern and western Tasmanian waters are unable to communicate with Melbourne Radio contrary to assurances provided before Hobart Radio was closed; if so, why.

2715   Mr A. C. Smith: To ask the Treasurer—How many (a) divorced and (b) separated but not divorced (i) men and (ii) women were recorded in the 1996 Census (A) in total and (B) as living in rented accommodation.

2716   Mr Campbell: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs—

(1) How many properties has the Indigenous Lan d Council (ILC) acquired in Western Australia since the ILC’s inception.

(2) Will the Minister identify the properties referred to in part (1) showing in each case the (a) beneficiaries and (b) sum spent on acquiring the property.

(3) Does the ILC provide funds for the purchase of vehicles and machines; if so, what funds have been provided to whom for what purchases.

(4) Did the ILC purchase land described as the Old Swan Valley School; if so, (a) from whom was it purchased, (b) what sum was paid, (c) was it purchased for the Manguri association, (d) was the property the former Sister Kate’s Hostel and (e) who will be the beneficial owner of the property if the Manguri association fails.

2717   Mr Bevis: To ask the Minister for Defence—Has the Government received a request to use RAAF equipment or personnel to assist with importing rhinoceros; if so, (a) who made the request, (b) when was the request made, (c) what response was given, (d) what is the estimated cost and (e) who was to pay.