16 February 2006

3066  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs—On what basis has the Government excluded parents whose children attend pre-schools from the entitlement to the 30% child care rebate and is the Government reviewing the issue.

3067  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Defence—

(1) During 2004-2005, did the Directorate of Military Salaries and Allowances Policy consult with (a) Servicemen and women and (b) any other organisation or agency about appropriate remuneration and con ditions of service for serving men and women; if so, with whom did the Directorate consult and to what extent did those consultations result in recommendations by the Directorate.

(2) Were the Directorate’s recommendations accepted and acted upon; if not, why not.

3068  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Defence—What programs has the Defence Special Needs Support Group started, when were those programs started, where are they located and who will be entitled to access those programs.

3069  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Defence—Is the “Compare your Package” website located at http://aurora.cbr.defence.gov.au/cypmain.htm accessible only through a defence computer; if so, why has the decision been made to so restrict access to that information.

3070  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Defence—How many military bases participated in the “Defence Highway Rest Program” during the December 2005-January 2006 Christmas holiday period and how many personnel accessed that program at each of the bases which participated.

3071  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Defence—How many Defence Force Recruiting Centres are currently operational, where were they operating during 2004-2005 and how many men and women were recruited to the armed services at each centre.

3072  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Defence—Has his (a) office and (b) department undertaken research into the average time taken by Defence Force Recruiting Centres to consider and approve applications by men and women to enlist in the armed services; if so, what does that research indicate.

3073  MR McCLELLAND: To ask the Minister for Transport and Regional Services—

(1) Is he able to say whether the British Government exempts electric powered vehicles and motor scooters from road tax an d other charges.

(2) Is the Government consulting with State and Territory Governments regarding reductions in charges and/or rebates applying to electric commuter vehicles.

3074  MS MACKLIN: To ask the Minister for Education, Science and Training—Since 2001, on what dates and for what purposes, has the Minister or any of her staff, and her predecessor or any of his staff, met with the Australian Higher Education Industrial Association and who attended each meeting.