13 October 2011

* 661  MR KATTER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy—In respect of mobile phone coverage on the McEwen Highway between Charters Towers and Ravenshoe, (a) have investigations been held on the lack of coverage; if so, between who, and can he indicate the outcome, and (b) by when will coverage be made available.

* 662  MR KATTER: To ask the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport—Does the Government have plans to upgrade the McEwen Highway to include making it multi-lane; if so, by what date.

* 663  MR CHRISTENSEN: To ask the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities—What has been the total cost of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (a) nationally, (b) in Australia, (c) in Queensland, (d) in the electoral division of Dawson, and (e) in Mackay in Queensland, and for parts (a) to (e), how many dwellings have been (i) constructed, and (ii) approved but not yet constructed, under the scheme.

* 664  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Finance and Deregulation—In respect of the Minister’s department’s Reform of Government Savings Scorecard (November 2007 to May 2010, page 2), what sum of savings (a) has been delivered, and (b) was budgeted to be delivered, under the new contractual arrangements for the provision of domestic and international air services and Travel Management Services to the Government in 2010-11.

* 665  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Human Services—What is the progress of service delivery reform and improvements in the areas outlined on page 19 of her department’s Reform of Government Savings Scorecard (November 2007 to May 2010).

MR FLETCHER: To ask the Ministers listed below (questions Nos. *666 - *687)—In respect of the Pre-2008 Review of Subordinate Legislation, will the Minister (a) provide a summary of the subordinate legislation within his/her portfolio areas (including the portfolios of his/her junior ministers and parliamentary secretaries) that were identified in the review as redundant and therefore in need of repeal, (b) describe the processes established to repeal this subordinate legislation, including estimated timeframes for repeal, and (c) indicate progress against these processes, including the subordinate legislation that has been repealed to date.

* 666  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Prime Minister.

* 667  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Treasurer.

* 668  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

* 669  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.

* 670  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

* 671  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Defence.

* 672  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

* 673  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

* 674  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Health and Ageing.

* 675  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

* 676  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

* 677  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

* 678  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth.

* 679  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

* 680  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Attorney-General.

* 681  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

* 682  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Resources and Energy.

* 683  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Tourism.

* 684  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Trade.

* 685  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

* 686  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Jobs and Workplace Relations.

* 687  MR FLETCHER: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills.

* 688   MR FORREST: To ask the Minister for Resources and Energy—

(1) Is the Proposed Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Facility, Northern Territory: Transport Assessment Report (Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia Pty Ltd and the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, 13 March 2009) the most recent publication on this topic; if not, what is, and from where is it available.

(2) Can he confirm reports that his department has recommended that radioactive waste be transported from Sydney to a proposed Northern Territory waste management facility along highways through the Murray Valley, including Mildura; if so, (a) why is the Murray Valley and Sturt Highway route through Mildura preferred over a more direct and quieter route from Sydney via Broken Hill and Peterborough in South Australia, and (b) would he consider using rail transport instead.

* 689   MR ROBERT: To ask the Minister for Defence—

(1) Can he indicate the current status of the United States Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program.

(2) What sum did Australia commit to this program.

(3) What benefit has Australia received from this program.

(4) What has the Government done to promote the Bushmaster into the United States market.

* 690   MR BRIGGS: To ask the Minister for Defence—What was the total cost of energy consumption for his department in 2010-11.

* 691   MR BRIGGS: To ask the Minister for Defence—How many credit cards are currently issued to his departmental staff, and what was the total cost of the transactions made on such cards in 2010-11.

B. C. WRIGHT

Cle rk of the House of Representatives