CHAIR —We are going back to 1.4 for answers to questions and then we go to 1.2 to finalise questions on that, excluding the Office of the Status of Women.

Mr Crane —In response to some of the questions that were taken on notice earlier today, in relation to the insurance value of Australiana Fund items at Kirribilli House, the set of 10 cedar dining room chairs is $15,000; the vase decorated with gumnuts and gum leaves, $2,300; and the Tasmanian musk and Huon pine table $12,000.

Senator FAULKNER —Thank you for that, Mr Crane. That is another $29,300 worth of artworks and the like at Kirribilli House. How does the set of 10 horsehair chairs at $15,000 for the antique 20-seater cedar dining table that had been made compare in insurance value to the original 10? Correct me if I am wrong, Mr Crane, but this is an antique table. We know about the table and its value or its insurance value. There were 10 chairs that came with it - original chairs, if you like, antique chairs.

Mr Crane —That is correct.

Senator FAULKNER —And you have given us the insurance value for 10 that were made-

Mr Crane —That is correct.

Senator FAULKNER —to the value of $15,000. Whose idea was it to make the 10 chairs, by the way?

Mr Crane —The Australiana Fund, Senator.

Senator FAULKNER —Why did they decide to do that? It just did not look like there were enough chairs around the big table or something?

Mr Crane —The table was to seat 20 and there were only 10 of the original chairs. The Australiana Fund commissioned the work to be done.

Senator FAULKNER —I see, yes, but who chose the table to go to Kirribilli House in the first place?

Mr Crane —The Australiana Fund.

Senator FAULKNER —So they do not consult with the residents of Kirribilli House, they just whack a whopping great 20-seater table in the middle of Kirribilli House and if Mr Howard and his family do not like it, well, tough. Is that what you mean?

Mr Crane —No, Senator. The Australiana Fund were approached by the Official Establishments Trust with a view to the acquisition of a suitable table. The fund then source the tables or any other items of furniture and they are paid for from Australiana Fund moneys which are raised by the fund.

Senator FAULKNER —Did the resident of Kirribilli House - in this case the Prime Minister - say, `Well, I'd like a large table to enhance the existing d[eacute]cor and furniture at Kirribilli House'? Is that how it works? Or was this something the Official Establishments Trust kicked off on their own bat?

Mr Crane —Certainly the official establishments unit would have initially spoken to the Australiana Fund about the acquisition of a suitable table.

Senator FAULKNER —Was it the official establishments unit's idea to have a table in Kirribilli House? Because if it was, I would like to know if they have had any other ideas.

Mr Crane —Senator, the issue of the table arose from the widening of the doorway from the dining room at Kirribilli House which was done to facilitate the holding of larger functions at Kirribilli House. Once that doorway had been widened and we then had the capacity to hold larger functions the table that was in the dining room was insufficient in size.

Senator FAULKNER —Yes, but I am asking something different. Thank you for that. That means that you could get a bigger table through the doorway, I assume - and correct me if I am wrong - but I am asking whose idea it was to increase the size of the doorway. Whose idea was it in the first place to whack this 20-seater antique cedar dining room table there?

Mr Crane —Senator, it arose because there was insufficient room at Kirribilli House to host those size functions. In consultation with the residents, it was decided that we would enlarge the doorway to facilitate that.

Senator FAULKNER —You mean that you wanted a facility where the Prime Minister could sit down with a maximum of 19 others around a table. Is that what you mean?

Mr Crane —That is correct.

Senator FAULKNER —And when the doorway was widened you could fit this antique cedar table through the door. Is that right?

Mr Crane —And it also opened up the two rooms for entertainment purposes as well, Senator. There was quite a narrow doorway there.

Senator ROBERT RAY —It is a bit of a chicken and egg argument Senator Faulkner is following. What comes first, the decision to hold bigger functions, and then the door is widened or the table is purchased, or -

Mr Crane —That is correct, Senator. That was the sequence.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Who transmitted to you the desire to have bigger functions? The residents?

Mr Crane —It actually came to us from the Prime Minister.

Senator FAULKNER —Thank you. That is helpful to know, Mr Crane. Is this, Senator Hill, part of this trend towards more functions and parties? We know that Mr Howard has been holding a lot of parties at Kirribilli House, but the antique cedar dining room table gives you a capacity to have a lot of sit-down functions as well as the trend towards the number of other functions that seem to be multiplying at Kirribilli House. We have both sorts of functions covered now, have we?

Senator Hill —It may be a step towards a more complete use of a public asset that is really being held for this purpose.

Senator FAULKNER —Earlier on I said, a little tongue-in-cheek, that I thought Mr Howard was becoming a bit of a party animal. There is no doubt there is a lot of entertaining going on out there, which is very interesting. Anyway, $15,000 worth of chairs were made, and the insurance value of the reproduction chairs is $15,000. What is the actual insurance value of the original 10, the antique chairs?

Mr Crane —Sorry, Senator, I do not have that information with me but my recollection from previous hearings is that it was a greater value than the replica chairs. I do not have that value with me.

Senator FAULKNER —So there is at least $30,000 worth of chairs around the table.

Mr Crane —Yes.

Senator FAULKNER —Thanks for those dollar values or insurance values for those particular items. I did not want to interrupt you but I just wanted to get clear what was happening there. Does the table, by the way, stretch between rooms now that the doorway has been opened, or is it plonked up the end of one big room?

Mr Crane —It is contained within the dining room.

Senator FAULKNER —How does the wider doorway affect this if it is contained within one room?

Mr Crane —My apologies, Senator. When the table is fully extended, it does extend beyond the wall.

Senator FAULKNER —So it is an extendable table?

Mr Crane —It has a number of leaves.

Senator ROBERT RAY —So normally you would assume it is a 10-seater table, but for larger functions you put it out and it can be -

Mr Crane —It can be varied and some of the leaves stored.

Senator ROBERT RAY —And the chairs stored too?

Mr Crane —That is correct.

Senator FAULKNER —Upstairs? I mean, there is a choice of staircases now.

Mr Crane —I am not aware of where the chairs are stored, Senator.

Senator FAULKNER —So you were going to give us some information.

Mr Crane —Yes, Senator. You also asked about artwork at Kirribilli House. The most recent changes to that were in February 1998 when we replaced two items, which were on loan from the National Gallery of Australia, with another two items from the National Gallery.

Senator FAULKNER —Who looks after the insurance of those when they are placed at Kirribilli House? With all the parties that are going on out there, they are quite likely to be damaged, aren't they?

Mr Crane —Senator, I understand that the National Gallery meets that cost and then seeks reimbursement from the department for that insurance.

Senator FAULKNER —Do you know what that cost is, Mr Crane?

Mr Crane —No, I do not, Senator.

Senator FAULKNER —Could you perhaps take that on notice and provide that for us?

Mr Crane —Certainly.

Senator FAULKNER —Do you know the names of the two pieces of artwork that are currently hung for the benefit of those who are lucky enough to see them there?

Mr Crane —I will take that on notice as well.

Senator FAULKNER —Thank you.

Mr Crane —You also requested some additional information in relation to the construction of the staircases. The preliminary drawings for the relocation of the main staircase were undertaken in September 1997. There was a selection process which was finalised in November 1998. Advice was sought from the Heritage Commission -

Senator FAULKNER —Just take it a bit slower. I am just jotting this down as you go, if that is okay. Sorry, you were saying advice from the AHC?

Mr Crane —It was 7 January 1999. AHC agreement was provided on 14 January 1999.

Senator FAULKNER —That was quick.

Mr Crane —The work commenced in February 1999 and practical completion was in July 1999.

Senator FAULKNER —Thank you.

Mr Crane —In relation to the second staircase, following an inspection by the Official Establishments Trust this issue was initially discussed with the architect in March 1999. Drawings were provided in the same month. Heritage Commission agreement was sought on 31 March 1999 and their agreement was provided on 6 April 1999.

Senator FAULKNER —This is a quick one.

Mr Crane —Work commenced in July 1999 and practical completion was in September.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Do you know what date in July the work started?

Mr Crane —No, I am not aware of the precise date, Senator. We are still awaiting practical completion of the main staircase, so it is a bit of a grey area as to when the actual work commenced on it.

Senator FAULKNER —So basically the second staircase has kicked off two years after the main staircase.

Mr Crane —Senator, do you mean work on it?

Senator FAULKNER —No, I mean the concept - March 1999 compared to March 1997.

Mr Crane —No, September 1997.

Senator FAULKNER —Sorry, September 1997, 18 months. You said that the official establishments unit had an inspection in March 1999. Why? What was that inspection all about? I do not want to put words into your mouth but, as I understand what you said, the official establishments unit had an inspection in March 1999. As a result of that inspection this very tight timetable for the building of the second staircase was commenced.

Mr Crane —There was a meeting of the Official Establishments Trust at Admiralty House and it was convenient at that time, on completion of the trust meeting, to show them the work that was being undertaken on the main staircase.

Senator FAULKNER —When was the trust meeting at Admiralty House?

Mr Crane —In March 1999.

Senator FAULKNER —But where did this idea come from for the second staircase? Whose idea was it?

Mr Crane —When the trust inspected the work on the main staircase it became apparent that a substantial amount of the previous staircase would remain, following construction of the new main staircase. The trust was of the view that the construction of the second staircase would be a viable option. Given that not much of it had been used and most of it was still in place, it would be a reasonably economic project.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Hold on. It never occurred to people in the previous two years to build a second staircase. I think that is what you are saying. It was decided in March but you talk about a viable option. Are you really saying to us you built a second staircase because the one you pulled out was still viable, so you can stick it somewhere else? Who requested the second staircase?

Mr Crane —It was a recommendation of the Official Establishments Trust.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Yes, I realise it is a recommendation. I am asking who requested it.

Senator FAULKNER —Whose idea was it?

Mr Crane —My understanding, Senator, is that it was the idea of the Official Establishments Trust.

Senator FAULKNER —That really is a long bow, Mr Crane.

Senator ROBERT RAY —It is not my belief that it was their idea at all. I understand they were requested to put in a second staircase. That is not right? I am wrong, am I?

Mr Crane —That is not my understanding, Senator.

Senator ROBERT RAY —What do you base your understanding on?

Mr Crane —From the meetings of the Official Establishments Trust.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Do you attend that?

Mr Crane —Yes, I do.

Senator FAULKNER —Is this minuted in the meetings of the Official Establishments Trust?

Mr Crane —There are minutes of the trust meetings.

Senator FAULKNER —Could you provide the minutes of the Official Establishments Trust which deals with this issue of the decision of the trust, please?

Mr Crane —Yes, Senator.

Senator FAULKNER —Is that available for us?

Mr Crane —We will be able to make them available.

Senator FAULKNER —Could they be made available tonight? Would that be possible?

Mr Crane —I do not have them at the moment, Senator.

Senator FAULKNER —I appreciate you do not have them here but they ought to be easily found over there in PM&C, I am sure.

Mr Henderson —Senator, I think we should consult the trust before we make the records of their minutes available.

Senator FAULKNER —Let me ask another question then, Mr Henderson. Was this decision minuted?

Mr Crane —Yes, there will be minutes of the trust meeting.

Senator FAULKNER —Yes, of course there are minutes of the trust meeting. I am talking about the second staircase. Was the decision minuted in relation to a second staircase?

Mr Crane —Yes, Senator.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Let us go back. You have a meeting at Admiralty House, quite appropriately for one of your meetings. You then adjourn the meeting to go and inspect the staircase at Kirribilli. Have I got the order right?

Mr Crane —That is correct.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Does the meeting then resume at some stage? If you have adjourned the meeting -

Mr Crane —Sorry, Senator, the meeting had concluded. At the conclusion of the meeting we adjourned to inspect the works that were being undertaken.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Which makes it hard to understand how you could have a formal decision making to whack up a second staircase and have it minuted when the meeting is adjourned.

Mr Crane —Senator, I am trying to recall what transpired at the meeting. I think there was discussion on the issue at the meeting prior to the inspection.

Senator ROBERT RAY —On a second staircase?

Mr Crane —That is my understanding.

Senator FAULKNER —Why was it raised at the meeting?

Senator ROBERT RAY —Because there was a request made.

Senator FAULKNER —Yes, of course. It was all just mental telepathy, was it?

Mr Henderson —I think it would be best if the officers inspect the records of those meetings. We will consult the trust and seek their views on making the minutes available and provide you with a written answer.

Senator FAULKNER —Who did the architectural drawings for the second staircase?

Mr Crane —They would have been provided by Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners.

Senator ROBERT RAY —How much did they charge for the second staircase, in terms of their assistance?

Mr Crane —I do not have a breakdown between the two projects, Senator, but the total cost for both was $19,965.

Senator FAULKNER —When did the account go in? Who was it from?

Mr Crane —Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners.

Senator FAULKNER —I would like to know when the account for Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners went in. I would like to know when it was paid. I would like a copy of the account, if that could be made available for the benefit of the committee. I would certainly like to know whether these two separate aspects of work - appreciating there is a bathroom refurbishment or renovation if you like involved in the main staircase - but I would like to absolutely understand the involvement of the architectural firm. I would like to know about the accounts that were provided by that firm. I would like to know when they were provided and when they were paid. I would like, if I can have them, please, Mr Henderson, copies of the account. This is all starting to look a bit odd, isn't it?

Mr Henderson —No, I do not understand what -

Senator ROBERT RAY —You do not think it is odd that you have an official meeting that then adjourns, goes over, `We've got a staircase left over. We'll put it around the corner.'

Mr Henderson —Senator, the officers have been doing their best to recall proceedings in March 1999, to give answers off the top of their heads and now -

Senator FAULKNER —No-one is critical of the officers, Mr Henderson.

Mr Henderson —No, but you are saying the information is, to your thinking, puzzling.

Senator FAULKNER —That is not the fault of the officers.

Mr Henderson —I think it is best that we regroup, check the records and provide you with-

Senator FAULKNER —It is the process that Senator Ray and I are drawing attention to, not the officers.

Senator Hill —We were also told earlier today there were safety issues involved. Perhaps they should be expanded upon.

Senator FAULKNER —No, that was a different issue, Senator Hill. I am glad you finally caught up with it.

Senator Hill —The second staircase, there were safety issues involved. That is what I was told earlier in the day.

Senator FAULKNER —Senator Hill, thanks to Mr Crane - and I think we need to be fair about this - he has provided a timetable about the process that took place for both the staircases. One seemed to be completed in a few months; one was completed in over 18 months. That is fine. For the second staircase, Senator Hill - as you are the responsible minister - where was the involvement of the Australian Heritage Commission? Perhaps Mr Crane can tell us that. We all heard about the Australian Heritage Commission - they rushed it through on the first staircase, advice -

Senator Hill —I thought you read out there were two approvals, one for each.

Senator FAULKNER —No, I just want to understand the involvement of the AHC in relation to the second staircase.

Senator Hill —I presume that somebody made -

Senator FAULKNER —I do not want a presumption, Senator Hill, I would like the facts.

Senator Hill —You know how a section 30 process works as well as I do.

Senator FAULKNER —I do.

Senator Hill —So what would have happened would be that somebody made a judgment that there could be a significant heritage consequence and sought the advice of the AHC.

Senator FAULKNER —You cannot be serious. The whole concept of the main staircase, Senator Hill, was to bring back Kirribilli House to the original design of Kirribilli House. I think it was changed during the time that Sir William McMahon was the Prime Minister. I might be wrong about that, but the change was quite some time ago, almost 30 years ago. That is understood. The whole idea, I believe, to make the change back to the main staircase was to try and refurbish Kirribilli House into something like the original architecture, floor plan and so forth that existed. There was one staircase in Kirribilli House - not two, one. All I am asking about the AHC is when they were consulted for the second staircase, which is the bodgie one.

Senator Hill —I do not understand your point because by contemporary standards it may be wise to have two staircases. It is a pity in terms of wanting to restore the original building but it might be a sensible outcome.

Senator FAULKNER —I am asking a question.

Senator Hill —It might be seen by some to have a detrimental heritage effect and therefore you would seek the advice of the AHC.

Senator FAULKNER —Was their advice sought? That is the question.

Senator Hill —Yes, we were told there was.

Senator FAULKNER —Thank you.

Senator ROBERT RAY —See if I have the sequence right: a meeting at Admiralty House, they adjourn across to Kirribilli and in some way a decision is made to build a second staircase - we are not quite sure at whose request. This is in March. Then the company doing the architectural plans for the first staircase is contacted for the second one, also in March. Then a submission goes to the Heritage Commission in March. That is pretty quick work.

Senator Hill —It is quick work, but I do not see your point beyond saying it is getting on with the job.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Did the Heritage Commission have the new drawings for the second staircase when it made the decision?

Senator Hill —I do not know what information was provided.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I am asking.

Mr Crane —They had drawings provided to them on 31 March.

Senator FAULKNER —And they approved it on what, 6 April?

Mr Crane —Agreed on 6 April.

Senator FAULKNER —And it is a similar turnaround to what occurred in relation to the main staircase.

Mr Crane —The one week, yes.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I do not know if it is possible to check whether the architects had been approached on this prior to March for a second staircase, for the concept or something else. Can that be checked?

Mr Crane —Yes.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Because it gets back to my question who originally asked for a second staircase.

Mr Crane —Senator, I have been advised that the official establishments unit had some preliminary discussions with the architect prior to just starting -

Senator ROBERT RAY —That is starting to make a bit more sense. We can start to understand it in those circumstances. But at whose request did the architect do that?

Senator FAULKNER —Senator, you have taken those questions on notice in relation to the details about the architectural plans, the approval process, the billing process and the invoicing, the payment of invoicing, dates this occurred and preferably copies of the invoicing - whether these items were separately billed and so on.

Senator ROBERT RAY —We were pondering the question asked of you and an indication was given to us that the architects were given a `heads up' on this issue prior to the March meeting. Is that right?

Mr Crane —That is correct. There were preliminary discussions held between the controller of the official establishments and the -

Senator ROBERT RAY —Can you ask that person whether they were asked to have those discussions. That is my last question. Who asked them to have those discussions?

Mr Henderson —Senator, the unit and the architect would have discussed this issue with Mrs Howard.

Senator ROBERT RAY —It was a long way to get to that answer. Thank you. That is all I have.

Senator FAULKNER —Are you going to provide some more information, Mr Crane?

Senator ROBERT RAY —On any other issues.

Senator FAULKNER —On the other issues, I am sorry. I do not mean on this one but on the other issues that you are to come back to us on.

Mr Crane —Yes, Senator. You asked a question in relation to whether there had been any claims for compensation by employees at Kirribilli House.

Senator FAULKNER —Yes.

Mr Crane —There was a claim for compensation in May 1999.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Am I correct in saying that this claim is in addition to sick leave granted?

Mr Crane —The claim was submitted in relation to the sick leave, Senator.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I am sorry, I may be confusing you here. The person concerned-and we do not intend to identify the person - was on sick leave at one stage. That is correct?

Mr Crane —That is correct.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Did that person ask for any additional compensation apart from the sick leave?

Mr Crane —There was payment of some medical bills and several physio sessions.

Senator ROBERT RAY —In assessing the request for compensation, were any inquiries made as to the claims of other staff members? Did a doctor or any other person start ringing the rest of the staff at Kirribilli, trying to verify these claims or disprove them?

Mr Henderson —Senator, there is no connection between the compensation case and the phone calls by a physician that you referred to. One of the staff had glandular fever.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I see.

Mr Henderson —Inquiries were made as to the possibility of others having similar symptoms, but it is not connected to the compensation case.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Calls were made - I just do not understand it.

Mr Henderson —Perhaps out of session we could provide you with some information. There is no big deal here but I am just a bit concerned about discussing illnesses and -

Senator Hill —But I think you also should explain - because I do not understand now - who deals with the compensation claims that are made of an employee of this type.

Mr Crane —Yes. Senator, the reason that I was unable to provide the information before was because I was not aware of the case. It arose because the claim for compensation was submitted by the staff member, signed by the manager at Kirribilli House and then sent, unfortunately, directly to the area within the department that looks after compensation issues and not back via the official establishments unit.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I think I understand Mr Henderson's point about the physician's phone call was nothing to do with the compensation claim but to ensure the safety of other people, other workmates. Is that a fair summary?

Mr Henderson —Yes.

Senator ROBERT RAY —So I can leave that part aside.

Mr Henderson —Yes.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I did not quite understand whether it was to be used as ammunition in the compensation case. That is clearly not the case. It is very unfortunate when a staff member gets ill. How quickly were other staff members warned that another staff member had a potentially contagious disease?

Mr Crane —I cannot give you a definite answer on that, Senator. I would suspect that probably the rest of the staff knew about it before we did.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Did the compensation claim go at all to what the ill person thought was the source of that person catching the disease?

Mr Crane —The compensation claim is unrelated to that.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I see.

Mr Crane —The compensation claim was an issue of probably incorrect work practices which resulted in a minor injury, but absolutely no relation at all to the other case.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Leaving aside the compensation aspects, you have talked about work practices but do you think there is a regime in place in that workplace that enabled employees to get full and proper warning of any potential lurgy going around, such as glandular fever? Were they all properly kept informed of the possibility? Was this person the first person at Kirribilli to have glandular fever in that period?

Mr Crane —As far as I am aware, Senator, yes.

Senator ROBERT RAY —It was not ever reported that any other occupants of Kirribilli had glandular fever before this staff member unfortunately contracted it?

Mr Crane —Not to the best of my knowledge, Senator.

Senator ROBERT RAY —You might make an inquiry on that if you could, and I will leave it there.

Mr Crane —The other issue that was raised, Senator, was the costs for repairs and maintenance, non-capital, at Kirribilli House and the Lodge. These figures are for our regular scheduled maintenance and also urgent and minor repairs. So far this financial year, expenditure at Kirribilli House is $63,739 and expenditure at the Lodge is $98,926.

Senator FAULKNER —They are figures not including the major expenditure items that we have figures on?

Mr Crane —That is correct, Senator. These are the recurrent works that we have contracts in place for -

Senator FAULKNER —Are you going to itemise those for us on notice? You can do it now, or otherwise I would ask you to take it on notice.

Senator ROBERT RAY —Do it on notice.

Senator FAULKNER —Unless there is any major element of that that -

Mr Crane —Not really, Senator.

Mr Henderson —It would be very small amounts. There are a large number of small amounts.

Senator FAULKNER —You would suggest taking it on notice, Mr Henderson?

Mr Henderson —Yes.

Senator FAULKNER —That is fine.

Mr Crane —Sorry, Senator, are you seeking a detailed breakdown of each of those expenditures?

Senator FAULKNER —Yes. You have given me the figures, which is what I had asked for, and I appreciate that. If you can just itemise that for me, that would be useful, but I do not want to hold the committee up now.

Mr Crane —So I have it clear, Senator, there would be things in there such as checking the fire control systems and -

Senator Hill —We understand the question. We will do our best to provide an answer.

Senator FAULKNER —I can just depend on the good sense of the officers at the table and the way they respond to it. If I could have that information, I would appreciate it. By the way, were there any breakages or damage as a result of all the parties that have been held at Kirribilli House lately?

Mr Crane —Not that I am aware of, Senator.

Senator FAULKNER —That is good. You might take on notice, then, the cost to the official establishments unit of the functions that I identified earlier in the estimates hearings, please.

Mr Henderson —I beg your pardon, Senator?

Senator FAULKNER —I identified a number of parties that were held at Kirribilli House. There was one on 18 November.

Mr Henderson —Yes.

Senator FAULKNER —There was one I think on 18 December but I am not certain of the date - it might have been 17 December. It was reported in the newspapers on 19 December, so I am assuming it was the 18th, but this is the Christmas bash that I spoke of, and then the New Year's Eve bash. It is just an endless rondo of parties out there at Kirribilli House. Let me just make clear what I am asking to be taken on notice: what the costs were to the official establishments unit of those three Kirribilli parties over that period of six weeks.

Mr Henderson —If we can separately identify the costs of those.

Senator FAULKNER —Yes. That is what I am asking.

Mr Henderson —We will have a go.

Senator FAULKNER —And I do appreciate that the function on 18 November was designated under the definitions we spoke about before, Mr Henderson, as a private function. Mr Howard's own expenses are none of my business, and I am not the slightest bit interested. I am talking only about the costs to the official establishments unit.

Senator BROWNHILL —This might help the departmental officers answer the question. Could you, Senator Faulkner, give me the definition of a bash, a party, a function or an entertainment at home? You have used all those words.

Senator FAULKNER —Senator Brownhill, you should not highlight the fact that you were not invited to any of them.

Senator BROWNHILL —I am not worried about that, but I am just worrying about -

Senator FAULKNER —Others are worried about it.

Senator BROWNHILL —I am just worried about the definition of all these different bashes or parties.

Senator FAULKNER —That is something you and I have in common: neither of us care about the fact that we were not invited to any of those parties.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I thought a bash was a Labor Party function in New South Wales.

Mr Crane —Senator, I can provide you with some of that information now.

Senator FAULKNER —Thank you.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I thought it was in the electorate of Ryan, actually.

Mr Crane —For the function that was held on 18 November there was no cost to the official establishments unit because the costs were borne by the Prime Minister. In relation to the New Year's Eve function, the cost for the official guests was $1,619.53.

Senator FAULKNER —What does that involve? Food, staff, all those sorts of costs? Fireworks? Drink?

Mr Crane —Food and beverage.

Senator FAULKNER —It must have been slim pickings! That does not sound right to me, Mr Crane.

Mr Crane —Sorry, Senator?

Senator FAULKNER —It was done on the cheap, was it? I think you are pretty lucky you weren't invited, Senator Brownhill!

Mr Crane —The cost of the food and beverages was $1,619.

Senator FAULKNER —Yes, but there would be a whole lot of other costs and overheads, wouldn't there? What about staff costs for New Year's Eve and that sort of thing?

Mr Crane —That is correct, Senator. There were some additional costs.

Senator FAULKNER —I'll bet there were! What were they?

Mr Crane —For casual staff.

Senator FAULKNER —Anyway, you can take that on notice.

Mr Crane —I will take that on notice, Senator.

Senator FAULKNER —Thank you very much.

Mr Henderson —Senator, could I just answer quickly one question, which was: `What are the current levels of contribution to the Cabinet Trust Fund?' The Prime Minister, $59 per month -

Senator ROBERT RAY —Fifty-nine dollars? That has gone up, what, $2 in four years?

Senator Hill —That is the advantage of a low inflation economy!

Senator ROBERT RAY —Not that low.

Mr Henderson —Cabinet ministers, $35 per month.

Senator ROBERT RAY —That has gone down, hasn't it?

Mr Henderson —Other ministers, $12 per month.

Senator ROBERT RAY —That is definitely down.

Mr Henderson —Total contributions, $775 per month. No refunds were necessary after the 1998 election.

Senator ROBERT RAY —I would not be surprised at that low contribution rate.

Senator FAULKNER —Spent the lot!

Senator ROBERT RAY —I think you had better sting parliamentary secretaries to get it back up.

Mr Henderson —That is it, Mr Chair.

CHAIR —Thank you. We now move to 1.2 and 1.3.

[8.49 p.m.]