Notice given 22 August 2003

1813  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Science—With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 1358 (Senate Hansard , 16 June 2003, p. 11562) relating to the refit of the Southern Surveyor :

(1) (a) What were the: (i) technical problems, and (ii) occupational health and safety incidents which arose; (b) how were these fixed; and (c) at what cost.

(2) Were any personnel affected; if so: (a) how; and (b) what was done for such personnel.

1814  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister for Defence—

(1) Is it true that an airstrip for military use was constructed near the Gulf country of northern Carpentaria, Australia, during the 1990s; if so: (a) are the airstrip and associated buildings occupied; and (b) by whom.

(2) Who funded the construction of the airstrip and associated buildings.

1815  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Treasurer—With reference to the modern scourge of resource-wasting, saturation advertising:

(1) Is it true that tax deductibility exists for corporations for advertising expenses; if so, what is the cap on these tax deductions.

(2) Is it appropriate for the Government to subsidise advertising that promotes poor diets or environmentally-detrimental products such as four-wheel drive vehicles.

1816  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage—

(1) Can the Minister confirm whether the proposed fish farm development planned for Moreton Bay would need full scientific certainty pursuant to section 3A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .

(2) Can the Minister confirm that the proposed fish farm is under Commonwealth jurisdiction until full scientific certainty is achieved.

1817  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources—

(1) Is it true that the Government spends $250 million per annum to subsidise four-wheel drive road vehicles; if not, how much does the Government spend to subsidise these vehicles.

(2) Is there a difference in the level of four-wheel drive subsidisation between regional and city tax payers.

1818  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs—With regard to the Port Hedland Detention Centre:

(1) Given that the local water quality is evidently poor as guards and locals refuse to drink it and instead drink bottled water: Does the water supplied to the centre meet Australian standards for potable water.

(2) What is the calcium content of the water supplied to the inmates.

(3) Is the evening meal for inmates chicken and rice with one piece of fruit per person per day.

(4) Is the inmates’ diet monitored by a nutritionist.

(5) Is this nutritionist on site or does he or she just review a menu.

(6) If the nutritionist reviews the menu what checks are made that the menu and the meals served are the same.

1819  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Prime Minister—With regard to the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China to meet the new Chinese leaders: Did the Prime Minister discuss human rights issues pertaining to the abuse and incarceration of Tibetans and/or Falun Dafa practitioners; if not, what attempt has been made to inform the Chinese leadership of Australia’s condemnation of human rights abuses.

1820  Senator Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs—With regard to the visa for Father Frank Brennan, a Jesuit Priest, to visit Nauru:

(1) Was the visa granted to Father Brennan for travel to Nauru; if so, when.

(2) Is it true that this visa was subsequently withdrawn; if so: (a) when; and (b) why.