Notice given 18 January 2006

1484  Senator O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Prime Minister—With reference to the Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Mr Michael Taylor:

(1) When was Mr Taylor appointed as Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

(2) Did the Prime Minister approve Mr Taylor’s conditions of employment including: (a) a $680 payment per fortnight to cover ‘temporary’ accommodation arrangements in Canberra; and (b) payments up to $6 600 per annum for ‘reunion travel’ including airfares and taxi fares.

(3) For each of the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06 to date, what quantum of ‘temporary’ accommodation payments were paid to Mr Taylor.

(4) For each of the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06 to date, disaggregated to show airfares and taxi fares, what quantum of ‘reunion travel’ payments were paid to Mr Taylor.

(5) When was Mr Taylor appointed as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

(6) Did Mr Taylor enjoy equivalent conditions of employment during his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; if so, for each of the financial years 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05, what quantum of: (a) ‘temporary’ accommodation payments; and (b) ‘reunion travel’ payments, were paid to Mr Taylor.

(7) Which other secretaries, if any, are in receipt of ‘temporary’ accommodation payments and ‘reunion travel’ payments as a condition of employment.

Senator O’Brien: To ask the Ministers listed below (Question Nos 1487-1516)—

(1) What programs and/or grants administered by the department provide assistance to the people living in the federal electorate of Bass.

(2) When did the delivery of these programs and/or grants commence.

(3) For each of the financial years 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05, what funding was provided through these programs and/or grants for the people of Bass.

(4) For the 2005-06 financial year, what funding has been appropriated for these programs and/or grants.

(5) For the 2005-06 financial year, what funding has been approved under these programs and/or grants to assist organisations and individuals in the electorate of Bass.

1497 Minister representing the Minister for Education, Science and Training

1510 Minister representing the Minister for Education, Science and Training

Senator O’Brien: To ask the Ministers listed below (Question Nos 1517-1546)—For each financial year since 2001-02, what grants or payments has the Minister’s department, or have agencies for which the Minister is responsible, made to City View Christian Church Inc. (formerly known as Crusade Centre Inc.) based in Launceston, Tasmania.

1523 Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing

1540 Minister representing the Minister for Education, Science and Training