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Senate Estimates Committees A, B, C, D , E and F
Reports to the Senate on D epartm ental Estimates for Year 1991-92 and Expenditure under the A dvance to the M inister for Finance for 1990-91
Australian Government Publishing Service Canberra
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The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia
Senate Estimates Committees A, B, C, D, E and F
Reports to the Senate on Departmental Estimates for year 1991-92 and expenditure under the Advance to the M inister for Finance for 1990-91
Australian Government Publishing Service Canberra
© Commonwealth of Australia 1992
ISSN 0811-0883 ISBN 0 644 25728 8
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CONTENTS PAGE
1. Resolution of the Senate .......................................................................... v
2. Estimates Committee G roups................................................................... vi
3. Membership of Com m ittees...................................................................... vi
4. Estimates Committee A
R e p o rt..................................................................................................... 1
Reservations............................................................................................ 11
Unanswered questions as at 14 October 1991 .................................... 26
Minutes of Proceedings Wednesday, 4 September 1991 (2 meetings).................................. 29
Monday, 9 September 1 9 9 1 ............................................................ 33
Wednesday, 11 September 1991...................................................... 36
Monday, 23 September 1 9 9 1 .......................................................... 39
Wednesday, 25 September 1991...................................................... 45
Friday, 11 October 1991 ................................................................. 50
Monday, 14 October 1 9 9 1 ............................................................... 53
Index to Hansard of public h earin g s.................................................... 55
5. Estimates Committee B
R e p o rt..................................................................................................... 81
Reservations............................................................. ............................... 93
Minutes of Proceedings Wednesday, 4 September 1991 ...................................................... 97
Monday, 9 September 1 9 9 1 ............................................................. 100
Wednesday, 11 September 1991...................................................... 104
Tuesday, 8 October 1991................................................................. 108
Index to Hansard of public hearings.................................................... 109
List of questions taken on notice during the Committee's consideration of the estim ates............................................................. 121
6. Estimates Committee C
R e p o rt..................................................................................................... 137
Index to Hansard of public hearings.................................................... 147
Minutes of Proceedings Wednesday, 4 September 1991 (2 meetings).................................. 167
Monday, 9 September 1991 (3 m eetings)...................................... 174
Wednesday, 11 September 1991...................................................... 181
Tuesday, 8 October 1991................................................................. 184
List of Questions on n o tice................................................................... 189
Reservations............................................................................................ 249
Addendum (10 October 1991) ............................................................ 257
Addendum (16 October 1991) ............................................................ 258
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7. Estimates Committee D
R ep o rt..................................................................................................... 259
Reservations............................................................................................ 267
Unanswered questions as at 8 October 1991 ....................................... 271
Index to Hansard of public h earin g s.................................................... 276
Minutes of Proceedings Tuesday, 3 September 1991 ............................................................. 287
Thursday, 5 September 1991 ........................................................... 288
Tuesday, 10 September 1991 ........................................................... 291
Thursday, 12 September 1991 ........................................................ 294
Wednesday, 9 October 1991 ........................................................... 297
8. Estimates Committee E
R ep o rt..................................................................................................... 299
Reservations............................................................................................ 309
Addendum.............................................................................................. 320
Minutes of Proceedings Thursday, 5 September 1991 ........................................................... 323
Tuesday, 10 September 1991 ........................................................... 328
Thursday, 12 September 1991 ........................................................ 333
Thursday, 19 September 1991 ........................................................ 336
Wednesday, 9 October 1991 ........................................................... 339
List of questions taken on notice before and during the public hearings ............................................................................... 341
Unanswered questions as at 9 October 1991 ....................................... 365
Index to Hansard of public hearings.................................................... 369
9. Estimates Committee F
R ep o rt.................................................................................................... 385
Reservations............................................................................................ 397
List of questions taken on notice by portfolio officers before and during the hearings .......................................................... 407
Index to Hansard of public hearings.................................................... 451
Minutes of Proceedings Thursday, 5 September 1991 .......................................................... 477
Tuesday, 10 September 1991 ........................................................... 483
Thursday, 12 September 1991 ........................................................ 487
Wednesday, 9 October 1991 .......................................................... 489
1. RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AGREED TO ON 22 AUGUST 1991
REFERENCE OF PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1991-92 AND DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURE UNDER ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1990-91: The Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs (Senator Tate), at the request of the Manager of Government Business
(Senator McMullan) and pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved-(1) That the particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the Parliamentary Departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1992,
the particulars of proposed expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1992 and the particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1992 be referred to estimates committees for examination and report. (2) That expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the
year ended 30 June 1991 be referred to estimates committees for examination and report prior to its consideration in committee of the whole. (3) That the committees consider proposed expenditure and departmental expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance in estimates
committee groupings agreed to by the resolutions of the Senate of 9 and 10 May, 11 September 1990 and 13 February 1991. (4) That the committees report to the Senate on or before 9 October 1991. (5) That, subject to the sittings of the Senate, the committees meet to hear
evidence in accordance with the following schedule: (a) Committees A, B and C - 4, 9 and 11 September, (b) Committees D, E and F - 5, 10 and 12 September; and (c) if required, on such other days as determined by the committees. Question put and passed.
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2. ESTIMATES COMMITTEE GROUPS
Estimates Committee A Parliament Industry, Technology and Commerce Prime Minister and Cabinet Treasury
Finance
Estimates Committee D Administrative Services Employment, Education and Training
Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs
Estimates Committee B Foreign Affairs and Trade Defence
Estimates Committee C Social Security Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories
Estimates Committee E Attorney General Health, Housing and Community Services Veterans' Affairs
Estimates Committee F Industrial Relations Primary Industries and Energy Transport and Communications
3. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES
Estimates Committee A
Senator Bishop Senator Childs (Chairman) Senator Coates Senator O'Chee Senator Short Senator Walsh
Estimates Committee B
Senator Burns (Chairman) Senator Devereux Senator Hill* Senator MacGibbon Senator Newman Senator Schacht
* Senator Du rack to replace Senator Hill for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of Defence.
Estimates Committee C
Senator Alston* Senator Aulich Senator Crowley (Chairman) Senator Patterson*
Senator Reynolds Senator Walters*
* Senators Baume, Campbell and Crichton-Browne to replace Senators Alston, Patterson and Walters for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories.
Estimates Committee D
Senator Kemp Senator Loosley Senator Maguire Senator Parer*
Senator Teague Senator Zakharov (Chairman)
* Senator Tierney to replace Senator Parer for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of Employment, Education and Training.
Estimates Committee E
Senator Champbell* Senator Cooney (Chairman) Senator Giles Senator Macdonald*
Senator Vanstone* + Senator West
* Senators Herron, Walters and Patterson to replace Senators Macdonald, Campbell and Vanstone for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of the Health, Housing and Community Services.
+ Senator Newman to replace Senator Vanstone for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
V I Ï
Estimates Committee F
Senator Beahan (Chairman) Senator Chapman Senator Crane Senator McKiernan Senator Panizza* Senator Sherry
* Senator Olsen to replace Senator Panizza for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of Industrial Relations.
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ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
REPORT TO THE SENATE
October 1991
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Report to the Senate 1
Reservations Senators Bronwyn Bishop and Jim Short 7
Senator Bill O'Chee 15
Senator Ian Campbell 18
Senator John Panizza 19
Senator Grant Tambling 20
Senator John Watson 21
Appendix: List of questions unanswered by 14 October 1991 22
Minutes of Proceedings Wednesday, 4 September 1991 Monday, 9 September 1991 Wednesday, 11 September 1991
Monday, 23 September 1991 Wednesday, 25 September 1991 Friday, 11 October 1991 Monday, 14 October 1991
Index to Hansard of public hearings
4
I
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ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
REPORT TO THE SENATE
Estimates Committee A presents its report to the Senate.
INTRODUCTION
1. On 22 August 1990, the Senate referred to the Committee, for examination and report, the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1992, the Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending
30 June 1992 and the expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ending on 30 June 1991 in respect of the following ministerial portfolios.
. Prime Minister and Cabinet (including the Office of the Governor- General)
. Industry, Technology and Commerce
. Treasury
. Finance
The Senate also referred to the Committee Particulars of Proposed Expenditure in relation to the Parliamentary Departments.
2. The Committee has considered the estimates for the year ending 30 June 1992 and the Advance to the Minister for Finance, together with Portfolio Performance Statements and has received evidence from the President of the Senate (Senator the Hon. Kerry Sibraa), the Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce (Senator the
Hon. John Button) and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer (Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan), and officers of the departments and authorities concerned. Copies of the Minutes of Proceedings and Hansard reports of the evidence taken by the Committee are tabled for the information of the Senate in connection with Appropriation Bill (No.
1) 1991-92 and AppropriationBill (No. 2) 1991-92 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill 1991-92 Further written explanations furnished by departments will be presented separately.
3. The Committee draws the attention of the Senate to the following matters which arose during consideration of the Estimates.
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MATTERS RECOMMENDED FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION BY THE SENATE
Issues relevant to more than one portfolio
Late provision o f annual reports and other supporting documents
4. The Committee made extensive use of the draft and final annual reports supplied by most agencies whose estimates were reviewed. The Committee acknowledges that estimates hearings began one week earlier this year than last and that, despite this, more agencies supplied their reports this year than last. This overall improvement in performance focussed the Committee's attention on the failure of a few agencies to supply drafts of their annual reports at all and on the performance of a few agencies which supplied drafts only shortly before the scheduled hearings. Delays of this type make it impossible for senators to read the annual reports in time to prepare adequately for hearings.
5. Austrade is a major agency which did not supply a draft annual report to the Committee. The Treasury draft report was supplied only shortly before the scheduled hearing.
6. The Committee was also concerned at relatively frequent instances of late provision of supporting documentation by departments and agencies. In many cases, corrigenda to Program Performance Statements or other important supporting information was supplied so close to the beginning of hearings as to restrict the capacity of Committee members to make use of the material.
Reconciliation of amounts in Appropriation Bills and Program Performance Statements
7. The use of Program Performance Statements as agendas for Committee hearings makes it essential that expenditure reported in the statements be capable of reconciliation with the Appropriation Bills. If the two sets of proposed expenditure cannot be reconciled, it will be possible for amounts to be appropriated that are not subject to effective scrutiny by the estimates committees. The Department of Finance guidelines require portfolios to present a reconciliation table in their Program Performance Statements but do not specify a standard format for the table.
8. In checking the reconciliation of estimates in the two sets of documents, Committee staff found it necessary to approach staff in several portfolios to clarify anomalies. One such case involved amounts totalling $2.23 million which appeared in the Appropriation Bills against the Prime Minister's Portfolio but did not appear in Program Performance Statements. The Committee recommends that the Department of Finance specify a standard format for tables to be included in Program Performance Statements to reconcile Appropriation Bill and program format presentation of proposed expenditure.
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PARLIAMENTARY DEPARTMENTS
Department of the Senate
"Clerk's Review" section in Department's Annual Report: Program 1
9. Senators asked questions at the Committee's hearing concerning the introductory section to the Annual Report of the Department of the Senate. Some senators may wish to further discuss this issue in the Committee of the Whole.
Publication o f the 6th edition o f Australian Senate Practice: Program 3
10. The publication of Australian Senate Practice by the Royal Australian Institute of Public Administration was the subject of discussion at the Committee's hearing. Views were expressed on the quality of the publication and on whether such a work should in future be published by the Senate. It was established that money was appropriated to
provide a copy of the 6th edition to all senators who wish to receive one.
Claim o f sexual harassment: Program 5
11. The Committee heard evidence on a case of alleged sexual harassment then before the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission in which the Department of the Senate had been joined as defendant. The Chair advised that, relying on the sub judice convention, he would rule out of order questioning on details of the case.
12. The case was settled subsequent to the Committee's hearing. A report on the Department's involvement was supplied by the Qerk and is included in a separate volume of additional information.
Department of the Parliamentary Library
Implementation o f Auditor-GeneraIs Report No. 6/1991-92: Program 3
13. Senators expressed concern at the content of the Auditor-General's report reviewing the management of the Department of the Parliamentary Library. The Committee noted a statement by the President to the effect that he and the Speaker had
accepted the Auditor-General's recommendation that an individual or working group be given the task of implementing the recommendations of the report.
Departmental financial management system: Program 3
14. Senators asked questions at the Committee's hearing concerning the implementation of the MFASYS computerised accounting system in the Department. Some senators may wish to further discuss this issue in the Committee of the Whole.
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Resource Assessment Commission: Sub-program 6.4
15. In reviewing the estimates of the Resource Assessment Commission, senators expressed concern at the overall staffing levels of the Commission, the staffing of inquiries and the issue of private-plated cars to Commissioners. These matters are further discussed in a reservation by Senator O'Chee.
INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOLIO
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Development Authority training program: Sub-program 1.2
16. Members of the Committee indicated an interest in further review of the training and education program for union members in the textile, clothing and footwear industries.
Incorporation o f the Commission for the Future: Sub-program 2.7
17. The Committee was advised that the Commission for the Future, formerly a non- statutory body in the portfolio, has been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The Government appoints two of six directors and provides a large proportion of the Commission's funding but now considers the Commission to be a private company. Requests from Committee members for attendance by officers of the Commission were rejected initially but Ms Susan Oliver, the Director of the Commission, attended a subsequent hearing at the Minister's invitation. The Committee has some concerns at the precedent set by the incorporation of a non-statutory body in this case. The case has potentially important implications for public accountability.
Payments under the Bounty (Ships) Act 1989 and the Bounty (Ship Repair) Act 1986: Program 4
18. The Committee heard evidence concerning payment under the two Acts cited above. The evidence concerned, among other cases, the vessel The Other Woman, discussed in the next paragraph. Some members indicated an interest in further review of the issues raised.
EFIC loan subsidies and guarantees in relation to construction o f vessel The Other Woman: Program 4
19. The Committee heard evidence on various forms of Government financial assistance through EFIC and other programs for the construction of a vessel named The Other Woman. Some members of the Committee were concerned that the decisions by EFIC in this case were not appropriate.
PRIME MINISTER’S PORTFOLIO
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Australian Customs Service, Coastwatch contract: Sub-program 4.5
20. Members of the Committee expressed concern at aspects of the Coastwatch contract administered by the Australian Customs Service. This matter is discussed in more detail in a reservation attached to this report by Senator O'Chee.
TREASURER'S PORTFOLIO
Development o f micro-economic model: Sub-program 1.4
21. The Committee heard evidence on the development by the Treasury of a micro economic model capable, among other things, of modelling the effects of a broad-based consumption tax. Some members of the Committee expressed concern at the possibility of misuse of the model in the course of party-political debate.
Insurance and Superannuation Commissioner, Resources: Sub-program 2.1
22. The Committee noted that recent changes to superannuation arrangements have very greatly increased the workload of the Insurance and Superannuation Commissioner and that resources available to the Commissioner do not appear to have increased in proportion. The Committee would not wish to see the Commissioner's important
functions suffer from inadequate resource allocation.
Number and extent o f corrigenda to Portfolio Performance Statement: Program 4
23. In its last report the Committee commented on the number and significance of changes required to the Treasury Portfolio Performance Statement (PPS). It was disappointing therefore that changes were required to more than a dozen tables in the latest PPS, several of them involving significant amounts of proposed expenditure. As noted in Paragraph 4 above, the Treasury also supplied its draft annual report only a
matter of days before the Committee's hearing. The Committee notes the Department's explanation that there have been extensive recent staff changes in the Branch responsible for preparing these documents. Nevertheless, the importance of Committee access to accurate documentation on a timely basis must be stressed.
Questions taken on notice - Australian Taxation Office: Program 6
24. The Committee's hearing on the estimates of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) took place on Friday, 11 October 1991, the working day before the Committee adopted this report. It clearly would not have been possible for the ATO in the limited time available to answer many of the questions taken on notice at the hearing. For that
reason, the Committee has not listed any questions to the ATO in the Appendix. The Committee will table an addendum to the report on 5 November 1991 listing questions on notice to the ATO not answered by 26 October 1991 and those answered by that time but which Committee members believe should be subject to further examination by the
Senate.
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Controls on use o f the Advance to the Minister for Finance: Sub-program 2.3
25. On this, as on previous occasions, members of the Committee expressed concern at the processes followed in the approval of some payments from the Advance to the Minister for Finance. Such payments allow the Government to expend public money ahead of parliamentary approval if certain criteria are met. It is important that the criteria be adhered to if parliamentary control of the Executive is to be effective.
MATTERS RELATING TO THE COMMITTEE'S REVIEW OF THE ESTIMATES
Allocation o f portfolios to estimates committees
26. Excluding adjournments for meal breaks, Estimates Committee A sat for more than 57 hours on she sitting days during its current review of the estimates. The longest sitting extended over 15 hours while one sitting extended from 7.30 pm on 9 September 1991 until 4.10 am the next morning. As in the Budget estimates in 1990 and the additional estimates in 1991, this Committee sat for far longer in total and on more days than did any other Estimates Committee. The estimates of five portfolios are referred to this Committee, making it the only Committee to review more than three portfolios.
RECOMMENDATIONS
27. The Committee recommends that matters raised in this report and all questions taken on notice by witnesses at the Committee's hearings and not answered by 14 October 1991, as listed in the Appendix, be subject to further examination by the Senate.
28. The Committee recommends that the Senate approve, without amendment or request, expenditure in accordance with the estimates considered by the Committee.
FINANCE PORTFOLIO
Senator Bruce Childs Chair
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ESTIMATES COMMIT!ÎÎ A
RESERVATION BY SENATORS BISHOP AND SHORT
By way of reservation, we recommend that the matters discussed below and other matters affecting the questions asked by us and taken on notice be subject to further examination by the Senate.
MATTERS RELATING TO THE COMMITTEE'S REVIEW OF THE ESTIMATES
Late Provision of Annual Reports
The timely provision of annual reports is essential for the proper scrutiny of the Appropriation Bills by Senate Estimates Committees. Despite persistent requests in these and previous hearings of the Committee to supply, at the very least, draft annual reports, agencies have failed to do so in a timely manner. The failure of Austrade to
supply any report at all is noted with particular concern.
Length of Committee Hearings
We note that the Committee sat for a period in excess of 57 hours. As in previous hearings of the Committee, we consider that the length of the hearing was partly due to:
- a reluctance by some officers to convey complete information;
- a lack of understanding by some officers of the purpose of the hearings and the process of evaluation; and
- attempts by the relevant Minister or Parliamentary Secretary to prevent officers from answering questions of the Committee.
Of grave concern was the action taken by Senator Button to curtail the Committee's consideration of his ministerial portfolio which resulted in a less than satisfactory investigation of those estimates.
Program Performance Statements
We note the use of the new Program Performance Statements (PPS) which are to be contrasted with the Explanatory Notes used in previous years. We consider that the failure of the PPS's to provide an adequate derivation of the current year's expenditure by detailing a reconciliation between actual and proposed outlays restricts the usefulness
of the Statements.
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PARLIAMENT ARY DEPARTMENTS
DEPARTMENT OF THE SENATE
Case of Sexual Harassment Before the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Allegations of a most grave nature were made against an officer of the Department and, subsequent to the hearings of the Committee, was considered by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. The Committee's restriction of consideration of this matter is noted.
We are concerned as to the correctness of the handling of the matter by Senate officers and the resulting cost to the taxpayers.
In answers to questions it was revealed that the Department of the Senate conceded that even on a high standard of proof some of the complainant's allegations had been proven. In spite of such a finding little action had been taken against the officer concerned.
DEPARTMENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
Implementation of Auditor-General's Report No. 6 1991/92
The Auditor-General revealed maladministration of a pervasive and fundamental nature within the Parliamentary Library. The Librarian's failure to attend the Committee hearing is noted as are the actions of the Presiding officers subsequent to the hearings of Committee. We consider the implementation of the Auditor-General's
recommendations as a matter of some urgency.
Overseas Trips of Officers of the Department
The Committee investigated the matter of overseas trips taken by officers of the Library. Of concern was the relevance of certain trips taken by officers to their work within the Library. A proposed trip by the executive project officer to the People's Republic of China came under particular scrutiny and highlighted an apparent lack of adequate
mechanisms to assess the worth of such travel to the Parliamentary Library.
Middle Management Conference
A middle management residential conference held in May 1991 at the Eagle Hawk Motel outside Canberra was scrutinised by the Committee. Given that all the officers who attended the Conference were Canberra based, the necessity for the Library to pay accommodation costs was brought under question. This was given considerable attention as the Committee had on previous occasions questioned a similar expenditure for a workshop at the Sydney Hilton Hotel solely for Canberra based officers within the
Parliamentary Information Systems Office.
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There has been considerable growth in some divisions of the Department, particularly in those with responsibilities also covered by other Government departments. Moreover, there has been a growth in the Department's use of consultants, despite increases in staff levels. In one instance, a consultant had been engaged in a co-ordinating role for the
Ecologically Sustainable Development project. We consider it remarkable that no Departmental officers were able to undertake this task. We note with concern this growth in expansion and duplication of Government advice.
We are also concerned at the lack of accountability available to the Parliament on the nature and quality of advice provided to the Prime Minister. The Department failed to provide useful performance evaluation. Instead, its statements were mainly jargon and
without real substance.
Other Matters
. Growth in PM&C . Duplication of tasks/advice provided by other Departments . Accountability of advice provided by PM&C . The ESD project
. Excessive use of consultants . PM&C's inability to provide answers on the costs of bodies included in the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration's publication "List of Commonwealth Bodies, June 1991"
. Use of contingency valuations by the Resource Assessment Commission.
PRIME MINISTERS PORTFOLIO
INDUSTRY, TECHNQIjOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOUO
COMMISSION FOR THE FUTURE
Incorporation of the Commission
Upon the incorporation of the Commission for the Future as a company limited by guarantee we note with concern the initial refusal of the Minister to ensure the attendance of the Commission before the Committee, despite an appropriation of $900,000. This cavalier attitude to accountability is a matter of concern.
Also of concern is the prospect for the Government to transfer Government agencies off budget prior to full privatisation and in the process minimise Parliamentary scrutiny of such agencies.
Publications of the Commission
The Commission publishes a magazine entitled "21 C" which was brought under question by the Committee. Matters of authenticity and acceptability of articles were considered. The Commission indicated that the standard of scrutiny of articles for future editions would be "immeasurably higher" than the original magazine.
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INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Declarations of Interest
In response to an Opposition request in 1989 the Industry Research and Development Board agreed to supply details of potential conflicts of interest declared by members of the Board and its committees in relation to grant and tax concession applications by companies and organisations.
In May 1991, the Opposition revealed that since 1986-87 almost 18 per cent of approved grants and about 30 per cent of the dollar value of total grants had gone to companies and organisations which had an association with members of the Board and its committees. In response to the raising of these matters in the House of Representatives the Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce indicated that the Board had changed its procedures in relation to these issues.
We recommend that the Committee continue to monitor this issue.
AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS SERVICE
Investigations Performance
The performance of the Investigations sub-program of the Australian Customs Service was considered by the Committee. In the 1990-91 financial year the sub-program initiated 532 investigation cases with suspected fraud involved totalling $54.9 million. In spite of this figure, 45 commercial prosecutions were completed, returning $3.9 million.
We consider that this performance is less than satisfactory given that answers to Questions on Notice revealed the total cost of running the Investigation component of the ACS during 1990/91, including the cost of non-commercial cases, background research and target identification as well as commercial fraud, was $14.7 million.
It was revealed that no mandatory education qualifications are required for recruitment to the Investigation sub-program and only 19 per cent of officers within the program have tertiary qualifications.
Administration of the Bounty Acts
The Committee considered evidence of the ACS in relation to payments under the Bounty /Ships') Acts of 1980 and 1989. The legislation confers responsibility for the Acts upon the Comptroller-General of Customs. On the basis of the answers given to the Committee we are not satisfied that it was established that the Comptroller-General is sufficiently aware of his responsibilities under the Acts.
Evidence was presented as to payments made for the construction of a vessel named ’The Other Woman". In spite of strict requirements under the legislation for applicants to satisfy the Minister of sufficient technical and financial management skills it is apparent from the liquidation of the original shipbuilder that requirements of the
legislation may not have been properly met.
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We recommend that the Auditor-General investigate the administration of the Bounty Acts and the role of DITAC, the ACS and the responsible Minister in discharging their duties under the Acts.
Matters Relevant to the Midford Paramount Inquiry of the JCPA
The Committee considered penalty/remission cases in relation to the so called "triple dipping registration scheme". In particular the question was asked whether there were cases subsequent to the Walker case where the ACS had used the "triple dipping scheme". We recommend that the Senate take note of the answer supplied to this
question and investigate further.
AUSTRADE
EFIC Loans and Guarantees
Evidence was presented to the Committee on industry protection to exporters through the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation. The payment of an $8 million loan at eight per cent interest for eight years to one Mr Edward A. Cantor for the construction of the vessel 'The Other Woman" was discussed. EFIC also paid out from its "commercial account" some S3.8 million on a performance bond and other financial
support for the same vessel.
The Committee considered a letter of Senator Button to Senator Bishop in which the Minister admitted that he had provided incorrect information to the Senate concerning the use of taxpayers' funds to subsidise the loan to Mr Cantor.
In light of the provision of an estimated $14.7 million in 1991-92 from the Budget in the form of interest subsidies for financing eligible export transactions, the scope for Parliamentary scrutiny of EFIC is clearly inadequate. The failure to answer properly certain questions relating to Government and taxpayer money
leads to the conclusion that there should be greater powers of Senate Estimates Committees to consider sufficiently the accountability of government agencies.
Consultancies for Former Am trade Officers
The Committee examined a consultancy totalling some $30,000 for the former managing director of Austrade to visit Berlin and Hawaii even though he had only recently resigned from Austrade and the Government already had representation in Berlin in the person of Dr Charles, the former head of DITAC.
Legal Suit relating to alleged Misstatements of a Former Trade Commissioner
A matter was raised by the Committee concerning a suit by a Canadian company against Austrade alleging that the former trade commissioner in Vancouver, Mr David Combe, knowingly withheld certain vital information by an Australian winery which went bankrupt.
It was alleged that the Canadian firm placed an order with the Australian winemaker as a result of Austrade's advice and that Austrade was aware of the financial state of the
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winemaker at the time of the advice.
Due to the sub judice nature of the issue the Committee was restricted from investigating the matter but we recommend that the Committee monitor the progress of the case.
TREASURY PORTFOLIO
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Some Treasury officials were unable to provide information concerning appropriate performance indicators. In particular, no attempt appears to have been made by Treasury to measure its efficiency in promoting an efficient financial system in Australia. The uncooperative approach taken by some Departmental officials at the hearings
highlights their poor commitment to the process of evaluation of effectiveness of Government programs. It also obstructs the important democratic process of Parliamentary scrutiny of Government budgetary proposals.
Micro-Economic Model
The Committee examined the development of a micro-economic model capable of modelling the effects of any Goods and Services Tax proposed by the Coalition. It was admitted in the hearing that the model was being developed at the behest of the Treasurer and would be used to cost the Opposition's tax package.
We consider that not only is it totally inappropriate to devote public resources on party political purposes but it is unacceptable to enlist the services of the bureaucracy to achieve such ends as was done prior to the last election when the resources of the Department of Finance were abused in a similar manner.
AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE
Consultancies relating to Indirect Taxation
The Committee scrutinised a number of consultants' reports relating to indirect taxes, in particular, a report prepared by Quantum Market Research at a cost of $75,497 which researched attitudes of business proprietors.
A total of 3,900 letters were dispatched and 964 interviews conducted. The report revealed dissatisfaction with the current wholesale sales tax and concluded:
"Problems which arise for tax payers are again mostly linked with the system itself rather than wider issues."
In support of the introduction of a goods and services tax the report stated:
"There appears to be a range of complexities and rulings which make compliance with sales tax laws quite difficult. It was in this context that a number of respondents during the initial research phase saw the ultimate solution as being
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the introduction of a consumption tax rather than a modification of the current system."
We recommend that the Senate take note of this Finding.
Several other consultancies were investigated by the Committee. In particular, a consultancy worth $236,000 to Ernst and Young for involvement in the development and delivery of a technical training program was discussed. The contract was awarded by Mr Landau of the Tax Office without any tender process and without knowledge of the
procurement guidelines.
In view of the pious attitude of the ATO in relation to those who breach the tax laws the failure of the Tax Office to properly tender consultancies is of considerable concern.
Tax Office Leaks
The Committee considered the highly improper leaking of information concerning the personal tax matters of New South Wales State parliamentarian, Mr Phillip Smiles. It was revealed that the Tax Office was investigating whether the information had been leaked from the ATO.
We recommend that the Senate monitor the progress of the investigation.
Other Matters
. Performance evaluation . Difficulties in measuring the efficiency of the control of the financial system . Implementation of RBL determinations . Tax simplification timetable
. Provision of adequate resources for the Insurance and Superannuation Commission . ISC approach to AFCO . Financial arrangements between Commonwealth and State Governments
FINANCE PORTFOLIO
We note the growth in the Department's staffing levels, despite the current economic climate. The figures for staffing levels provided in the PPS's complicated the assessment of individual program staffing levels because they included staff provisions not appropriated to any particular program, but which came under the Secretary's
"contingency fund".
The Task Force on Asset Sales appears to have made little progress in its program of asset sales. HLIC is still to be finalised. The uranium stockpile has not been disposed of. The role of the Task Force should be reviewed, particularly as it has not been involved with some recent major Government asset sales, such as the Commonwealth
Bank and AUSSAT.
We were surprised to learn that the legislative timetable for changes to ensure the
18
statutory independence of the Australian National Audit office (ANAO) will not allow the ANAO to be fully independent until July 1993.
This delay is a matter of concern as it acts as an impediment to evaluation and accountability.
Australian Government Credit Cards
The Auditor-General's Audit Report No. 7 considered the use of the Australian Government Credit Card (AGCC). A key finding of the Audit was that:
"control arrangements related to the issue and use of the cards were not being satisfactorily maintained in some cases, and cardholder reconciliations of statements from Westpac and reconciliations of Reserve Bank Settlement Accounts in some cases were not being carried out or were in arrears."
We question whether there are proper mechanisms in place to guard against misuse of the AGCC.
In addition to the Auditor's report the Committee heard that due to the payment by the Government of accounts within 15 days after the thirty day billing cycle the Government effectively receives an average of 30 days credit over 45 days. As the Government takes advantage of the interest free period and given that interest is not able to be charged during the 30 day period this means that other Australian credit card holders who pay interest are subsidising the Government's use of the credit card.
Other Matters
. DoF evaluation of FMIP . Provision of forward estimates of revenue and expenditure information . Increasing staffing levels ⢠Commonwealth retirement benefits ⢠Role and performance of the Task Force on Asset Sales . Role of the Auditor-General
SENATOR BRONWYN BISHOP Senator for New South Wales Senator for Victoria
19
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
BILL O'CHEE SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
PARliamEN" house CANBERRA A Q T 2 b 0 0
TEL (06- 3922
FAX (06, 2 — 3319
30th September 1991 CBR/WOC
Mr Peter Hamburger Secretary Estimates Committee A Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Mr Hamburger,
By way of reservation, I r ec o m m en d that the following items, and othe r matters relating to
questions I asked which were taken on notice be subj ec t to furthe r exa min at ion by the Senate.
D E P A R T M E N T OF PRIME M I N IS T E R A N D CABIN ET
Resource Assessment Commisssion
The Commission was questioned at len gth dur ing the hearing held on 23rd Se ptem ber, 1991 although the responses received were far from satisfactory.
There would seem to be a paucity o f methodological direction in the only two published works of the Resource Assessment Commission. In the K aka du Inquiry, little attention was paid to the social impact of the Commission's rec om m en d a tio n on the people of the N o rt h ern Ter ritor y. In the T im be r and Forest Inquiry h o w ev e r detailed work was done on the social impa ct of World
Heritage Listing of the N o r t h - E a s t Queensland forests.
The conspicuous inablity of the o f fi c e r s of the Commisssion to explain the d if fer enc es between these two studies would tend to indic at e there is a lack of consistency in the research currently being conducted which must rest with the Commissioners themselves.
Also of concern is the human resour ce m an ag em en t of the Commission. Th ere is clear evidence that determinations of the Re m u n e ra ti o n T r ib u n al have been flouted in the m a n n er that cars were provided to Special Commissioners. When questioned on why Dr James had been pr ovided with a car when it was not within his en ti tl e m e n t, Mr Mills replied:
Such a response shows a blatant lack of regard for the Remuneration T r i b u n a l ’s findings. The fact that the Remuneration T r i b u n a l did not forbid providing a car is no more relevant than the fact it did not forbid providing the Com mission er with a private yacht. The T ri b u n a l is given 1
1. Hansard, 23rd September, 1991 p A332
"It [the car] is not forbidden by the Remuneration Tribunal."*
12-14 LAKE street (PO BOX 7513)
COM M O NW EA LTH PARLIAMENT" OFFICES
CAIRNS Q 4870 TEL: (070) 313 649 FAX (070) 3!3 244
235 A N N STREET
BRISBANE O 4000 tel 'C~ : : s 2087
C i> : * : : 3896
20
the responsibility of deciding what people are entitled to receive, and what is not contained in the determination they are clearly not entitled to receive. All such practices should cease.
The Committee beard evidence that Mr Nicholson, the Secretary to the Timber and Forest Inquiry, was removed from his post and sent overseas to the United States of America. The Committee also heard that Mr Nicholson will not be attached to that Inquiry upon his return. The reason given for the removal of Mr Nicholson was that he had differences of views with the Commissioners over "policy direction and management style.
Little information was received on the areas in which Mr Nicholson differed in view from the Commissioners, and accordingly it is difficult to come to the conclusion that Mr Nicholson’s removal from his post was necessarily justified. Had further information been made available as to the areas (but necessarily the detail) of Mr Nicholson’s disagreements with the
Commissioners then this may have been possible.
The total cost to the taxpayer of the Resource Assessment Commission during the last financial year and this has been in the vicinity of $13 million. In spite of this it has produced only one final report and one draft report. One must therefore seriously question whether such a high level of expenditure can be justified. Doubt must also be raised as to how effectively the Commission is using the resources that have been made available to it.
Office of the Status of Women
Extensive use has been made of consultants by this section. There would appear to be little justification for many of these. The money spent on the study on Women and Ecologically Sustainable Development is symptomatic of much of this questionable expenditure.
JOINT HOUSE DEPARTMENT
Parliamentary Library
I note that since the Committee heard evidence relating to this Department a letter has been received from the Presiding Officers advising of changes in the management of the Parliamentary Library. It is hoped that these changes will result in considerable improvements.
At the hearing in question, and with the concurrence of the President, I reserved my right to further examine all operations of the Parliamentary Library during te supplementary estimates. In view of the important changes made by the Presiding Officers it is appropriate such reservation be noted here.
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE
Australian Customs Service
There would appear to be inadequate monitoring of the Coastwatch program by the Australian Customs Service. In particular I note that although prior notice was given that this program would be examined in detail, detailed answers to many questions could not be obtained.
Although all but the helicopter element of this service is undertaken by Skywest Aviation Pty Ltd 2
2. Hansard, 23rd September, 1991 p A325
21
and is subject to a contractual arrangement, no officer was present who was capable of answering questions in relation to that contract.
Customs lacked any knowledge, for example, of what staffing levels the contractor would need to maintain in order to meet the terms of its contract with the Commonwealth. All aspects of the oversighting of this program need to be improved.
PARLI AM ENT O F AUS T RALI A ·T H E S E N A T E
SENATOR IAN G. CAMPBELL LIBERAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA
1 0 October 1 991
The S e c re tary E stimates Committee A
The S enate Parliam ent House C anberra 2600
Dear S ir
By the way o f re s e rv a tio n I recommend th a t the fo llo w ing m atte rs
be fu rth e r in v e s tig a te d by the S enate:
S ub Program 2 . 1
Ins urance & S upe rannuatio n Commission
Yours s inc e re ly ,
6RUAMENT HOUSE SUITE 4. 1340 ALBANY HIGHWAY
ANBERRA AC.T. 2600 CANNINGTON. W A 6107
E . 06 277 3955 06 277 3958
TEL 09 356 2000 FAX 09 356 2377
PO . BOX 803 CANNINGTON. W A 6107
M t n
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
John H. Panizza S e n .lo i lix W c « c m A u s n k i
3rd floor. Dor ACC Center, 363 Ariel**· Terrace. PERTH W A 6000
Eatlumert Home. CANBERRA ACT 3600 TelepHone (062) TT 3626
TdcpHoro- (O ', 326 B«
' n x 5 ^ C ? >
4 O c t o b e r 1991
Mr P e t e r H a m b u r g e r
S e c r e t a r y
E s t i m a t e s C o m m i t t e e A
T h e S e n a t e
P a r l i a m e n t H o u s e
CANBERRA ACT 2 6 0 0
D e a r Mr H a m b u r g e r
By w a y o f a r e s e r v a t i o n t o t h e R e p o r t o f E s t i m a t e s C o m m i t t e e A
I r e c o m m e n d t h a t t h e S e n a t e f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r ;
P r o g r a m 1 - i n d u s t r y S e c t o r s
S u b p r o g r a m 1 . 3 - L i g h t I n d u s t r i e s
w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e A u s t r a l i a n S p a c e O f f i c e i n t h e P r o g r a m
P e r f o r m a n c e S t a t e m e n t o f t h e I n d u s t r y , T e c h n o l o g y a n d C om m erc e
p o r t f o l i o f o r 1 9 9 1 / 9 2 .
Y o u r s s i n c e r e l y *
* η H P a n i z z a
S e n a t o r f o r W e s t e r n A u s t r a l i a
n m ? Ïι' « Î 24
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
SENATOR GRANT TAMBLING S E N A T O R F O R T H E N O R T H E R N TERRITORY
S H A D O W M IN ISTER F O R R E G IO N A L D E V E L O PM E N T .
EX TERN A L TER R IT O R IE S A N D N O R T H E R N AUSTRALIA
n o r t h e r n t e r r it o r y
COUNTRY LIBERAL PARTY
DARW'N CAflCE 3 «0 THE ESPLANADE DARWIN
TELEPHONE 3 ii)6 7
EACSIMILE .05·- 513022
POSTAL ADDRESS CANBERRA OFFICE DEPUTY LEAOE"
G P O BOX « Î 6 PARLIAMENT h o u s e i n THE SENATE
DARWIN. NT 0801 " Î , Ï Ï Î· ÎÎÎ (06) 277 3436 NATIONAL PART
AUSTRALIA Ta CSIMILE (04) 277 3704 O f AUSTRALIA
Secretary Estimates Committee A Parliament House
CANBERRA 2600
Dear Sir
By way of reservation I recommend that the following be the subject of further debate in the Senate:
Prime Minister and Cabinet
Ecologically Sustainable Development process leading to the Special Premiers Conference (Hansard 9/9/91 - A146)
Yours sincerely
iRANT TAMBUNG y
/SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRfTORY
I
8 October 1991
o ^ sa a # * ’’
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
SENATOR JOHN WATSON SENATOR FOR ’ ASMANIA
C 3"'SD onoe''C i "
P 0 BOX oc.. LAUNCESTON Î 1 * : s: TEL. (003 3ia; aa
:-d floor AMP BUILDING At ST ,Ou X STREET LAUNCESTON TAS 7250
FAX: (003 · ; = "
15 O c t o b e r 1 9 9 1
Mr P H a m b u r g e r ,
S e c r e t a r y ,
E s t i m a t e s C o m m i t t e e A,
P a r l i a m e n t H o u s e ,
CANBERRA 260 0
D e a r P e t e r ,
By w a y o f r e s e r v a t i o n , I re c o m m e n d t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g m a t t e r s b e
f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r e d b y t h e S e n a t e
P r o g r a m 6 - T a x a t i o n A d m i n i s t r a t i o n : S u b p r o g r a m 6 . 1 - I n c o m e T a x
1 . D e p r e c i a t i o n - d e f i n i t i o n o f e f f e c t i v e l i f e
- p o o l i n g a r r a n g e m e n t s
2 . S e c t i o n 2 6 5 - t h e H a r d s h i p B o a r d .
3 . S i m p l i f i c a t i o n .
4 . C o s t o f C o m p l i a n c e
5 . H e p p l e ’ s C a s e
6 .· L o t t e r y p a y m e n t s
7 . S u p e r a n n u a t i o n t r u s t d e e d s .
Y o u r s s i n c e r e l y ,
S e n a t o r f o r T a s m a n i a
26
APPENDIX
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A - BUDGET 1991
Questions on notice outstanding as at 14 October 1991
INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOLIO
PROGRAM 5 - AUSTRALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
1. Dates of repayments for rescheduled wheat debts (A442, Senator Bishop, 23.09.91)
2. Name of Runmere's liquidator (A446, Senator Bishop, 23.09.91)
3. Amount of potential subsidy for loan guarantee facilities referred to p.265 of the PPS; To whom it is being paid; What amounts in each case (A449, Senator Bishop, 23.09.91)
4. What is the provision of political risk insurance facilities for major resource project in PNG (A449, Senator Bishop, 23.09.91)
5. What payments were made to three colleges (A449, Senator Bishop, 23.09.91)
TREASURY PORTFOLIO
General
6. Treasury definition of "social policy" (A350, Senator Short, 23.09.91)
Subprogram 1.4: Taxation policy
7. Answer to question on Notice Paper re economic model being built within Treasury model to enable examination of impact of GST on Australian households (A362, Senator Short, 23.09.91)
8. Updated input-output data for micro-economic model (A363, Senator Short, 23.09.91)
9. Which ATO consultants' reports Treasury has had access to (A365, Senator Bishop, 23.09.91)
10. Marginal cost of testing a particular proposal with the micro-economic model (A369, Senator Bishop, 23.09.91)
11. Access to DSS and ABS input for the model (A371/372, Senator Short, 23.09.91)
27
12. Whether results of modelling will be made public (A373, Senator Short, 23.09.91)
13. Form in which updated database will be available (A373/374, Senator Short, 23.09.91)
Subprogram 2.1: Insurance and Superannuation Commission
14. Examples of assessments done in regard to the potential costs of the vesting requirement and in regard to CSS (A573, Senator Bishop, 25.09.91)
FINANCE PORTFOLIO
Subprogram 1.1: Budget Coordination
15. Number of reports of misuse of AGCC have been referred to the AFP or the DPP; Is the situation similar to case of Qld Minister going to jail for misuse of card (A486, Senator Bishop, 25.09.91)
28
29
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 23
4 September 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 1.43 pm in the Main Committee Room. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. POSSIBLE LINE OF EVIDENCE: The Committee discussed the implications of a possible line of evidence in the public hearing on the estimates of the Department of the Senate. The Chair advised that, relying on the sub-judice convention, he would rule out of order any questions on the details of a case
scheduled for hearing before the Human Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 1.52 pm.
4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Childs (Chair), Bishop, Coates, O'Chee, Short and Walsh.
CONFIRMED
Bruce Childs Chair
30
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 24
4 September 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 1.53 pm in the Main Committee Room. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1991-92; PARLIAMENTARY DEPARTMENTS:
The Committee commenced its consideration of the Proposed Expenditure of the Parliamentary Departments.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. Kerry Sibraa, President of the Senate, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of the Senate -Mr H. Evans, Clerk of the Senate Miss A Lynch, Deputy-Clerk of the Senate Mr J. Vander Wyk, Clerk-Assistant (Corporate Management) Ms M. Cornwell, Clerk-Assistant (Table) Mr C. Elliott, Clerk-Assistant (Procedure) Mr P. O'Keeffe, Clerk-Assistant (Committees) Mr R. Aison, Usher of the Black Rod Mr G. Nankervis, Director, Financial Services Mr P. Keele, Senior Clerk of Committees Mr J. M. Carter, Assistant Director, Parliamentary Education Office Mr A. K Curtis, Security Controller Department of the Parliamentary Library -Mr M. J. Brudenall, Deputy Parliamentary Librarian Mr D. N. Woolner, Head, Parliamentary Research Service Mr C. Boreham, Acting Director, Corporate Services Ms G. Lindfield, Assistant Director, Finance and Accounts
Ms J. M. Clarke, Assistant Director, Personnel Mr B. Sweeney, Assistant Director, General Services Mr J. Pantano, Estimates Officer Ms L. Tin, Executive Project Officer Department of the Parliamentary Reporting Staff -Mr J. W. Templeton, Secretary (Principal Parliamentary Reporter) Mr B. A. Harris, Chief Hansard Reporter, Hansard Division Ms C. Upton, General Manager, Parliamentary Information Systems Office
THE SENATE
31
Mr G. R. Harber, Manager, Computers and Communications, Parliamentary Information Systems Office Mr P. Ward, Manager, Client Services, Parliamentary Information Systems Office Mr H. Hall, Manager, Sound and Vision Office
Mr J. Walsh, Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management Branch Joint House Department -Mr M. W. Bolton, Secretary Mr J. K. Porter, Deputy Secretary
Mr J. Rankin, Assistant Secretary, Personnel and Supply Services Mr R. M. Wedgwood, Assistant Secretary, Commercial Services Mr F. W. Bradley, Assistant Secretary, Property Management Mr A. R. Guilfoyle, Chief Engineer
Ms B. Hingston, Director, Public and Marketing Activities Mr G. Coulston, Director, Finance and Management Review Mr M. Laugesen, Director, Parliamentary Catering Service Mr D. Callan, Director, Employee Relations
3. STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR: The Chair reported the resolution of the Senate of 22 August 1991 referring matters to Estimates Committees, and made an opening statement.
4. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES: The Chair called on the estimates of each department in turn, inviting general questions and then questions in respect of each program in turn.
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the transcript of evidence a copy of a media release headed Matters raised by Ms Leanne Craze - Statement by the President o f the Senate, Senator the Hon. Kerry W. Sibraa
The Committee received a document headed Items reported stolen to the Office o f the Security Controller: 17 May 1991 to 3 September 1991
5. SUSPENSION OF SITTING: The Committee suspended its sitting between 6.27 pm and 8.00 pm.
6. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Committee concluded its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 for the Parliamentary Departments and Expenditure under the Advance to the President for 1990-91, subject to an undertaking by the President and officers to provide additional information to the Committee.
6 ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.52 pm.
32
7. ATTENDANCE: Senators Childs (Chair), Bishop, Coates, O'Chee, Short and Walsh.
Senators Kemp, Panizza and Schacht also attended.
CONFIRMED
Bruce Childs Chair
33
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 25
9 September 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 7.33 pm in the Main Committee Room. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1991-92; OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL:
The Committee commenced its consideration of the Proposed Expenditure of the Office of the Governor-General.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, representing the Prime Minister, accompanied by the following officers:
Office of the Governor-General -Mr D. Sturkey, Official Secretary Mrs L Lawless, Deputy Official Secretary Cmdr P. Landon, Military Secretary and Comptroller to the Governor-General
Miss R. Rawson, Director Honours Secretariat Mr K. Morcombe, Assistant Director (Awards and Systems) Mr C. Bell, Senior Executive Officer Ms E. Sanderson, Administrative & Finance Officer
Department of Finance - Mr M. Shannon Ms B. Anderson Mr G. McGuire
3. STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR: The Chair reported the resolution of the Senate of 22 August 1991 referring matters to Estimates Committees, and made an opening statement.
4. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
With no questions being asked, the Committee concluded its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the Office of the Governor-General.
THE SENATE
34
Public Service Commission: Mr A Kerr, Deputy Commissioner Mr E. Attridge, First Assistant Commissioner Ms M. Cane, First Assistant Commissioner Mr B. Gleeson, Assistant Commissioner Mr R. Harding, Assistant Commissioner Mr M. Kilner, Assistant Commissioner Ms J. West, Acting Director Ombudsman: Dr R. Bell, Deputy Commonwealth Ombudsman Mr B. Hugg, Executive officer Resources Assessment Commission: Mr R. Mills, Head of Office
6. STATEMENT BY CHAIR: The Chair reported the resolution of the Senate of 22 August 1991 referring matters to Estimates Committees, and made an opening statement.
7. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Committee received a corrigendum to the Portfolio Performance Statement, tabled by the Parliamentary Secretary, containing a resource table for Program 5.
The Chair invited general questions and called on all programs except Sub program 6.4 (Resource Assessment Commission).
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the transcript of proceedings two written questions supplied by Senator Boswell in relation to the Office of Economic Planning Advisory Council.
The Committee received two papers from the Office of the Status of Women entitled Evaluation o f OSWOMEN Newsletter Implementation Action Plan and Women and Ecologically Sustainable Development: Engendering the Debate.
The Committee adjourned its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1990-91 for the Prime Minister's Portfolio until Monday 23 September 1991.
8. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 4.11 am.
9. ATTENDANCE: Senators Childs (Chair), Coates, Lewis, O'Chee, Short and Walsh.
35
(By resolution of the Senate of 9 September 1991, Senator Bishop was discharged from attendance on the Committee for 9 September 1991 and Senator Lewis was appointed as a member of the Committee for that day.)
Senators Boswell and Tambling also attended.
CONFIRMED
Bruce Childs Chair
36
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
THE SENATE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 26
11 September 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 1.40 p.m. in Committee Room 2S1. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND PARTICULARS OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1991-92; INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOLIO:
The Committee commenced its consideration of the proposed expenditure of the Industry, Technology and Commerce Portfolio.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. John Button, Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce -Dr J. Bell, Deputy Secretary Mr R. Samarcq, First Assistant Secretary, Resource Processing and Environment Division
Dr R. Badger, First Assistant Secretary, Heavy Industries Division Mr G. Hallinan, First Assistant Secretary, Light Industries Division Mr M. Farrow, First Assistant Secretary, Construction and Service Industries Division Mr J. Wells, Assistant Secretary, Small Business Unit Dr M. Fitzpatrick, First Assistant Secretary, Innovation Division Ms S. Eccles, First Assistant Secretary, International Division Mr D. Stafford, Director, Export Credit Policy Dr R. Hawkins, Director, Bureau of Industry Economics Mr K. Besgrove, General Manager, National Industry Extension Service Mr G. Ashmore, Deputy General Manager, National Industry Extension Service Mr A. Bain, First Assistant Secretary, Policy and Projects Division Mr D. McCarthy, General Manager, Multifunction Polis Mr P. Smith, Commissioner, Patent, Trade Marks and Designs Offices Dr I. McCay, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and Coordination, Patent,
Trade Marks and Designs Offices Mr N. Hurst, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Development Authority: Mr J. Leach, Chief Executive Officer Mr R. Hayhurst, General Manager
37
Ms H. Georgopoulos, Senior Manager, Legal and Finance Automotive Industry Authority: Mr M. Wynne-Hughes, Executive Director Mr P. Woodham, Executive Officer Australian Manufacturing Councils Secretariat:
Mr J. Burke, Assistant Director Australian Institute of Marine Science: Dr J. Baker, Director National Standards Commission:
Mr J. Birch, Executive Director Anti-Dumping Authority: Mr J. McGuire, Executive Director Austrade:
Mr P. Langhome, Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs Mr M. Johnson, Executive General Manager, Australian Operations Mr C. Jamieson, Executive General Manager, Special Markets Mr D. Oliver, Executive General Manager, International Trade Enhancement
Scheme
Mr P. Sibree, Executive General Manager, Product Development Mr J. Slater Smith, Acting Group Executive, Export Finance and Insurance Mr G. McClelland, Manager, Export Development Incentives Mr J. Bennett, Group Manager, Corporate Resources
Australian Customs Service: Mr F. Kelly, Comptroller-General Mr D. O'Connor, Deputy Comptroller-General Mr B. Bissaker, National Manager, Industry Assistance
Mr B. Strang, Acting National Manager, Import Export Mr K Stilling, National Manager, Inland Revenue Mr C. Vassarotti, National Manager, Barrier Control Mr P. Bums, National Manager, Coastwatch
Mr L Jones, National Manager, Passenger Processing Mr J. Hawksworth, National Manager, Investigation Mr J. Jeffery, Manager, Executive Support Ms V. Stretton, National Manager, Corporate Services
Mr M. Brasher, Manager, Resources Management Mrs P. Bridge, Director, Budgets and Accounting Mr P. Watson, National Manager, Systems Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation:
Mr D. Davey, General Manager, Scientific Mr D. Wilson, General Manager, Corporate Mr R. Baker, Director, Business Administration Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation:
Mr R. Garrett, General Manager, Corporate Finance Branch Mr A Blewitt, Director, Corporate Services Department Dr T. Heyde, Principal Secretary, Office of the Chief Executive and Board Ms M. Keir, Manager, Ministerial and Government Business, Office of the Chief
Executive and Board
38
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Department of Finance Mr D. Baussmann, Chief Finance Officer, Manufacturing and
Industry Policy Section Mr L R. Hawke, Chief Finance Officer, Commerce, Regulation and Review Section Ms S. Gillett, Chief Finance Officer, Manufacturing and Industry Policy Section
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR; The Chair reported the resolution of the Senate of 22 August 1991 referring matters to Estimates Committees, and made an opening statement.
CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES: The Chair called on Sub-programs 1.2 (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Development Authority; Automotive Industry Authority); 2.8 (Australian Institute of Marine Science); 2.9 (National Standards Commission); 2.5 (Australian Manufacturing Councils Secretariat); and Program 6 (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation).
The Chair invited general questions.
SUSPENSION OF SITTING: The Committee suspended its sitting between 6.31 pm and 8.05 pm.
CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Chair invited general questions and called on Programs 1 and 2.
Senator Bishop tabled a copy of a press release by the Hon. Michael MacKellar MP concerning the Industry Research and Development Board.
The Committee resolved that written questions supplied by Senator Bishop in respect of the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce and the Australian Customs Service be incorporated in the transcript of evidence.
ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.32 pm.
ATTENDANCE: Senators Childs (Chair), Bishop, Coates, O'Chee, Short and Walsh.
Senator Boswell also attended.
CONFIRMED
Bruce Childs Chair
39
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 27
23 September 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 9.07 a.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND PARTICULARS OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1991-92; PRIME MINISTER’S PORTFOLIO:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Prime Minister's Portfolio.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, representing the Prime Minister, accompanied by the following officers:
Resource Assessment Commission: Mr R. Mills, Head of Office Dr C. Hamilton, Research Branch Ms B. Belcher, Corporate Support Branch
Mr M. Tucker, Kakadu inquiry Mr P. Clyde, Forest and Timber inquiry Mr R. Kenchington, Coastal inquiry Mr G. Tomlinson, Finance and Services
Mr C. Hickey, Director, Administration
The Chair called on Sub-program 6.4 (Resource Assessment Commission).
The Committee concluded its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 for the Prime Minister's Portfolio and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1990-91, subject to an undertaking by the Parliamentary Secretary and officers to provide additional information to
the Committee.
40
3. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND PARTICULARS OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1991-92; TREASURY PORTFOLIO:
The Committee commenced its consideration of the proposed expenditure of the Treasury Portfolio.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of the Treasury: Mr J A Fraser, Deputy Secretary (Economic) Mr G. Smith, First Assistant Secretary, Taxation Policy Division Mr N.F. Hyden, First Assistant Secretary, Capital Markets Division Mr G.R. Potts, First Assistant Secretary, Economic Division Mr B.D. Cassidy, First Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Policy Division Mr F.G.H. Pooley, First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Investment Division Mr R.F. Shogren, First Assistant Secretary, Structural Policy Division Mr I. Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Superannuation Branch, Taxation Policy
Division
Mr M.J. Callaghan, Assistant Secretary, International Economy Branch, Economic Division Mr A.J. Oster, Assistant Secretary, Domestic Economy Branch, Economic Division Mr J. Jepson, Assistant Secretary, Business Finance and Regulation Branch,
Finance and Investment Division Mr B. Rowse, Acting Assistant Secretary, State and Local Government Finances Branch, Fiscal Policy Division Dr K. Henry, Principal Adviser, Microeconomic Modelling Unit
Industry Commission: Mr J. Spasojevic, Head of Office Mr P. Thomas, Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services Branch Mr E. Beens, Director, Finance and Services Section Dr D. Roberts, Banking Policy Section, Finance and Investment Division Mr R. Brooker, Forecasting Section, Economic Division Dr M.L Parkinson, Incomes Section, Economic Division Mr P. Garton, Prices Surveillance Section, Economic Division Mr R. Renwick, Prices Surveillance Section, Economic Division Mr CJ. Legg, State Finances Section, Fiscal Policy Division Ms L A Atkinson, Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Branch Mr D.W. Holmesby, Director, Finance and Administration, Corporate Services
Branch
Ms LM. Toohey, Director, Personnel Resources, Corporate Services Branch Mr J.W. Foster, Director, ADP Section Mr K.M. Gillard, Assistant Director, Resources and Debt, Corporate Services Branch
Ms J.M. Dean, Resources and Debt Subsection, Corporate Services Branch Mr P.J. Collas, Resources and Debt Subsection, Corporate Services Branch
41
Prices Surveillance Authority: Dr D. Cousins, Full-time Member Dr B. Menzies, Chief Executive Officer Mr J. Corin, Administrative Officer
Royal Australian Mint Mr C. Mills, Acting Controller Mr I. Hamilton, Finance Officer Insurance and Superannuation Commission:
Mr R.M. Beetham, Commissioner Mr R.H. Dean, Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation Mr R. Glading, Deputy Commissioner, Life Insurance Mr R. Smith, Deputy Commissioner, General Insurance
Mr M. O'Neill, Assistant Commissioner, Benefit Limits Mr N. Stuparich, Assistant Commissioner, Operational Standards Mr F. Keenan, Assistant Commissioner, Policy Mr G.L Bums, Assistant Commissioner, Corporate
Ms D.A Hart, Director, Corporate Australian Bureau of Statistics: Mr R.W. Edwards, Acting Deputy Australian Statistician Mr A Mackay, Acting First Assistant Statistician, Social and Labour Division
Mr G. Cocking, Assistant Statistician, Population Census and Surveys Branch Mr K. Blackburn, Assistant Statistician, Prices and Household Finance Branch Mr F. von Reibnitz, First Assistant Statistician, Coordination and Management Section
Mr H. Kriegal, Assistant Statistician, Resources Management Branch Ms R. Gibbs, Acting Director, Financial Management Section Ms A Shields, Financial Management Section Ms S. Collins, Financial Management Section
Department of Finance Ms E. Kalis Mr B. Reid
4. STATEMENT BY CHAIR: The Chair reported the resolution of the Senate of 22 August 1991 referring matters to Estimates Committees, and made an opening statement.
5. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES: The Chair invited general questions and called on Program 1.
The Committee received a document entitled Treasury Portfolio Evaluation Plan 1991-93 tabled by the Parliamentary Secretary.
6. SUSPENSION OF SITTING: The Committee suspended its sitting between 12.57 pm and 2.08 pm.
42
7. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Treasury Portfolio. The Chair called on Programs 1 and 2.
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the transcript of evidence a written question placed on notice by Senator Bishop.
The Committee adjourned its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1990-91 for the Treasury Portfolio until Wednesday 25 September 1991.
8. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND PARTICULARS OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1991-92; INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOLIO:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Industry, Science and Technology Portfolio. In attendance was Senator the Hon. John Button, Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce Dr J. Bell, Deputy Secretary Dr M. Fitzpatrick, First Assistant Secretary, Innovation Division Ms S. Eccles, First Assistant Secretary, International Division Mr D. Stafford, Director, Export Credit Policy Dr R. Hawkins, Director, Bureau of Industry Economics Mr K. Besgrove, General Manager, National Industry Extension Service Mr A. Bain, First Assistant Secretary, Policy and Projects Division Mr D. McCarthy, General Manager, Multifunction Polls Mr P. Smith, Commissioner, Patent, Trade Marks and Designs Offices Dr I. McCay, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and Coordination, Patent, Trade
Marks and Designs Offices Dr R. Badger, First Assistant Secretary, Heavy Industries Division Mr R. Samarcq, First Assistant Secretary, Resource Processing and Environment Division Mr J. Ryan, Deputy Director, Bureau of Industry Economics Mr N. Hurst, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division Commission for the Future: Ms S. Oliver, Director Anti-Dumping Authority:
Mr J. McGuire, Executive Director Australian Customs Service: Mr F. Kelly, Comptroller-General
Mr D. O'Connor, Deputy Comptroller-General Mr B. Bissaker, National Manager, Industry Assistance Mr J. Drury, National Manager, Import Export Mr K. Stilling, National Manager, Inland Revenue
43
Mr C. Vassarottti, National Manager, Barrier Control Mr P. Bums, National Manager, Coastwatch Mr L Jones, National Manager, Passenger Processing Mr J. Hawksworth, National Manager, Investigation
Mr J. Jeffery, Manager, Executive Support Ms V. Stretton, National Manager, Corporate Services Mr M. Brasher, Manager, Resources Management Mrs P. Bridge, Director, Budgets and Accounting
Mr P. Watson, National Manager, Systems Austrade: Mr P. Langhome, Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs Mr M. Johnson, Executive General Manager, Australian Operations
Mr C. Jamieson, Executive General Manager, Special Markets Mr D. Oliver, Executive General Manager, International Trade Enhancement Scheme Mr P. Sibree, Executive General Manager, Product Development
Dr D. Fisher, Acting Group Executive, Export Finance and Insurance Mr G. McClelland, Manager, Export Development Incentives Mr J. Bennett, Group Manager, Corporate Resources Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation: Dr J.W. Stocker, Chief Executive Mr R J. Garrett, General Manager, Corporate Finance Branch Mr AW. Blewitt, Director, Corporate Services Department
Dr T.E. Heyde, Principal Secretary, Office of the Chief Executive and Board Ms M. Keir, Manager, Ministerial and Government Business, Office of the Chief Executive and Board
Department of Finance Mr D. Baussmann, Chief Finance Officer, Manufacturing and Industry Policy Section Mr L.R. Hawke, Chief Finance Officer, Commerce, Regulation and Review
Section
Ms S. Gillett, Chief Finance Officer, Manufacturing and Industry Policy Section
9. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Chair called on Programs 1 and 2 in turn.
10. SUSPENSION OF SITT ING: The Committee suspended its sitting between 6.38 pm and 8.06 pm.
11. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Industry, Science and Technology Portfolio. The Chair called on Programs 2 to 5 and Program 7 in turn.
44
The Committee resolved to authorise the broadcasting and rebroadcasting of its proceedings during the balance of the hearing by Channel 7 Television, subject to the conditions laid down in the order of the Senate of 23 August 1990 relating to broadcasting of Committee proceedings.
The Committee resolved that a letter dated 3 September 1991 from the Minister to Senator Bishop, with an attachment headed "Answers by Senator Button to Senator Bishop", be incorporated in the transcript of evidence.
The Committee resolved that the text of seven written questions on firearms control supplied by Senator Bishop be incorporated in the transcript of evidence.
The Committee concluded its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 for the Industry, Science and Technology Portfolio and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1990-91, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers to provide additional information to the Committee.
12. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 12.11 am.
13. ATTENDANCE: Senators Childs (Chair), Bishop, Coates, O'Chee and Short.
CONFIRMED
Bruce Childs Chair
45
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 28
25 September 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 9.04 a.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND PARTICULARS OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1991-92; FINANCE PORTFOLIO:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Finance Portfolio.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Finance, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Finance Mr P.J. Barrett, Acting Secretary Mr E. Thom, Deputy Secretary Mr I. McPhee, First Assistant Secretary, Financial Management Division
Mr M. Holmes, Principal Adviser, General Expenditure Division Mr A Maclean, Principal Adviser, Information Technology and Systems Group Mr J. Galloway, Assistant Secretary, Resource Policies and Management Branch Mr S. Bartos, Assistant Secretary, Primary Industries and Resources Branch
Mr D. Lindsay, Assistant Secretary, Commonwealth Superannuation Branch Mr R. Butterworth, Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Policy Branch Mr M. Kennedy, Assistant Secretary, Financial Legislation Replacement Team Mr A Pearson, Asistant Secretary, Public Administration and Accounting
Development Branch Ms O. Fijalkowski, Asistant Secretary, ADP Branch Mr G. Harper, Acting Asistant Secretary, Accounting Policy Branch Mr M. Cashel, Acting Asistant Secretary, Retirement Benefits Branch
Mr S. MacLeod, Chief Finance Officer, Budget and Public Debt Section Mr D. Knapp, Chief Finance Officer, Accountability Projects Section Ms W. Hordern, Director, Finance and Services Section Mr I. Briggs, Asistant Director, Estimates and Accounts
Mr D. Alen, Senior Finance Officer, Primary Industries and Resources Branch
46
Commonwealth Task Force on Asset Sales: Mr H. Heinrich, Chairman Mr B. Lennon, Deputy Chairman Retirement Benefits Office: Mr J. McCullagh, Acting Deputy Commissioner Mr R. Jackson, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Resources Management Branch
Ms B. Malbon, Acting Director, Finance and Accounts Australian National Audit Office: Mr M. Jacobs, Deputy Auditor-General Mr J. Meert, Executive Director, Executive Support Branch Mr R. Morison, Senior Director, Financial Administration Section Mr F. Campbell, Director, Financial Administration Section
Department of Finance Mr M. Shannon Mr P. Antcliffe Mr G. McGuire
3. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Chair called on Programs 1 and 2 in turn.
4. SUSPENSION OF SITTING: The Committee suspended its sitting between 12.55 pm and 2.02 pm.
5. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Finance Portfolio. The Chair called on Programs 2 to 7.
The Committee received a table illustrating trends in usage of the Australian Government Credit Card tabled by the Parliamentary Secretary.
The Committee concluded its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 for the Finance Portfolio and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1990-91, subject to an undertaking by the Parliamentary Secretary and officers to provide additional information to the Committee.
6. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND PARTICULARS OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1991-92; TREASURY PORTFOLIO:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Treasury Portfolio.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, representing the Treasurer, accompanied by the following officers:
47
Department of the Treasury: Mr J.A Fraser, Deputy Secretary (Economic) Mr G. Smith, First Assistant Secretary, Taxation Policy Division Mr N.F. Hyden, First Assistant Secretary, Capital Markets Division
Mr G.R. Potts, First Assistant Secretary, Economic Division Mr B.D. Cassidy, First Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Policy Division Mr F.G.H. Pooley, First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Investment Division Mr R.F. Shogren, First Assistant Secretary, Structural Policy Division
Mr I. Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Superannuation Branch, Taxation Policy Division Mr M.J. Callaghan, Assistant Secretary, International Economy Branch, Economic Division
Mr A.J. Oster, Assistant Secretary, Domestic Economy Branch, Economic Division Mr J. Jepson, Assistant Secretary, Business Finance and Regulation Branch, Finance and Investment Division Mr B. Rowse, Acting Assistant Secretary, State and Local Government Finances
Branch, Fiscal Policy Division Dr K. Henry, Principal Adviser, Microeconomic Modelling Unit Industry Commission: Mr J. Spasojevic, Head of Office Mr P. Thomas, Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services Branch
Mr E. Beens, Director, Finance and Services Section Dr D. Roberts, Banking Policy Section, Finance and Investment Division Mr R. Brooker, Forecasting Section, Economic Division Dr M.L Parkinson, Incomes Section, Economic Division
Mr P. Garton, Prices Surveillance Section, Economic Division Mr R. Renwick, Prices Surveillance Section, Economic Division Mr C.J. Legg, State Finances Section, Fiscal Policy Division Ms L.A Atkinson, Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Branch
Mr D.W. Holmesby, Director, Finance and Administration, Corporate Services Branch Ms L.M. Toohey, Director, Personnel Resources, Corporate Services Branch Mr J.W. Foster, Director, ADP Section
Mr K.M. Gillard, Assistant Director, Resources and Debt, Corporate Services Branch Ms J.M. Dean, Resources and Debt Subsection, Corporate Services Branch Mr P.J. Collas, Resources and Debt Subsection, Corporate Services Branch
Prices Surveillance Authority: Dr D. Cousins, Full-time Member Dr B. Menzies, Chief Executive Officer Mr J. Corin, Administrative Officer
Royal Australian Mint Mr C. Mills, Acting Controller Mr I. Hamilton, Finance Officer Insurance and Superannuation Commission:
Mr R.M. Beetham, Commissioner Mr R.H. Dean, Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation Mr R. Glading, Deputy Commissioner, Life Insurance Mr R. Smith, Deputy Commissioner, General Insurance
48
Mr M. O'Neill, Assistant Commissioner, Benefit Limits Mr N. Stuparich, Assistant Commissioner, Operational Standards Mr F. Keenan, Assistant Commissioner, Policy Mr G.L Bums, Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Ms D.A Hart, Director, Corporate Australian Bureau of Statistics: Mr R.W. Edwards, Acting Deputy Australian Statistician Mr A Mackay, Acting First Assistant Statistician, Social and Labour Division Mr G. Cocking, Assistant Statistician, Population Census and Surveys Branch Mr K. Blackburn, Assistant Statistician, Prices and Household Finance Branch Mr F. von Reibnitz, First Assistant Statistician, Coordination and Management
Section
Mr H. Kriegal, Assistant Statistician, Resources Management Branch Ms R. Gibbs, Acting Director, Financial Management Section Ms A Shields, Financial Management Section Ms S. Collins, Financial Management Section
Department of Finance Mr E. Wojcik Mr B. Reid Mr J.W. Turner
7. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Chair called on Programs 1 and 2 in turn.
8. SUSPENSION OF SITTING: The Committee suspended its sitting between 6.35 pm and 8.08 pm.
9. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Treasury Portfolio. The Chair called on Programs 2 to 5 and Program 7 in turn.
The Committee adjourned its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1990-91 for the Treasury Portfolio until Friday, 11 October 1991.
10. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.46 pm.
49
11. ATTENDANCE; Senators Childs (Chair), Bishop, Coates, and Short.
Senator Watson also attended.
An apology was received from Senator O'Chee
CONFIRMED
Bruce Childs Chair
50
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 29
11 October 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 9.01 a.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND PARTICULARS OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1991-92; TREASURY PORTFOLIO:
The Committee resumed its consideration of the estimates of the Treasury Portfolio.
In attendance was Senator the Hon. Bob McMulIan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, representing the Treasurer, accompanied by the following officers:
Australian Taxation Office: Mr M. Carmody, Second Commissioner of Taxation Mr J. Killaly, Acting Chief Tax Counsel Mr K. Fitzpatrick, Assistant Commissioner, Business Tax Mr M. D'Ascenzo, Assistant Commissioner, Self-Assessment Mr M. Reed, Executive Officer, Personal Tax Mrs J. McKenry, First Assistant Commissioner, Taxpayer Assistance Mr R. Highfield, First Assistant Commissioner, Revenue Collection
Mr V. Tetley, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue Analysis Mr R. Mathews, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue Collection Systems Mr V. Mitchell, First Assistant Commissioner, Taxpayer Audit Mr S. Allan, Assistant Commissioner, Complex Audit Ms J. Brady, First Assistant Commissioner, Appeals and Review Mr J. Landau, First Assistant Commissioner, Sales Tax Mr C. Hood, Training Guarantee Mr J. Harwood, Technical Adviser, Sales Tax Mr J. Growder, Acting First Assistant Commissioner, Information Technology
Services
Mr P. Wilson, Assistant Commissioner, Information Technology Services Mr C. Mobbs, Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Management Support Mr J. Phillips, Acting Executive Officer, Corporate Budgeting
Mr R. McDonald, Assistant Commissioner, Program Evaluation Ms G. Sullivan, Assistant Commissioner, People and Structures Dr T. Butterfield, Assistant Commissioner, National Office and Services
51
Mr W. Rofe, Director, Decentralisation and Accommodation Unit Mr M. Ryan, Director, Decentralisation and Accommodation Unit Mr O. Brettell, Assistant Director, National Professional Development Team Mr M. Gosney, Director, Security
Mr D. Gledhill, Inspector, Internal Investigation Mr N. Olesen, Executive Officer, Self-Assessment (Priority) Task Force Quid Support Agency: Mr J. Wheeler, First Assistant Commissioner
Mr R. Johnston, Executive Officer Ms L Buchtmann, Director, Client Services Departmental Observers: Mr R. Bawden, Corporate Budgeting Officer
Mrs E. Duffy, Corporate Budgeting Officer Mr C. Iglesias, Executive Development Scheme Ms A Wyse, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Program Evaluation Mr J. Leonard, Taxpayer Audit Ms J. Huupponen, Taxpayer Audit Mr B. Hendy, Taxpayer Assistance Ms J. Eyre, Taxpayer Assistance
Department of Finance -Mr E. Wojcik, Finance Officer
3. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Chair called on Program 6.
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the Transcript of Evidence a written question on the Australian Consumers' Association supplied by Senator Short.
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the Transcript of Evidence a written question on self-assessment supplied by Senator Watson.
4. APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIR:
The Chair appointed Senator Coates to act as Deputy Chair for a short period.
5. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES:
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the Transcript of Evidence questions on programs 6.3 and major resource utilisation changes supplied in writing by Senator Short.
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the Transcript of Evidence, a question on child support supplied in writing by Senator Watson.
The Committee resolved to incorporate in the Transcript of Evidence, answers to questions previously placed on notice by Senator O'Chee.
52
The Committee concluded its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 for the Treasury Portfolio and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1990-91, subject to an undertaking by the Parliamentary Secretary and officers to provide additional information to the Committee.
6. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 4.30 pm.
7. ATTENDANCE: Senators Childs (Chair), Bishop, Coates, Short and Walsh.
Senator Watson also attended.
An apology was received from Senator O'Chee.
CONFIRMED
Bruce Childs Chair
53
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE Î
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 30
14 October 1991
1. MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 6.40 p.m. in Committee Room 1S3. Senator Childs took the Chair.
2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES: The Committee adopted the minutes of meetings 23 to 29, held on 4, 9, 11, 23 and 25 September and 11 October 1991.
3. CORRESPONDENCE: The Committee considered a letter from the Director, Secretariat, Industry Research and Development Board seeking the Committee's view on whether it still wished to receive information on declared conflicts of interest on a six-monthly basis, as has occurred since 1989.
The Committee resolved that the Board be advised that submission of its return of conflicts of interest once per year in advance of the Budget estimates hearings and on a full financial year basis would meet the Committee's needs.
4. ADOPTION OF REPORT: The Committee considered a draft report circulated by the Chair and adopted amendments proposed by Senators Bishop and Short.
Senator Coates moved that the report, as amended, be adopted as a report of the Committee. Senator Bishop moved that the adoption of the report be subject to a reservation to be made by the Opposition members of the Committee.
The amendment was negatived and the report was adopted as a report of the Committee.
5. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 7.00 pm.
6. ATTENDANCE: Senators Childs (Chair), Bishop, Coates, Short and Walsh.
An apology was received from Senator O'Chee.
CERTIFIED CORRECT
Brace Quids Chair
54
55
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A HANSARD INDEX, BY PROGRAM
4 September 1991 Al-106
9 September 1991 A107-198
11 September 1991 A199-305
23 September 1991 A307-457
25 September 1991 A459-586
11 October 1991 A587-
PARLIAMENT Senate General A2
Program 1 Principal Advisers A19
Program 2 Table Office A33
Program 3 Procedure Office A33
Program 4 Committee Office A43
Program 5 Corporate Management Office A44
Program 6 Black Rod's Office A46
Department of the Parliamentary Library General A58
Department of the Parliamentary Reporting Service General A87
Joint House Department General A96
PRIME MINISTER'S PORTFOLIO Office of the Governor General General A107
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet General A108
Program 1.1.1 Economic Policy A123
1.1.2 Industries, Trade and Resources Policy A131
1.1.3 Social Policy A133
1.1.4 International Policy A139
1.1.5 Commonwealth-State Relations A140
Program 2.1 Machinery of Government A149
2.2 Support Services A153
Program 3.1 Multicultural Affairs A157
3.2 Status of Women A168
3.3 Science and Technology Policy A176
Program 4.2 Corporate Support Services A179
Program 6.1 Australian Science and Technology Council A181
6.3 Economic Planning Advisory Council A184
6.4 Resource Assessment Commission A308
56
Program 7.1 Public Service Commission A188
7.3 Merit Protection and Review Agency A193
INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOLIO General A257
Program 1.1 Resource Processing and Environment A267
1.2 Heavy Industries (TCF, AIA) Α201Î269
1.4 Construction and Service Industries A289
Program 2.1 Innovation (IRDB) Α295Î300Î394,Α404
2.3 Industry Research (BDE) A403
2.5 Policy and Projects (AMC, MFP) A244,A397,A406
2.7 Commission for the Future Α296Î384
2.8 Australian Institute of Marine Science A220
2.9 National Standards Commission A225
2.10 Anti-Dumping Authority A408
Program 3.3 Information and Communications A410
Program 4 Australian Customs Service A411
4.5 Coastwatch A431
Program 5 Australian Trade Commission A438
Program 6 Nuclear Science and Technology A237
Program 7 CSIRO A451
TREASURY PORTFOLIO General A343
Program 1.1 Macroeconomic A354A528
1.2 Structural A542
1.3 Debt Management A542
1.4 Taxation Policy A359
Program 2 Financial System A545
2.1 Financial Sector Policy and Administration (Departmental) A548 2.1 Insurance and Superannuation Commission A554
2.3 Non-Budget Dependent Statutory Bodies A547
Program 3 Payments To or For Other Levels of Government A579
Program 6 Australian Taxation Office Program 7 Industry Commission A583
FINANCE PORTFOLIO General A460
Program 1.1 Budget Coordination A470
1.2 Oversight and Evaluation A489
Program 2.1 Resource Management Practices A492
2.3 External Reporting Policy and Procedures A495
Program 3.3 Systems Training, Advisory and Consulting Services A504 Program 4 Retirement Benefits A507
Program 5 Specific Payments and Receipts Activities A513
Program 6 Corporate Services A523
Program 7 Australian National Audit Office A524
57
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A H A N SA R D INDEX, BY SUBJECT
Wednesday, 4 September 1991
Subject Page
PARLIAMENT
Attenders A1
Chairman's opening statement A2
Department o f the Senate
General Statement by the President A2-3
Review of allegations of sexual harassment of an officer A3-12,A15-17 Vehicle accident third party insurance claim A12-13
EEO and sexual harassment policy guidelines A14-17
Publication of Odger's Senate Practice 6th edition A17-19
Program 1 - Principal Advisers Salaries of principal officers A19-20
Reclassification of Qerks'-Assistant positions A20-23
Annual Report 1990-91 - Clerk's role in advising Senators A23
- publication of articles by Senate staff A23-24.A25-27
Increase in staff numbers A24-25
Performance indicators A25
In-house training courses - general A27-28
- middle management courses A28-29
- cross-referencing of courses and consultants in Annual Report A29-30 - training guarantee levy A30-31
- evaluation of courses A31-32
Legal advice in relation to certain complaints A32-33,A42
Program 2 - Table Office Storage A33
Program 3 - Procedure Office Citizenship visits program A33-37
Parliamentary Education Office - Parliamentary Stack A37-38
- publications - audiovisual A38-39
Legislative drafting services to senators A39-42
Women in the Parliament exhibition A42
58
Program 4 - Committee OfBce Funding of select and estimates committees
Program 5 - Corporate Management Office Fraud control plan Internal audit system Staff selection procedures
Program 6 - Black Rods OfBce Parliament House security strategic plan Structure of security service Theft of fire extinguishers
Bearing of arms in Parliament House Access to and security of underground car parks Security of private areas, alleged breach Safety of Chambers' public galleries Smoking ban
Department o f the Parliamentary Library
General Statement by the President Auditor-General's Report No. 6 - strategic and corporate planning in DPL
- performance indicators - basis of ANAO's costing of DPL services - ground floor library - recommendation 36 re management of implementation
of recommendations Financial system, implementation and staffing Travel to China by Ms Linda Tin Overseas travel by other officers
Middle management residential course near Canberra Sick leave, return to duty policy Newsletter item Consultancy, Computer Power
MICAH, possible privatisation Stocktake of furniture and fittings in East Block Attendance at conferences, evaluation Amounts written off
Department o f the Parliamentary Reporting Service
General Statement by the President Consultancies - Sound and Vision Office
- Career People and Centacom
A43-44
A44
A44-45 A45-46
A46-47 A47-49 A49A57 A50-53
A53-55 A55-56 A56-57 A58
A58
A58-59 A59-60 A60-62 A62-63
Α63-64Î82 A64-69
Α69-76Î78-79 A76-79 A79-81 A81
A81
A82-83 A83-84 A84 A84-86
A86
A87
A87-88,A91-92 A91
59
- Telecom A92
- sound reinforcement project for chambers A94-96
Hansard on PDBS A88
Nimrod computers servicing arrangements A89
Connection of CNN A89-91
Electronic voting A92-93
Connection of electorate offices with PDBS A93-94
Privacy and security of information systems A94
Video viewing facilities A96
Joint House Department
General Statement by the President A96-97
Air conditioning A97-100
Smoking ban A100-103
Relocation of House of Representatives document store A103
Timber blinds A103-104
Cost and numbers of light globes A104
Consultancies - survey of basement crawl spaces A105
- aerobics classes A105
- management of artworks A105
- stress management A106
Curation of artworks A105-106
Monday, 9 September 1991
Subject Page
PRIME MINISTER'S PORTFOLIO
Office o f the Governor General
Attenders A107
Chairman's opening statement A107
Department o f the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Attenders A108
General A108-109
Role of Department of PM&C A109-110.A112
Expansion of PM&C functions and staff numbers A109-112rAH5
Coordination of advice from other departments A113
Legal and Administrative Review Branch, need for A113-114
60
Consultancies - increase in use of - consultation with other departments - Ms Wendy Wicks' consultancy - Australian Construction Services consultancy
work relating to official establishments - form of consultancy contract - fostering of competition - performance evaluation
Program 1 - Departmental Policy Advising
Component 1.1.1: Economic Policy Apparent increase in staff resources Briefing role Coordination arrangements with other Divisions Capacity for econometric modelling Performance indicators Liaison with other economic departments Current employment of ex-Division staff
Component 1.1.2: Industries, Trade and Resources Policy Current priorities Performance indicators
Component 1.1.3: Social Policy Aboriginal Reconciliation Unit Altered allocation of funds and staff, 1990-91
Component 1.1.4: International Policy Performance evaluation Liaison with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Component 1.1.5: Commonwealth-State Relations Functions of the Secretariat Special Premiers Conference working group on private investment in infrastructure
Third Special Premiers Conference - date of and possible agenda - Commonwealth-State financial relations - progress of working groups' reports for Payment to Federalism Research Centre ESD process
A116 A ll?
Α118-120Î148-149
A121-122 A122 A122-123 A123
A123-124
Α125Î126Î129 Α125Î130 A126 A127-128,A130
A128-129 A131
A131
A132-133
Α133-137Î138-139 A137-138
A139
A139-140
A140-141
A141
A141-143
A142,A145,A149 A144-145 A145-146 A146-148
61
Program 2 - Government Support Services
Subprogram 2.1: Machinery of Government Relationship of Government Division to Public Service Commission A149-151 Main function of Division A151
Electoral systems and processes, advisory role A151-153
Guidelines for Annual Reports A153
Subprogram 2.2: Support Services Official Establishments Trust A153
Personal support services to PM and family A153-155
Official guests of government, Kirribilli House A155
Expenditure on the Lodge and Kirribilli House A156
Asset register for official establishments A156-157
Value of official establishments A157
Program 3 - Special Policy and Program Functions
Subprogram 3.1: Multicultural Affairs Consultancies - Dr Meemeduma, James Cook University A157-158,A159
- Professor Dawkins, Curtin University A158
- Professor McAllister, Australian Defence Academy A158-159 Harassment of communities during Gulf War - coordination of action and information A159
Distinction of role between OMA and DILGEA A159-161
Database, Multicultural Australia and Immigration Studies (MAIS) A161 Seminar on script writing in a multicultural society A161-164
Increase in resources, reasons for A164
Distinction of role between OMA and Bureau of Immigration Research A165 Group facilitators network A166-167
Placement of questions on notice A168
Alteration to the hearings schedule A167-168
Subprogram 3.2: Status of Women Consultancies - women and ESD A168-171A175
- Cook Islands conference A171
- Juggling Time report A171-172
- mailing list software A174
- evaluation of OSWomen newsletter A176
Workers with family responsibilities program - funds allocated A173
- performance indicators A173
- ratification of ILO Convention 156 A173-174
Grants, conditions and recipients A174-175
Monitoring appointments in the Public Service A175-176
62
Subprogram 3.3: Science and Technology Policy
A176 Increase in funding, reasons for Cooperative Research Centres A177 Α177Î178
A177-178 A178
- numbers established - monitoring and review - balance of disciplines represented - relationship with PM&C
Program 4 - Corporate Services
Subprogram 4.2: Support Services Management devolution program, evaluation A179
Government response to Senator Short's Question on Notice declining to authorise commitment of resources needed to get requested information A179-181
Program 6 - Portfolio Policy Advising Agencies
Subprogram 6.1: Australian Science and Technology Council Funding the Fabric research report recommendations - ASTEC's advice to Government re funding of research infrastructure A181 - full cost recovery basis for consultancies by publicly funded bodies A181-182
Green paper on allocation of resources to research A182-183
Benefits of private sector research A183
Coordination of environmental research A183-184
Leave without pay of an officer A184
Subprogram 6.3: Office of the Economic Planning Advisory Council Late receipt by Committee of draft Annual Report A184-185
Performance evaluation A186
Contracting out of research projects A186
Determination of work program for 1991-92 A186-187
Increase in resources, reasons for A187-188
Program 7 - Public Administration and Accountability
Subprogram 7.1: Public Service Commission Role in providing advice - to the Prime Minister A188
- on appointment of permanent heads A188
- on SES matters A189
Early retirement trends and processes A189
Appeal and review mechanisms policy role A189-190,A191
Relationship with Merit Protection Review Agency A190-191
Relationship with Department of Finance A191-192
Increase in resources for human resource development A192
Middle management program A192
63
Subprogram 7.3: Merit Protection Review Agency Selection and promotions processes - equity A193-194
SES complaints A194
Performance indicators A194
Joint selection committees A194-196
Salary allocation increase, reason for A196-197
Membership of Agency A197-198
Unavailability of draft Annual Report A198
Questions on Notice A198
Wednesday, 11 September 1991
Subject Page
INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOLIO
Attenders Chairman's opening statement
Department o f Industry, Technology and Commerce
Program 1 - Industry Sectors
Subprogram 1.2: Heavy Industries Textiles Clothing and Footwear Development Authority (TCFDA) - capitalisation grants program applications - fall in premium rates, reasons for
- industry action in response to reduced protection - grants program applications, details requested - services provided to TCFDA by other agencies - unacquitted advances of travel expenses TCFDA consultancies
- TCF Skills and Resource Centre of SA Inc - payments to trade unions - Arthur Andersen - Ergonomics Consulting Group
- Quick response electronic data interchange techniques seminar, Harden and Associates - KPMG Peat Marwick - Werner International Automotive Industry Authority
- export facilitation approval scheme applications - services provided to ALA by other agencies - consultancy, Mr D Owens Need for ALA as a separate authority
Motor vehicle and components development grants
A201 A201 A201-2 A202 A202-203
A203
A203-204,A209-210 A204-207,A208-209 A207-208.A210 A211
A211-213 A213 A213
A213-214 A215 A214-215 A215-216
A216-217.A218
A199-200 A200
64
Export cars, need for additional safety features Efficiency of car industry, analyses Robotics
Program 2 - Industry Infrastructure
Subprogram 2.8: Australian Institute of Marine Science Great Barrier Reef - possible damage due to run off from agricultural land - algal bloom causes
- effect of fresh water releases - crown of thorns starfish Product development, UV blockers (ICI Australia) Drill core sampling on reef
Subprogram 2.9: National Standards Commission Provision of advice to Parliamentary Counsel re private member's bill on time zones Need for legislation
- Constitutional position Charging for services Membership of Commission Coordinated universal time / Greenwich mean time National Time Committee Communication with other agencies Communication with Mr Ron Edwards MP Regulation of time as a function of the Commission Public consultation Testing of standard of imported instruments
Agreement on Standards Accreditation and Quality International Organisation of Legal Metrology Metrology skills training course, expenditure
Program 6 - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
General Payment to Nordic Engineering Revenue raising, cost recovery Lucas Heights site Research role relative to other institutions Potential for commercialisation of activities Alligator Rivers analogue project
A217-218 A218-219 A219-220
A220-221 A221 A221
A221-222 A222-224 A224-225
A225,A228-229 A225-226, A229-231 A226 A226-227,A236-237
A227-228 A230 A229-230
A231,A232-233 A231-232 A233 A233-234 A234-235
A235 A235
A235-237
A237-238
Α238-241Î242 A241 A242-243 A242-243 A243-244
65
Program 2 - Industry Infrastructure
Subprogram 2.5: Policy and Projects (Australian Manufacturing Council) Restructure of Council AMC work program
Best practice demonstration program ESD Working Group on Manufacturing - consultation on AMC position for ESD group Productivity improvement, AMC position
Information bulletin subscriptions Staffing Research on clustering of firms Community education program on manufacturing industry
A244A247 A244
A244-245,A246 A245-246,A247-249 A246 A246
A247 A247 A249
A249-250
AMC consultancies - The Global Challenge report - Mr N Gruen - Holt Public Relations, changes to contracts
- Towers Perrin Forester and Crosby, amended contract - Canada Consulting Cresap, $110,000 contract - Western Pacific Communications - AGSM Limited, $175,000 contract Work of secretariat staff
Cost recovery
A250-251 A251
A251-252, A254-257 A253 A254 A255 A255-256 A252-253
A256
Department o f Industry, Technology and Commerce
General Draft Annual Report, information not yet provided A257
Mr Ghaith Pahron, possible meeting with Minister A258-262
Business opportunities in Kuwait A262
Checks on credentials of individuals to meet Minister A262-263
Article in Australian quoting Dr Bell on tax system A263-266
Tax impact on business, DITAC work A266
Goods and services tax A266-267
Program 1 - Industry Sectors
Subprogram 1.1: Resource Processing and Environment Expenditure on ESD program A267-268
Production of citric acid, Sirius Biotechnology A268
Pulp mill proposals A268-269
Subprogram 1.2: Heavy Industries Consultancies - outcomes of consultancies A269
- Australian Shipbuilders Association Ltd A269-270
- Manatech, modelling for NIES A270-271
- Australian Academy of Design A274-275
66
- Cities and Towns Local Government Association conference A287-288 - Woolcott Research Pty Ltd A288
- Marsland Pty Ltd A288
Evaluation of NEES programs A271-273
NIES staffing and functions A274
Request for evaluation of some consultancy reports A275-276
Selection process for DITAC Deputy Secretary A276-278
Australian Space Office, Temple Bay project A278-279,A295
Offsets and partnerships A279-280
Vendor development scheme, use of certificates A280-282
Undischarged offset obligations, status A282-283
Photographic film bounty, status of Kodak A283-284
Oztech exhibition - involvement of Mr Paul Lyneham A284-285
- funding by DITAC A285
- evaluation of success of event A285
Metal working machine robots bounty A285-286
Audio cassettes, elimination of tariffs A286
Partnerships for development program A287
Placement of questions on notice A289
Subprogram 1.4: Construction and Service Industries Small and medium enterprise development program A289-290
- export development scheme A290-292
- projects relating to regulation A292
- work on program before and after March 1991 A293
Small Business Council tax group draft report A293
Small business centre steering committee A293
- fund raiser A293
Small Business Research Unit research awards A293-294
Small business database and feasibility study A294
Training levy and small business A294
Meet the Buyers 'trade fair' evaluation A294
Export of legal, health and medical services plan A294-295
Program 2 - Industry Infrastructure
Subprogram 2.1: Innovation National procurement development program A295
Consultancies - Pappas Carter Evans and Koop, and Aymever Consulting Services A296
Subprogram 2.7: Commission for the Future Privatisation and funding A296-300
67
Subprogram 2.1: Innovation Industry Research and Development Board, grants procedures A300
Questions on Notice A300-305
Monday, 23 September 1991
Subject Page
PRIME MINISTER'S PORTFOLIO
Attenders A307-398
Chairman's opening statement A308
Program 6 - Portfolio Policy Advising Agencies
Subprogram 6.4: Office of the Resource Assessment Commission Coastal zone inquiry, increase in staffing A308
Kakadu inquiry complete A308-309
Coastal zone inquiry A309-310
Forest and timber inquiry A309
Structure of RAC corporate services branch, numbers and functions A310 Use of consultants A310-311
Consultation, Kakadu inquiry A311
Social justice, meaning within subprogram A311-312
Dr Hamilton - letter to a newspaper A312-313,A314-315,A318
- functions in RAC A313-314
Definitions of conservation and development A315
Influence of government policy on RAC advice A315-316
Access by Committee to advice given to RAC on inquiries A317-318
How advice formulated in RAC A318
Procedural discussion A318-319
Kakadu inquiry, social impact inquiry A319-320
- difference in methodological approach to North East Queensland part of forest and timber inquiry A320-321
Forest and timber inquiry - studies on structural adjustment package (SAP) A321-323
- consultant's draft report on SAP A323-324
RAC item in Australian Financial Review environment feature A324 Consultancies - Jack Hilary and Associates A324
- John Malone A324
Circumstances of Mr Nicholson's departure from RAC A324-332
Cost of furniture for Justice Stewart's office A332
Allocation of motor vehicles to officers A332-334
68
Funding of participants in inquiries A334
Corporate Contact Network and RAC's links with other groups A334-335 Research reports outside ambit of specific inquiries A335
RAC relationship to - DASETT A336
- Industry Commission A336
- ESD process A336-337
Kakadu report - balance of interests A337
- religious aspects of Coronation Hill site A337-340
- process of drafting report A338-339
- cost of contingent valuation survey A340
Further contingent valuation surveys A341
- forest and timber inquiry A341
- criticism of concept by Institute of Public Affairs A341-342
Definition of 'useful' in RAC goals, question taken on notice A342
TREASURY PORTFOLIO
Attenders A342-343
Chairman's opening statement A343
General Number of corrections to Program Performance Statement A343-344 Late receipt of draft annual report A344-345
Future review of program structure A345-346
- use of consultant A346
- possible savings A347-348
Performance indicators A346-347
Recruitment difficulties A348
Portfolio program evaluations A349
Social justice, meaning within portfolio A349-351
- evaluation of programs against social justice criteria A351-352 Increase in staff numbers A353
Special Premiers' Conference process A353
Treasury delays in answering Questions on Notice A354
Program 1 - Economic Policy
Subprogram 1.1: Macro-economic (Prices Surveillance Authority) Incompleteness of draft annual report A354-355
Objectives of PSA measurements of effectiveness A355
Number of notifications in last year A355
Attention to causes of price increases, A355-356
Current inquiries, including waterfront A356-357A358
Suggested merging of PSA with Trade Practices Commission A357-358 Labour productivity and costs figures in draft annual report A358-359 Prices surveillance vs prices intervention A359
69
Placement of questions on notice A359
Subprogram 1.4: Taxation policy Income tax on prescribed lottery arrangements A359-360
Rebate on excise for remote area power generation A360
Increase in subprogram resources A360
establishment of Superannuation Branch A361
Development of micro-economic model A361-363,A366-367,A368-370,A377-378 Capital gains tax on small business A364
Consultants reports on wholesale sales tax A365
Work on indirect taxes A365-366
Capital gains tax, family home A367-368
Negative gearing A368
Computing facilities for micro-economic model A370-371
Interaction of model with Social Security A371-373
Use of Household Expenditure Survey data A372-373
Availability of micro-economic model A373-374
Reform of depreciation arrangements A374
- meetings with business groups A374-376
- joint work with DITAC A376-377
Department's macro-economic model A378-379
Tax simplification exercise A379-381
Officers on overseas assignments, purposes A381-382
INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE PORTFOLIO
Attenders Chairman's opening statement
Department o f Industry, Technology and Commerce
Program 2 - Industry Infrastructure
Subprogram 2.7: Commission for the Future Cost of producing magazine '21C' Involvement of ABC in production of '21C' Market for magazine Accuracy of content of magazine
Other activities of Commission Shareholders in, and structure of, Commission Charter, memorandum and articles of association
Subprogram 2.1: Innovation Industry Research and Development Board, grants procedures A394-397
A384-387
A385-387,A389-390 Α387-388Î392 A388-389,A392-393 A390-391
A391-392 A393-394
A382-384 A3 84
70
Subprogram 2.5: Policy and projects Multifunction polis - private investment A397
- financing of infrastructure development A397-398
- staffing in DITAC A398
- Japanese interest A398
- public consultation A398
- administrative expenses and financial commitments A399-400 - number of firms interested in establishing at MFP A401
- tax incentives A401
- other associated sites A401-402
- limits on overseas involvement A402-403
Subprogram 2.3: Industry economic research (Bureau of Industry Economics) Increase in BIE staffing A403
Recruitment difficulties A403
Duplication between BIE and Industry Commission A403-404
Receipts A404
Subprogram 2.1: Innovation Linkages with financial institutions and superannuation funds A405
Research and development 150% tax concession, review A406,A407-408
Subprogram 2.5: Policy and projects Commercial tariff concession system A406
Subprogram 2.10: Anti-Dumping Authority Review of anti-dumping procedures A408-409
Resources of ADA A409
Methodology of investigations, peaches and pears case A409-410
Program 3 - Corporate
Subprogram 3.3: Information and communications Increase in resources A410-411
Program 4 - Australian Customs Service
General Prosecutions - number, cost and returns A411,A412-413
Training of investigation officers A411-412
Number of investigation officers A412
Midford Paramount case A413-414
Oxford case, Topper case, AAT jurisdiction and rulings, ACS actions A414-416 Walker case, Cadet Shoes case A416-417
In-house legal advice A417
Administration of ships bounty payments - legislation A418
71
- numbers and amounts of payments A418-419
- payments relating to the vessel The Other Woman A419-424
- requirements of registration under Bounty (Ships) Act A424-426 Diesel fuel rebate scheme A427-428
- reasons for increases in estimates A428-429
- response to ANAO audit report A429-431
Construction of ACS computer centre A431
Subprogram 4.5: Coastwatch Aircraft in service A431
Scrutiny of contract performance A432
- availability of aircraft A432-434
Delivery of SeaScan aircraft A434-435
Electronic observers, training and numbers A436-437
Firearms control, placement of questions on notice Α437Î438
Incorporation of letters relating to EFIC and payments for The Other Woman A437-438
Program 5 - Australian Trade Commission
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) - bounty payments relating to the vessel The Other Woman A439-440,A444-446 - level of national interest exposure A440-441
- borrowing operations A441-444
- level of reserves A444
- legal advice relating to contract for the vessel The Other Woman A446-448 Series of question on various subprograms, taken on notice A449
Claims on the national interest provisions A449
Splitting of EFIC and Austrade A449
Lawsuit against Austrade by Crocodile Marketing Ltd A449-450
Consultancy fee paid to Mr McAlister A450-451
Dr Charles' appointment to Berlin A451
Program 7 - CSIRO
Changes in direction of CSIRO in last 18 months A451-452
Resources, how transferable A452
Priority areas A452-453
Account taken of commercial potential of projects A453
Sales revenue, potential and sources A453-454
Superannuation scheme A455
Questions on Notice A456-457
72
Wednesday, 25 September 1991
Subject
FINANCE PORTFOLIO
Attenders Chairman's opening statement
General Liability for providers of information technology Oversighting of other departments' Program Performance Statements Increase in running costs of Department Increase in running costs of most departments Corporate planning reserve Union bans
Program 1 - Budget Development and Management
Subprogram 1.1: Budget Coordination Deterioration in the budget surplus Components of higher outlays figure Reduced number of Finance Cabinet submissions and decisions Department's scrutiny of other departments' new policy proposals Carryover borrowing limit review In-house production of Budget documents, savings Evaluation of the efficiency of estimates practices Influence of New Federalism on Budget documents Specific purpose payments to States/Territories, monitoring Representation on Special Premiers Conference working groups Possibility of forward estimates of revenue Management of levies raised by industry Australian Government credit cards
- reconciliation procedures - Reserve Bank settlement account - prosecution of fraud
Subprogram 1.2: Oversight and evaluation Increase in staffing resources Accountability and cost-effectiveness, Department's role Use of trust accounts
Program 2 - Resource Management Framework
Subprogram 2.1: Resource management practices Evaluation of FMIP across all departments Need for register and monitoring of Commonwealth bodies
Page
A459-460 A460
A460-463 A463-465 A465-466 A466-467 A467-469 A469-470
A470-471 A472 A472-473 A473-474 A474-476
A475 A476
A477-478 A478-479 A479 A480-481 A481-482 A482-485 A485-487 A486-487 A487-489
A489-491 A491-492 A492
A492-493 A494-495
73
Subprogram 2.3: External reporting policy and procedures Discussion paper on public sector accounting standard A495-496
Accrual accounting A496
Guidelines for use of Advance to the Minister for Finance Α496-497Î503 - grant to Queensland Government A497-501
FMIP, next steps A501
Review of presentation of Budget papers A502-503
Commonwealth financial management handbook, revised edition A503
Program 3 - Government Financial Administration and Accounts
Subprogram 3.3: Systems training, advisory and consulting services Computer-based financial management information systems seminar A504 Australian government credit cards - number of prosecutions for misuse A504-505
- review of procedures and usage A505-506
Seminars, numbers organised by Department A506
Program 4 - Retirement BeneEts
Legislative changes A507
Level of unfunded liability of public sector superannuation schemes A507-508 Encouragement of pensions over lump sums A508
Funding of PSS scheme A509
Employees of organisations to be privatised, concerns about superannuation A509-510 Number of GBE superannuation schemes A510
Australian Airlines superannuation scheme A510-511
Retirements on invalidity grounds A511-512
008 inquiry line A512-513
Program 5 - Specific Payments and Receipts Activities
Act of grace payments A513-514
Taskforce on asset sales - shortfall against estimates, reasons A514-515
- progress of sales A515
- Commonwealth Bank float A515-516
- Aussat A516-517
- sale of HLIC A517-518
- trade sales strategy A518-519
- employee share ownership in airlines A519
- cost of airlines sales brochure A519-520
- sale of Australian National Line A520-521
- increased running cost of taskforce A522
- consultants A522
- recruitment A523
- Defence service homes sale, agreement with Queensland Government A523
74
Program 6 - Corporate Services
Costs of redundancy payments Employee assistance program Travel expenditure
Program 7- Australian National Audit Office
Revision of Audit Act, progress Effect on operations of Office of delay with new legislation Australian Contemporary Music Development Co, audit
TREASURY PORTFOLIO
Attenders Chairman's opening statement
Program 1 - Economic Policy
Subprogram 1.1: Macro-economic Meaning of sustainable economic growth - in relation to employment Meaning of low inflation and unemployment
- target figures Basis of 1.5% GDP growth forecast - fall in private sector investment - source of growth in exports
- price of wool, effects - effect on forecast figure of reduced export growth rate Average earnings growth forecast Total domestic savings figures Corporate savings and profitability figures Restraints on investment and growth Public and private sector savings Micro-economic model - capacity - allocation of resources to development of model Potential economic impact of greenhouse gas emission targets
Subprogram 1.2: Structural Performance indicators and evaluation
Subprogram 1.3: Debt management Timetable for program Domestic vs overseas borrowings, policy Interest rates
A523
A523-524 A524
A524-526 A526-527 A527
A527-52S A528
A528-529 A529-531 A531-532 A532-533
A533
A533-534 A534-535 A535-536 A536-537
A537 A537
A537-537 A538 A539
A539-540 A540-541 A541-542
A542
A542 A543
A543-544
75
Program 2 - Financial System
General Benchmarks for efficiency, competitiveness and stability in financial system Performance indicators for program Defining worthwhile foreign investment
Workload of Foreign Investment Review Board
Subprogram 2.3: Non-Budget dependent statutory bodies Commonwealth Bank prospectus, absence of profit projections
Subprogram 2.1: Financial sector policy and administration (departmental) Freeze on unlisted property trust assets - consideration of levy support arrangement - reasons for limiting actions to unlisted property trusts
- timing of freeze Prudential supervision, adequacy of Treasury powers
Subprogram 2.1: Insurance and Superannuation Commission Performance indicators Eligible termination payments (ETPs), request form Backlog of certificates of compliance requests
Lack of ISC office in Tasmania Adequacy of telephone access to ISC Adequacy of ISC resources since split from ATO Distribution of ISC annual return forms
Superannuation levy, application to certain employers Defined benefits schemes surpluses, guidelines Casual workers' superannuation Deadline for reasonable benefit limits (RBL) determinations re tax returns
- computer system problems Detection of ETPs Simplification of system Complaints about RBL system
Appeal to AAT Average time taken per determination Monitoring of Occidental and Regal Life case Provision of actuarial advice
Actuary's access to databases Advisory role in relation to investment vs beneficiary interest Superannuation summit Reliability of statistics
Australian Accounting Standards Board, draft paper Corporations legislation to cover superannuation industry Loss of tax benefits in simplification process ANZ Bank paper 'Why are Australia's Retail Deposits Falling?'
Consultation with consumer organisations Increase in appropriations, reasons
A545
A545-546 A546 A546-547
A547-548
A548-549 A549-550 A550-551 A551-552
A552-553
A554
A554-556 A556-557 A557 A557-558
A558
A558-559 A559-560 A560 A560-561
A561-562 A562-564 A564-565 A565-566
A566-567 A567 A567 A567-569 A569-570
A570-571 A571-573 A573-574 A574
A574-575 A575-576 A576 A576-577
A577-578 A578
76
Program 3 - Payments To or For Other levels o f Government
Horizontal fiscal imbalance Review of fiscal equalisation arrangements Return of taxing powers to the States Working party on vertical fiscal imbalance Payroll tax Timing of presentation of working group reports
Program 7 - Industry Commission
Impact of changing role on resource needs Rent increase Increase in salary allocation Social justice, meaning within program
IC report commenting on capital gains tax on family home Annual report delays
Friday, 11 October 1991
Subject
TREASURY PORTFOLIO
Attenders Chairman's opening statement
Program 6 - Taxation Administration (Australian Taxation Office)
Subprogram 6.1: Income tax Depreciation - effective life, calculation - deductibility write-off for small items of plant
- write-off rate for second hand plant - March 12 industry statement, timing of legislation - exposure draft ruling no. 63 ATO network equipment, overspend Australian Government credit cards
- Auditor General's report on misuse in ATO Queensland office Depreciation, pooling arrangements Foreign investment - passive investment income, legislation
- taxation
Taxation Laws Amendment (Foreign Income) Act, winding up of trusts Ruling 2628
A579-580 A580-581 A581-582 A582-583
A583 A583
A583-584 A584 A584 A584 A585 A585
Page
A587-588 A588
A588,589-590 A589 A589 A590
Α590-591Î631 A591-594
A594-596 A596-597
A597
A597-598 A598 A598
77
Donations paid to Brian Burke, taxation of interest Prosecution for breaches of confidentiality of taxpayers' personal information Rulings binding on ATO Prosecution procedure for failure to lodge tax return
Taxation of travel allowances Prosecution of politicians Application of case law and rulings Availability of rulings to tax agents
ATO application of AAT decisions as binding Taxpayers as 'clients', relationship to ATO Confirmation of telephone inquiries Requests for section 169A rulings
Charging for complex rulings Time taken for AAT decisions on tax appeals Dorothy Moorby case Section 46(7A), dividend rebates
Exposure draft ruling no. 42, partial debt write-offs Training program facilities Work related expenses, growth in claims
Taxation treatment of work in progress, Gray's and Coughlan's cases Tax simplification program - progress - abbreviation of Act
- transfer of resources from other programs areas Discussion of deadline for ATO answers to estimates questions on notice Cost of compliance Discretionary powers
Placement of questions on notice Large case program - implications for revenue - evaluation by Pappas Carter Evans and Koop
- number of cases in progress Taxpayer audit program - process of selecting cases for audit - procedures for audits, code of conduct
- costs of audit borne by companies - potential revenue - effect on voluntary compliance rates Living away from home allowance Hepple's case results Income tax on prescribed lottery arrangements Swaps rulings Deductions for uniforms and other clothing Review of franking credits for accident liability insurance Superannuation trust deeds Superannuation and group certificates Employment declaration forms
A598-599 A599-601 A601-603 A603
A603-604 A604-605 A605-608 A607
A608-610 A610-611 A611 A611-612
A612-613 A613 A613-614 A614
A614
A614-615 A615-616 Α616Î631
A616-617 A617-619 A619-620 A619 A620-621
A621 A621
A622-623 A622
A623-624
A624-625 A625-626 A626-627 A627-629
A628
A629-630 A630-631 A631-632 A632-633
A633-634 A634 A634-635 A635
A635-636
78
Availability of booklet on self assessment A636
Estimated increase in withholding tax revenue A636-637
Reasonable care, requirements of tax officers A637
Acknowledgment of receipt of returns A637-638
Placement of questions on notice A638
Section 70B, meaning of terms A638
Capital gains tax, companies in liquidation, rulings A638
Enactment of rules for access to working papers A639
Tax Pack - distribution A639
- CPI rates for calculation of capital gains tax A640
- eligible termination payments certificates A640
- availability on floppy disk A640
- travel allowances question A641
Clearance of backlog of objections to assessments A641-642
Inquiry counter errors, internal evaluation A642
Keying errors, detection and monitoring of level A642-643
Issuing of quarterly provisional tax notices A643
Confidentiality of taxpayer data provided electronically A643-644
Lease incentives, response to request for information A644
Audit of fringe benefits tax in non-profit organisations A644-645
Phase out of tax stamps A645
Livestock valuations A645-646
Interest on borrowings to pay tax, non-deductibility for partnerships A646-647 Refund of interest by ATO on overpayments A647-648,A654-655
Capital gains tax, section 177C of Income Tax Assessment Act A648
Section 47(1A), questions taken on notice A648
Capital gains tax, ATO specialist advising cell, rulings and access A648-649 Ruling 2645, relief from substantiation requirements A649-650
Investigation of alleged links between organised crime and officers of ΑΤΠA650 Section 78, deductibility of donations to organisations, review A650-652 Bankruptcy, Allfarm case, protection of employee's entitlements A652-654,A655-657 Charging
- for copies of Tax Pack A654
- for stationery used by tax agents A657
Placement of questions on notice A657
Exposure draft ruling no. 52, deductibility of interest, superannuation A657-658
Subprogram 6.2: Sales tax Sales tax simplification project, consultation A658
Wholesale sales tax falling on business purchases of investment goods A658 Sales tax collected from overseas travellers A658
Consultancies - technical sales tax training, Ernst and Young A659-660
- Michael Gill and Associates report on sales tax workshop A660,A666-667 - process of letting Ernst and Young contract A660-664
Level of expenditure on reports concerning sales tax A664-665
Placement of questions on notice A668
79
ATO access to Treasury micro-economic model A668-669
Asset register for ATO equipment A670
Adelaide office project A670
Subprogram 6.4: Child Support Agency Placement of questions on notice A670
Questions on Notice A670-673
80
E stim ates Committee b
Re po r t To The Senate
October 1991
82
83
T a b l e O f C o n t e n t s
Page
Report to the Senate........................................................................................................ 1
Reservations -Senator Peter Durack............................................................................................ 9
Senator Jocelyn Newman..................................................................................... 10
Senator Brian Harradine ..................................................................................... 11
Senator Robert H ill.............................................................................................. 12
Minutes of Proceedings Wednesday, 4 September 1991.................................................................................. 13
Monday, 9 September 1991 ...................................................................................... 16
Wednesday, 11 September 1 9 9 1 ............................................................................... 20
Tuesday, 8 October 1991........................................................................................... 24
Table of contents to Hansard of public hearings Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade...........................................................
Department of Defence ............................................................................................. 30
List of questions taken on notice during the Committee’s consideration of the estimates Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade........................................................... 37
Department of Defence ............................................................................................. 40
84
E s t i m a t e s C o m m it t e e B
R e p o r t T o T h e S e n a t e
85
Estimates Committee B presents its report to the Senate.
INTRODUCTION
On 22 August 1991 the Senate referred to the Committee for examination and report the particulars of proposed expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1992, the particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1992 and expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1991,
relating to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence.
The Committee met on 4, 9 and 11 September 1991 to examine these estimates and expenditure. The Committee considered the estimates utilising the departmental program performance statements and received evidence from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Senator Gareth Evans), the Minister for Defence (Senator Robert Ray), and officers
of the departments and authorities concerned.
This report includes the Committee’s Minutes of Proceedings, a table of contents to the Hansard reports to public hearings and a list of questions taken on notice during the Committee’s consideration of the estimates. The Hansard reports and additional information provided at the public hearings and in response to the questions taken on notice will be tabled
separately in the Senate.
The Committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance of the Ministers and the officers of the departments and authorities who appeared before it The Committee commends the efforts of both Departments in providing written responses to all questions taken on notice prior to the finalisation of this report and, in particular, to Defence in responding to over 200
questions in this period of time.
The Committee draws the attention of the Senate to the following matters of interest which arose during consideration of the estimates:
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE
Illegal fishing in Australian zone
The Committee noted in the Program Performance Statements that in 1990-91 discussions about illegal Indonesian fishing in the Australian fishing zone had occurred and the outlook for 1991-92 included continuing to work closely with the Indonesian Government to manage this illegal fishing.
The Committee was informed that the Indonesian Government was working hard to get an educative message across to the many villages from which boats are likely to make incursions into Australian waters and was also paying particular attention to the ports where catches from these fishing operations are sold. While preventative measures are being taken by the
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Indonesians, surveillance and enforcement exercises conducted by Australian authorities are regarded as successful in terms of the level of activity actually occurring. However, it is not regarded as a sufficient disincentive for the fisherman to be caught, have their boat impounded, be gaoled and subsequently returned home given the level of money earned under Australian law while in gaol.
Additional disincentives for fishermen illegally coming and returning to Australian waters were being considered. One option, for example, is to make special provision for having money earned in gaol being used to cover the cost of returning the people home.
Alternative measures that have been the subject of discussions with the Indonesians have included the creation of joint commercial ventures in order to provide other forms of return for the fisherman who would then have less incentive to trespass into the Australian fishing zone.
Former Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See - Mr Brian Burke
At the additional estimates in April 1991 questions were asked relating to Mr Brian Burke’s term as Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See. Further questions were asked at the September hearings relating to the purchase and sale of vehicles duty free and the payment of a component of a phone bill for private calls by Mr Burke.
The departmental regulations relating to the purchase of vehicles duty free in a posting are outlined in a 1987 administrative circular on diplomatic and consular privileges. It was raised during the hearings that Mr Burke may have breached these regulations. The Committee was advised of the following sequence of events in respect to the purchase and sale of two vehicles by Mr Burke.
The two vehicles, which were the subject of concern, had been purchased by Mr Burke by trading in vehicles he had bought two years previously. Mr Burke was unaware of the departmental regulations as the 1987 administrative circular had not been brought to his attention. The department was satisfied that Mr Burke did not know about the circular. When Mr Burke was preparing to vacate the Dublin post it was proposed that the vehicles
should be disposed of duty free. If a sale had occurred under these conditions it would have breached the department’s regulations.
The Department became aware of the vehicles at this point after an officer of the post had sought advice from the Department relating to the proposed sale of the vehicles. The Department advised Mr Burke that, in accordance with the departmental regulations, he should pay all taxes and duties on the two vehicles and dispose of them without benefit of diplomatic privilege. Mr Burke agreed to this advice and immediately took steps to conform to the regulations by paying all relevant taxes and duties (see Hansard, pp. 38-42 and 50-51).
A further area of contention related to the payment of over $7 000 for personal phone calls in addition to a sum previously paid. The Committee was advised of the procedures used to derive these amounts. Originally, in the absence of a precise recording of the calls that had been made, a figure of ten percent, as representing the non-official component of Mr Burke’s
phone calls, was regarded as an acceptable figure upon which to base a payment
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Subsequently, when a detailed call record became available, it was possible to reassess personal usage, resulting in an additional number of non-official calls being charged to and paid for by Mr Burke. The Department was satisfied that the amount of money was an
appropriate sum for the additional contribution by Mr Burke. The department also indicated that the process followed was the same as would apply in dealing with any head of mission. At the end of the process the Department asked the ANAO to review its actions and the auditors concluded that the Department had done all that was possible with the documentation
available to it (see Hansard, pp. 43-49).
The Committee was informed that the net termination payment to Mr Burke after adjustments for leave and allowances and deductions for the telephone accounts, air freight and sundry payments was $18 938.21 (see Hansard, p. 50).
The Committee was advised that the Department is implementing procedures to prevent similar financial situations arising at overseas posts now that there has been a devolution of responsibility for the expenditure of running costs money to these posts. An audit program of actively visiting posts to identify and remedy problems is under way. An example raised
was that there were other posts where Australian based officers were not aware of the administrative circular relating to diplomatic and consular privileges. In addition, the Department is moving towards a computerised accounting system overseas. This is intended to enable the Department to conduct desk audits of posts so that it will be able to track
categories of expenditure, e.g., travel, telephones and other utilities.
Income Tax Payments - Locally Engaged Staff
In its May 1991 Report the Committee noted that the Department was working with the Australian Taxation Office on arrangements for the collection of tax from posts.
The Committee was informed that since the previous hearings the Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 2) 1991 amended the Income Tax Assessment Act to extend and simplify the exemptions for foreign employment income, effective from 1 July 1991.
The Department and the ATO have agreed upon arrangements whereby posts will notify the ATO of the tax file numbers of persons required to pay tax and the Department will provide ATO with annual statements of earnings and the exchange rates relevant to those earnings. The ATO has indicated that it is satisfied with these arrangements.
The Committee has previously raised the issue of past obligations to pay tax. The Committee was advised that the Department had offered to work with the ATO to determine these past liabilities, however the ATO had decided that, given the amounts of money involved were very small and due to the complexity of the different issues in different countries, there was
no point in proceeding with actions against these past obligations (see Hansard, p. 93-5).
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Program Performance Statements - terminology
The Committee noted in its October 1990 Report the use of unnecessarily complicated terminology in the Explanatory Notes. The Committee was again confronted with similar terminology, commenting variously that there seems to be an effort to camouflage simple and sensible propositions in jargon, the reader must have a deal of background knowledge to understand some explanations or an impression is given of much greater importance or involvement attaching to an activity. Even the Minister conceded that expressions used were
‘a little bit overwritten’ and ‘there is a fair bit of creative prose in this year’s document’. (For examples of this prose and exchanges in Committee, see Hansard, pp. 8, 15, 18, 26, 34 and 66.) The Committee simply requests that explanations be concise and without embellishment to outcome and outlook sections.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
Ready Reserve
The Committee received evidence on a number of issues relating to the establishment of the Ready Reserve.
Discussion surrounded the basis on which projected cost savings have been derived and the differing estimates of the IDC on the Wrigley Report, Army and ANAO. The Committee was informed that the Ready Reserve determinations were made as part of the force structure review based on a readiness requirement which concluded that reserves with a higher level
of training, as distinct from permanent forces, could fill a gap in the readiness spectrum. The cost was based on a full year of training and four years of part time service for reservists, proportionally divided between new recruits and those with prior service.
The cost comparison was made on an individual basis of a regular versus a reserve. Direct costs were chosen because of ease in ascertaining exact parameters. If full costs were used it would have meant including all indirect costs, for example, estimating rates of depreciation of capital assets. The ANAO estimates, which referred to the Army Reserve, included components relating to costs of the regular army manpower allocated to reserve units and indirect costs related to administrative and other support overheads provided to the reserve by other regular army personnel and defence civilians {see Hansard, pp. 120-3).
The Department indicated in its additional information that it was acutely aware of the need to capture actual costs and that a major review of the Ready Reserve Program would be undertaken in three years. This review will enable costing aspects to be based on firm data.
The Committee received information on which regular units will be transferred into Ready Reserve Units. In making these decisions both the structure of the battalions and the desire to keep the battalion identification going were considered {see Hansard, pp. 196-8). Potential problems pertaining to the special conditions reservists of the 49 Battalion RQR were considered. Army was hopeful that a number would transfer to the Ready Reserve and was
also considering an option to raise an organisation to continue the special conditions service of the reservists involved.
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The Committee was advised that an advertising campaign would begin on 2 October 1991 and run until the end of November at a cost of $2m. The campaign is aimed to attract an initial uptake of 1150 for Army and 90 for Air Force and will primarily target experienced people leaving the service who wish to supplement pensions and Year 12*s who wish to defer tertiary education for 12 months and then have their education subsidised during their part time
service. Discussion has been occurring at Ministerial level to ensure that there are no constraints within tertiary institutions in potential recruits deferring course entry for 12 months.
An employer support scheme will also operate, although the mechanics of how payments will be made to employers and what schemes are needed for employers to assist regular release of ready reservists are still being developed.
Accommodation shortfalls at Enoggera, the type of accommodation required and the planning required by the Defence Housing Authority to provide housing for the Ready Reserve were also discussed {see Hansard, pp. 191-2).
The Committee was informed that the future of the Ready Reserve will be determined by experience. The system is intended to have flexibility, so that if anticipated standards in this new system are not met, there is a capacity to improve the system or undertake alternative measures. As the Minister acknowledged, the strategy that has been adopted does not totally
bind future governments and defence planners, unlike some other proposals that would have resulted in commitments to an irreversible course {see Hansard, p. 104).
Some members of the Committee have expressed concern that such a major change to the ADF was being made without certainty as to its viability. This was particularly so when the Ready Reserve was being introduced in order to replace regular units as an economy measure. Concern was also expressed as to possible reduction in combat readiness.
Oberon Class submarines - refit
Delays in the Oberon submarines refit program have been the subject of questions at recent estimates hearings. The Committee was advised that the current status is that the refit of HMAS Orion was completed in June 1991 and it is now undergoing a process of trials and workup. HMAS Onslow is in refit and is expected back in service in January 1993. HMAS
Otama has been out of service since September 1990 and is not due to commence refit until February 1992. The Department now reports that refit on HMAS Otama is not expected to begin until mid-1992 because of the extent of emergent work discovered on the refit of the HMAS Onslow.
These delays were explained as a result of a submarine manning problem that Navy had at the time, transitional arrangements being put in place for Oberon depot level maintenance and a protracted tender selection and contract negotiation process for the use of an alternative dockyard as a result of the decision to sell Cockatoo Island.
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The contract, awarded to ADI, is a fixed price contract for defined work, along with payment for emergent work unspecified at the time of contract signing. The cost of emergent work is expected to be significant. The Committee was informed that the Commonwealth's position was essentially protected in terms of cost, should there be significant delays, however, the Navy’s operational effectiveness could be affected (see Hansard, pp. 165-172).
LAV25 - Acquisition
The Committee heard evidence on the capabilities of the LAV25 vehicle, and noted with concern some of the perceived limitations of the LAV in Australian conditions (see Hansard pp.225-231). The Committee was informed that the 2nd Cavalry Regiment undertook hot-dry and hot-wet trials of the LAV in Northern Australia between June 1990 and April 1991. A report of these trials was prepared and a copy provided to Senator MacGibbon on a restricted basis due to its classification.
Post-separation employment
During the hearings questions were raised over the engagement of former Defence employees as consultants on fees considerably higher than their previous salaries. Three particular examples were cited (see Hansard, pp. 244-5). The Committee was advised that there was not a policy against the engagement of people who retire from Defence and establish private businesses who have appropriate services to offer.
The Department indicated in its additional information that the three cases referred to at the hearings had separated some time before their engagement as consultants and had successfully tendered to provide services required by the Department. Reasons provided to explain the higher consultancy fees to separation salary were that consultants’ fees are based on full costs and salary figures do not include overheads, current salaries were higher than at the time of separation and in two of the consultancies there was provision for the employment of more than one person.
This general matter has been raised by Parliamentary Committees previously. Estimates Committee A cautioned in its November 1989 Report that without guidelines relating to the re-employment of former employees and a policy regarding the quarantining of employees who indicate they will be resigning to take up an outside appointment, ‘the potential will always be there for conflict of interest and the accusation that any future contracts were not undertaken at arms length’ (Parliamentary Paper No. 476 of 1989, p. 8). The Joint Committee of Public Accounts referred in its report 'Engagement of External Consultants by Commonwealth Departments’ to Estimates Committee A’s evidence and considered ‘the issue of post-separation employment of public servants to be a matter of great public importance
and potentially of public concern’ (Parliamentary Paper No. 486 of 1989, pp. 26-32).
The Committee concurs with these comments and believes there is a need generally for tightening procedures to ensure there is no hint of impropriety if consultancies are awarded to former employees. The Committee has also noted the Auditor-General’s Report No. 9 of 1989-90 on post separation employment procedures in the Department of Defence and the Ministers response to Question on Notice No. 457 dated 21 August 1991 relating to the
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implementation of that report's recommendations. The Committee recommends that the guidelines which apply to former officers private sector employment should be used as a base for preparing guidelines governing the employment of former officers as consultants.
Program Performance Statements
The Committee compliments the Department on the comprehensive nature of the information contained in its Program Performance Statements. It particularly found useful the tabular and graphic representation of comparative information.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Estimates Committee B recommends:
(1) That the proposed expenditure, in accordance with the estimates referred to the Committee, be approved by the Senate without amendment or request.
(2) That matters raised in this report may be further examined by the Senate.
(3) That all questions taken on notice, as recorded in the list attached to the report, may be further examined by the Senate.
Senator B.R. Bums (Chairman)
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P A R L IA M E N T O F A U S T R A L IA · THE SENATE
SENATOR THE HON. PETER DURACK. Q.C. DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA. A.C.T. 2600 TELEPHONE (06) 277 3725 FAX (06) 277 3169
ST. MARTIN'S TOWER 44 ST. GEORGE'S TERRACE (GPO BOX B58) PERTH. W.A 6000
TELEPHONE (09) 221 1277 FAX (09) 221 3350
Mr E l t o n H um phery S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e B ( D e f e n c e )
P a r l i a m e n t H ouse
C a n b e r r a
D e a r Mr H u m p h ery ,
I w i s h t o r e s e r v e t h e f o l l o w i n g m a t t e r s a r i s i n g o u t o f E s t i m a t e s
C o m m itte e B c o n s i d e r a t i o n s f o r d i s c u s s i o n s i n t h e C o m m itte e o f
t h e w h o l e . I recom m end t h a t t h e s e m a t t e r s b e t h e s u b j e c t o f
f u r t h e r e x a m i n a t i o n b y t h e S e n a t e .
M a r in e S u p p o r t F a c i l i t y
N o r t h W est C ape c o m m u n ic a tio n s f a c i l i t y
I n a d d i t i o n , I w is h t o r e s e r v e m a t t e r s a r i s i n g o u t o f t h e
q u e s t i o n s w h ic h I p l a c e d o n n o t i c e .
Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y
O c to b e r 8 , 1991
(PETER DURACK)
P A R L IA M E N T O F A U S T R A L IA · THE SENATE
SENATOR JOCELYN NEWMAN SE N A T O R FO R TASMANIA
S H A D O W M INISTER F O R VETERANS’ AFFAIRS S H A D O W MINISTER FO R D E F E N C E SCIENCE A N D PE R SO N N E L
S H A D O W M INISTER ASSISTING TH E LEADER O N TH E STATUS O F W O M E N
JMN:JC 7 October 1991
Mr Elton Humphrey Secretary Estimates Committee B The Senate Parliament House, Canberra, 2600
Dear Mr Humphrey,
I recommend that the following m atters relating to the estimates of expenditure referred to the Committee be further examined by the Senate.
* Matters relating to the Ready Reserves and the Force Structure Review mentioned throughout the Committee hearings.
* Civilian staffing concerns raised throughout the Committee hearings.
* That relating to the Defence Regional Support Review (DRSR) raised in the preliminary stage pre-program 1, and further in Program 3.3 Base logistics.
* Program 1 relating to Armed Fighting Vehicles.
* Matters relating to personnel raised in Program 1.3 Personnel.
* Program 1.5 relating to Housing.
* Program 6.4 Industry Involvement and contracting, relating to ASTA and ADI.
* Program 7 Budget and Management, relating to consultancies.
* Written answers to questions placed on notice.
Yours sincerely,
J
JOCELYN NEWMAN
II ELPHIN ROAD. LAUNCESTON. TAS. 7250 TELEPHONE (003) 341755 FACSIMILE (003) 3416:
PARLIAMENT H OU SE. CANBERRA A C T . 2600 (06) 2773660 (06) 27734·
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P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
SENATOR BRIAN HARRADINE
MARINE BOARD BUILDING I FRANKLIN WHARF
HOBART 7000
POSTAL ADDRESS:
G.P.O. BOX 896| HOBART 7001
TELEPHONE: HOBART (002) 34 5122 FAX: (002) 34 5865
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
CANBERRA A C T 2600
TELEPHONE CANBERRA (0621 77 7111 LAUNCESTON (0031 31 1064 BURNIE (004) 31 5247
8 October 1991
Mr E Humphery, Secretary, Estimates Committee B, The Senate, Parliament House, CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Mr Humphery,
Estimates Committee B Report to the Senate
RESERVATION BY SENATOR HARRADINE
By way of reservation I recommend that the following matters relating to the estimates of expenditure referred to the Committee be further examined by the Senate.
Those subjects for which written answers have been provided, or for which further information is to be provided, including the following specific subject areas relating to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade:
3.2 Human rights and China. 5 AIDAB: Agricultural research; Sub-Saharan Africa; ISSS; Population programmes.
Yours sincerely,
(Senator Brian Harradine)
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
SENATOR ROBERT HILL LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA, A.C.T. 2600 PHONE (06) 277 3170
FACSIMILE (06) 277 3177
Mr E l t o n Hum phrey S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e B
The S e n a te
P a r l i a m e n t H ouse
D e ar Mr H um phrey,
I r e f e r t o t h e d r a f t r e p o r t o f t h e E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e B w h ic h
was c i r c u l a t e d p r i o r t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n a t t h e m e e t i n g s c h e d u l e d
f o r 8 O c to b e r 1991 a t 4 :3 0 pm i n S e n a t e C o m m itte e Room 1 S 5 .
By way o f r e s e r v a t i o n , I recom m end t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g m a t t e r s b e
f u r t h e r e x a m in e d b y t h e S e n a t e :
P o l i c i e s i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e M id d le E a s t p e a c e p r o c e s s
The m u l t i l a t e r a l t r a d e n e g o t i a t i o n s a n d t h e U ru g u a y Round
o f GATT n e g o t i a t i o n s
E v a l u a t i o n o f t h e DIFF m ix e d c r e d i t s sch em e
P ro g ra m c o m m itm e n ts i n S o u th A s ia
Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y ,
ROBERT HILL
97
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 12
WEDNESDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1991
THE SENATE
1. PUBLIC MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 1.33 p.m. in Committee Room 2S1. Senator Bums took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1991-92 AND EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1990-91 - DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE: In attendance - Senator Gareth Evans, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr P Barratt Mr G Wood
Dr A Calvert
Mr R Smith
Mr G Walsh
Mr R Hall
Mr E Delofski
Mr J McCarthy
Mr R Steele
Mr G Forrester
Mr M Hughes
Mr R Starr
Deputy Secretary First Assistant Secretary Americas and Europe Division First Assistant Secretary
Asia Division First Assistant Secretary Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division First Assistant Secretary
Public Affairs Division First Assistant Secretary Multilateral Trade Division First Assistant Secretary
Economic and Trade Development Division First Assistant Secretary International Organisation and Legal Division Acting First Assistant Secretary
Disarmament Security and Nuclear Division First Assistant Secretary Corporate Management Division First Assistant Secretary
Systems Programs and Consular Division Assistant Secretary Peace, Arms Control and Disarmament Branch Disarmament Security and Nuclear Division
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Mr I Cousins Assistant Secretary
Nuclear Policy Branch Disarmament Security and Nuclear Division
Mr J Buckley Assistant Secretary
Resources and Evaluation Branch Corporate Management Division
Australian International Development Assistance Bureau
Mr J Holloway
Dr H Ware
Mr E Ingevics
Mr R Stensholt
Mr E Huning
Mr J Russell
Mr L Engel
Mr R Casson
Mr M Proctor
Mr R Barge
Dr G H L Rothschild
Mr C Thurlow
Mr G Rozdarz
Department of Finance
Rilka Macainsh Adrian Moss
Deputy Director General Policy, Planning and Management Division Acting Deputy Director General Country Programs Division Assistant Director General Community Emergency and Refugee Programs
Branch Assistant Director General Appraisal, Evaluation and Sectoral Studies Branch Assistant Director General Financial and Resource Management Branch Assistant Director General Policy Branch Acting Assistant Director General Pacific and Papua New Guinea Branch Assistant Director General International Organisations and Programs
Branch Director Business Cooperation Section Director Finance, Accounting and Management Section Director ACIAR Centre Secretary ACIAR Budget Officer ACIAR
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The Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee. The expenditure proposed for these programs is contained in the particulars of proposed expenditure documents -Program 1 - Bilateral Relations
Program 2 - Trade Relations and Economic Issues Program 3 - Global Issues Program 4 - Public Affairs Program 5 - Aid
Program 6 - Corporate and Public Services
The sitting of the Committee was suspended from 6.27 to 8.02 p.m.
The Committee received the following documents:
Grants paid in 1990-91 AIDAB international financial institutions - estimates of drawdowns 1989/90 - 1999/2000
The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, subject to undertakings to provide additional information to the Committee.
3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 10.54 p.m.
4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Bums (Chairman), Devereux, Hill, MacGibbon and Schacht An apology was received from Senator Newman. Senators Kemp, Knowles and Reid also attended.
CONFIRMED:
Senator B.R. Bums (Chairman)
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ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B
THE SENATE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 13
MONDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1991
1. PUBLIC MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 7.30 p.m. in Committee Room 2S1. Senator Bums took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1991-92 AND EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1990-91 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE: In attendance -Senator Robert Ray, Minister for Defence, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Defence
Vice Admiral A L Beaumont Air Vice-Marshall G W Neil
Major General J M Sanderson
Rear Admiral R G Taylor
Air Vice-Marshal M D Miller
Cdre C J Littleton
Brigadier D B Ferguson
Brigadier A S D’Hage
Mr K E Dean
Mr E David
Mr J Rosser
Cdre G S Sloper
Vice Chief of Defence Force Assistant Chief of the Defence Force Personnel Assistant Chief of the Defence Force
Development Assistant Chief of the Defence Force Operations Surgeon General Australian Defence Force Director General
Natural Disasters Organisation Director General Defence Force Plans and Programs Director General Public Information Director
Budget and Financial Services Australian Defence Force Academy Defence Housing Authority Manager
Special Projects and Capital Programs Defence Housing Authority Manager Policy and Plans Director General Defence Force Recruiting
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Col J Benton
Grp Capt A Corlass
Miss L Atkinson
Mr P Skinner
Rear Admiral R A K Walls Mr G J Hansen
Major-General J C Grey Brigadier IG A Maclnnis
Mr M F Taylor
Air Vice-Marshall T W O’Brien Air Cdre F D Cox Mr K Moore
Mr R N McLeod
Mr A G Thompson
Mr F R Harvey Mr R H Sach
Mr A D Powell
Major General S N Gower
Air Vice-Marshal B J Graf
Major General P M Jeffery
Cdre P G V Dechaineux
Mr R K Thomas
Head of Ready Reserve Program Implementation Team Director Defence Force Pay and Allowances
(for DGSC) Director Program Coordination Forces Executive
Assistant Secretary Military Superannuation Benefit Scheme Implementation Team Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
Assistant Secretary Resources Planning Navy Deputy Chief of the General Staff Director General
Coordination and Organisation Army Assistant Secretary Resources Planning
Army A/Chief of the Air Staff A/Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Assistant Secretary Resources Planning Air Force Deputy Secretary
Budget and Management First Assistant Secretary Human Resources and Management Division
Inspector General A/Director Manpower Strategies and Analysis A/Deputy Secretary
Acquisition and Logistics Assistant Chief of the Defence Force Logistics Assistant Chief of the Air Staff -
Materiel Assistant Chief of the General Staff - Materiel A/Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff -
Materiel First Assistant Secretary Capital Equipment Program
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Mr Î H Ives
Mr D D Wood
Mr G K Tuisk
Mr R Corey
Miss H Storey
Mr A Uzubalis
Mr G Veitch
Dr A Hawke
Mr M Brady
Dr R G Brabin-Smith
Mr J Nockles
Dr R G Ward Mr P Lush
Mr G F Jones
Mr R Tonkin
Mr R Irvine
Mr R B Anderson
Department of Finance
Mr S Salale
Mr S G Somlyay
Mr G D Van Dijk
First Assistant Secretary Facilities and Property Division First Assistant Secretary Industry Policy and Operations
A/First Assistant Secretary Project Development and Communications Principal Advisor Contracting A/Assistant Secretary Logistics Resources Director
Strategic Trade Policy and Operations Director Program Coordination Acquisition and Logistics Deputy Secretary Strategic and Intelligence First Assistant Secretary Force Development and Analysis
Division First Assistant Secretary International Policy Division Assistant Secretary Pacific Branch Chief Defence Scientist Assistant Secretary
Science Corporate Management First Assistant Secretary Resources and Financial Programs Division Assistant Secretary Resources Policy and Programs Director Program Evaluation and Analysis Assistant Director Program Evaluation and Analysis
Chief Finance Officer Defence and Government Division Chief Finance Officer Labour and Culture Division
Senior Finance Officer Defence and Government Division
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The Chairman called on the following program of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee. The expenditure proposed for this program is contained in the particulars of proposed expenditure documents -Program 1 - Forces Executive
Questions were placed on notice by Senators Durack and Newman.
The Committee, having completed consideration of Sub-Program 1.5 - Executive Support, suspended its examination of the Department’s estimates.
3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.26 p.m.
4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Bums (Chairman), Devereux, Durack, MacGibbon, Newman and Schacht. Senator Vallentine also attended.
CONFIRMED:
Senator B.R. Bums (Chairman)
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ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 14
WEDNESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1991
THE SENATE
1. PUBLIC MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 1.33 p.m. in the Main Committee Room. Senator Bums took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1991-92 AND EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1990-91 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE: In attendance -Senator Robert Ray, Minister for Defence, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Defence
Vice Admiral A L Beaumont Air Vice-Marshall G W Neil
Major General J M Sanderson
Rear Admiral R G Taylor
Air Vice-Marshal M D Miller
Cdre C J Littleton
Brigadier D B Ferguson
Brigadier A S D’Hage
Mr K E Dean
Mr E David
Mr J Rosser
Cdre G S Sloper
Vice Chief of Defence Force Assistant Chief of the Defence Force Personnel Assistant Chief of the Defence Force
Development Assistant Chief of the Defence Force Operations Surgeon General Australian Defence Force Director General Natural Disasters Organisation Director General Defence Force Plans and Programs Director General Public Information Director
Budget and Financial Services Australian Defence Force Defence Housing Authority Manager
Special Projects and Capital Programs Defence Housing Authority Manager Policy and Plans
Director General Defence Force Recruiting
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Col J Benton
Grp Capt A Corlass
Miss L Atkinson
Mr P Skinner
Rear Admiral R A K Walls Mr G J Hansen
Major-General J C Grey Brigadier IG A Maclnnis
Mr M F Taylor
Air Vice-Marshall T W O’Brien Air Cdre F D Cox Mr K Moore
Mr R N McLeod
Mr A G Thompson
Mr F R Harvey Mr R H Sach
Mr A D Powell
Major General S N Gower
Air Vice-Marshal B J Graf
Major General P M Jeffery
Cdre P G V Dechaineux
Mr R K Thomas
Head of Ready Reserve Program Implementation Team Director Defence Force Pay and Allowances
(for DGSC) Director Program Coordination Forces Executive
Assistant Secretary Military Superannuation Benefit Scheme Implementation Team Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
Assistant Secretary Resources Planning Navy Deputy Chief of the General Staff Director General
Coordination and Organisation Army Assistant Secretary Resources Planning
Army A/Chief of the Air Staff A/Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Assistant Secretary Resources Planning Air Force Deputy Secretary Budget and Management First Assistant Secretary
Human Resources and Management Division Inspector General A/Director Manpower Strategies and Analysis
A/Deputy Secretary Acquisition and Logistics Assistant Chief of the Defence Force Logistics Assistant Chief of the Air Staff -
Materiel Assistant Chief of the General Staff - Materiel A/Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff -
Materiel First Assistant Secretary Capital Equipment Program
106
Mr Î H Ives
Mr D D Wood
Mr G K Tuisk
Mr R Corey
Miss H Storey
Mr A Uzubalis
Mr G Veitch
Dr A Hawke
Mr M Brady
Mr J Nockles
Dr R G Ward Mr P Lush
Mr G F Jones
Mr R Tonkin
Mr R Irvine
Mr R B Anderson
Department of Finance
Mr S Salaie
Mr S G Somlyay
Mr G D Van Dijk
First Assistant Secretary Facilities and Property Division First Assistant Secretary Industry Policy and Operations A/First Assistant Secretary Project Development and
Communications Principal Advisor Contracting A/Assistant Secretary Logistics Resources Director Strategic Trade Policy and Operations Director Program Coordination Acquisition
and Logistics Deputy Secretary Strategic and Intelligence First Assistant Secretary Force Development and Analysis
Division Assistant Secretary Pacific Branch Chief Defence Scientist Assistant Secretary Science Corporate Management First Assistant Secretary Resources and Financial Programs
Division Assistant Secretary Resources Policy and Programs Director Program Evaluation and Analysis Assistant Director Program Evaluation and Analysis
Chief Finance Officer Defence and Government Division Chief Finance Officer Labour and Culture Division Senior Finance Officer Defence and Government Division
The Committee resumed its examination of the Department’s estimates.
107
The Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee. The expenditure proposed for these programs is contained in the particulars of proposed expenditure documents -Program 1 - Forces Executive,
commencing with Sub-Program 1.6 - Natural Disasters and Civil Defence Program 2 - Navy Program 3 - Army
Program 4 - Air Force Program 5 - Strategy and Intelligence Program 6 - Acquisitions and Logistics
Program 7 - Budget and Management Program 8 - Science and Technology
The sitting of the Committee was suspended from 6.27 to 8.02 p.m.
The Committee received the following documents:
. Answers to questions taken on notice at 9 September hearing; and . FIMAS ENCOUNTER - computer facility.
Questions were placed on notice by Senators Durack, Newman, Kemp and Vallentine.
The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Defence, subject to undertakings to provide additional information to the Committee.
3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.40 p.m.
4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Bums (Chairman), Devereux, Durack, MacGibbon, Newman and Schacht. Senators Colston, Tambling and Vallentine also attended.
CONFIRMED:
Senator B.R. Bums (Chairman)
108
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NO. 15
TUESDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1991
THE SENATE
1. MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 4.45 p.m. in Senate Committee Room 1S5. Senator Bums took the Chair.
2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES: The Minutes of meetings held on 4, 9 and 11 September 1991 (Nos 12, 13 and 14) were confirmed.
3. ADOPTION OF REPORT: The Committee resolved that the Chairman’s draft report be adopted as the report of the Committee, subject to the inclusion of a new section on the LAV25 and amendments suggested by Senators Durack and Newman which were agreed to by the Committee.
4. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 5.04 p.m.
5. ATTENDANCE: Senator Bums (Chairman), Senators Devereux, Durack and Newman. Apologies were received from Senators Hill, MacGibbon and Schacht.
CERTIFIED CORRECT:
Senator B.R. Bums (Chairman)
109
E stim ates C o m m ittee B
TABLE OF CONTENTS TO H ANSARD
Index to issues raised during public hearings held on 4, 9 and 11 September 1991.
Page No.
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE 4 SEPTEMBER 1991
Program Performance Statements - Structure 2-12
PROGRAM 1: BILATERAL RELATIONS
1.1 Relations with Asia Relations with Taiwan and China Airlines agreement with Taiwan 12-13
Airline agreement between Taiwan and France 13
Policy on ministerial visits to Taiwan 13-14
One China policy 14
Australia-Asia Airlines - aircraft routes 14
1.1.1 North Asia Democratic People's Republic of Korea -Nuclear safeguards 14
Japan -Australia's lead role in the International Atomic Energy Agency 14-15
Multi-function polis 15
Republic of Korea -Management of our relations 15-16
Protected Korean markets 16-17
Professional economic group 17
Priority protection related to Japan 17-18
Chemicals and the market 18
J.L2 East Asia Hong Kong -Australia's interests and policy 18
Joint trade committee 20-21
Taiwan horticultural and beef market 19
Vietnam -Commercial Relationship 19-20
Resumption and scale of aid 21-23
110
UN operations in Cambodia 23
Study of economic integration in southern China 21
1.13 South East and South Asia Indonesia -Illegal fishing in Australian waters 23-24
Report of possible visit by Prime Minister 24-25
Trade difficulties with Malaysia 25-26
Burma -Sale of aircraft parts to Burma 27
Sale of military equipment to Burma 27-28
Economic sanctions 28
The Sri Lankan conflict 29
East Asian trade group - EAEG 30
ASEAN PMC Security dialogue and the role of the ASEAN PMC 31-33
1 3 Relations with the Americas and Europe Directing Australia's relations with the Americas and Europe 33-34 Canada and canned fruit 34
Free trade agreement between Canada and the US 34
Trade balances 34-35
Export Enhancement Program 35-36
13.1 Americas Key countries in Latin America and closer relations 36
1 3 3 Western Europe Attitudes towards Andriessen assurance Uruguay Round Australian government keeping records on Europe and dumping
of subsidised produce on the Australian market Mr Brian Burke - Purchasing of duty free cars Personal phone calls
Procedures in place for tightening diplomatic security Termination payment and deductions Sale of the cars Itemised telephone accounts in relation to diplomatic
posts in Copenhagen and Madrid Cars in relation to the Senior Executive Service
13 Relations with South PaciGc, Africa and the Middle East Nauru and Timor Gap 51-52
Australian relations with Fiji 53
Military intervention in Thailand 53-54
Relationship between Taiwan and the South Pacific Forum 54
Restoration of PNG Government services in the North Solomons Province 54
36
36- 37
37- 38
38-43 & 45-46 43-45 & 46-49 45 49- 50
50- 51
50 46
I l l
PNG and the security treaty with Australia 54-55
1 3 3 Africa and the Middle East South Africa -Obtaining visas 55-56
Political prisoners and exiles 56
The ANC and a meeting in New Delhi 56-57
Sanctions and a interim govemment/constitution negotiation 57-58 Middle East -Ministerial contact with the PLO 58-59
Direct air link with Israel via EL A1 59
Live sheep trade 59-60
Removal of Syrian troops from Lebanon 60-61
PROGRAM 2: TRADE RELATIONS A N D ECONOMIC ISSUES
Z1 Multilateral Trade Issues US requirement on local content in media advertising - GATT 61
2 2 Economic and Trade Development Issues National trade strategy 61-62
2 2 2 Trade Strategy Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 62
PROGRAM 3: GLOBAL ISSUES
3.1 International Peace and Security Issues Voluntary/assessed contributions to UN peacekeeping groups 62-63
3.1.1 Intelligence and Defence The structure and details of Intelligence and Defence Unit 63-64
Counter-terrorist response 65
3.12 Peace, Arms Control and Disarmament Chemical weapons convention 65-66
Peace Park in Canberra 66
Indian Ocean Centre for Peace Studies in W.A 66
Peace Research Centre at ANU 66-67
Williamsburg Conference 67
3.13 Nuclear Policy Nuclear test ban treaty project 68-69
UNESCO project grant 69
Human Rights Fund 69-70
112
3 3 International Political, Social and Legal Issues
33.1 International Political and Social Issues 1 7 ? Environment and Antarctica 3323 Treaties and Sea Law 33.4 International and General Legal Issues Commission on Narcotic Drugs 70
Antarctic Treaty system in relation to Australia and Germany 70-71 Restructuring of US drug agencies at UNGA45 and reforming the World Summit for Children 71
ICCPR - opposition to the death penalty 72
PROGRAM 4: PUBLIC AFFAIRS
4.1 Parliamentary Liaison Role of Public Liaison Section 72
Morale of departmental lawyers 72-73
Briefing for Ministers for Question Time 73
Networked computer system 73
Parliamentary liaison office 77-78
4 3 Media Liaison
4 3 Public Information Strategies -Outposting of public affairs officers in relation to enhancing promotions 73
Public affairs programs in North Asia 74
Video material in relation to South East Asia 74
4.4 Cultural Relations Overseas Cultural Relations budget 74-75
Australia Abroad Council 75-76
Pilot centre in Manila 76
PROGRAM 5: AID
AIDAB -Money directed to university companies 78-79
Projects that the university companies are engaged in 79
Audit procedures/subcontractors and university companies 79 Financing the Indonesian bridge management system 79-80
China evaluation team 80-81
General evaluations of aid projects 81-82
Sector review on population 82-84
Mekong River bridge Program of $50m for India and Pakistan
84-86 86-87
113
Treaties on development cooperation for India and Pakistan 87
Success of the ASEAN-Australia cooperation program 87
Population problems in Kiribati and Tuvalu 87
Modem IUD availability in China 87-88
5 3 Global Programs Austrlian commitments to the Asian Development Fund 88
Problems with multilateral banks not giving loans to Vietnam 88 Asian Development Bank 88-89
Effectiveness of mixed credits provisions 89-91
The cost of humanitarian assistance in relation to the medicine for the students on the Burmese-Thai border 91
PROGRAM 6: CORPORATE A N D PUBLIC SERVICES
Foreign Affairs and Trade - moving premises in Canberra 52
6L2 Corporate Services Updating outdated work practices 91
Negotiations with the Australian Journalists Association 91-92
Prevention of fraud 92-93
63 Overseas Support Services Locally engaged staff 93-95
New posts 95
6 3 3 Security Threats and risk to departmental officers overseas 95-96
Subsurface radar 96-97
PROGRAM 7: AUSTRALIAN SECRET INTELLIGENCE SERVICE
New world order - $25m increase for ASIS 97
Cosing Comments
Statements by Senator Evans and Senator Hill relating to future of reference before Finance and Public Administration Standing Committee 97-98
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE - 9 and 11 SEPTEMBER
OVERVIEW
Minister's opening statement 100-101
Estimates documentation presentation 101
Force structure review: Personnel reduction 102-104
Ready Reserve 104
DRSR savings 105
DLRP savings 106
CLAE 106
Outturn dollars 106
Exchange rate 106
Northem/Westem naval bases 106-107,110
Evaluation of key principles 107-108
Social justice: Women in combat related areas 108
CREWET 108-109
Career development for women 109-110
Intellectual disability access program 111
Female SES officers 111-112
Tier 1 position contracting 112
PROGRAM 1: FORCES EXECUTIVE
Effect of key performance indicators 113
Transfer of functions - resultant personnel increase 113
Planning guidance paper 113
Counter disaster management training 113-114
1.1 Operations & Plans Operations sustainability 114-115
NORCOM - geographic responsibility 115
CNN 115-116
Kangaroo 92 - local involvement 116
7-2 Military Strategic and Force Development Military priorities 116
LAV25 acquisition priority 117-120
Ml 13s 119-120
Ready Reserve: Determinations 120
Costing method 120-121
Auditor-General costing 121-123
HF Radio rationalisation 123
13 Personnel Equivalencies review 123-125
Manpower savings 125
Inspector-General's report 125
114
115
Recruiting review 125
Hard Lying/Sea-Going Allowance 126
Reserve Forces: Flying Allowance 126
Part-time employment review 126
Senior officers redundancy process 126
ADF Academy graduation rate 127
Recruitment: Shortfalls 127
Project RECRUIT 127-128
Ready Reserve 128
Direct 128-129
Activities and working hours review 129
Management initiated early retirement 130
1.4 Health Policy and Services HIV testing 130-131
1.5 Executive Support Program presentation 131
Tri-service legal service 131
Director of Public Prosecutions 131-132
Achievement of goals 132-133
CESRF Chairman 132
Civilianisation: Manpower savings 133-134
Man-day availability 134-135
Warehousing 136,137-138
Productivity 136
Efficiency scrutiny unit 136
SERVF INMAN 4 137
Career opportunities 138-139
Combat implications 139-140
Logistics 140
Contracting 140-141
1991 work bans 141
Senior personnel 142-143
Ready Reserve: Legislative implications 143-144
Planned readiness level 144-145
Advertising campaign 145-147
Employer support scheme 147
1.7Public Information Objective and strategies 152-153
Ethnic community contact 153
Strategy evaluation by consultants 153
I S Defence Housing Home loan assistance scheme - transition 154-155
Tindal: variations to contract 155
Darwin area requirements 155
Capital works: indicative cash flow 156
116
Second-hand housing 156
PROGRAM 2: NAVY
Program presentation 156,158
Operational program availability 156-158
Coastal minehunters 158
2 1 Combat Forces Salary comparison 158
LADS program 158-159
2 2 Executive HMAS Encounter - computer 159,172-173
2 3 Logistics Support Fremantle: General rights agreement 159-161
Access 161-162
HMAS Nirimba transfer to Cerberus 162-163,164
New training facility 163-164
Cerberus health facilities 164
Technical training 164-165
Submarine refit: Progress 165-166
Facilities upgrade 166
Contract 166-167,171-172,175-176
Emergent work 168-169
Macquarie Bank report 167
Debt to equity ratio 167-168
ADI-NED operations 169-171
Jervis Bay 173-175
PROGRAM 3: ARMY
Sustainability 176
ABCA activities 176
3.1 Combat Forces Chinooks 176-178
Preparedness levels 178-179
Training 179-180
Battlefield mobility 181
Black Hawks 181
Caribou 182
Aircraft serviceability 182
Nomad accident 182
Pilatus Porter 182-183
117
3.2 Executive Plan MADONNA 183
ADF profile in community 183-184
Financial reporting 185
Townsville high range training facility 185-186
Duntroon Health Centre 186-187
AUSMIS 187-188
CESRF: ACTU representative 188-189
Army Reserve Advisory Council: ACT U representative 189
Darwin 189-190
UN forces: Western Sahara, Cambodia 190
3-3 Base Logistics Fleet availability 190-191
Enoggera 191-192
Living-out allowance 192
Accommodation preparation 192
Manpower and costs rationalisation 193
Ammunition supply 193-195
16 Air Defence Regiment 195,196-197
Ready Reserve training 195
Puckapunyal tank squadron 1%
Regular unit transfer to Ready Reserve 1%
Rapier modification 197
49 Battalion RQR 197-198
3.4 Individual Training Army technical training review 198-199
Land warfare doctrine review 199
University regiments 199-201
Staff reductions 201-202
3_5 Support Perentie fleet maintenance 202
Operational standard 202-203
Night fighting enhancement 203
Body armour 203
RMC graduates 203
PROGRAM 4: AIR FORCE
VIP Fleet 203-204
National Air and Space Museum 204-205
SOLANIA patrols 205
33 Squadron air refuelling 205-206
4.1 Combat Forces Exercise Cope Thunder 206
Exercise Pitch Black 206-207
Base security 207
118
4L2 Executive Pilot surplus 208
Health service 208-209
RAAF Curtin: School of the Air 209
Leave travel entitlements 209
VIP flight costs: Inspector-General 209-210
CAA air space control program 210-211
VISSIM 211
UK Recruiting Officer 211-212
4 3 Logistics T56 engine maintenance 212
F/A-18 212
C130 fleet maintenance 212-213
P3C Orion 213
Cocos Island accident 213
Aerospace Foundation of Australia: airshows 213-215
F/A-18: engine forward compressor case 215-216
4.4 Training CT4 underfly 216
RAAF/RNZAF: cooperative pilot and navigator training 216
PROGRAM 5: STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
North West Cape 216-219
Civilian staff increase 219
SES staffing 219
5-2 New Major Investment PARARE 219-220
5 3 Intelligence Staff numbers 220
Over-the-horizon stations 220
5.4 Defence Cooperation Expenditure increase 220
Indonesia 220-221
Papua New Guinea agreement 221
PROGRAM 6: ACQUISITION & LOGISTICS
Value Management Program 221
SES staffing 221
Defence sales representatives 221-222
Tender competition 222-224
6.1 Major Capital Equipment COLLINS Qass submarines contract 224
ANZAC Ships 224,236
Minehunter Project 224-225
119
LAV25: selection program 225-231
Vehicle procurement 229-230
RAVEN project 231-233
Communication equipment 233
DISCON project 233-236
6L2 Facilities Maribymong and Albion closures 236
Cockatoo Island Dockyard closure 237
Zetland sale 237-238
63 Logistics Commercial support project 238
6.4 Industry Involvement & Development Projects Defence Industry Development Office 239
Nomad tailplane rectification program 239
ASTA and ADI: Redundancy payments 239-240
Funding 240-241
Public Works Committee Act 240-241
Auditor-General 241-242
Defence Industry Committee 242
PROGRAM 7: BUDG ET & MANAGEMENT
7.1 Personnel and Management SES and colonel equivalent positions 242
Salary increases 242-243
SES salaries 243
Australian Protective Service: cost benefit of two contracts 243-244 Post-separation employment 244-245
Z2 Finance Asset sales 245-246
73 Program Delivery Assessment Fraud control plan 246-247
PROGRAM & SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Electronics research 247
DSTO sales representation 248
8.1 Aeronautical Research F/A-18 fin buffet 249-250
TF30 research program 250
83 Materials Research MRL Scottsdale 249
8 J Weapons Systems Research Project NULKA 250
120
&6 Executive Revenue expectations 248
Commercial activity 248-249
Environmental engineering facility 249
Range measurement branch 249
E ST IM A T E S C O M M IT T E E B
List of questions taken on notice during the Committee's consideration of the estimates
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE:
Senator Date to D ept/
Hansard Page No.
General MacGibbon 4-9-91/p. 12
1.2 - Relations with Americas and Europe Knowles 4-9-91/p.44
Knowles 4-9-91/p.50
Hill 4-9-91/p.50
Hill 4-9-91/p.50
Hill 4-9-91/p.50
Subject
Exchange rate for budget calculation
Mr Brian Burke - logs of phone calls Comparative totals of telephone accounts for Copenhagen and Madrid Departmental - directions in relation to duty free
purchases Mr Brian Burke - dates of two vehicles purchase purchased Mr Brian Burke - mileage of the two vehicles
13 Relations with South PaciBc, Africa and the Middle East Hill 4-9-91/p.60 Timetable for removal of Syrian troops from
Lebanon
Harradine 11.9.91 4.10.91
Regional approach to the UNCED
Date Received
4.10.91
4.10.91 4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
Senator Date to D ept/ Date
Received
3 2 International Political Social and Legal Issues Harradine 11.9.91 Ireland and the CEDAW in relation to abortion
Harradine 11.9.91 Australian delegation to China - briefing papers
Harradine 11.9.91 Bilateral consultations with Indonesia regarding
human rights - situation of workers in Indonesia
4.1 Public Affairs Hill
PROGRAM 5 AID
4.9.91/p.73 Computer network in relation to the Parliamentary, Media Branch and the Public Affairs Division
4.10.91 4.10.91 4.10.91
4.10.91
MacGibbon 4-9-91/p.78-79 Funds directed to university companies and projects engaged in
MacGibbon 4-9-91/p.80 Indonesian bridge project - problems Hill 4-9-91/p.86-87 India and Paksitan - list of aid projects
Schacht 4-9-91/p.87 South Pacific regional programs
Hill 4-9-91/p.88 Asian Development Fund table of actual
commitments
Harradine 11.9.91 Projects funded under the Development
Education Projects Scheme 1990-91/1991-92
Harradine 11.9.91 Agricultural research funding 1991-92
Harradine 11.9.91 Sub-Saharan Africa - support of activities for
1991-92
Harradine 11.9.91 International seminars support scheme
Harradine 11.9.91 Population sector activities - consultant services
Harradine 11.9.91 China -
family planning policy, abortions, and coercion in population control
3.10.91
3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91
3.10.91
3.10.91 3.10.91
3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91
Senator Date to D ep t/ Subject
Hansard Page No.
Date Received
Harradine 11.9.91 Indonesian demographic project - design report
Harradine 11.9.91 Population activities in East Timor in relation to
the World Bank
Harradine 11.9.91 Billings Ovulation Method in relation to IPPF
Harradine 11.9.91 UNFPA population project - PNG
Harradine 11.9.91 Budget of the International Planned
Parenthood Federation
Harradine 11.9.91 Funding for international health programs - iodine
deficiency
5.2 Global Programs Bourne 4.9.91 Woman in Development Fund(WID) - No. of
staff
Bourne 4.9.91 WID - aid allocation
Bourne 4.9.91 WID - government priority
Bourne 4.9.91 WID - staff training
Bourne 4.9.91 WID and the Environmental Assistance Program
(EAP)
Bourne 4.9.91 EAP - population and family planning programs
Bourne 4.9.91 World Summit for Children - Australias'
commitment
PROGRAM 6 CORPORATE AND PUBLIC SERVICES
Short 16.8.91
Short 16.8.91
Short 16.8.91
Grants to trade unions or community groups 1990-91 and outstanding acquittals Research studies and opinion polls 1990-91 Advertising and promotions 1990-91, publications,
videos and television advertisements produced and direct mail campaigns
3.10.91 3.10.91
3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91
3.10.91
3.10.91
3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91
3.10.91 3.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91 4.10.91
i
123
Senator Date to D ept/ Subject
Hansard Page No.
Date Received
Parer 4.9.91 Printing expenses 1990-91
Parer 4.9.91 External printing 1990-91
Parer 4.9.91 Internal printing capacity
Parer 4.9.91 Internal printing - effect of Finance Direction 25F
Kemp 12.9.91 Union officials departmental - employees
4.10.91 4.10.91 4.10.91 4.10.91
4.10.91
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE:
Note: Number in brackets after the subject is Department o f Defence local question number
OVERVIEW
Newman 9-9-91/p.l05&106 FYDP and DRLP savings (4)
Newman 9-9-91/p.l08 Percentage of women in combat related forces (5)
PROGRAM 1: FORCES EXECUTIVE
1J2 Military Strategic and Force Development Newman 9-9-91/p.l20 M113's replacement^)
Newman 9-9-91/p. 123 Costings for regulars and Ready Reserve (7)
13 Personnel Newman 9-9-91/p. 125 Manpower savings
MacGibbon 9-9-91/p. 126 Hard Lying/Sea-Going Allowance(S) Newman 9-9-91/p. 127 Part-time employment reviews(9)
MacGibbon 9-9-91/p. 127 Graduation timing(10)
Newman 9-9-91/p. 127 Shortfalls in certain categories in each service(ll)
(Further information provided)
11-9-91 11-9-91
11-9-91 2-10-91
11-9-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 11-9-91
(4-10-91)
124
Senator Date to D ep t/ Subject
Hansard Page No.
Date Received
Durack 9-9-91/p.l48 ADFA: Officer cadet training cost(18)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l48 ADFA: Opening courses to civilian students(19)
Durack 9-9-91/p. 148 ADFA: Strategic studies courses(20)
Durack 9-9-91/p. 148 Other strategic studies courses(21)
Durack 9-9-91/p. 148 Strategic studies courses(22)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l48 Entitlements, subsidies and allowances available,
and expenditure(16)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l48 Pet relocation expense allowance(17)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l48 Military bands: scope for reduction(23)
Newman 9-9-91/p. 123 Schools of music: cost, hire of musicians,
recruitment of musicians(24)
Newman 9-9-91 Department of Industrial Relations: ADF
allowances(46)
Kemp 11-9-91 Departmental policy re payments to employees
who are union officials(198)
1.4 Health Policy and Services Newman 9-9-91 ADF Health(43)
1 J Executive support Parer 4-9-91 External printing and print services
expenditure(199)
Durack 9-9-91/p. 123 Geneva protocol requirements(25)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l23 Legal advice to forces on protocols(26)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l23 Legal advisers: peacekeeping operations(27)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l23 Legal advisers to Gulf(28)
Durack 9-9-91/p.l 23 US view on Australian ratification of
protocols(29)
Durack 9-9-91/p. 123 Individual liability under new protocols(30)
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
125
Subject
Productivity of servicemen vs civilians (12) Warehousing personnel(13) Civilianisation of warehouse personnel(14) Call out for Navy and RAAF(15) Reserve services: mechanisms to attract(44) ADF Reserve forces(47) Expenditure on certain items(104)
Assessment on implications of Geneva Protocol(31) Students at Mt Macedon College(32) States' contribution to NDO(33) NDO involvement in Kangaroo 92(34)
UN disaster reduction decade recommendations(35) AIDAB approach to Defence(36)
Ready Reserve program: public information programs(37) Public opinion polls on defence issues(38) Contributions to Defence Public Relations(39) ADF unit responsibility for public relations(40) Public Relations Strategy and Plan(41)
DPR civilianisation/commercialisation(42) Private consultants: public relations strategy and plan(45)
Date Received
2-10-91 2-10-91 11-9-91 4-10-91
2-10-91 8-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
3-10-91
3-10-91 2- 10-91
3- 10-91
3-10-91 3-10-91 2-10-91
Date Received
Senator Date to D ep t/ Subject
Hansard Page No.
1.9 Defence bousing Newman ll-9-91/p.l54 Revocation of DSH entitlements and
correspondence with Department of Veterans' Affairs(48)
Tambling ll-9-91/p.l56 Cash flow: indicative planning(49)
Newman 11-9-91 Personnel entitlement to DSHL(80)
PROGRAM 2: NAVY
Vallentine
2.1 Combat Forces
11-9-91 Activity levels for maritime combat forces pre-
Gulf(184)
MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.l59 LADS program(50)
Durack 11-9-91 Maintenance of Sea Kings(107)
Durack 11-9-91 Ready Reserve use(108)
Durack 11-9-91 Helicopter carrier(109)
Durack 11-9-91 Inter-ship communication by HF
communications( 110)
Durack 11-9-91 Special stock replenishment at sea (lll)
Vallentine 11-9-91 Exercises K92 and RIMPAC 92: dates(185)
2.2 Executive Newman 11-9-91/p. 173 HMAS Encounter. $1000 expenditure on
computer(51)
Durack 11-9-91 Review of submarine arm(112)
Durack 11-9-91 Collins class base at Stirling(l 13)
Durack 11-9-91 Navy Writers(114)
4-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
3-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
J
127
Senator Date to D ep t/ Subject
Hansard Page No.
Date Received
2 3 Logistics Support MacGibbon ll-9-91/p,166 Durack 11-9-91/p. 169
Durack ll-9-91/p.l75
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
PROGRAM 3: ARMY
Vallentine ll-9-91/p.l76
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
3.1 Combat Forces Newman ll-9-91/p.l79
MacGibbon ll-9-91/p,182 MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.l83 Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Otama refit(53) General rights agreement(52) Relocation to Newington depot: cost Lady Gowrie House(115) Retention of commercial vehicle fleet(l 16)
Implementation of Repair Authorisation Service(117) Purchase of hotels at Cairns(118) Relocation of Newington depot to Jervis Bay(119)
ABCA activities: 1990-91, 1991-92(54) Evaluation of 6 capability objectives(Sl) Achievement of readiness objectives(82) Army Individual Emergency Reserve(83) Australian Cadet Corps as recruiting base for
ARA and ARES(84)
Training days allocations and usage(55) Aircraft serviceability standards(56) Pilatus Porter withdrawal(57) Rifle Company, Butterworth, Malaysia: cost(120) Continued presence at Butterworth,
Malaysia(121) Performance measurers for Army Reserve(122)
3-10-91 2-10-91 8-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2- 10-91
3- 10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
Senator Date to D ep t/ Subject
Hansard Page No.
Date Received
Durack 11-9-91 Cost of disposal of Mirage aircraft to
Pakistan(123)
Durack 11-9-91 Blackhawk availability(124)
3 3 Executive Vallentine 11-9-91/p. 184 ARES Commissioning course and Executive Stretch exercise(58) MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.l86 Dotswood Station EIS: tender process,
competition(59)
MacGibbon 11-9-91/p. 186 Duntroon Health Centre(60) Newman ll-9-91/p.l89 CESRF and Army Reserve Advisory Council:
ACTU representative(61)
Durack 11-9-91 Travel: introduction of new equipment(125)
Durack 11-9-91 Plan MADONNA(126)
Durack 11-9-91 Profile of ARES(127)
Durack 11-9-91 Tri-service training in certain areas(128)
Durack 11-9-91 Review of cadet movement(129)
Durack 11-9-91 Painters and decorators(130)
Durack 11-9-91 Catering supervisors(131)
3 3 Base Logistics MacGibbon 11-9-91/p. 191 Long haul transport fleet(62) MacGibbon 11-9-91/p. 195 Ammunition and weapon theft(63) Newman 11-9-91/p. 196 Ready Reserve units(64)
MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.l97 16 Air Defence Regiment upgrade(65) Durack 11-9-91 Privatisation of commercial vehicle services(132)
Durack 11-9-91 Minimum levels of capability(133)
Durack 11-9-91 Direct Unit Purchasing(134)
2-10-91
2-10-91
3-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2&4-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
3-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
i
129
Senator Date to D ept/ Subject
Hansard Page No.
3.4 Individual Training Durack ll-9-91/p.l99
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
3.5 Support MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.203 Vallentine 11-9-91
Vallentine 11-9-91
PROGRAM 4: AIR FORCE
MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.206
4.1 Combat Forces Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Army technical training review(66) Costing and timing for training of certain officers(135) ADFA: cost of education of officer cadet(136) ARES commissioning course(137)
Redevelopment of Army Maritime School at Chowder Bay(138) Civilian recognised qualifications(139) Training of helicopter pilots at Canberra(140)
Military police: single service basis(141)
Body armour: type (67) Army and ADF involvement in DACC and DFACP(186) Copies of Defence Instructions (General) for
DACC and DFACP(187)
B707 Refuelling(68)
Flying hours(142) Support for naval force(143) Operational aircraft availability(144) Percentage availability of air to air refuelling
group(145)
Date Received
2-10-91 4-10-91
2- 10-91
3- 10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
2&3-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
Senator Date to D ep t/
Hansard Page No.
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Vallentine 11-9-91
4.2 Executive Newman ll-9-91/p.209
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Vallentine 11-9-91
4.3 Logistics Newman ll-9-91/p.215
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Durack 11-9-91
Subject
F ill overhaul and maintenance facility(146) Time scale for lead-in trainer(147) Upgrades to airlift capability(148) New Zealand Air Force: lead-in training(149)
Exercise Cope Thunder: alternative site(188)
Travel leave entitlements(201) RAAF officer to UK for recruiting(150) Expenditure for overseas recruitment ,program(151) RAAF Roulettes expenditure per annum(152)
Mirage sale: Training arrangements(153) Mirage sale: Cost incurred(154) RAAF Commercial Support Program Directorate: staffing(155)
Introduction of commercialisation(156) Commercialisation opportunities for industry(157) Tier One implementation(l58)
Mirage sale: Final net dollar outcome(189)
F/A-18: engine forward compressor case: manhours, cost, timing(69) Commercial vehicle fleet(l59) RAAF Fairbairn: military police radios(160) C130E aircraft: expected life( 161) Caribou: operational capability(162)
Date Received
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
9-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
131
Senator Subject Date to D ept/ Hansard Page No.
4.4 Training Durack Durack Durack Durack Durack Durack
11-9-91 11-9-91 11-9-91 11-9-91 11-9-91 11-9-91
Civilian pilot training(163) Strike Reconnaissance force: Ready Reserve(164) RAAF catering courses(165) RAAF tailors(166) RAAF cinema operators(167) RAAF steward: duties(168)
PROGRAM 5: STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
Newman
5 3 Intelligence Vallentine Vallentine
ll-9-91/p.219
11-9-91 11-9-91
North West Cape: civilian staff increase(70)
Kojarena: Operational date(190) Kojarena: timing and budget(191)
5.4 Defence Cooperation Vallentine 11-9-91
Vallentine 11-9-91
PROGRAM 6: ACQUISITION & LOGISTICS
Newman ll-9-91/p.221
6.1 Major Capital Equipment MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.225-228
DCP figures(192) DCP increase(193)
Colonel equivalent staffing(71)
Durack 11-9-91
LAV25 trial: report, tyre type, mileage, turret weight(72) Collins class submarines: air independent propulsion system(169)
Date Received
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
Senator Date to D ept/
Hansard Page No.
Subject
Durack 11-9-91 PC9 problems(170)
Durack 11-9-91 Sonar trials on Rushcutter minehunters(171)
Durack 11-9-91 Submarine project delays(172)
Durack 11-9-91 Project DISCON(173)
Durack 11-9-91 Jindalee project(174)
Vallentine 11-9-91 Submarine project delays(194)
Vallentine 11-9-91 Project DISCON delays(195)
6 3 Facilities Newman ll-9-91/p.237 Maribyrnong and Albion closures: cost
breakdown(73)
Newman ll-9-91/p.237 Cockatoo Island dockyard closure: cost
breakdown(74)
Durack 11-9-91 RAAF buildings and land in Tasmania(175)
Durack 11-9-91 RAAF properties in Victoria(176)
Durack 11-9-91 Beaumaris house maintenance^77)
Durack 11-9-91 RAAF properties: use by Air Training Corps(178)
Durack 11-9-91 Sale of property stock used for Air Training
Corp(179)
Durack 11-9-91 Formation relocation to Darwin(lSO)
6 3 Industry Involvement & Contracting Vallentine 11-9-91
Vallentine 11-9-91
Missile Technology Control Regime(196) Amendments to Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations(197)
Date Received
2-10-91 2-10-91 2- 10-91 3- 10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2- 10-91 3- 10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
Senator Date to Dent/ Date
Received
6.4 Industry Involvement & Development Projects Newman
Newman Newman Newman Newman Durack
Durack Durack
ll-9-91/p.239
ll-9-91/p.242 11-9-91 11-9-91 11-9-91
11-9-91 11-9-91 11-9-91
Defence Industry Development Office: functions in NT, Queensland and Western Australia(75) Defence Industry Committee(76) ASTA contracts(85) Pacific Aviation contracts(86) Hawker de Havilland contracts(87) ADI negotiations with Governmental)
Report on Defence Procurement in 1992(182) Publication of Defence Industry Book(l83)
PROGRAM 7: BUDGET & MANAGEMENT
2-10-91
2-10-91 4-10-91 4-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91
Short 18-8-91
Short 16-8-91
Short 16-8-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Grants to trade unions/community groups 1990-91(1) Commissioning of research studies/opinion polls 1990-91(3)
Advertising or promotional projects 1990-91(2) Departmental newsletters(88) Rent paid by Department(89) 1990-91 advertising budget: breakdown(90) DMPLS(91) Trade union representation within Department(92) Comcar expenditure 1990-91(93) Cabcharge expenditure 1990-91(94) Provision of personal cars to personnel(95)
Production of films and videos(96) Airline guest lounge fees(97)
2-10-91
2-10-91
8-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 4-10-91 2- 10-91
3- 10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
Senator Date to D ep t/
Hansard Page No.
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 11-9-91
Newman 12-9-91
7.1 Personnel and Management Newman ll-9-91/p.243,244
Newman ll-9-91/p.245
PROGRAM 8: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Subject
Inspector-General evaluations(98) Savings identified by Management Audit(99) Topical management issues on civilianisation and contracting(lOO) Central Defence database for manpower(lOl) Defence courses and workshops(102) Copy of evaluation on ADF living-in
accommodation and Defence Force recruiting(103) 1990-91 expenditure for DNATS(105) 1990-91 travel allowance(106) Defence Fraud Control Plan review(200)
Australian Protective Service: cost benefits of two contracts, establishments protected(77) Post separation employment: three consultancies(78)
Date Received
2-10-91 8-10-91 2-10-91
4-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91 2-10-91 2-10-91
2-10-91
2-10-91
8.1 Aeronautical Research MacGibbon ll-9-91/p.250 TF30: Pratt & Whitney(79) 2-10-91
136
AUSTRALIAN SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C
REPORT TO THE SENATE
October 1991
138
139
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Report to the Senate
Index to Hansard of public hearings
Minutes of Proceedings
Appendix 1 - List of questions on notice:
Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories
Appendix 2 - List of questions on notice:
Department of Social Security
Appendix 3 — Reservations
140
141
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C
Report to the S en ate
Estimates Committee C presents its report to the Senate.
Introduction
1. On 22 August 1991 the Senate referred to the Committee:
(1) That the particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the Parliamentary Departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1992, the particulars of proposed expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1992 and the particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1992 be referred to estimates committees for examination and report.
(2) That expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1991 be referred to estimates committees for examination and report prior to its consideration in committee of the whole.
(3) That the committees consider proposed expenditure and departmental expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance in the estimates committee groupings agreed to by the resolutions of the Senate of 9 and 10 May, 11 September 1990 and 13 February 1991.
(4) That the committees report to the Senate on or before 9 October 1991.
(5) That, subject to the sittings of the Senate, the committees meet to hear evidence in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) Committees A, B and C - 4, 9 and 11 September.
(b) Committees D, E and F - 5, 10 and 12 September, and
(c) if required, on such other days as determined by the
committees.
142
The Departments relating to Estimates C are:
⢠The Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories;
⢠The Department of Social Security.
2. The Committee met on 4, 9 and 11 September to examine the Estimates of these Departments. These estimates were considered with the assistance of the Program Performance Statements provided by the Departments and tabled on 22 August 1991, and by draft copies of annual reports provided by both Departments.
The Committee received explanations of the estimates from the Minister for Social Security, Senator the Hon. G.F. Richardson and Senator the Hon. M.C. Tate, Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs; and from officers of the relevant Departments and authorities.
3. Copies of the Minutes of Proceedings, the Hansard reports of the evidence taken by the Committee and a table of contents to the Hansard reports are tabled for the information of the Senate in connection with its consideration of Appropriation Bill No. 1 (1991-92) and Appropriation Bill No. 2 (1991
1992). A copy of all questions on notice is at Appendices 1 and 2. Written answers to questions taken on notice during the Committee's hearings will be tabled separately in the Senate.
143
ISSUES
1. General
1.1 Annual Reports
The Committee note its appreciation of Departments' forwarding copies of draft annual reports to assist in the consideration of Program Performance Statements1, especially given that the Estimates program was brought forward.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES (4 September, 9 September)
1. Structural Adjustment Funding - Wet Tropics (pp. 19-24) (Sub-program 6.4)
Concern was expressed about the funding available for structural adjustment projects in the wet tropics area of Northern Queensland. The phrase 1 up t o " in respect of amounts of money available for projects had led to an expectation of considerably more funding than actually expended on short and
long-term projects.
The Minister undertook to provide further information about this matter when available.
2. Ravenshoe Mill (Sub-program 6.4)
The possibility of an ex-gratia payment being made in order to satisfy creditors, was raised (pp. 26-27). While the Minister referred to earlier decisions not to make such a payment, he undertook to raise the issue again with the Portfolio Minister (p. 27).
3. Magnetic Keys (Sub-program 6.9)
Several issues were discussed in respect of the incomplete marina project at Magnetic Keys, including the nature of the insurance policy entered into by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the apparent shortcomings of this policy (pp. 61-65, 114).
1 Department of Social Security annual reports were provided on 27 August 1991, replaced with a new version on 28 August 1991; DASETT reports were provided on 2 September 1991.
144
Additional information on the m atter was provided by the Secretary of DASETT, Mr Blunn (at p. 114) and further information was provided in answers to questions on notice.
4. Social Justice - Geographic Equity (Sub-program 1.1, 1.3)
The Committee considered that Departments and statutory authorities/non statutory bodies needed to be more pro-active in ensuring an equitable distribution of funds to less populated/more remote areas (pp. 74, 80-82).
5. Antarctic — Antarctic Monuments (Sub-program 2.1)
The Secretary of the Department undertook to obtain a detailed critique of work being done on Antarctic monuments, particularly Mawson's Hut (p. 102).
6. Secrecy provisions of Legislation — (Sub-program 5.5)
On the basis of a recent opinion provided by the Australian Government Solicitor (No. 4001, tabled in the Senate on 16 August 1991) Senator Crichton-Browne requested further information on the position of the Australian Sports Drug Agency with respect to s.67(3) of the Australian
Sports Drug Agency Act (1990). The Secretary of DASETT declined to comment at that time on the grounds of requiring legal advice on the opinion (p. 170).
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY (11 September)
7. Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) — Reports (Sub-program 1.1, Program 4, Sub-program 5.3)
The Committee examined the ANAO report on the Department of Social Security. The issues discussed, in particular the ANAO's position that policy decisions could be challenged if it was perceived that desired outcomes could not be achieved, raise interesting issues vis-d-vis the role of ANAO reports in
identification of policy and management practices. The Department agreed that the ANAO could have a role in commenting on policy issues but believed this role was one in which the Department should not be directly involved (p. 258).
145
8. Non-aged persons in nursing homes — rate of pension/benefit
(Sub-program 2.1)
The Minister undertook to examine the situation of persons in nursing homes who would receive a lower rate of pension because of their age but who might still be subject to nursing home fees based on the adult pension rate plus rent assistance (p. 227).
9. Inter-Departmental Programs/Funding Arrangements (Sub-program 3.2)
The Committee noted difficulties of Departments in accounting for estimates of likely expenditure made by other Departments through inter-departmental program arrangements, for example, the estimates of child care places for the JET Program (p. 266) and the DEBT responsibility for appeals in respect of
Job start Allowance and Newstart (p. 240 and p. 270). This had meant that Departments sometimes were unable to explain the basis of estimates for programs or to answer questions adequately.
In respect of this problem, the Secretary of the Department of Social Security stated:
I suspect that it may well be necessary to have somebody from the other Department present in such discussions. Alternatively, it may be that for these programs it would be taken up in a committee where both aspects, or in
some cases all the aspects, could be covered. It is definitely something that is going to have to be looked at.2
The Committee agrees that this is a useful suggestion.
10. Family Allowance/Family Allowance Supplement (Program 4)
The Secretary of the Department undertook to bring the following apparent inequity to the Minister's attention:
⢠the situation of people being excluded from Family Allowance Supplement payments because of their income (even when part of that income was to be paid as child support); and
⢠by contrast, the fact that people receiving child support income did not have this income counted in assessment of their eligibility for Family Allowance Supplement.
2 Transcript o f Evidence, pp. 240-1..
146
11. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Committee recommends that all questions put on notice and not answered by 8 October 1991 be subject to further examination by the Senate.
2. The Committee recommends that the Senate approves expenditure in accordance with the estimates considered by the Committee.
Rosemary Crowley Chair
147
INDEX TO HANSARD
148
149
GUIDE TO CONTENTS FOR HANSARD TRANSCRIPTS OF HEARINGS HELD BY ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C ON 4, 9 AND 11 SEPTEMBER 1991
Page C
4 September 1991
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES
PROGRAM 6: ENVIRONMENT Sub-program 6.1: Policy and Program Support
Shark Bay agreement 3
UNCED Conference 3
Defence force land 4
Establishment of Environment Protection Agency 5
Sub-program 6.2: Climate Change and Environmental Liaison
Greenhouse gas emission 6-7
Carbon tax proposal 6
Tasman Institute study on greenhouse targets 8
Greenhouse - Aboriginal information program 8-13
- performance indicators 11
Agri-Koori Management consultants 10
Sub-program 6.3: Environmental Planning
Cape York land use study 13-18
One Billion Trees program 18
Sub-program 6.4: Native Conservation
Queensland Wet Tropics 19, 27-28
Structural adjustment projects 19
- North Queensland program 19
- evaluation 21-22
- program termination 23
Shark Bay project 22, 28
Ravenshoe sawmill 25-28
Pilotage through reef 29
World Heritage - listing of cultural properties 29
- information kits 29
- grants for nominations 35-37
150
- Nullarbor Plain listing 37-38
Country link 30, 35
Torres Strait environment study 30
Fraser Island 30-31
Tully millstream hydro-evaluation 31-35
Mimosa Pigra control program 35
Sub-program 6.5: Environment Protection
Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre 38
Environment Protection Agency 39
- relationship to Office of the Supervising Scientist 39, 41
- staffing 39-41, 43
- establishment 39
- funding increase 40
- legislation 42
- statutory authority 43-45
- relationship to ANZECC 43
- priorities and functions 45
Importation of rainforest timber 47
World Environment Day - information package 48
Pesticide strategy 48
Pesticides on Parliament House lawns 48-49
Waste recycling program 49
Grants to ACF and WWF 49
Questions on notice - programs for Aboriginals 51
Office of the Supervising Scientist - review of OSS 51
- relocation costs 52
- administrative expenses 53
- travel costs 53
- Industry Commission report 53-54
Sub-program 6.8: Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service
Draft plan of management - Kakadu National Park 54
- Aboriginal input 55
- control of aircraft movements 55
Draft plan of management - Uluru National Park 55
- issues raised 55
- commercial franchises 56
- film guidelines 56
- climbers 56-7
World Heritage Listing - Kakadu National Park Questions on notice
57
- ANPWS 57-58
151
Sub-program 6.7: Australian Heritage Commission
Social justice element 58
Objections to nominations 58
Antarctica - site management 58
Gerroa littoral rainforest 58
Nominations 59
Recycled paper 60
Nominations listing policy 60
Sub-program 6.9: Great Barrier R eef Marine Park Authority
Magnetic Keys tourist development - holding company 61
- development approval 61
- environmental impact assessment 61
- insurance cover 62, 64-65
- financial problems of developer 63
- removal of wall 63
- completion of project 65
- new developer 67
- further environmental assessment 67
PROGRAM 7: TERRITORIES Sub-program 7.1: Policy and Program Support
Implementation of report "Islands in the Sun" 67
Appointment of administrators to Christmas and Cocos Islands 67
Christmas Island - sewerage disposal 68
- sale of properties 69
- VIP travel 69
Sub-program 7.3: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Taxation revenues 69
Tourism 70
Sub-program 7.4: Norfolk Island
Legislation - social justice and equity principles 70
Environmental issues 71
Sub-program 7.5: Jervis Bay
EIS on defence land 71-72
Bowen Island 72
152
Sub-program 7.6: Other Territories
Ashmore Reef - illegal landings 72
Sub-program 7.2: Christmas Island
Christmas Island Services Corp - annual report 72
PROGRAM 1: CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Sub-program 1.1: Policy and Program Support
Functions discontinued 73
Publications 73
Objectives 73
Sub-program 1.2: Arts
Elizabethan Theatre Trust - tax deductions 74
Funding of Australian Opera 75
Funding of NIDA and Australian Ballet School 75
Tax expenditures 75
Artbank 76-78
Trust accounts 76
Report on cultural tourism 76
- commercial-in-confidence material 77
Public lending rights scheme 77
PSA report on sound recordings 78
Australia Council - evaluation 79
Sub-program 1.3: Australia Council
Art-form specific staff units 79
Grants by State 79
Funding imbalance - Queensland 80
Festival funding 80
Chamber music festival 81
Ballarat meeting 82
Funding criteria 82
- multicultural objective 82-83
Writers Grants awards 83
- grant to Louis Deporte 83
Peer group assessment panels 84
Unacquitted grants 84
Booklet on cultural funding in Australia 85
Multicultural Australia program -cost of non-grant activities 85
Grants to Patrick Cranney 85
Policy - investment grants 85-86
Book publishing 86
153
State Writers Centres 86
"On Tour Australia" proposal 87
Small grants 87
Visual Arts and Crafts Board - grants 87
Affirmative action 87
Public relations costs 87
Aboriginal arts 88
Gay writing workshop 88
Sub-program 1.4: Film
Australian Children's Television Foundation 89
- broadcast time 89, 91
- funding production 89
Film Australia - national interest program 89
Film Finance Corporation - funding 90
- tax expenditure costs 90
- revenues 90
Anti-dumping action 91
FFC review 92
10BA and 10B review 92
Film Australia 93
Sub-program 1.5: Australian Film Commission
Objectives 93
Marketing of Australian films nationally 93-95
Revenue decline 95
Buy-outs 95
Tax concessions 95
Joint productions 96
Joint ventures with overseas countries 96
Guidelines for development and production investments 96
Sub-program 1.6: Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Contractors - Auditor-General's report 96
Expenditure on professional actors 97
Administrative costs 97
Use of NIDA students 97
Revenue reduction 97-98
Foreign students 98
Sub-program 1.9: Australian National Maritime Museum
Revenues 99
Integrated "tourist" ticket 99
154
PROGRAM 2: ANTARCTIC
Scientific research 99
Sub-program 2.1: Policy and Planning
Mawson's hut 100
- site inspection 100
- expenditure on preservation 101
- Dick Smith's comments 101
- historical importance 102
Tourist operations 102
- safety regulations 103
Huskies 103
Sub-program 2.2: Expeditions
Shipping charges 103
Ice pilot 104, 107
Spare parts inventory 104
Vessel "Aurora Australis" 104-106
Vessel "Icebird" 105
- incident during hurricane 106
- cargo lost 107
- compensation 107
Casey base 107
- runway proposal 107
- oil spills 108
Questions on notice
- ANPWS 109
- Cultural Development 109-110
- Environmental program 110-111
- Meteorology 110
- Printing and publishing 111
9 September 1991
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES
PROGRAM 1 - CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Sub-program 1.7: National Film and Sound Archive
Outlays - adjustments 114
Formation as statutory authority 115
Setting priorities 116
Acquisitions policy 116
155
Taxation policy re donations 116
Television tapes 117
COMAT program 117
Disposal of material 118
Vulnerable nitrate stock 118
Promotional activities 119
Sub-program 1.8: Cultural Heritage
Question on notice - cost of Aboriginal sub-program 119
Grants to voluntary heritage organisations 119
Sub-program 1.10: Australian N ational Gallery
Review of collection policy 120
De-accession policy 120
Wolfensohn Gift travelling exhibition 120
Major exhibitions 120
Indemnity scheme 121-22
Sale of publications 121
Overseas revenue 122
Re-roofing 122
Air conditioning system 123
Art from USA 123
Waterhouse 124, 129
Regional art galleries 124
Administrative costs 125
Donations 125
Tax expenditures 125
Lending - overseas galleries 126
Tobacco sponsorship 127
Sub-program 1.11: National Museum o f Australia
Questions on notice - Aboriginals' 129
Strategic plan 129
Siting - consultancies 130-31
- Yarramundi Reach 131-132
- old Parliament House site 132
- Aboriginal concerns 133
Vietnamese research fellowship 133
Staffing 134
Lendings 134
Revenues 135
Museum of Political History 135
State of repair old Parliament House 135
156
Storage space problems 137
Additional funding 138
Sale of Lancaster bomber 139
Maritime items 139
Women's cricketing memorabilia 140
Tax concessions 140
Disposal program 141
National Air and Space Museum 141
Sub-program 1.12: National Library o f Australia
Capital expenditure programs 141
Sub-program 1.13: National Science and Technology Centre
Review of activities 143
Sponsorship 143-45
Visitation level 143
'Integrated' admission ticket 144
Tourists 144
PROGRAM 4: TOURISM AND INFORMATION Sub-program 4.5: Information and Advertising
Commission members - criminal charges 145
Advertising 146
PROGRAM 5: SPORT AND RECREATION Sub-program 5.1: Policy and Program Support
Co-ordination of programs 146
Olympic Games bid - Sydney 148
- Adelaide 148
Commonwealth Games bid - Brisbane 149
Technical papers on government expenditure on sport 150
Gender and equity issues 151
Sub-program 5.2: Facilities
Breakdown by State 151
Grants 151, 156-7
- criteria for grants 152
- local government 153
Evaluation of program 155
Increased use of facilities 155-56
Target groups 156
Administrative costs 157
157
Illawarra sporting facilities 157
Sub-program 5.1: Policy and Program Support
Sport in South Africa 153
Inquiry into sports funding 154
Tobacco sponsorship 154
Export potential of sports' industry 154
Sub-program 5.3: Recreation and Fitness
"Every Body" TV program 157
Fitness programs for blue-collar workers 158
Reports, surveys 158
Sub-program 5.4: Australian Sports Commission
Funding for Sydney bid 158
Review of sports medicine centre 159
Funding for athletes - STEP program 159-162
Funding for coaches 162
Funding - Barcelona Games 163-66
- Seoul Olympics 163-64
Sports Commission 166-7
Staff conferences 167
Australian Sports Foundation 167-8
Sponsorship 168
Funding of shooting organisations 168-69
"Sustain" program 169
Canberra Raiders 169
Oceania Olympic Training Institute 169
East German coaches 169
Sub-program 5.5: Australian Sports Drug Agency
Secrecy provisions of Act 170
Drug hot line 171
Drug testing - cyclists 171-73
- Mr M. Vinnicombe 171-73
Caffeine study 173
Drug testing 173
- number of tests 173
- professional sports 173, 179
- education programs 174
- effectiveness of program 174
Overseas drug testing agencies 174
158
Research Customs seizures of drugs Sports tested Facility passes Social drugs International Amateur Athletic Federation Overseas testing Information programs
Policy advice Revenues Annual report - printing delays
175, 178 175 176-77 177
177-8 178 178 178 179 179 180
PROGRAM 8: CORPORATE SERVICES AND PORTFOLIO CO-ORDINATION Sub-program 8.2: Departmental Support Services
National Media Liaison Service - administrative costs Questions on Notice - Senator Short
- Senator Baume
182- 3
183- 4
185-6
11 September 1991
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY
PROGRAM 6: CORPORATE AND OTHER SERVICES Sub-program 6.5: Australian Institute o f Family Studies
Membership of the Board 189,190
Studies relating to the cost of raising children 189
Appointments to the Board 190-191
Attendance and remuneration of Board members 190-191
Family Matters - circulation 189,192
Board's priorities and directions - corporate plan 193
Australian Living Standards Study 194,202-203
Domestic violence 194-195
Impact of a consumption tax on living standards 196
Youth suicide rate 197
Impact of the wholesale sales tax 197-200
Locational Disadvantage Study - not undertaken by AIFS 202-203,229
Sub-program 6.4: Social Security Appeals Tribunal (see also pp. 230-231)
Timeliness of submissions to the SSAT 201-202
159
PROGRAM 1: INCOME SECURITY FOR THE RETIRED
Resources and staffing 204-205
Sub-program 1.1: Age Pension
Auditor-General's reports 205-206,208,212-214
Review of overseas pensioners 205
Checking of income and assets test 205-206
Quality of medical evidence for the Invalid Pension 206
Eligibility for the Invalid Pension - impairments 206-207
Review of real estate valuations 207-210
Properties with a zero valuation 209-210
Inequity between investment in property and money in the bank - assets test 210-214
Valuation of property criteria for a new pension 211-214
Deeming 213
Age Pension News - circulation 214-215
FISP survey - basis - cost - results 215
Rationale for increase in numbers of FISP officers 215
Role of FISP officers - training 216,276
Impact of CPI index on pensions - review of criteria used 216-217
Increase in retirement age population 217
Age pension trends - assessment 217-218
Independence, 'self help' of age pensioners 218
Pensioner entitlements - Control of incorrect payment and fraud - data matching with the Tax Office 219,220
- income documentation 219
Notification of change to entitlements 220
Improving service to pensioners - trial tele-service type centre 220
Harassment of Social Security staff - suppression of officers' surnames 221-222
Procedure for parliamentarians to make inquiries 222
Department officers liaising with clients 222
Sub-program 1.3: Carer Pension
Expected take-up 222-223
PROGRAM 2: INCOME SECURITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE SICK Sub-program 2.1: Disability Support Pension
Rationale for reduction in staffing for Program 2 203-205
Transfer of sickness benefits to invalid pensions and vice versa 223
Increase in outlays 223
Reclassification of sickness beneficiaries 224
160
Access to training, rehabilitation etc. 224-225
Increase of expenditure on sickness benefits - $2.50 pharmaceutical allowance 224
- indexation 224
Analysis of invalid population 224-225
Problems of people of NESB 225
Implementation of disability reform package 225
Inappropriate referral to doctors 225
Take-up rate 226
Monitoring of numbers of people with disabilities in the community 226,228 Assistance to young people with disabilities 226-227
Disability entitlements for residents in nursing homes - problems 227-228
Sub-program 2.3: Carer Pension
Take-up rates 228-229
Australian Bureau of Statistics survey of aged and people with disabilities 228
Interdepartmental study for assistance to carers 229
Sub-program 2.4: Sickness Allowance
Fraud control and incorrect payment 229
Data matching - agencies concerned 229-230
SSAT and AAT - proportion of appeals resolved in favour of the client 230-231
Sub-program 2.5: Mobility Allowance
Number of disabled employed on assessment panel 231
Assessment of client 231-232
Sub-program 2.6: Child Disability Allowance
Evaluation of program - design - strategy 232
Take-up - statistics 232
Increasing awareness of Child Disability Allowance - pilot project in Geelong and South Brisbane 232
Increase in numbers receiving CDA 232
Evaluation of pilot project - modifications 232
PROGRAM 3: INCOME SECURITY FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
Average number of unemployment beneficiaries 1991-92 233
Number on JSA-Newstart 233
Numbers of Departmental officers harassed by clients 233-234
Strategies to reduce staff harassment 233-234
Proportion of unemployed claims not processed within standard processing time 234
161
- Newstart Allowance figures 235
- factors accounting for delays 235
Rent assistance for the homeless 235-236
- need for change to legislation 225
- criteria for rent assistance 235
- assistance by welfare agencies 235
- Departmental officers liaising with prospective landlords 235
Increasing uptake of Youth Homeless Allowance (YHA) 235
- numbers on YHA 238
- pilot projects 236-237
- cooperation with DEBT 236
- need for the extension of pilot projects 237
- involvement of State and local authorities 237
- involvement of private enterprise 237
- funding of project at Ardoch Windsor high school 237
Estimate of homeless youth 237-238
Dual payments - CDEP and other allowances 238
Payment of rent assistance and break in the entitlement period 238-239 State payment of fostering allowance - criteria 239
Consultations between Commonwealth and State bodies on fostering allowances 239
Sub-program 3.2: Newstart Allowance
Number of unemployed who have not complied with the Newstart activity agreement 239-240
Coordination between DSS and DEBT concerning JSA and Newstart 240-241
Cross-portfolio information and responsibilities 240-241
Problems of people of NESB 241
PROGRAM 4: INCOME SECURITY FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
Family Allowance, Family Allowance Supplement (FAS) and Austudy assets test - new provision for testing based on family assets 241-242
- existence of family trusts to minimise earnings 242-243
- expected savings due to new provision 242
- effect location has on the assessment of assets 243
Assessing eligibility to benefits - sharing of information relating to taxable income with the Australian Taxation Office 243-245
- assessing information on the use of proprietary limited company accounts for tax reduction 244
Family Allowance - criteria for hardship provisions 245-246
Effects of maintenance payments on FAS - consideration of payments by non-custodial parent as a deduction for the purpose of being eligible for FAS when supporting a second family 246-247
162
- integration of family payments across pension and benefits scheme from 1993 247
- income received by the custodial parent not currently assessed for FAS eligibility 247-248
Time lag between eligibility for FAS and when income drops 248-249 - rationale for 25% decrease rule concerning income 248-249
- affect the 25% decrease rule has on low income earners 249-250
Income and assets test for families 250-251
- assessing value of rural properties 251-252
- application of hardship provisions 252
Rationale for including rent assistance in the integrated family payment 252-253
Number of families eligible under $600,000 assets test but not eligible under $300,000 limit of last year 253
- number that satisfy hardship criteria 253
Difference between available funds test and liquid assets test 253-254 Confirmation of estimate of income and available funds test estimates under the hardship provisions 254
Verification of income estimates through Tax Office 254
Repayment of FA payments received under hardship provisions 255 Number of families eligible for FAS under hardship provisions 255 Income threshold - Health care card eligibility - FAS 255-256
Benefits indexation - average weekly earnings (AWE) 256
Auditor-General's Report - recommendations on administrative matters 256
- efficiency audits and Government policy 257-258
Sub-program 4.2: Assistance for Sole Parents and their Dependent Children
Sole parent reconciliation - notification to DSS Verification of sole parent status Financial assistance for education courses - monitoring
Survey conducted by Roy Morgan Research Centre - tenders
- authorisation for survey - Child Support Evaluation Steering Committee - Child Support Evaluation Advisory Group - objectives and results
Shared custody of children Private child support agreements between parents JET (Jobs, Education and Training) - Funding 1991-92 - Previous Committee concern about child care funding
being returned to consolidated revenue - Child care
- Increased take-up rate - JET advisers
258,260 259- 260
260- 261
261-262
262-263,265,271 262,265 262,263 271-272
263
263-265 261
265-266,269-270
267,269-270 266,268-269 266-267 261,268
163
PROGRAM 5: PROVISION FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Public housing rents - warranty scheme 272-273
Sub-programs 5.1: Special Benefits
Eligibility for JSA and SA - employment history 273
Minister's power to declare a major disaster 273-274
- cooperation between States and the Commonwealth 274
Increase in recipients of, and expenditure on, special benefits 274-275 - reduction of overlap with other benefits 275
- homeless youth 275
- gender difference in take-up of benefits 275
Act of grace compensation payments 275
Other compensation payments 276
Sub-program 5.2: Assistance to Widowed Persons
Widow B pension - incentives, advisory and training services 276
- FISP 276
- financial advisory skills of staff 276
- job training for pension recipients 276-277
- possible program for recipients 277
Sub-program 5.3: Telephone Rental and Postal Concessions
Telecom rental concessions - value of vouchers 277
- abolition of household income test 277-278
- verification of telecom subscription 278
- fraudulent use of vouchers 278
- Auditor-General's report 278-279
- monitoring the issuing of vouchers 279
- access to telephone concessions - limits 279-280
- possibility of communications allowance for non-subscriber pensioners 280
PROGRAM 6: CORPORATE AND OTHER SERVICES
Computer services - contracting out, 'outsourcing1 280-281,283
- consultants 281
- government policy in outsourcing 281, 283
Submission of tender for DVA computing services 281,284
IDC report on possibilities for integration of DVA pension payments with DSS system 282
ADP audit 282-283
ADP acquisition council 283
164
Outsourcing - break-up 284-285
Non-duplication policy of publications 285-286
Cost of the fiftieth birthday celebrations for Department 287-289
Cost of incorporating needs of NESB and ATSI people in publicity campaigns 289
DSS costs in joint publicity campaign of PBS changes 289
Ministerial committee for government information and advertising and OGIA 289-290
Sub-program 6.1: Executive and Corporate Coordination
Access to internal audits 290
Recommendations of internal audits 290
ANAO audit 290
Sub-program 6.2: Management support
Training programs 290-291
Permanent part time work 291
Substantive vacancies - level of 291-292
Staff selection process 292
Australian Government credit card holders 292-293
Electronic mailing facilities 293-294
Access to client mailing list 294
Sub-program 6.2.4: Property and Service Management
DSS building at Tuggeranong - roof colour 294-295
- design error 295
- gymnasium 295-298
- child care facilities 296-297
Sub-program 6.2.5: Legal Services
Beneficiaries tax file numbers 299-300
Privacy Commissioner's comments on data matching activities 299 Misinterpretation of mobile review teams statistics 299
165
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
166
167
THE SENATE
C A N B E R R A , A . C . T .
Estim ates Committee C
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 1
Wednesday, 4 September 1991
Present: Senator R.A. Crowley (Chair) Senator the Hon. T. Aulich Senator M. Baume Senator I. Campbell
Senator the Hon. M. Reynolds
1. Meeting
The Committee sat in private session at 1.35 p.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Crowley took the Chair.
2. Order of Departments to be considered by the Committee
The Secretary noted that Committee members had been advised that the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories (DASETT) would be considered first (beginning with Program 6, Environment), followed by the Department of Social Security (DSS).
3. Estimates process
Senator Baume stated that he would like the following to be noted, to be considered at a later time: â¢
⢠the short time available for Senators to prepare for Estimates - Program Performance Statements had only been tabled on 22 August, leaving Committee members a week for preparation.
168
⢠that the order of Estimates was changed, with DASETT being considered first. The short notice of this change left insufficient time for proper consideration of material.
⢠the short notice of the change of order of Departments to be considered. Senator Baume had not been advised until Monday, 2 September.
4. Televising of proceedings
⢠The Secretary advised that the Committee was scheduled to be televised on 9 September, and that if Committee members agreed to this, a resolution should be passed to this effect. Copies of draft resolutions were distributed.
Agreed, without resolution, that the Committee would consider the matter at a later meeting.
5. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 1.45 p.m. to reconvene at 1.50 p.m. in public session.
Confirmed
Rosemary Crowley Chair
*â £ 1 169
THE SENATE
C A N B E R R A . A . C . T .
Estim ates Committee C
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 2
Wednesday, 4 September 1991
Present: Senator RA. Crowley (Chair) Senator the Hon. T. Aulich Senator M. Baume Senator I. Campbell
Senator the Hon. M. Reynolds
Senators Coulter, Macdonald and Tambling sat with the Committee.
1. Meeting
The Committee met in public session at 1.50 p.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Crowley took the Chair.
2. Statement by Chair
Senator Crowley made a statement relating to the Senate's resolution of 22 August 1991 and the procedure to be followed by the Committee in its examination of the Estimates.
3. Particulars of proposed expenditure 1991 -92: Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories
In attendance - Senator the Hon. G. Richardson, Minister for Social Security, representing the Minister for the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories. (Senator the Hon. M.C. Tate, Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs replaced Senator Richardson between 5.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.).
170
The following officers accompanied the Minister:
Department o f the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories -
Mr A. Blunn, Secretary
Cultural Development Mr G. Dempster, First Assistant Secretary, Arts, Film and Cultural Heritage Dr K. Daniels, Assistant Secretary, Arts Mr R. Brent, Assistant Secretary, Film
Dr D. McIntyre, Assistant Secretary, Cultural Heritage Ms L. Alway, Director, Public Lending Right
Australia Council Ms L. Esdaile, Acting General Manager Ms D. Temby, Director, Corporate Services
Australian Film Commission Mr T. Burke, Acting Chief Executive Mr R. Neale, Director, Finance and Systems
Australian Film, Television and Radio School Mr T. Jeffrey, Acting Deputy Director School Miss P. Carl, Head of Business Affairs School
National Film and Sound Archive Mr G. Gilmour, Director
Australian National Maritime Museum Mr G. Fry, Deputy Director Mr Q. Howarth, Assistant Director, Corporate Services
Australian National Gallery Mr A. Froud, Assistant Director, Administration Mr K. Munn, Assistant Director, Marketing Ms J. Ford, Financial Manager
National Museum of Australia Ms K. Dal Bon, Director
National Library of Australia Mr W. Horton, Director-General Mr A. Cahill, Assistant Director-General
National Science and Technology Centre Dr M. Gore, Director Ms C. Bee, Acting Deputy Director Mr G. Bullivant, Manager
171
Antarctic Mr R. Moncur, Director
Meteorology Dr J. Zillman, Director Mr K. Wilson, Supervising Meteorologist, Long Term Planning
Tourism Mr D. Mazitelli, First Assistant Secretary, Tourism, Sport, Recreation and Information Ms J. Harrison, Assistant Secretary, Tourism Development and Events
Mr R. Spurr, Assistant Secretary, Tourism Policy Mr N. Smail, Assistant Secretary, Office of Government Information and Advertising
Dr B. Faulkner, Director, Bureau of Tourism Research
Australian Tourist Commission Mr. G. Santer, Director, Marketing Operations
Sport and Recreation Mr D. Mazitelli, First Assistant Secretary, Tourism, Sport, Recreation and Information Mr S. Amaudon, Assistant Secretary, Sport and Recreation
Australian Sports Commission Mr J. Ferguson, Executive Director Mr K. Norris, Acting Director, Sports Development Mr R. De Castella, Director, Australian Institute off Sport
Mr B. Hobson, Director, Corporate Services
Australian Sports Drug Agency Mr S. Haynes, Chief Executive
Environment Ms J. Di Sano, First Assistant Secretary, Environment and Conservation Policy Mr N. Quinn, First Assistant Secretary, Environment Protection
Mr R. Pegler, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Planning Dr A. Turner, Assistant Secretary, Nature Conservation Mr I. Carruthers, Assistant Secretary, Climate Change and Education Mr G. Morvell, Director, Environmental Liaison
Mr C. Griffiths, Assistant Secretary, Wet Tropics Ms K. Campbell, Director, Wet Tropics Ms R. Bromley, Acting Director, Climate Change Policy Ms J. Emerton, Director, Finance and Services Co-ordination Environment
Protection Agency Task Force '
172
The Supervising Scientist and the Alligator Rivers Region Research Institute Mr B. Fry, Supervising Scientist Dr G. Riley, Deputy Supervising Scientist Mr D Cottom, Manager, Corporate Services
Australian Heritage Commission Dr. M. Pearson, Acting Deputy Director Dr. R. Bruce, Director, Register
Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service Dr P. Bridgewater, Director
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Mr P. Burgess, Acting Assistant Executive Officer
Territories Ms C. Santamaria, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management and Territories Mr G. Early, Assistant Secretary, Territories
National Capital Planning Authority Mr L. Neilson, Chief Executive Mr P. Carmody, Secretary and Manager, Management Division Mr K. Revell, Director, Management Services Branch
Corporate Services & Portfolio Co-ordination Ms C. Santamaria, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management and Territories Mr D. Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Portfolio Co-ordination Mr K. Fairbrother, Assistant Secretary, Corporate Operations
The Chair called for consideration of the following programs:
Program 6 - The Environment
Program 7 — Territories
Program 1 - Cultural Development - as follows:
1.1 Policy and program support 1.2 Arts
1.3 Australia Council 1.4 Film
1.5 Australian Film Commission 1.6 Australian Film, Television and Radio School 1.9 Australian National Maritime Museum
173
Program 2 — Antarctic
Program 3 — Meteorology
Together the Expenditure in these programs comprised the following divisions: 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 142, 143, 146, 147, 151, 152, 154, 811, 812, 813.
4. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 12.00 midnight on Thursday, 5 September 1991.
Confirmed
Rosemary Crowley Chair
THE SENATE
C A N B E R R A . A . C . T .
Estimates Committee C
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 3
Monday, 9 September 1991
Present: Senator RA. Crowley (Chair) Senator K. Patterson Senator M.S. Walters
1. Meeting
The Committee met in private session at 3.10 p.m. outside the Senate Chamber.
2. Televising/broadcasting of proceedings of Estimates Committee C
Members of the Committee present noted that they had no objection to the televising/broadcasting of proceedings, subject to the agreement of other Committee members.
3. Order of Estimates for Social Security
Committee members noted that consideration of the Department of Social Security would begin with Program 6, sub-program 6.4 (Social Security Appeals Tribunal) and 6.5 (Australian Institute of Family Studies). This would ensure that staff from the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and the Australian Institute of Family Studies would be able to return to Melbourne during the afternoon of 11 September.
175
4. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 3.18 p.m. to reconvene at 7.30 p.m. on 9 September 1991.
(Note: the Senate did not adjourn until 6.07 p.m.).
Confirmed
Rosemary Crowley Chair
THE SENATE
C A N B E R R A . A . C . T .
Estim ates Committee C
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 4
Monday, 9 September 1991
Present: Senator R.A. Crowley (Chair) Senator the Hon. T. Aulich Senator M. Baume Senator the Hon. M. Reynolds
1. Meeting
The Committee met in private session at 7.40 p.m.
2. Televising/broadcasting of p roceedings
Resolved, on the motion of Senator Reynolds:
(1) That the Committee authorises the recording, broadcasting and re-broadcasting of its public proceedings in accordance with the rules contained in the order of the Senate of 23 August 1990 concerning the broadcasting of committee proceedings; and
(2) Without affecting paragraph (1), that the Committee agrees that its public proceedings in Parliament House may be televised by the Sound and Vision Office, using such television cameras as are necessary to achieve reasonable television coverage of the proceedings.
177
3. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 7.47 p.m. to reconvene at 7.48 p.m., resuming consideration of the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories estimates.
Confirmed
Rosemary Crowley Chair
> * 1 178
THE SENATE
C A N B E R R A . A . C . T .
Estimates Committee C
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 5
Monday, 9 September 1991
Present: Senator R.A. Crowley (Chair) Senator the Hon. T. Aulich Senator M. Baume Senator I. Campbell Senator N. Crichton-Browne Senator the Hon. M. Reynolds
1. Meeting
The Committee met at 7.48 p.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Crowley took the Chair.
2. Statement
The Chair stated that the Committee would return to the examination of Program 1 (Cultural Development), beginningwith sub-program 1.7 (National Film and Sound Archive).
The Chair stated that the Committee had agreed to the recording, broadcasting and re-broadcasting of the public hearing in accordance with the rules contained in the Senate order of 23 August 1990, and to the presence of additional television cameras for the Parliamentary Sound and Vision
Office to facilitate this.
3. Particulars of proposed expenditure 1991-92
In attendance - Senator the Hon. G. Richardson, Minister for Social Security, representing the Minister for the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories.
179
The following officers accompanied the Minister:
Department o f the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories —
Mr A. Blunn, Secretary-
Cultural Development Mr G. Dempster, First Assistant Secretary, Arts, Film and Cultural Heritage Mr R. Brent, Assistant Secretary, Film Dr D. McIntyre, Assistant Secretary, Cultural Heritage
National Film and Sound Archive Mr G. Gilmour, Director
Australian National Gallery Ms B. Churcher, Director Mr A. Froud, Assistant Director, Administration Ms J. Ford, Financial Manager
National Museum of Australia Ms K. Dal Bon, Director
National Library of Australia Mr W. Horton, Director-General Mr A. Cahill, Assistant Director-General
National Science and Technology Centre Dr M. Gore, Director Ms C. Bee, Acting Deputy Director Mr G. Bullivant, Manager
Tourism Mr D. Mazitelli, First Assistant Secretary, Tourism, Sport, Recreation and Information Ms J. Harrison, Assistant Secretary, Tourism Development and Events
Mr R. Spurr, Assistant Secretary, Tourism Policy Mr N. Smail, Assistant Secretary, Office of Government Information and Advertising
Australian Tourist Commission Mr. G. Santer, Director, Marketing Operations
Sport and Recreation Mr D. Mazitelli, First Assistant Secretary, Tourism, Sport, Recreation and Information Mr S. Amaudon, Assistant Secretary, Sport and Recreation
Australian Sports Commission Mr J. Ferguson, Executive Director Mr K. Norris, Acting Director, Sports Development Mr R. De Castella, Director, Australian Institute off Sport
Mr B. Hobson, Director, Corporate Services
180
Australian Sports Drug Agency Mr S. Haynes, Chief Executive
Corporate Services & Portfolio Co-ordination Ms C. Santamaria, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management and Territories Mr D. Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Portfolio Co-ordination Mr K. Fairbrother, Assistant Secretary, Corporate Operations
4. Consideration of programs
The Chair called for consideration of the following programs:
Program 1 - Cultural Development
Sub-programs 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13.
Program 4 — Tourism and Information Program 5 — Sport and Recreation Program 8 — Corporate Services and Portfolio Coordination
Together the expenditure in these programs comprised the following divisions: 135, 140, 141, 144, 145, 148, 149, 150, 153, 811, 813.
The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and Department to provide additional information to the Committee.
5. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 1.33 a.m. on Tuesday, 10 September 1991.
Confirmed
Rosemary Crowley Chair
> * ι 181
THE SENATE
C A N B E R R A . A . C . T .
Estim ates Committee C
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 6
Wednesday, 11 September 1991
Present: Senator R.A. Crowley (Chair) Senator R. Alston Senator K. Patterson Senator the Hon. M. Reynolds Senator M.S. Walters
1. Meeting
The Committee met in public session at 1.50 p.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Crowley took the Chair.
2. Statement by the Chair
Senator Crowley made a statement relating to the Department of Social Security proposed expenditure and the order in which programs would be examined.
3. Particulars of proposed expenditure 1991-92 Department of Social Security
In attendance: Senator the Hon. G. Richardson, Minister for Social Security. The following officials accompanied the Minister:
Executive Mr D. Volker, Secretary Mr J. Bowdler, Deputy Secretary Mr J. Humphreys, National Manager, Operations
Australian Institute of Family Studies Dr D. Edgar, Director
Budget Estimates Ms A. Robertson
182
Change Management Ms C. Hogg, Assistant Secretary
Data Matching Mr R. Elmes, Assistant Secretary
Estimates Analysis and Development Mr K. Bender, Assistant Director
Estimates Planning Mr C. Rayment, Assistant Director
Evaluation & Services Mr J. McWilliam, Acting First Assistant Secretary
Family Assistance Policy Mr G. Deeper, Director
Industrial Relations & Personnel Ms S. Ross, Acting Assistant Secretary
Information & Public Relations Mr C. Stewart, Assistant Secretary
Labour Force Programs Dr K. Ogbom, Assistant Secretary
Legal Ms H. Fleming, Assistant Secretary Ms A. Phelan, Acting Principal Adviser
Privacy, Fraud and Control Mr T. Murphy, First Assistant Secretary
Program Deliveiy Mr C. Butel, First Assistant Secretary Mr I. Carnell, Executive Manager
Resource Estimates & Planning Ms F. Howell, Director
Resource Management Mr B. Godfrey, First Assistant Secretary Mr J. Moore, Executive Manager
Resources Ms K. Barfoot, Assistant Secretary
Retirement Programs Mr D. Tune, Assistant Secretary
183
Social Policy Dr O. Donald, First Assistant Secretary
Social Work Ms R. Holt, Director
Sole Parent Programs Ms C. Zanetti, Assistant Secretary
SSAT Ms A. Coghlan, National Convenor
Systems Mr A. Law, Acting First Assistant Secretary
4. Consideration of programs
The Chair called for consideration of the following programs:
Program 6 — Corporate and Other Services
Sub-program 6.4 - Social Security Appeals Tribunal Sub-program 6.5 - Australian Institute of Family Studies
Program 1 — Income Security for the Retired Program 2 — Income Security for People with Disabilities and the Sick Program 3 — Income Security for the Unemployed Program 4 — Income Security for Families with Children
Program 5 — Provision for Special Circumstances Program 6 — Sub-programs 6.1— 6.3.
Together the expenditure in these programs comprised the following divisions: 560, 561, 948.
The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Social Security, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and Department to provide additional information to the Committee.
5. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 12.48 a.m., Thursday, 12 September 1991.
Confirmed
Rosemary Crowley Chair
184
THE SENATE
CANBERRA. A.C.T.
Estimates Committee C
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 7
Tuesday, 8 October 1991
Present: Senator R.A. Crowley (Chair) Senator R. Alston Senator the Hon. T. Aulich Senator M. Baume Senator I. Campbell Senator K. Patterson Senator the Hon. M. Reynolds Senator M.S. Walters 1
1. Meeting
The Committee met in private session at 6.20 p.m. outside the Senate Chamber. Senator Crowley took the Chair.
2. Report
Resolved, on the motion of Senator Reynolds, that the amended report of the Committee be adopted.
3. Minutes
Resolved, on the motion of Senator Aulich, that the minutes of meetings 1-6 be accepted.
185
4. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 6.46 p.m., Tuesday, 8 October 1991.
Confirmed
Rosemary Crowley Chair
186
187
APPENDIX 1
188
APPENDIX 1
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C
QUESTIONS ON NOTICE - DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES
Senator Subject Hansard Date Answer
Page No. Received
PROGRAM 1: CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Sub-program 1.2: Arts
Baume Elizabethan Theatre Trust - number of claims
rejected under new scheme for tax concessions. C74
Baume Unsuccessful applications — Register of Cultural Organisations C74
Baume Calculation of grant to Australian Opera C75
Baume Estimate of tax expenditures on arts, donations
(including film finance corporation).
C76
Baume Artbank — details of trust account payments. C76
Baume Copy of report on cultural tourism. C77
Crowley Report on cultural tourism - information included C77
in commercial in-confidence material.
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Baume Artbank - number of Aboriginal artworks purchased, does it deal with artists agencies and expenses incurred with these agencies.
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Sub-program 1.3: Australia Council
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Breakdown of national and overseas grants.
Percentage of grants to Victoria, New South Wales and ACT.
Details of funding for festivals.
Reasons for rejection of funding of chamber music festival (North Queensland).
Writers’ grants awards - were Arabic, Greek and Italian award winners Australian citizens.
Cost of non-grant activities in multi-cultural Australia program.
Number of jointly-funded arts grants.
Grants to P. Cranney.
State writers' centres — function and costs.
Cost of ‘ festival de la Batie* and cost of forum, ‘Unlocking the Academies’.
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Visual Arts Board — average cost of making grants.
Cost of Dance Summit, ‘ Moving Forward ’.
Cost of * Dissonance ’ and cost of national conference for artists and trade unionists.
Details of affirmative action program.
Cost of ‘Art Force’ newsletter.
Cost and objectives of public relations and promotions activities.
Refusal of grant to Mr S. Barrie
Functions of Aboriginal Arts Committee.
Performance indicators and information on the extent to which Council funding assists ATSIC communities.
What specific strategies and programs has the Department developed, outline the cost associated with strategies/programs in 1990-91 and estimates for 1991-92.
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Detail of funding of the Committee since its Cl 10 26.9.91
establishment, sitting fees, duration of sittings, estimates for the above for 1991-92.
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Baume Amounts granted by Council to Aboriginal artists and Aboriginal run organisations 1990-91.
Baume Cost of the Aboriginal Arts Management Association in 1990-91 and breakdown of costs.
Baume Details on function of Management Association. How many are part of Association.
Sub-program 1.4: Film
Reynolds Where and how frequently are AFC films screened in Australia.
Reynolds FFC - proportion of funds for children's programs and number of hours listed as children's television hours.
Reynolds and Baume Film Australia — details of films made under national interest program - where screened and how often.
Baume FFC — tax expenditure costs and criteria for ‘success’ in film financing.
Aulich Film production in Australia — papers on anti-dumping proposal.
Baume Film Australia — revenues; are other Commonwealth Departments making their own films.
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Plans for making films/television series/segments — Aboriginal reconciliation.
Funded Aboriginal organisations, grants by financial year since 1988-89.
Sub-program 1.5: Australian Film Commission
Reynolds
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Reynolds
Baume
Baume
AFC — number of film organisations festivals, events.
Details of, including funding, of state theatres screening Australian films.
Documentaries, short films - where and when screened.
Details of measures to improve marketing of Australian films.
Breakdown of cost for support of indigenous media/ estimates for the financial year.
Details of the program in terms of which organisations funded. What performance indicators has the Department in place to measure outcomes.
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Baume Details of access/equity initiatives and cost of these Cl 10
initiatives 1991-92.
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Baume Cost of wages to professional actors (non-instructors). C97
Baume Details of training packages. Are there similar Cl 10
facilities in New Zealand. Is the fall in Capital Works and Services due to final repairs to the roof. Figures for graduate screenings around Australia. Result of joint venture with the ABC to investigate programming, sales, training needs of commercial radio sector of National Broadcasting Commission of Papua New Guinea. Extent of ABC expertise in commercial radio venture.
Baume Number of Aboriginals in courses, success in job C11C
placement. Cost of Aboriginal component of program. Details of the specifically designed material to meet the needs of Aboriginals in the film
broadcasting industries.
Sub-program 1.7: National Film and Sound Archive
Baume Will the Archive be subject to Ministerial direction Cl 15
on outlays as a statutory body.
Sub program 1.6: Australian Film, Television and Radio School
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Baume Does Archive hold tapes of 'Would You Believe’. C117 26.9.91 26.9.91
Baume How many school groups were declined entry to
the Archive.
Baume Increase in sales revenue.
Sub-program 1.8: Cultural Heritage
Baume Details of programs for Aboriginals and cost of
programs 1990-91 and estimates 1991-92.
Sub-program 1.10: Australian National Gallery
Baume Reasons for increase in roofing costs.
Baume Net surplus for 1989.
Baume Outreach program — attendance by state.
Campbell Policy on Rothman's sponsorship.
Campbell Amount of tobacco sponsorship over last five years.
Sub-program 1.11: National Museum of Australia
Baume Cost of ATSIC Advisory Committee
Baume Repatriation of Aboriginal sacred objects
Reynolds Copy of newsletter.
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Baume Women's cricket memorabilia — who is it loaned to.
Baume Value of donations and estimate of tax expenditures for 1990.
Baume Has land at Point Cook been set aside for National
Air Museum.
Sub program 1.12: National Library of Australia
Baume Use of sound studios.
Baume Increase in administrative expenses.
Baume Commonwealth outlays — Brisbane Commonwealth Games bid.
PROGRAM 2: ANTARCTIC Sub program 2.1: Policy and Planning
Baume Antarctica — behaviour and site management issues that need to be addressed.
Sub-program 2.2: Expeditions
Calvert ‘Aurora Australis’ — does inventory provide for a spare coupling.
Calvert Who owns ‘ Aurora Australis ’.
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Calvert C107 26.9.91 26.9.91 Report on allegations that first officer left bridge during hurricane ( ‘Icebird’).
Calvert Value of cargo lost overboard - ‘Icebird*.
Calvert Copy of new procedures re oil spills.
PROGRAM 3: METEOROLOGY
Baume Details of special programs for ATSIC people, cost in 1990-91, estimates for 1991-92.
PROGRAM 4: TOURISM AND INFORMATION
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C109
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Sub-program 4.4: Australian Tourist Commission
Baume Commission: #
Number of staff. Number of advisers. Details of projects. Financial resources devoted to each activity.
Baume Department: #
Numbers employed. Cost of maintaining Department. Principal activities — each section. Duplication between ATC and Department. Consultations undertaken between Department/ATC.
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26.9.91 Baume Discussion paper on tax issues affecting tourist industry. # Contribution of tourism to revenues. Issues emerging of principal concern to industry.
Baume States and the Commission: #
Arrangement between ATC and State Tourism bodies. States' overseas offices — locations. Duplication of effort. North American market. ATC view of Australian International Aviation policies.
Television campaign promoting Australia in Korea. Applications from Korean visitors. Why campaign undertaken when Qantas not started Korean service.
Promotion by ATC of Taiwan, plans for future. International airline charter market, importance for Australian tourism. Britannia Airways charter program.
PROGRAM 5: SPORT AND RECREATION Sub-program 5.1: Policy and Program Support
Baume Copy of report on Government expenditure on sport. C151
Campbell Location of First Eastern Hills Scout Group. C151
Campbell Payments (by State) under Community Recreation C151 Program.
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Baume Evaluation of sports facilities program — details and C155 26.9.91 26.9.91
cost of report, and information on increase in sporting opportunities in local communities.
Baume Financial contribution to ‘ Every Body ’ program. C157-158 26.9.91 26.9.91
Baume Details of reports:
Sub-program 5.2: Facilities
Baume Cost of producing technical papers. C154 26.9.91 26.9.91
Baume
Baume
Baume
- Price Waterhouse review on safety and recreation fitness - cost of - survey on workplace health - by whom and cost - resource kits for community groups - cost,
when available - review of data base requirements — by whom and cost - working party on recreation report - by whom
and cost.
List of consultants.
Aboriginal organisations in receipt of funds, amounts received 1990-91, 1991-92.
Key findings/recommendations relating to effect of sport and recreational facilities in Aboriginal communities.
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Baume Details of consultancy for Aboriginal recreation study.
Baume Recommendations from consultancy, follow-up measures.
Sub-program 5.4: Australian Sports Commission
Crichton-Browne STEP Program - ranking of sports and criteria for eligibility.
Crichton-Browne Criteria for funding coaches
Sub-program 5.3: Recreation and Fitness
Baume
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Baume
Baume
Baume
Proportion of $2 million for Seoul Olympics spent on preparation.
Amounts paid by sporting organisations to ABC for televising international sporting events in Australia and selling rights.
Reasons for increase in staff years when program costs decreased.
Comparable staff levels 1989-90, 1988-89.
Voluntary staff freeze - details.
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C186
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Sub-program 5.5: Australian Sports Drug Agency
Crichton-Browne Drug testing:
- sanctions imposed by body building organisation. C176
— which rugby league club was fined and why. C l77
Baume Have Aboriginal organisations received grants, C185
which organisations received grants, amounts since 1984-85.
PROGRAM 6: ENVIRONMENT
Baume Expenditure on special programs for Aboriginals C51
for each year since 1984-85 and outline of nature of programs.
Sub-program 6.1: Policy and Program Support
Short Administrative support to conservation organisations. C184
Cost of providing administrative support at conference, 1990-91. Funding to UN Environment Program.
Sub-program 6.2: Climate and Environmental Liaison
Baume Summary of Price Waterhouse Report on carbon tax C6
proposal.
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Baume Countries that have introduced or intend to
introduce low carbon taxes (and tax rates). C6
Coulter Price Waterhouse study — revenues raised. C8
Baume Information on Aboriginal information program on greenhouse, especially health effects. CIO
Baume Cost of Agri-Koori management consultancy and co-ordination arrangements. CIO
Campbell How extensive should the Aboriginal information program on greenhouse be. C ll
Baume List of departmental consultants. C13
Sub-program 6.3: Environmental Planning
Campbell Trees planted on state and regional basis in One Billion Trees Program. C18
Sub-program 6.4: Native Conservation
Reynolds Details of SAP evaluation study. C21
MacDonald Cost of Kinhill evaluation project. C22
MacDonald Ravenshoe mill — ex gratia payments possible. C27
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MacDonald Details of capital works program - Wet Tropics Management Authority.
MacDonald Cost of Torres Strait environment study and cost of consultation process.
Baume Average administrative cost per grant to voluntary conservation organisations.
Sub-program 6.5: Environment Protection
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Tambling
Baume
Campbell
Reynolds
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Campbell
Funding for Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre. C38
Forward legislation program for EPA bill. C42
C48 World Environment Day - distribution and cost by State of information package.
Details of pesticide strategy.
Details of grant to Australian Conservation Foundation.
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Sub-program 6.6: The Supervising Scientist and the Alligator Rivers Region Research Institute
Baume Details of the TAP program, number of Aboriginals C51 26.9.91
trained, retention rate, cost, and outcome since introduction of TAP.
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Tambling
Tambling
Cost of running TAP this year.
Programs to facilitate local Aboriginal community involvement in the research institute's activities and cost of these by financial year and program category in 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92.
Grants/funds to Northern Land Council and purpose in 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91 and estimates for this financial year.
Consultation process with Aboriginals in the Alligator Region.
Employment of Aboriginal consultants.
Details of action taken on recommendations of Office of the Supervising Scientist (OSS) review.
Breakdown of OSS travel costs for 1991 and 1992.
Sub-program 6.7: Australian Heritage Commission
Baume
Baume
Social justice element aimed at Aboriginals for 1991 and 1992.
Number of objections to entries to National Estate upheld.
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Baume Gerroa rainforest — sandmining proposal. C59
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Baume Details of significance of the eight nominations destroyed before listing by Commission. C59
Baume Details of social justice elements aimed at Aboriginals and cost in 1990-91 and estimate 1991-92. #
Sub-program 6.8: Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service
Tambling List of 154 Kakadu issues and 38 Uluru issues raised in submissions — draft plan of management. C56
Tambling Uluru plan of management - guidelines for film agencies. C56
Tambling Details of cancellation of French filming at Uluru. C56
Tambling World Heritage listing of Uluru - copy of agreement between NT and Commonwealth Government. C57
Baume Revenue shortfall and total outgoings for Kakadu and Uluru National Parks. C57
Baume Amount of collection fees from visitors. C57
Baume ANPWS - cost recovery policy for the Parks. C57
Baume Policy on restrictions on access by photographers in Park Management. C57
Baume Was it only in May 1991 that written guidelines were C57
issued.
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Does the ANPWS act as agent of Board of Management. C58
Does ANPWS have a view on nature of restrictions. C58 Does it believe they are justified.
Why has there not been consultation with those C58 professionals affected by guidelines.
Do the same restrictions apply to visiting tourists. C58
Are sites banned to photographers featured in pictorial C58 displays at Yulara visitors centre.
Is any action proposed to restrict publication of C58 negatives of film taken in the years before restrictions applied.
Will the Minister undertake to review the operation of C58 the guidelines as they apply to boha fide professional photographers whose work can contribute significantly to attracting interstate and international visitors
to Uluru.
How many consultants have been hired to assist with C l 10 the development of programs and cost of consultancies.
Success in involving traditional owners in management Cl 10 of the park, how many are involved on the Board, fees they receive, service/function of Board.
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Has the Department evaluated the Employment Program Cl 10 to identify success and how has success been measured.
Explain strategies for Aboriginal Employment Recruitment Training and Career Development - Kakadu and Uluru.
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Baume Have they been put into effect.
Cost to date and estimate for 1991-92. Consultations with Aborigines over formulation of strategies.
Baume Present stage of Aboriginal Cultural Centre project. Does the Department envisage employing only Aboriginal people to work in centre, if so, how many, how will they be funded.
Baume Breakdown of Aboriginal training and employment line item, nature of training, number trained, success of training in terms of job placement, cost of training programs by financial year since introduction of AEDP in sub-program.
Sub program 6.9: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Coulter
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Magnetic Keys Development: — Advice of local council on suitability of tourist resort. — Major shareholders.
— Which company undertook environmental impact
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study and was it related to developer. - Independent assessment of financial strength of developer. - Any assessment of ability of developer to
carry out development without adverse environmental impact. - Any concern expressed to the Authority re financial viability etc of developer. - Conditions under which development will be
completed.
- When development ceased. - When Authority was informed of cessation. - When Authority was concerned that development may not be completed.
- Possible environmental damage from removal of wall. - Why was insurance policy not used for removal of wall.
- Details of legal advice re insurance cover. - Details of possible completion stages. - Details of insurance policy with new developer. - Details of any concern — financial viability of
new developer etc.
Details of information provided to ATSIC communities living adjacent to Marine Park. Cost of providing this material to date.
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Cost of Aboriginal consultation over zoning plans, by Cl 11 26.9.91 26.9.91
financial year and organisation 1989-90.
Baume Number of Aboriginals who are members of the Great C l l l 26.9.91
Barrier Reef Consultative Committee.
PROGRAM 7: TERRITORIES
Sub-program 7.1: Policy and Program Support
Tambling Details of terms of appointment, including pay rates, C68 26.9.91
of administrators of Christmas and Cocos Islands.
Tambling Christmas Island - list of properties to be auctioned C69 26.9.91
and revenue from sales.
Sub-program 7.3: Cocos (Keeling) Island
Tambling Cocos Island — number of residents, employment status, C70 26.9.91
social security entitlements.
Sub-program 7.5: Jervis Bay
Baume Bowen Island - costs of administration, information C72 26.9.91
on penguin population.
Baume Grants monies to Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community — C185 26.9.91
purpose of grants, amounts since 1986-87.
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Baume Nature of services to Wreck Bay community, cost of Cl 85 26.9.91 26.9.91
Baume Program for Jervis Bay park - Aboriginal involvement. C185
Baume Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community — revenues from park. C185
PROGRAM 8: CORPORATE SERVICES
Parer Amount spent on external printing/print services C l l l
1990- 91. Of the total how much was - contracted to and supplied by AGPS - contracted through AGPS to private sector - contracted direct to private sector
Parer Expenditure on external printing/print services C l l l
1991- 92.
Parer Details of internal printing capacity, including C l l l
photocopiers: - number of photocopiers, sheets printed 1990-91 - number of offset printing presses, sheets printed 1990-91
- number of staff/staff years allocated to internal printing services in Department.
Parer Is the Department aware of Finance Direction 25F. C l l l
If so, has the Department undertaken evaluation of the cost of maintaining those in-house facilities. If so, what were the results.
services 1986-87, estimates 1991-92.
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26.9.91 26.9.91 Has the Department or its Statutory Authorities made C183 available any grants to trade unions or community groups in 1990-91. - What is the name of the trade union/community
group which received the funds - What was the amount of the grant
- Under what program was the grant made - Was any contribution made by the trade union/ community group towards the project and amount involved.
What outstanding acquittals are there for grants made C183 26.9.91 in 1990/91. Provide in each case the name of the organisation, the sum involved and date of grant.
List the advertising or promotional projects the C183 26.9.91
Department or its Statutory Authorities has undertaken during the financial year 1990-91. - What was the subject of the campaign - What was the cost and period involved - Who conducted the campaign
- Did the Department or Statutory Authority seek the advice or assistance of the Office of Government Information and Advertising for the campaign, and if so, what advice or assistance was given - Was the campaign subject to a tendering process
If yes, how may tenders were there. If not, how was the successful agency chosen.
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Short
Short
Short
In relation to publications, videos or television C184 advertisements produced in 1990-91, how many copies of these were produced, and at what cost.
Were any campaigns undertaken by the Department C184 to direct mail to relevant target groups in 1990-91. If so, what material was distributed, at what cost and how many direct mail items were involved.
Did the Department or its Statutory Authorities C184 commission any research studies and/or opinion polls in the financial year 1990-91. - What was the subject of the research study or
opinion poll
- What was the sum involved - What was the period of the opinion poll or research study
- Who conducted the research study or opinion poll - Were the projects subject to a tendering process. If yes, how many tenderers were there. If no, how were the successful agencies chosen.
Details of advertising contracts with the Office of C184 Government Information and Advertising in excess of $20,000 in 1990-91. - amount of contract
- successful advertising agency - numbers of tenderers
- numbers of officers on Department committee considering contract
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Kemp Department's policy regarding associated enterprises, C301
agencies and other organisations, regarding payment to employees who are union officials when they are working on behalf of the union.
Kemp Number of employees on Department's payroll who are C301 full-time union officials, their names, job classification and salaries.
Kemp Employees on the Department's payroll who are part-time C301 union officials, their names, job classification and salaries.
Sub-program 8.2: Departmental Support Services
Baume National Media Liaison Service:
do they accompany Government personnel on overseas trips, telephone bills. capital costs — purchase of equipment etc for
1990 and 1991. who pays their rent.
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# not incorporated into Hansard.
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215
APPENDIX 2
216
APPENDIX 2
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C
QUESTIONS ON NOTICE - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Senator Subject Hansard Date Answer
Page No./ Received Date to Dept.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Social Justice
Patterson Details of the cost of the following programs since their introduction by financial year and estimates since 1991-92: SNAP, ATS I Interpreter Scheme, Community Agents Scheme, Remote Visiting Teams, ATS1 Information Program on Services.
5.9.91
Patterson Major findings and key recommendations of the evaluations of SNAP and the Remote Visiting Teams and information pertaining to the organisations involved in the evaluation and the cost.
5.9.91
Patterson Details of the outcomes of the ATSI Interpreter Service and Community Agents Scheme Projects. 5.9.91
Alston Definition of Social Justice the Department works to, who decreed this was the appropriate form of words. 5.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Date Provided to Senator
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
217
Remote areas
Tambling Locations of the 94 agents operating in remote areas C301 under the Community Agents Scheme in 1990-91.
Tambling Funding allocated to the Community Agents Scheme in C301 1991-92.
Tambling Which communities in 1991-92 will have this service C301 made available.
Overseas residents
Patterson Number of current pensioners who are resident 5.9.91
overseas.
Patterson How the number of pensioners residing overseas has 5.9.91 changed over the past decade and major reasons for the change.
Patterson Number of people receiving an Australian pension in C205 Greece and number monitored by DSS officer in Athens.
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
PROGRAM 1: INCOME SECURITY FOR THE RETIRED
Sub-program 1.1: Age Pension
Patterson Date the AVO published the figure of 85 percent of pensioners real estate being undervalued. C208 8.10.91 8.10.91
Patterson Time lag between AVO announcement and when action C208 was taken.
Patterson Percentage of properties with unrealistically low values. C208
8.10.91
Walters, Patterson & Crowley
Number of nursing home residents whose home has C209, C210 4.10.91 been given a zero valuation because their home is exempt from the assets test for up to a 2-year period. Include all breakdowns. C210 8.10.91
8.10.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
Walters Number of nursing home residents awaiting property C210
valuation.
4.10.91 4.10.91
Patterson Number and proportion of aged pensioners properties valued at under $10 000. C210
Patterson With respect to real estate revaluations what is the net change of the proportion valued by the pensioner and the proportion valued by the AVO.
C211
Patterson Estimated net savings from the proposed changes to real estate evaluation methods for the purpose of the assets tests for all pensions.
C213
Patterson Breakdown of real estate valuations by pensioner type. C212
4.10.91
8.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.01
4.10.91
8.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
Patterson Percentage of age pensioners that have their assets C212
reviewed by DSS questionnaire each year.
4.10.91 4.10.91
219
Patterson Number of pensioners with a residential investment property valued at a low rate. C214 4.10.91
Alston Details of FISP officers training. C216 8.10.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
PROGRAM 2: INCOME SECURITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE SICK
Sub-program 2.1: Disability Support Pension
Patterson
Patterson
Alston
Alston
Number of successful new invalid pension claimants 5.9.91 in each of the last five financial years.
Estimated ongoing annual transfer rate from the new 5.9.91 sickness allowance to the new disability support pension.
DSS's estimate of the number of invalid pensioners who 5.9.91 currently have a spouse receiving the wives pension but who would require a carer if they did not have a spouse.
Results of ‘A Survey into Feasibility of Streamlining 9.9.91 the Invalid Pension Admissions *.
Alston Proportion of persons granted the invalid pension in 9.9.91
1990-91 who were examined by a Commonwealth Medical Officer to establish eligibility, provide figures for 1989-90, 1988-89, and in relation to the invalid/ disability support pension what will it be in 1991-92.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
220
Alston Circumstances under which the disability support/invalid 9.9.91 pension is granted without CMO review.
Alston Is the department aware of any complaints from doctors C222 concerning clients refusal for unemployment benefit.
Walters What happens to 16-21 year olds who enter nursing C228
homes. Will their rate of payment be reduced.
Alston Number of people with impairment levels below C207
20 per cent granted pensions in the last financial year.
Sub-program 2.4: Sickness Allowance
Alston What proportion of the $292 million savings attributed 9.9.91
to 1990-91 Budget initiatives are due to sickness allowees/beneficiaries transferring to the invalid/disability support pension.
Alston Proportion of the through-the-year-average-number of 9.9.91 sickness beneficiaries transferred to the invalid pension in 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91.
Alston Expected proportion for the 1991-92 9.9.91
sickness allowance/disability support pension.
4.10.91
8.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
221
Alston Number of mobility allowance claimants who had their 5.9.91 11.9.91
allowances cancelled in 1990-91 in WA.
Alston Details of the error and how long was the period 5.9.91 11.9.91
from when DSS first received a complaint that the allowances were being incorrectly cancelled and were then reinstated.
Sub-program 2.6: Child Disability Allowance
Walters Copy of the Child Disability Reform package, including C232 4.10.91
evaluation design and strategy.
PROGRAM 3: INCOME SECURITY FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
Patterson Provide list of the forms filled out by staff concerning C233 4.10.91
verbal abuse.
Alston Are persons involved in the Community Development 5.9.91 11.9.91
Employment Projects Scheme required to supply tax file numbers to DSS or any other government agency to allow eligibility be assessed via data matching.
Alston Due to the liquid assets test, number of persons who 5.9.91 11.9.91
experienced a 4 week wait in 90-91 for: — unemployment benefits — Job Search Allowance
— sickness benefit.
Sub-program 2.5: Mobility Allowance
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
222
Alston Departmental processing targets in relation to C300 4.10.91
unemployment.
Alston Number of people under each of the 5.9.91 11.9.91
sub-programs 2.4, 3.1, 3.2 DSS expects to experience a 4 week wait for: - benefit due to the liquid assets test - likely savings for each sub-program due to the
liquid assets test - estimated aggregate savings.
Alston Number of claimants for benefits under each of the 5.9.91 -
above sub-programs placed on special benefits due to hardship during the liquid assets test 4 week wait for benefits/allowance.
Sub-program 3.1: Job Search Allowance
Alston Number of occasions and circumstances that the Job 9.9.91 -
Search Allowance/unemployment benefit was granted in 1990-91 where DSS was aware that the applicant was unemployed through leaving employment but completed Work Separation Certificates.
Patterson Outcome of the reviews of Aboriginal recipients and 5.9.91 11.9.91
information as to the outcome of ten Mobile Review teams.
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
223
Alston Average duration of receipt of Youth Homeless Allowance.
Sub-program 3.2: Newstart Allowance
Patterson
Patterson
Patterson
Walters
Strategies and initiatives Department has introduced under Newstart to cater for long term unemployment in Aboriginal communities, including cost and estimates.
Has the Department aligned the rates of JSA with Abstudy and if so when.
Performance report for JSA-Newstart.
5.9.91
5.9.91
5.9.91
C235
Estimated annual cost of dual payments of CDEP wages C238 and JSA or Newstart allowance.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
PROGRAM 4: INCOME SECURITY FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
Sub-program 4.1.1: Family Allowance
Alston Sums by way of family allowance paid in 1989-90/1990-91 5.9.91 for children in their care to: - approved religious/charitable institutions — approved government institutions for children
in their care.
11.9.91
Alston State juvenile centres eligible to receive family allowance.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
224
Alston Eligibility of family allowance for parents/guardians 5.9.91
of children held in custody in juvenile centres.
11.9.91
Harradine Percentage of families with dependent children receiving 11.9.91 4.10.91 full/part FAS.
Harradine Details of whether the means test for FAS is more 11.9.91 8.10.91
restrictive than for child care fee relief.
Harradine If yes, state reasoning for each means tests schedule. 11.9.91 -
Subprogram 4.1.2: Family Allowance Supplement
Patterson Strategies and initiatives the Department has 5.9.91 11.9.91
implemented to ensure that those who are eligible for FAS are receiving it and cost involved.
Subprogram 4.2.1. Sole Parent Pension
Alston Duration of Sole Parent Pension payment. 5.9.91 11.9.91
Alston DSS estimate of the savings that would have been 5.9.91 11.9.91
generated in 1990-91 if payments to claimants made under the assets test were also discounted where the claimant received income above the income test threshold form that person's own labour.
11.9.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
225
11.9.91 Alston
Patterson
Alston
Proportion of sole parent pensioners currently employed. 5.9.91
Percentage of sole parents reconciling with their partners C258 within 12 weeks of claiming the benefit. Percentage of sole parents failing to inform DSS about reconciliation.
Details of eligibility criteria for Employment Entry Payments (EEPs) for sole parent pensioners, how they differ from proposed eligibility criteria for EEPs for disability support pensioners and rationale for
any differences between the two criteria.
5.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
Sub-program 4.2.2: Jobs, Education and Training
Alston
Patterson
Alston
Proportion of sole parents requiring child-care because C265 they are working as opposed to training.
Special strategies in the JET program aimed at 5.9.91 Aboriginal people, cost in 1990-91 and estimates this financial year.
What proportion of the 32,000 increase in take-up of C265 JET child care is due to more SPPs in the workforce as opposed to in training.
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
Subprogram 4.2.3 Child Support Scheme
Patterson
Walters
Patterson
Details on membership of the Child Support Steering Committee.
Formula for shared child custody.
Child support survey — Roy Morgan questionnaire and report.
C262
C263
C271
PROGRAM 5: PROVISIONS FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Sub-program 5.1: Special Benefit
Patterson
Patterson
Alston
Alston
Number of unemployed people aged under 16 years who 5.9.91 are receiving Special Benefits.
Difference between Special Benefit and DSS overall client C274 population over the last 5 years in terms of client numbers and expenditure.
Details of all act of grace payments made in 1990-91. C275
Miscellaneous payments. C276
Sub-program 5.2: Assistance to Widowed Persons
4.10.91
8.10.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
Patterson List categories of Special Benefits. C277 4.10.91 4.10.91
Patterson Number of Telecom rental concessions incorrectly issued. C279
Sub-program 5.3: Telephone Rental and Postal Concessions
Alston Special beneficiaries who receive telephone rental and 5.9.91 11.9.91
postal concessions: - categories of special beneficiaries who receive such concessions - numbers for each category - cost to DSS in 1990-91.
PROGRAM 6: CORPORATE AND OTHER SERVICES
Outservicing
Alston Total value of services which were out-sourced in 1990-91. C280
Alston Details of all services out-sourced. C284
Alston What sums did the Department pay the AVO during
1990-91 on a State by State basis.
3.10.91
Publicity campaigns
4.10.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
Patterson Cost of DSS fiftieth birthday celebrations. C287 4.10.91 4.10.91
Patterson Cost of incorporating NESB and ATSIC into major publicity campaigns. C289
Patterson Breakdown of amount spent per beneficiary on each sub-program of the DSS information program. C289
Patterson Publicity strategies devised specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, cost involved 1990-91, estimates for this financial year.
5.9.91
Alston DSS's total advertising budget for 1990-91. 5.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Age Pension News
Alston Print run for the last issue of Age Pension News. 5.9.91 11.9.91
Alston Total cost of: 5.9.91 11.9.91
- printing the last edition
- distributing last edition.
Alston Total cost of printing/distributing Age Pension News 5.9.91 11.9.91
1990-91.
DVA's contribution to the production/circulation costs of the Age Pension News.
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Alston 5.9.91 11.9.91 11.9.91
Alston
Alston
Patterson
Alston
Short
Organisation responsible for printing the 5.9.91
Age Pension News.
If printing is done in-house on what occasions have 5.9.91 tenderers been called to do the printing, how many tenders each occasion were submitted.
Duplication of resources and material in other C286 departmental publications. Cost of the Age Pension News, edition 10. Difference between the number of copies of C215
Age Pension News being mailed to age pensioners and the total number of copies printed.
List the advertising or promotional projects 20.8.91
DSS or any of its Statutory Authorities has undertaken during 1990-91 and state: - subject of campaign - cost involved
- conduct of campaign - whether the DSS or Statutory Authorities sought advice or the assistance of the Office of Government Information and Advertising,
and if so, what assistance was given - if the campaign was subject to tendering, number of tenders, if not, how the agency
was chosen.
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
5.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
9.9.91
Short In relation to publications, videos or television 20.8.91
advertisement produced in 1990-91 state: - number of copies produced - cost.
Short Campaigns Undertaken by the DSS to direct mail to 20.8.91
relevant target groups in 1990-91. Details of material distributed, cost and number of direct items involved.
Short Did the Department or any of its Statutory Authorities 20.8.91
commission any research studies and/or opinion polls in 1990/91. In each case state: - subject of the research study or opinion poll - sum involved
- period involved
- who conducted the survey or opinion poll - were the projects subject to tendering - number of tenders, if none, how the successful agencies were chosen.
Short Has the Department or any of its Statutory Authorities 20.8.91
made available or approved any grants to trade unions or community groups in 1990/91. In each case: - name of the trade union/community group which received the funds
- amount granted
- purpose of grant
- program responsible for the grant - contribution made by the trade union or community group towards the project and amounts involved.
5.9.91
5.9.91
5.9.91
5.9.91
9.9.91
9 .9.91
9.9.91
9.9.91
231
9.9.91 Short
Parer
Parer
Parer
Parer
Outstanding acquittals for grants made in 1990/91. 20.8.91 Provide in each case: - name of the organisation - sum involved
- date of grant.
Printing and Publishing 4.9.91
Details of amount spent by DSS or Statutory Authorities on external printing/print services in 1990-91. Of this total how much was: - contracted to and supplied by AGPS - contracted through AGPS to private sector - contracted direct to private sector.
Details on the amount DSS expects to spend on external 4.9.91 printing/print services 1991-92.
If DSS maintains any internal printing, including 4.9.91 photocopiers, state detail the following: - number of photocopy or similar machines, number of sheets printed by them in 1990-91
- number of offset printing presses, number of sheets printed by them in 1990-91 - number of staff/staff years allocated to internal printing services in DSS.
If DSS maintains in-house printing is it aware of 4.9.91 Finance Direction 25F. If so, has DSS undertaken any evaluation of cost maintaining those in-house facilities. If so, state results.
5.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
Alston Details on outlays, and the number of claimants of, 5.9.91
Employment Entry Payments in 1990-91 and 91-92 for: — Newstart allowees — sole parent pensioners — disability support or invalid pensioners.
Corporate wardrobe
Alston
Alston
Alston
Alston
Alston
Total costs of moves to introduce a corporate wardrobe. 5.9.91
Breakdown of all costs. 5.9.91
Costs incurred during 1990-91 in the attempt to 5.9.91 introduce a corporate wardrobe.
DBS's estimate of the number of staff who will 5.9.91
purchase items from the corporate wardrobe.
Examination by DSS of staff demand for corporate 5.9.91 wardrobe.
Forms unit
Alston Number of standard forms currently used within 5.9.91
Regional Offices.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Alston Total cost of the operations of the Department's 5.9.91
Forms Unit in 1990-91.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
233
Alston Details of the occasions in 1990-91 when the Unit
or some other part of the Department on behalf of the Unit called for tenders.
5.9.91
Travel
Alston Amount spent on Comcar during 1990-91. 5.9.91
Alston Amount spent on Cabcharge 1990-91. 5.9.91
Alston Amount paid to Comcar in relation to the work
performed by the Mobile Review Teams 1990-91. 5.9.91
Alston Amount paid to Comcar in relation to the work
performed by the Remote Visiting Teams in 1990-91. 5.9.91
Alston Amount of travel allowance paid by DSS in 1990-91. 5.9.91
Alston Other costs incurred by DSS in relation to staff
travel in 1990-91.
5.9.91
CPI indexing
Alston Details of payments made under the Social Security Act not indexed by CPI. 5.9.91
Alston In respect of every payment which was increased in
1990-91 due to CPI indexation, state the full year saving for 1990-91 had that indexation related rise not occurred.
5.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
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11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
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11.9.91
234
Overpayments
Alston Number of overpayments raised in 1990-91. 5.9.91
Alston Number due to claimants deliberately providing false or misleading information. 5.9.91
Alston Number of overpayments raised due to DSS's error. 5.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Alston Number of overpayments in 1990-91: 5.9.91 11.9.91
- led to prosecutions
— led to prosecutions pending.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91 11.9.91 Alston Number of videos produced by or for the Department 5.9.91 for: - use within the Department for training etc. — use by the Department's clients/prospective clients
For each video: — total cost of production/distribution. — number of authorised copies produced. — f i r m s / b o d i e s responsible for producing the
video and was production subject to tendering. - date video first circulated. - subject matter of each video.
Alston In relation to the video DSS Strategic Plan 1990-2000: 5.9.91 11.9.91
— production and distribution cost. — circulation - whose decision was it to make the video. - number of authorised copies produced.
- evaluation undertaken to establish the benefits to staff after viewing it and outcome of the evaluation.
North Australian Development Unit
Alston Details of the specific examples of recommendations 5.9.91 11.9.91
NADU has made since its inception that have been taken into account in the formation/implementation of policy and program delivery for North Australians.
Alston Details of the ways in which NADU influences policy. 5.9.91 11.9.91
Has it ever been wholly or partially responsible for a submission or proposal the Minister has taken to Cabinet.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Phone accounts
Alston Amount spent on international phone calls by DSS 5.9.91
in 1990-91.
Regional offices
Alston Regional Offices visited in 1990-91 by 5.9.91
- Minister for Social Security - his Parliamentary Secretary.
Patterson Why reports of client aggression are higher in WA/SA. C233
Staff disciplinary action
Alston Nature of the disciplinary action taken against the 5.9.91
seven staff members disciplined during 1990-91 under the Public Service Act who were found to have improperly accessed/disclosed information and nature of offences committed.
Alston For each of the four staff members successfully 5.9.91
prosecuted: — nature of offence committed — nature of the punishment — is the person still employed by DSS — if no to the above, was the person's employment
terminated by DSS for having been found to have committed the offence, and if not, why not.
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
237
Number of social and welfare workers employed by 9.9.91 DSS and numbers of support staff employed.
Cost in 1990-91 of employing DSS social and welfare 9.9.91 workers and associated support staff.
How many and which Regional Offices have more than 9.9.91 one social or welfare worker.
Social Security Advisory Council
Alston What does the Social Security Advisory Council do 9.9.91
which DSS is not doing.
Alston Given that the Council exists to advise the Minister ‘on 9.9.91
issues relating to the development and administration of social security policy ’ does not the Minister's department already provide advice, and if so, what was wrong with the Department's advice necessitating the formation of
this Council.
Alston On each occasion the Council met in 1990-91 9.9.91
state: - agenda
- members who attended - venue
- cost of hiring venue
- catering cost
- travel costs
Social workers
Alston
Alston
Alston
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
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4.10.91
238
Alston What working parties associated with the Council were 9.9.91 4.10.91
in existence in 1990-91 and what was the nature of their work.
Alston With respect to each of these working parties: 9.9.91 4.10.91
— membership in 1990-91 - details of meeting dates, agenda, attendance in 1990-91.
International travel
Alston Details of when DSS sent officers overseas in 1990-91. 9.9.91 8.10.91
Alston Nature and purpose of overseas visits in 1990-91, 9.9.91 8.10.91
length of trip and cost of trips.
Mobile review teams
Alston Number of occasions during the last 9.9.91 4.10.91
12 months that mobile review teams visited the Chaelundi State Forest and environs, state the results.
4.10.91
4.10.91
8.10.91
8.10.91
4.10.91
239
Women's Consultative Committee
Alston Membership of DSS Women's Consultative Committee 9.9.91 4.10.91 in 1990-91: — basis for appointment — number of meetings — agenda
— venue.
Press clippings
Alston Cost on a monthly basis for 1989-90 and 1990-91 9.9.91 4.10.91
for all press clipping services — circulation — service.
Alston FISP Advisory Group 9.9.91 4.10.91
- names of representatives and their respective organisations on the Group - occasions the Group met in 1990-91 - costs incurred by DSS in relation to the Group's
activities in 1990-91 and breakdown of costs.
Sub-program 6.1: Executive and Corporate Co-ordination
Patterson Does the Department have a policy of redirecting C222 4.10.91
Senators enquires to the Department back to the Minister.
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
240
Alston Payment of airline guest lounge fees and at which
ASO level.
5.9.91 11.9.91
Alston Amount spent in 1990-91 on membership fees. 5.9.91 11.9.91
Patterson List of the 38 internal audits undertaken by the audit branch in 1990-91, including findings. C290 -
Kemp Total cost to the Department and associated enterprises
and agencies of these employees.
C301 4.10.91
Walters Provision of staff/client ratios for all major payments. C205 4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
Union officials
Alston Number of trade unions DSS officers belong and number 5.9.91 of DSS staff who belong to each of these organisations. 11.9.91
Kemp Department's policy regarding associated enterprises, C301
agencies and other organisations, regarding payment to employees who are union officials when they are working on behalf of the union.
4.10.91
Kemp Number of employees on Department's payroll who are C301
full-time union officials, their names, job classification and salaries.
4.10.91
Kemp Employees on the Department's payroll who are part-time C301 union officials, their names, job classification and salaries. 4.10.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
241
4.10.91 4.10.91
Sub-program 6.2: Management Support
Patterson Total amount spent on training in 1990-91. Percentage of DSS's payroll this represented.
C301
5.9.91
C300
Patterson Difference between 1989-90, 1990-91 in terms of C300
the total amount spent on training and the percentage of the total payroll this represented.
Patterson Total amount spent and the number of participants in C300 each of the broad categories of eligible training programs - Operational, Public Contact, Self Development, Trainer Development, Professional Staff
Development, Manager Development, Executive Development, Resource Management, Computer programming, Computer Support.
Patterson Proportion of DSS's total staff of 19,460 who received C300 some type of formal training last financial year.
Patterson Proportion of DSS's total ASOl-2 staff receiving some C300 type of formal training last financial year. Extent of the increase when the Structured Training Program for ASO 1-2 in Regional Offices is implemented.
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91 Patterson Number of DSS staff who took part in DSS's National Management Development Program last financial year. Cost of conducting this program last financial year.
C300
Patterson Number of staff who took part in DSS's Machinery of Government Program last financial year. Total cost of conducting this program in the last financial year.
C300
Patterson Number of staff who took part in the National Client Service Training Program last financial year. Total cost of program.
C300
Patterson Number of staff who took part in the Client Awareness Training Program last financial year. Total cost of this program.
C300
Patterson Number of staff who took part in the Financial Management System related training last financial year. Total cost of program.
C301
Alston Payment of HECS charges by DSS for staff in 1990-91. 5.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
Sub program 6.2.1: Work Environment Management
Patterson Major findings and recommendations of the study on 5.9.91 11.9.91
employment barriers for ATSI staff and initiatives implemented.
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Patterson Cost of initiatives to date. 5.9.91
Patterson Employment rate of ATSI people in DSS. 5.9.91
Baume Details of the cost associated with the National 4.9.91
Management Skills Program for ATSI staff in 1990-91 and estimates for this financial year and nature of the program.
Sub-program 6.2.3: Financial Management
Patterson Location of the 291 card holders of the AGCC. C292
Sub-program 6.2.4: Property and Services Management
Crowley
Alston
Alston
Alston
Comparison of the survey response to gymnasiums as C298 apart from child-care.
Rent paid by DSS in 1990-91. 5.9.91
Expected figure for 1991-92. 5.9.91
Details for 1990-91 and 1991-92 of number of, 5.9.91 and rent costs for: - Regional offices - Unemployment offices - Area offices
- Local offices.
Alston Amount of dead rent DSS paid in 1990-91. 5.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
Sub-program 6.2.5: Legal Services
Patterson
Patterson
Patterson
Breakdown of overpayments identified during last 5.9.91 11.9.91 two financial years according to benefit type.
Breakdown of overpayment recoveries made over 5.9.91 11.9.91 the last two financial years according to benefit type.
Breakdown of the number and value of overpayments 5.9.91 11.9.91 identified during the first six months operation of the data matching program according to benefit type.
Sub-program 6.4: Social Security Appeals Tribunal
Walters Details of AAT cases resolved in clients favour. C201
Sub-program 6.5: Australian Institute of Family Studies
Alston
Alston
Patterson
List of current board members, remuneration C188 4.10.91
entitlements, dates of meetings, attendance.
Who were the external evaluators in the C194 4.10.91
planning seminar in February 1991.
Estimated cost of the Australian Institute of 5.9.91 11.9.91
Family Studies study of comparative infrastructure needs in advantaged and disadvantaged local government areas.
11.9.91
11.9.91
11.9.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
11.9.91
245
Patterson Local government areas chosen as samples for this study. 5.9.91
Patterson Program for the release of papers, reports and results from this study. 5.9.91
Reynolds Report on the cost of raising children. C189
Walters Remuneration of board members. C191
Walters External evaluation on the work of the board. C194
Walters Study on homeless families for the Hanover Centre. C195
Walters Youth suicide rate — comparison with other countries. C197
Alston Details of remuneration arrangements for AIFS Board members. C199
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
4.10.91
247
APPENDIX 3
248
249
P A R L I A M E N T O P A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
SEN ATO R RICHARD ALSTON
Shadow Minister for Social Security. Child Care and Retirement Incomes
7 O c to b e r 1991
M s P a u l i n e M o o r e
S e c r e t a r y , E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e C
The S e n a t e , P a r l i a m e n t H ouse
C a n b e r r a 2600
D e a r Ms M oore
I recom m end t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y me w i t h
E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e C r e l a t i n g t o t h e e s t i m a t e s o f e x p e n d i t u r e
f o r p ro g ra m s 2 t o 6 o f t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f S o c i a l S e c u r i t y ,
e s t i m a t e s w h ic h w e re r e f e r r e d t o t h e C o m m itte e , b e f u r t h e r
e x a m in e d b y t h e S e n a t e .
Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y
RICHARD ALSTON S e n a t o r f o r V i c t o r i a
Shadow M i n i s t e r f o r S o c i a l S e c u r i t y ,
C h i ld C a re a n d R e t i r e m e n t In c o m e s
Canberra Office:
Parliament House. CANBERRA ACT 2600 Phone (06) 277 3605 Fax (06) 277 3308 PRINTED O N RfCrCLED PAPER
Electorate Office:
2/17 Market Street BOX HILL Vic 3128 Phone (03) 890 5177 Fax (03) 890 7375
J S j 250
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
Dear Dr Moore
SENATOR MICHAEL BAUME SENATOR FOR n e w SOUTH WALES
The Answers on Notice which I wish to be further examined by the Senate relate to the following programs:
1 .3 A u s t r a l i a C o u n c il
1 .4 F ilm
1 .5 A u s t r a l i a n F ilm C o m m issio n
1 .7 N a t i o n a l F ilm a n d S ound A r c h i v e
1 .1 0 A u s t r a l i a n N a t i o n a l G a l l e r y
2 A n t a r c t i c D i v i s i o n
5 .2 S p o r t s F a c i l i t i e s
5 .4 A u s t r a l i a n S p o r t s C o m m issio n
6 E n v iro n m e n t
MICHAEL BAUME
CANBERRA. A.C.T.
THE SENATE
Secretary Senate Estimates Committee C
By way of reservation I recommend th at the following matters be further examined by the Senate. 1
1. Questions relating to the Community Sports Funding Program
2. Grants to voluntary conservation groups
3. World heritage listing of the Nullabor and Shark Bay
4. Matters relating to the sitin g o f the National Museum
8 October 1991
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
SENA10R Î Î Î CRICHTON (IRQWNE s e n a t o r t o r w e s t e r n a u s t RAI ia
8 October 1991
Mra Pauline Moore Secretary Estim ates Committee C The Senate Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600
C O M M O N W E A L III PARLIAMENT OFFICES ·
SI MAR I I N S I O W E R
44 ST C,l ORGE S TERRACE PI mil. W .A . 6000 (G .P O BOX BSD. PERTH. W A 6001) TELEPHONE (09) 376.4222 FACSIMILE: (09) 221.3348
" 8 OCT W1 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE
Dear Mrs Moore
By way of reservation I recommend that the Senate further consider the activities of the Department o f Arts, Sport, The Environment, Tourism and Territories relating to sport.
Yours sincerely r "TJ J~
--------- —
Noel Crichton-Browne SENATOR FOR W A
253
SENATOR KAY PATTERSON
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA · THE SENATE
3 October 1991
Dr Pauline Moore Secretary Senate Estimate· C Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Pauline
By way of reservation, I re w end that the attached m a t t e r s
which were brought to the Committee's attention in relation to its examination of the estimate· of expenditure for the Department of Social Security be further examined by the Senate.
Tours sincerely
(Dr) Kay Patterson Senator for Victoria
254
RKSKKVATTOHS IK RKIATIOW TO DSS ESTIMATES - S: 3ER 1991
1. Any areas of questioning in which the department or the Minister undertook during the hearings to provide me with answers on notice.
2. Real estate valuations for the purposes of the pensioner assets test.
3. The number of transferees fro· sickness benefits to the invalid pension.
4. The applicability of the Disability Ref ora Package to current invalid pensioners.
5. The nost efficient way in which the Senate estimates
process can deal with progress which go across several
portfolios (eg. the Mews tart reforms).
6. The differences between a liquid assets test and an
available funds test.
7. The effect that the 1991 Budget changes in the FAS income threshold and Health Care Card eligibility for FAS recipients will have on the continuity and equity of fringe benefits entitlement for FAS recipients.
8. Areas of administration and/or government policy which the department contends should be excluded from examination by the Australian national Audit Office.
9. The use of public and selective tenders by DSS.
10. The survey of the Child Support Scheme undertaken by the Roy Morgan Research Group.
11. The Telephone Rental Concession Scheme.
12. Expenditure on training programs for DSS officers.
13. Collection of tax file numbers and conduct of computer date-matching by DSS.
255
PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA · THE SENATE
SENATOR GRANT TAMBLING S E N A T O R F O R T H E N O R T H E R N TER R ITO R Y
S H A D O W M IN ISTER F O R R E G IO N A L D E V E L O PM E N T .
EX T E R N A L T ERRITORIES A N D N O R T H E R N A U STRALIA
n o r t h e r n t e r r i t o r y
COUNTRY LIBERAL
PARTY
D A R W IN OFFICE
1 /8 0 THE ESPLANADE. D A R W IN
TELEPHONE (0 8 9 ) 8 1 3567
FACSIMILE (0 8 9 ) 813022
POSTAL ADDRESS CANBERRA OFFICE DEPUTY LEADE»
G P O BO X <196 PARLIAMENT H O U SE IN THE SENATE
DA RW IN . N T 0801 TELEPHONE (0 6 ) 2 7 7 3 4 3 6 NATIONAL PARTY
AUSTRALIA FACSIMILE (0 6 ) 2 7 7 3 7 0 4 OF AUSTRALIA
Secretary Estimates Committee C Parliament House CANBERRA 2600
Dear Sir
By way of reservation I recommend that the following be the subject of further debate in the Senate:
Arts, Sport, Environment, Tourism and Territories
Program 6.5
- Environmental Protection - Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of the Supervising Scientist (Hansard 4/09/1991 - C39 and C44)
Yours sincerely
J
3 RANT TAMBUNG
/SENATOR FOR THE NORTHEF TERRITORY
8 October 1991
256 tm n ^ S 5 3 ^ - b
P A R L IA M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600 TEL: (06) 277 3680
FAX: (06) 277 3679
Ms Pauline Moore Secretary Estimates Committee C Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Ms Moore,
SENATOR SHIRLEY WALTERS SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
AFTER HOURS TEL: (002) â â â 25 3284 FAX: (002) 25 2291
MARINE BOARD BUILDING I FRANKLIN WHARF GPO BOX 7C-0H. HOBART 7001 TEL: (002) 34 1409
FAX: (002) 31 0904
8 October 1991
By way of reservation I recommend th a t the following matters arising from the Committee's consideration of the appropriations for the Department of Social Security on 11th September 1991 be subject to further consideration by the Senate:
Subprogram 2.1, Disability Support Pension; and
Subprogram 6.5, Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Yours sincerely,
Shirley Walters Senator for Tasmania.
257
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A THE SENATE
SENATOR IAN MACDONALD
I IFSERAI SENATOR ( OR QUEENSLAND
8 t h O c to b e r 1991
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E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e C
F a c s i m i l e 3899
Parliament House
D e a r S i r ,
By way of reservation I recommend that the following matters be further examined by the Senate.
1. Payments actually made under the Structural Adjustment Package referred to in Sub-Program 6.4 and mentioned at Senate Estimates Hansard, page C 2 0 .
2. In the same Program I wish to raise the question of the sale of the timber mill at Ravenshoe referred to in the Senate
Estimates Committee Hansard at page C 2 5 .
3. I also wish to raise under the same Program the question of whether the Senate Minister, Senator Richardson, has yet again raised again with the Minister, Mrs Kelly, the question of ex- gratia payments which were referred to at page C27 of the Senate
Estimates Hansard.
4. Under the same Sub-Program, I wish to raise the question of allocation of monies provided by the Commonwealth for
compensation on the World Heritage Listing of the Fraser Island and Great Sandy Region areas, referred to in the Senate Estimates Hansard at page C30 and C31.
5. Under the same Sub-Program, I wish to raise the results of a detailed analysis to be done by the commonwealth of the report by the Queensland Government into the Tully Millstream Hydro Electricity extension, which analysis had been stalled because
of the inability of the Commonwealth authorities to meet with the Queensland authorities and to receive information from them, referred to at pages C34 and C35 of the Senate Estimates Hansard.
Although I attended the meetings of Senate Estimates Committee C, I have not been advised of the date by which reservations
should be forwarded.
Yours faithfully
Ian Macdonald Senator for Queensland
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A#klnM£t: (â K v'twcv Portal:
10WNVV1LIE
(C77> 71 30*6
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CO//) 71 3411 P.O. Bo* 2195 A ÎιÎ
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ADDENDUM
k 258
-»l. ,A U 3 T R A L IA / t ii-
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E
SE NATOR MICHAEL BAUME SEN A TO R FO R N E W S O U T H W ALES
MEB:jr S H A D O W M I N I S T E R F O R T H E A R T S , H E R I T A G E S P O R T A N D Y O U T H A F F A I R S
1 October, 1991
Dr Pauline Moore Secretary-Estimates Committee "C"
Dear Dr Moore
ATTENTION MR PETER SHORT
I recommend that the following m atters relating to the estimates of expenditure referred to in Estimates Committee C be further examined by the Senate:
1. The role of the Environmental Protection Agency in line with the letter I submitted to the Chairman on 11 September 1991.
2. The appropriateness of having the funding of the National Media Liaison Unit through DASETT but its administration through DAS, so that no questions relating to the purposes of the DASETT
appropriations could be pursued through our Committee
3. Funding of the Australian Olympic Team for the 1992 Barcelona Games and of the Adelaide bid for the 1998 Commonwealth Games
4. Details of Revenue and Expenditure of the Film Finance Corporation
5. Delays in presenting Annual Reports of Departments to Parliam ent
6. Replies to Questions on Notice
7. The role of tobacco advertising in arts and sport
Yours sincerely
329 KEIRA STREET. W O L L O N G O N G . N.S.W. 2500 (P.O. BOX 473, W O L L O N G O N G EAST 2520) FACSIMILE 0 4 2 - 2 6 5296 TELEPHONE 0 4 2 - 26 5298
PARUAMENT HOUSE. CANBERRA. A C T . 2600
SENATOR MICHAEL BAUME Shadow Minister for The Arts Heritage, Sport and Youth Affairs
FACSIMILE 0 6 - 2 7 7 3614 TELEPHONE 0 6 - 2 7 7 3610
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D
REPORT TO THE SENATE
October 1991
260
261
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D
REPORT TO THE SENATE
Estimates Committee D presents its report to the Senate.
Introduction
1. On 22 August 1991 the Senate referred to the Committee, for examination and report, the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the Service of the Year Ending on 30 June 1992, the Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the Year Ending on 30 June 1992 and the Advance to the Minister for
Finance for the Year Ending on 30 June 1991 in respect of the following portfolios:
⢠Administrative Services
⢠Employment, Education and Training
⢠Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs
2. The Committee has considered these estimates for the year ending 30 June 1992 and the Advance to the Minister for Finance, for the year ending 30 June 1991, together with the Program Performance Statements and has received evidence from the Minister for Administrative Services (Senator the Hon. Nick Bolkus),
and officers of the departments and authorities concerned. Copies of the minutes of proceedings are appended to this report; the Hansard reports of the evidence taken by the Committee are tabled for the information of the Senate in connection with the Appropriation Bill (No.l) 1991-92 and Appropriation Bill
(No.2) 1991-91 Further written explanations furnished by departments will be tabled when received, in volumes entitled Additional Information.
3. The Committee draws the attention of the Senate to the following matters which arose during consideration of the Estimates:
Administrative Services Portfolio
4. It has become customary for the Committee to focus on the programs and subprograms which have lately come to operate through trust accounts. The Committee's concern about the operation of trust accounts has been noted in two of its most recent reports, its unease prompted by the possibility that the
increased use of trust accounts would remove from the Committee the ability to scrutinise these programs.
5. In the past the Committee has noted the assurances of the Minister that these concerns were unnecessary: that to the extent that disclosure of commercial
262
transactions allowed, portfolio enterprises would be, in future, as much open to committee scrutiny as before. The Committee at its most recent hearings was pleased to consider a detailed statement from the Minister relating to operating subsidies, loan facilities and rental rebates as they applied to DAS business service trust accounts.
6. This was the first Budget estimates hearing at which section 41D unaudited profit and loss statements were made available to the Committee for its deliberations, following the offer made by the Department during the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration's hearing on 1 November 1990 into estimates committees documentation and procedures. Certain inconsistencies were noted between the 41D statements and the Program Performance Statements, given the earlier finalisation date of the latter. The difficulties were
compounded by the fact that corrigenda were also provided to the Program Performance Statements. The Committee commends the efforts which the Department has put into the provision of this additional information, given the tight time frame within which it has to work. However, the Committee notes that more accurate information could be provided, were the estimates hearings to be
scheduled for a slightly later date.
7. The Committee notes the continuing difficulties experienced by Comcar (sub program 2.3) in reducing its high cost structures and that productivity improvements appear to depend upon negotiations with the Transport Workers Union to allow for the employment of casual drivers. The Committee also notes the promised improvement in management practices in Comcar.
8. In its examination of Systems and Technology {sub-program 3.6) the Committee followed up its questioning in the Additional Estimates 1990-91 hearings concerning conflicts of interest between the regulatory and commercial activities in the information technology area of DAS. The Committee was advised that a code of conduct was in operation to prevent situations arising whereby DAS would be both bidder and judge.
9. A considerable number of questions were asked by Committee members of the Minister and officials concerning remuneration and severance entitlements to consultants employed by ministers {People and Support, sub-program 3.7). The Committee awaits details concerning individual cases members raised during the hearings. Also in relation to this sub-program the Committee notes that proposed expenditure includes funds allocated for the salary component of the National Media Liaison Service which is administered by the Department of Arts, Sport, Environment, Tourism and Territories. A limitation of the Program Performance Statements which is occasionally encountered is their failure to itemise in sufficient
detail the programs which are being funded, particularly where, in the case of the administration of the NMLS, the program falls within another portfolio area.
263
Employment, Education and Training Portfolio
10. The Committee notes with appreciation the offer made by Dr Neil Johnston, Deputy Secretary to the Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET), to brief members of the Committee on factual aspects of departmental programs before the hearings.
11. A matter of continuing concern to the Committee over the past two years has been the Department's administration of foreign student entry into Australian educational institutions (International participation, sub-program 7.5). The Committee notes the concerns of the Australian Audit Office with regard to the
transfer of visa processing functions between the Department of Employment Education and Training and the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, and of apparently insufficient liaison between DEET and educational institutions, particularly in regard to changes in government policy.
12. At its most recent hearings the Committee was informed of the difficulties experienced by DEET in keeping educational institutions abreast of changes concerning arrangements for the entry of foreign students into Australian educational institutions. It was assured that improvements in this process had been made. The Committee was also advised that problems arising from incompatible information technology between DEET and DILGEA - a serious impediment to
efficient monitoring of the program - would be overcome by the end of 1991. The Committee will maintain particular scrutiny of the administration of this sub program.
13. The Committee notes that the Program Performance Statements for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission were once more late in arriving. The Committee recognises, however, certain budgetary and accountability factors which set the Commission apart from other agencies which fall within its field of
scrutiny. In particular it notes that the completion of the normal Commonwealth budgetary process is not the end of the process for ATSIC. Fund allocations then have to be considered by the Commission and approved by the Minister. Once agreed to, applications for funding various projects throughout Australia had to
be considered by regional councils, along with other bids, ensuring competition for a limited level of funds. The Committee is interested in ensuring that semi- autonomous organisations, all wholly dependent on ATSIC for finance, are carrying out their tasks efficiently. Advice given to the Committee was that
regional councils were performing efficiently the task of funding proposals on their merits but that information concerning these decisions was not being properly communicated to ATSIC (Hansard D180).
14. The Committee heard evidence under Program Support (sub-program 1.5) that auditing of payments under the Community Developmental Employment Program (CDEP) presented problems and that the peculiar circumstances which prevail in remote areas, with highly mobile populations, meant that no guarantee could ever be given that overpayment or underpayment of individuals would not be made.
264
The Committee was assured that quarterly crosschecking and scrutiny procedures, now becoming operational, would ensure better accountability of expenditure. The Committee was once again informed of the difficulties of recruiting a stable workforce of administrators in remote areas to assist councils and ATSIC with bookkeeping (Hansard D170).
15. The Committee notes the continuing difficulties of ATSIC in establishing performance measures and in settling on a workable program structure (Hansard D172). While the Committee acknowledges the administrative difficulties brought about by the massive changes to Aboriginal administration in recent times, it
hopes that a firm program structure will be established in the near future and that with it will come improved performance reporting. While the Committee accepts that programs need to evolve, too frequent changes to program structures can be seen as an attempt to obfuscate scrutiny.
Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Portfolio
16. In its examination of this portfolio the Committee notes the commitment of the Office of Local Government to streamlining and upgrading development and building approvals in local government, a policy intended to support the better cities program.
17. After some years of questioning whether business migrants were monitored to ensure that they actually established businesses in this country, the Committee notes the demise of the Business Migration Program in its present form. It also notes assurances of improved procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of migration sponsorship schemes, in particular those procedures relating to the
employer nomination scheme which had operated since 1981. A number of questions were taken on notice concerning support agreements for permanent entry, the welfare benefits available to entrants seeking refugee status and costs involved in handling illegal entrants.
General Matters
18. The Committee notes the uncertainty of departments over the matter of the provision to the Committee of draft or actual annual reports. The annual reporting requirements issued by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and tabled in the Senate on 11 April 1991, thus making them formally take effect under the Public Service Act, make the position quite clear.
3.9 The annual report is if possible to be tabled in time for use by members of Senate Estimates Committees ... should the report not be available in its final form in time, material to be included in it should, unless there is a specific reason, be made available to Senate Estimates Committees prior to hearings ... portfolios are also to submit to Committee Secretariats available agency annual reports and, in relation to agencies whose reports are not then available, interim statements. These interim statements need not be drafts of annual reports (or drafts of part
265
of them) but should indicate what material could be made available should Committees wish to request it.
19. The Committee expresses concern about the time scheduled for the tabling of its report. To allow members sufficient time to meet to discuss the report, the Committee urges that a minimum of three sitting days should elapse between the final scheduled day of hearings and the scheduled reporting day.
Recommendations
20. The Committee recommends that matters raised specifically in this report in relation to all portfolios, and all questions taken on notice by witnesses at the Committee's hearings and not answered by 8 October 1991, as listed in the Appendix, be subject to further examination by the Senate.
21. The Committee recommends that the Senate approve, without amendment or request, expenditure in accordance with the estimates considered by the Committee.
"T7
o
Olive Zakharov Chair
266
267
Ψ
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
SENATOR WARWICK PARER LIBERAL SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND SHADOW MINISTER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ACT
9 October 1991
Mr John Carter Secretary Senate Estimates Committee D Parliament House
CANBERRA.
Dear Mr Carter,
By way of reservation, I recommend that the questions asked by me in Estimates Committee D hearings relating to the following be the subject of further examination in the Senate:
PROGRAM 1 PROPERTY SERVICES
SUB PROGRAM 1.3 ASSET SERVICES
Business Plan 1991-92 to 1993-94
SUB PROGRAM 1.6 AUSTRALIAN VALUATION OFFICE
Clarification of revenues
PROGRAM 3 GOVERNMENT SERVICES
SUB PROGRAM 3.7 PEOPLE AND SUPPORT
Payments to staff of the Leader of the Australian Democrats
Yours sincerely
J ία αÎΑΧλΑ. Warwick Parer
Co m m o n w e a l t h p a r l ia m e n t o f f ic e s ANN STREET B risbane old aooc telephone <07) 86< bad
fACSIMILE (07) 229 1831
TELEPHONE (06) 277 3670 FACSIMILE (06) 277 3871
PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
SENATOR ROD KEMP SEN A TO R F O R VICTO RIA
9 October 1991 N (
Mr John Carter Secretary Estimates Committee D Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Mr. Carter,
By way of reservation, I recommend that the questions asked by me in the Estimates Committee D hearings relating to the following be the subject of further examination by the Senate:
(a) Program 2, sub program 2.1 - Higher Education System:
The grant given to Mr. Michael Humphrey and Professor Robert Springborg in the amount of $82,000
(b) Program 3 Government Services, sub-program 3.7 People and Support, 3.7.1 Parliamentary Services:
Ministerial staff numbers, including consultants, and entitlements.
1 further wish to raise the general issue of the Chairpersons rulings in relation to answers by Ministers (see for example Hansard D137-8).
Yours sincerely,
itc ( IRod KempSENATOR FOR VICTORIA
TELEPHONE (03) 629 2521
CO M M O N W EA LTH PARLIAMENT OFFICES. 400 FLINDERS STREET. M ELBOURNE. VIC. 3000 FAX (03) 614 2373
PARLIAMENT HOUSE. CANBERRA. ACT 2600 TELEPHONE (06) 277 7m
FAX (06) 277 3515
269
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · T H E S E N A T E
SENATOR GRANT TAMBLING SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EXTERNAL TERRITORIES AND NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
5RTHERN TERRITORY
COUNTRY LIBERAL
PARTY
D A R W IN OFFICE
3 /8 0 THE ESPLANADE. D A R W IN
TELEPHONE (0 8 9 ) 813567
FACSIMILE (0 8 9 ) 813022
POSTAL ADDRESS CANBERRA OFFICE DEPUTY LEADER
G P O BOX 4196 PARLIAMENT H O U SE IN THE SENATE
DARW IN. N T 0801 TELEPHONE (0 6 ) 2 7 7 3436 NATIO N A L PARTY
AUSTRALIA FACSIMILE (0 6 ) 2 7 7 3704 O f AUSTRALIA
Secretary Estimates Committee D Parliament House CANBERRA 2600
Dear Sir
By way of reservation I recommend that the following be the subject of further d e b a t e in the Senate:
Administrative Services
Program 1.1
- Property Services - Sale of Departmental housing.
Program 6
- Australian Electoral Comm ission - 1987 and 1990 Elections, irregularities and
concerns.
- Australian Electoral Com m ission - R equested and/or unsolicited AEC docum entation to th e media.
- Australian Electoral C om m ission - Section 136(3) notices to produce docum ents or give evidence.
- Australian Electoral Com m ission - Different sources of information at state/ Central offices.
- Australian Electoral Com m ission - $100,000 on supplem entary funding for spot audits of political parties.
- Australian Electoral Com m ission - Prosecutions lodged against the CLP in the last 12 months.
- Australian Electoral Comm ission -1987 and 1990 investigation and prosecutions, ALP gifts an d legacies, Curtain H ouse Pty Ltd, State Division of the ALP.
270
Employment, Education and Training
Program 1.2 A ssistance to D isadvantaged Schools - Initiatives of the National Reconciliation and Schooling Strategy.
Section 1 Reconciliation of ATSIC Program perform ance S tatem ents and budget p aper No. 7.
Program 1 Land and Economic D evelopment - P urchase of pastoral properties.
Land and Economic D evelopment - Office of Evaluation and Audit inquiring into arms length Aboriginal organisations.
Land and Economic D evelopment - Plebiscite with regard to formation of S.E. Arhnem land Land Council.
Land and Economic D evelopment - T rustees of the Aboriginal Benefits Trust Account.
Program 2.4 Recreation an d Sport - Y uendum u Sports Festival.
Program 2.7 Community Infrastructure - Allocation of funds for Community Infrastructure purposes.
Community Infrastructure - Prem iers C onference outcom es, Nov 1991.
Program 4,2 Corporate Support - ATSIC Officers offering assistan ce ’moonlighting' with Aboriginal organisations.
Corporate Support - ATSIC housing.
Program 4,4 Program Support - Consultancy for $204,500 aw arded to Ian MacKintosh - Local Government/Regional Councils.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
Yours sincerely
'gr a nt ta m bu n g SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY t
8 October 1991
271
APPENDIX
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AS AT 8 OCTOBER
Administrative Services Portfolio
Department o f Administrative Services
1. Ministers' overseas travel Alston
2. Cost of overseas travel by education ministers Kemp
3. Expenditure on printing, publishing Parer
4. Effect of redundancies on staffing levels, costs Calvert
5. Redundancies - allocation, payment Parer
Program 1 - Property Services
6. Cost of marketing consultant Calvert
7. Database of property holdings Parer
8. Disciplinary action, fraud cases, RAAF Tindal Tambling
9. Cost of refurbishing ASC Sale premises Parer
Program 2 - Supply Services
10. Percentage of female new Comcar drivers Kemp 11. Comcar third party provision Parer
Program 3 - Government Services
12. Continuing entitlements, ex-senator Jenkins Parer 13. Whether Mr Keating has a dedicated car Kemp
Employment, Education and Training Portfolio
Department o f Employment, Education and Training
Notice
Notice Notice
D6 left D6 left
DIO right D ll right
D23 left D27 left
D48 right D49 left
D85 right D90 left
1. Research studies, opinion polls undertaken Short Notice
2. Advertising or promotional projects Short Notice
3. Grants to trade unions, community groups 4. National Reconciliation and Schooling Short Notice
Strategy initiatives Tambling Notice
5. Printing, photocopying details Parer Notice
6. JOBSKILLS Alston Notice
- definition of 'appropriate organisation' - numbers expected to be assisted 1991-92 - target groups for assistance
272
- financial responsibility for, tax status of, weekly wage - employer checks - consultation between Department, ACTU on development - correspondence between Department, ACTU on development - guidelines on expenditure to brokers - expected broker numbers, payouts 7. JOBSTART Alston
- delay in subsidy payments - employer obligations - standard forms and their purpose - determination of the level of wage subsidy 8. Poster numbers, print runs, costs Alston
9. HECS charges paid for DEBT staff Alston
10. Advertising budget for Department, CES Alston 11. Airline guest lounge fees Alston
12. Studies on productivity-based wages for disadvantaged groups Alston
13. Measurement of performance indicator 'the degree to which DEET satisfies Senate Estimates related processes' Alston
14. AUSTUDY/ABSTUDY Alston
- running costs - ratio of payments to running costs - number of program staff - travel costs - total, and State-by-State recipients 15. Film and video production Alston
16. Formal Training Allowance Alston
- indexed to CPI, frequency of increases - to which schemes paid, number of claimants - outlays 17. Training for Aboriginals Program Alston
- definition of employment equity - success of the program to date 18. Skillshare Alston
- accountability of project managers - fraud cases, follow-up 19. National Reconciliation and Schools strategy Tambling 20. Staff numbers, Aboriginal programs Kemp
21. Grant details Kemp
22. Consultancies for Aboriginal education Kemp 23. Strategies to increase literacy levels Kemp
24. Costs, capital projects, Aboriginal schools Kemp 25. Strategic plans for AES IP Kemp
26. Scholarships to Aboriginal students Tambling
27. Funding to CAAMA for trainees Tambling
28. Increases in Austudy Tambling
29. Funding for St. John's College Darwin Tambling
Notice
Notice Notice Notice Notice
Notice
Notice Notice
Notice Notice
Notice
Notice
Notice Notice Notice Notice Notice Notice Notice Notice Notice Notice Notice
273
30. Award restructuring, Victorian teachers Kemp Notice
31. Aboriginal languages at school Kemp Notice
32. Training for Aboriginal teachers Kemp Notice
33. Programs for Aboriginal teachers Kemp Notice
34. Green Paper on language, literature Kemp Notice
35. ARC equipment purchases Calvert Notice
36. MACSP details, binding Kemp Notice
37. Details of the Curriculum Corporation Kemp Notice
38. Extra staff required, March statement Alston Notice
39. Aboriginal overseas study awards Kemp Notice
40. Social justice review, Aboriginal unemployment Kemp Notice
41. Aboriginal participation in SEAP Kemp Notice
42. Projects assisted under AEIS Calvert Notice
43. Grants for work information tours Kemp Notice
44. Outcome of work preparation program Kemp Notice
45. TAP Kemp Notice
- labour market employment, training - cost of specific training - cost of information, preparation 46. Information and Preparation Kemp Notice
- Aboriginal communities involved - nature of information - breakdown of costs 47. TAP AEA Kemp Notice
- cost since introduction - cost of consultancies - grants to private organisations 48. TAP participation in major employment
strategies Kemp Notice
49. TAP cost of major employment strategies Kemp Notice
50. ABSTUDY Kemp Notice
51. Aboriginal recipients under AIC Kemp Notice
52. NEWSTART series of questions Patterson Notice
53. Management services questions Kemp Notice
54. Why Bond University not listed as exempt Kemp Notice
55. Youth services in Tasmania Calvert Notice
56. Funding for Italian classes Kenij. Notice
57. Employees who are union officials Kemp D102
Program 1 - Schools
58. Training of Aboriginal teachers, aides Kemp D109
59. 45 collaborative projects on curriculum Kemp D ill
- criteria used to determine funding Kemp D ill
- indicators to determine success Kemp D112
274
Program 2 - Higher Education
60. Profile data Tierney D113
61. Cost of HECS postgraduate exemptions Kemp D117
Program 3 - Skills Formation
62. Auditor-General's reports on CRAFT, ATS Calvert D125
Program 4 - Labour Market Program Assistance
63. Warmambool freeze on Jobtrain funding Calvert D134
64. Interdepartmental review, adult ESL programs Aulich D137 65. Self-employment assistance program - participants operating after 12 months Calvert D139
66. Skills training funds to mature aged job seekers Calvert D140
67. TAP costs, assistance, employment outcomes Kemp D140 - forward commitments Kemp D141
- specific training measures, by community Kemp D141
Program 5 - Labour Market Operation
68. CES outlet increases Calvert D141
Program 7 - Corporate Services and Portfolio Advising
69. Fraud control plans Calvert D147
70. New area office locations West D148
(interim response received) 71. Purchase of Commodore PCs, problems Tierney D151
Program 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
1. Union officials Kemp Notice
Program 1 - Land and Economic Development
2. Arnhem Land BUNGUL Enterprises application for funding, tourist-related enterprises Tambling D164
Program 2 - Social Advancement
3. Allocation of $2.5m sports funding to regional councils Tambling D181
275
Program 4 - Corporate Services
4. Consultation with other departments before sale of staff housing Tambling D188
5. CDEP community development plans Kemp Notice
6. AOT numbers trained, strategies, duration Kemp Notice
7. External consultants, Management Advisory Service Kemp Notice
8. Business Funding Scheme - findings, internal review Kemp Notice
- after-care support, consultancies, costs Kemp Notice
9. Assets - values, locations Kemp Notice
10. Cost of introduction of computer systems Kemp Notice
11. Fate of unauthorised computer purchases Kemp Notice
12. Pre-training for enterprise projects Kemp Notice
13. Aboriginal legal aid service - fee structure for staff Kemp Notice
- differences from mainstream legal services Kemp Notice
14. Impact of Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Kemp Notice
Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Portfolio
Department o f Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs
Sub-program 1.2 - Permanent Entry
1. Support agreements for permanent entry Kemp D202
2. Assurance of Support Scheme debt recovery Kemp D202
276
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D HANSARD INDEX
Thursday 5 September 1991
Administrative Services Portfolio
Department o f Administrative Services
Chair's opening statement D1
Attenders D1
Minister's opening statement D3
Interest payments at long term bond rate D4
Rationale for commercialisation D5
Staff numbers D5
Redundancy payments D6
Staff training expenditure D6
Program 1 - Property Services
Discrepancies between PPS, trust account statements D7,D24
Responsibilities of Australian Property, Estate Management D8
Database of property holdings D8,D11,D59
Variations in development costs D8
Refurbishment decisions D9
DSS building, Tuggeranong Office Park - facilities D9
Future of 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne DIO
Marketing consultant DIO
New product areas, clients D ll
Disposal of residential houses D12
Vacant Commonwealth office space D14
Pre-commitments, Sydney Central building D16
Lease of 40 Cavenagh Street, Darwin D16
Superannuation contributions D17
Badgerys Creek property acquisitions D18
Hobart Commonwealth Centre D19
Operating profit target D19
Implications of enterprise bargaining D20
Account managers D22
Fraud, RAAF Tindal D22
2nd Cavalry Project, Darwin D23
Contract staff D25
International marketing D26
ASC move to Traralgon D27
Project Services advertising D27
Competition with private sector D28
277
Asset Services - idle time D29
- review of business centres D30
- business plans D30
- capital structure D31
- recruitment and redundancies D32
Interiors D32
Australian Surveying and Land Information Group - reappraisal of assets D33
- competition, community service obligations D34
- award restructuring D35
Australian Valuation Office - percentage of work done by department D35
- staff training D36
- salaries D37
Program 2 - Supply Services
Debts D37
AGAL - community service obligations D38
- supercritical fluid extractor D40
- drug testing D40
Australian Protective Service - vehicle, plant running costs D41
- tied clients D41
- opportunities for cost reductions D41
Comcar - bad debts D42
- key factors in losses D42
- employment of part-time drivers D43
- ratio of drivers to support staff D43
- discounting for double bookings D44
- use of self-drive cars D45
- parliamentary shuttle D46
- casual drivers D46
- productivity measures D48
- women drivers D48
Fleet - auctioneer appointment D49,D50
- location of staff D49
- role of national office D50
- location of car distributors D52
Collective buying commission D53
International freight D54
Joint Commonwealth/Tasmanian Government bookshop D54
278
AGPS - library distribution of titles D55
- instant print service D55
- improved work practices D56
- community service obligations D57
- business with Singapore D58
- Age Pension News D58
- government printers conference D58
- in-house versus external printing D58
Allegations of removals cartel D58
Value-added removals D59
Program 3 - Government Services
Vacancy rates, government office buildings D59
Taxation Office move, Adelaide D60
Outstanding rent D60
Redevelopment of provisional Parliament House D60
Release of surplus land D61
Leasing of properties with heritage implications D62
Tuggeranong Office Park D63
Ionospheric Prediction Service D63
Processing of Question Time briefs D64
Lionel Murphy Foundation D64
Funding of animal welfare bodies D65
Promotion of Australian industry in government purchasing D65
Overseas property holdings D66
Embassy in Jakarta D66
Charging of market rent on overseas properties D67
Beijing Embassy D67
Overseas travel for Public Works Committee D69
Vacant space in Australia House D69
Furniture supply to overseas posts D70
Secure compound, Konedabu, Papua New Guinea D70
Liability terms and conditions, common use IT contracts D72
Supplier versus user pays commissions D73
Capping of liability D74
Outsourcing government ÎΤ requirements D74
Conflict of interest, regulatory and commercial activities D75
Evaluation of ÎΤ tenders on fee-for-service basis D76
ÎΤ business tendered for D76
NOMAD D77
PDBS availability to electoral offices D78
Termination payments, Mr Keating's staff, consultants D79
Mr Keating's car entitlements D81
Overtime payments, staff of Senator Powell D83
Use of third party for postal allowance D86
Transport for shadow ministers in provincial cities D86
279
Accuracy of travel details, monthly management report D86
Self-drive versus Comcar for parliamentarians in Canberra D87
Guidelines on relocation of electorate offices D88
Limitations on use of parliamentary telephones D89
Australian Electoral Commission
Irregularities in electoral returns by candidates, parties D90
Public availability of copies of returns D92
Notices issued under s.316(3) D93
Microfilmed returns 1987 federal election D93
Spot audits of political parties D95
Disclosure legislation D96
Tuesday 10 September 1991
Employment, Education and Training Portfolio
Department o f Employment, Education and Training
Attenders D99
Draft annual report D100
Staff who are union officials D102
Staffing levels D102
Program 1 - Schools
Increased retention rates D103
Australian Students Prize D103
Assistance to Aboriginal education D103
Education of gifted children D104
Hostels for rural students D106
Gender equity network newsletter D107
Good Schools Strategy D107
Tasmanian secondary school retention rates D108
Funding for disadvantaged schools D109
ESL access D109
Students at risk program D109
Country area funded projects D109
Indonesian language program D110
Australian language and literacy policy D110
Training of Asian studies teachers D ill
Collaborative work on curriculum issues D ill
Program 2 - Higher Education
Information requirements, national unified system D112
Educational profiles D113
280
Student over-crowding, over-enrolment D113
Equity and merit scholarship scheme D116
Australian-Greek travel awards scheme D116
Higher female participation rate D116
Pilot scheme, cost-sharing with employers D116
HECS payments, debts, revenue foregone D117
Student residential accommodation D118
National Priority Reserve Fund D118
Feedback on the amalgamation process D119
ARC research grants evaluation D121
ARC reviews, Institute of Advanced Studies, ANU D125
Program 3 - Skills Formation
National skills audit, TAFE teachers D125
ANAO audits of CRAFT, ATS D125
Funds for vocational training, Tasmania D126
TAFE review, joint ventures with industry D126
Adult literacy programs D127
CRAFT enrolments, numbers assisted D127
Trainees' employment record D128
Tradeswomen on the Move projects D128
Training Guarantee Act D129
Registered Industry Training Agents D130
Skills centres D132
Group schemes problems, training guarantee D133
Program 4 - Labour Market Program Assistance
Jobtrain outcomes D134
Jobsearch program D135
Adult and community education D136
Adequacy of adult ESL training D137
Skillshare project funding D139
Self-employment assistance program D139
TAP costs, assistance, outcomes, review D140
Program 5 - Labour Market Operation
CES - number of offices, fees for service D142
- staffing D142
- share of vacancy turnover D142
Program 6 - Education Systems and Income Support
Austudy eligibility, students of private institutions D143
Assistance for isolated children D144
281
Austudy recipients and data matching program D144
Take-up rates, student assistance D145
Marketing, student assistance D145
Evaluation of Austudy D145
Austudy overpayments D146
Program 7 - Corporate Services and Portfolio Advising
Use of consultants D146
Fraud control D146
Consultancy reports on CES D147
Closure of area offices D147
Overseas student charges D148
Transfer of visa processing between DEET, DILGEA D149
Refunds to students of failed English language colleges D150
Commodore Pcs purchase D151
Thursday 12 September 1991
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
Officers in attendance D153
Minister's opening statement D154
Memorandum of agreement over pastoral property land D155
Delay in tabling of Program Performance Statements D155
Board of Commissioners allocation of funds to programs D156
Program 1 - Land and Economic Development
Purchase of pastoral properties by ATSIC, ABTA D157
Land claim in respect of Atula Station D158
OEA investigations, Kalkarindji, Dagaragu D158
Office of Evaluation and Audit powers D159
New land council plebiscites D159
Conflict of interest re Anyingya D160
Viability of purchased pastoral properties D161
New business enterprises D162
Aboriginal Enterprise Incentive Scheme D163
Arnhem Land BUNGUL Enterprises funding D163
Co-ordination between enterprise division and CDC D164
CDEP D167
- economic development conferences D168
- community work plans D168
- reviews, Audit Report D169
- industrial wage coverage of employees D170
- staff turnover D170
- relationships with municipal councils D171
- failures D172
- performance indicators D172
- award conditions D174
- Auditor-General's report no. 7 D175
Program 2 - Social Advancement
Aboriginal health goals, targets, funding D177
Establishment of council on Aboriginal health D178
Funding of Intjartnama community D179
Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody outcomes D179 Substance abuse performance indicators D180
Joint review ATSIC/HHCS of Aboriginal child-care agencies D181 Sports committees D181
Aboriginal legal service means testing D181
Allocation of funds, housing and rental accommodation D182
Survey of housing infrastructure need D183
Program 3 - Heritage and Culture
Impaija funding D184
Provision of cutlery, crockery for Board D185
Program 4 - Corporate Services
Fraud control D186
Engagement of former redundant officers as consultants D187
Disposal of staff housing D188
Fringe benefits tax appropriated D188
Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs Portfolio
Program 6 - Office o f Local Government
General purpose assistance to local government D189
- interstate distribution D189
Grants Commission D189
Award restructuring - local government D190
Local Government Productivity Council D190
- membership D191
Building Better Cities - local government D191
- budget D191
- Department of Health, Housing and Community Services D192
- provincial towns D192
- administrative expenses D192
Special Premiers Conferences D192
- local government D192
282
283
- ALGA D193
Local roads funding D193
Subprogram 6.1: Government Relations LOGJOG - Commonwealth Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act D193 - consultancy, recommendations, costs D193
- Local Government Ministers Conference D193
Modernisation - grants to Tasmanian State and local government D194
- MAT D194
- Western Australia D194
- NSW D194
- South Australia D194
Subprogram 6.2: Local Development Country centres project D194
Program 1 - Migration
Evaluation processes D195
Corporate plan D195
Immigration bibliography D195
Bureau of Immigration Research D196
Balance of payments effect of migration D198
Subprogram 1.1: Immigration and Population Research Property operating expenses D198
National immigration outlook conference D198
Social impact of immigration conference D198
Commonwealth-State-Territory research program D198
Atlas of Australian People D198
' At A Glance’ D198
Eastern Europe and immigration D199
- Soviet Union D200
- Yugoslavia D200
Subprogram 1.2: Permanent Entry Property operating expenses D200
Employer nomination scheme D200
D201
New Zealand immigrants D200
Points system, migrant selection D200
Health checking, HIV AIDS D200
Travel loan fund D200
Family migration D201
- spouses, de-facto relationships D201
- National Population Council research D201
Support agreements, assurances D202
Business Migration Program D202
Permanent and long term departures D202
Subprogram 1.5: Refugees, Humanitarian and Special Assistance programs D202
Resident status applications D202
Adoption of children D202
- Eastern Europe, Romania D202
- rights of the child D202
- Australian States D203
Refugee status - applicants D203
- temporary entry permits D203
- permanent residence D203
- welfare benefits D204
- PRC nationals D204
Program 2 - Students, Visitors and Entry
Subprogram 2.1: Students Pre-visa assessment booklet D204
Subprogram 2.3: Entry Criminal record, entry D205
- Victor Chang, Malaysia D205
South African women's netball team D205
- visa conditions D205
Commonwealth Bank cycle classic D206
South African sports people D206
Subprogram 2.4: Compliance Investigations and intelligence D206
- Malaysian syndicate D206
- Australian embassy, Kuala Lumpur D206
- Middle East D206
- fraudulent documents D206
Indonesian fishermen D206
Illegal entrants - removal expenses D207
- employment D207
- deportation D208
- costs D208
- legal aid D208
Indochinese vessels, arrivals D207
Visitors - visitors return visa D209
- return ticket D209
284
285
- overstay rates, countries D209
- tax file numbers D209
- employment of illegals D209
- Industrial Relations department D209
Program 3 - Settlement and Ethnic Affairs
Subprogram 3.5: Ethnic Affairs Women's issues - women's issues co-ordinator D209
- Tasmania, Territory offices D209
Program 4 - Corporate Services
Subprogram 4.1: Executive and Co-ordination National Population Council D210
- Philip Toyne D210
- member's allowances D211
Subprogram 4.4: Legal Legal fees D211
- Federal Court appeals D211
- legal aid D211
Migration Act D211
- amendments to reduce illegal entry D211
Subprogram 4.5: Information and Technology Computer installation D211
Program 5 - Citizenship
Prime Minister's citizenship video D212
286
287
Tuesday, 3 September 1991
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 12
1. PRIVATE MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 1.52pm in the Government Advisers Lobby. Senator Zakharov took the Chair.
2. ORDER OF BUSINESS: The Committee agreed to consider the estimates of the portfolios in the following order: Administrative Services portfolio; Employment, Education and Training portfolio; Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs portfolio.
3. BRIEFING BY DEET OFFICIALS: The Committee was advised of the offer by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Employment, Education and Training, Dr Neil Johnston, of a briefing on Departmental programs before the hearing.
4. TELEVISING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS: The Committee resolved to authorise the televising of its public hearings in accordance with the rules contained in the order of the Senate of 23 August 1990.
5. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 1.55pm.
6. ATTENDANCE: Senators Zakharov, Aulich, Calvert, Maguire, Parer and Tiemey. Apologies were received from Senator Kemp.
CONFIRMED:
Olive Zakharov Chair
288
Thursday, 5 September 1991
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 13
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 1.32 p.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Zakharov took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-92: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PORTFOLIO. The Committee commenced its consideration of the proposed expenditure of the Administrative Services portfolio.
In attendance was Senator Bolkus, Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Administrative Services:
Mr H. Jacka, Executive General Manager, Property Services Mr D. Baguley, General Manager, Australian Property Group Mr G. Weir, Assistant General Manager, Business Management, Australian Property Group Mr P. Ferrari, Assistant General Manager, National Customer Management,
Australian Property Group Mr T. Barrel!, General Manager, Project Services Mr R. Rosenbauer, Business Manager, Project Services Mr I. Woonton, General Manager, Asset Services Mr K. Sweeney, Business Manager, Asset Services Mr E. Hazeldine, General Manager, Interiors Mr G. Lindsay, General Manager, Australian Surveying and Land Information
Group Mr D. Hobson, Manager, Corporate and Finance, Australian Surveying and Land Information Group Mr M. Coleman, General Manager, Australian Valuation Office Mr R. Pascoe-Webbe, Assistant General Manager, Group Finance Mr J. Mellors, Acting Executive General Manager, Supply Services Dr C. Dahl, Australian Government Analyst Mr J. Mackay, General Manager, Australian Protective Service Mr P. Dawson, General Manager, Comcar Mr M. Nelson, National Manager, Comcar Mr W. Gray, General Manager, Fleet Services
289
Mr S. Palywoda, General Manager, Supply and Distribution Mr D. Drew, Assistant General Manager, Business Management, Supply and Distribution Ms J. Mills, National Manager, Purchasing Services
Mr R. Rubie, National Manager, Distribution Services Mr P. Grills, National Manager, Australian Government Publishing Service Ms G. Roper, National Manager, Removals Services Mr G. Bashford, General Manager, Business Development Group
Mr R. Hewitt, Assistant General Manager, Business Development Group Mr J. Forestier, Acting Executive General Manager, Government Services Mr B. Holden, Geneal Manager, Australian Estate Management Dr D. Cole, Director, Ionospheric Prediction Service
Mr A Butler, General Manager, Procurement Policy and Government Services Division Mr J. Gavin, Assistant General Manager, Government, Environment and Legal Branch, Procurement Policy and Government Services Division Mr S. Skrzypek, Assistant General Manager, Purchase Australian Office,
Procurement Policy and Government Services Division Mr G. Richards, Manager, Marketing and Implementation, Purchase Australian Office, Procurement Policy and Government Services Division Mr J. Brain, Assistant Manager, Purchase Australian Office Section,
Procurement Policy and Government Services Division Mr G. Nichols, Director-General, Australian Archives Mr J. Kent, General Manager, Overseas Property Group Mr D. Wilson, Assistant General Manager, Overseas Construction and Services
Mr P. Taylor, General Manager, Systems and Technology Division Mr V. Shevchenko, Assistant General Manager, ÎÎ Contracts and Standards Branch, Systems and Technology Division Mr L Le Fevre, Acting General Manager, People and Support Division
Mr P. O'Neill, Assistant General Manager, Parliamentary and Ministerial Services Branch, People and Support Division Mr P. McQuaid, Director, Program Co-ordination, Government Services and Corporate Centre
Mr R. Landsdowne, Acting General Manager, Corporate Policy, Planning and Treasury Mr R. Divett, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Marketing Division Mr S. Perry, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Performance Review and
Audit
Commonwealth Grants Commission:
Mr A Glasson, Secretary
Australian Electoral Commission:
Mr T. Willson, Assistant Commissioner, Information and Education Mr A. Moyse, Director, Election Operations and Training Mr D. Farrell, Director, Enrolment
290
Ms E. Gladwin, Director, Funding and Disclosure Mr P. Green, Executive Officer, Redistribution Secretariat Mr G. Howarth, Assistant Director, Industrial Elections Mr A. Ray, Director, Resources Management Ms A. Bright, Assistant Director, Resources Management
Department of Finance
Mr E. Thom, First Assistant Secretary, Defence and Government Division Ms M. Messner, Chief Finance Officer, Defence and Government Division Mr B. Hackett, Senior Finance Officer, Defence and Government Division
The Chair called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee:
Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 Program 4 Program 5 Program 6
Property Services Supply Services Government Services
Corporate Centre Commonwealth Grants Commission Australian Electoral Commission
The Committee concluded its examination of the proposed expenditure for the Administrative Services portfolio 1991-92, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers of the Department to provide additional information to the Committee.
3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.42 p.m.
4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Zakharov, Aulich, Calvert, Kemp, Maguire and Parer. Senator Tambling also attended.
CONFIRMED:
— -
Olive Zakharov Chair
291
Thursday, 10 September 1991
TH E SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 14
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 7.35 p.m. in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Zakharov took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-92: EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING PORTFOLIO. The Committee commenced its consideration of the proposed expenditure of the Employment, Education and Training portfolio.
In attendance was Senator Bolkus, Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Employment, Education and Training:
Dr N. Johnston, Deputy Secretary Mr A Mawer, First Assistant Secretary, Employment Programs and Services Division Mr M. Cusack, Assistant Secretary, Employment Access Branch
Mr C. O'Connell, Acting Assistant Secretary, Community Strategies Branch Mr D. Power, Assistant Secretary, Planning and Performance Branch Mr P. Reeves, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Labour Market Adjustment Mr N. Harrigan, Assistant Secretary, Youth Bureau
Dr M. Gallagher, First Assistant Secretary, Higher Education Division Mr G. Zuber, Acting Principal Adviser, Higher Education Division Ms T. Moran, Assistant Secretary, Higher Education Grants and Finance Branch Mr B. Mutton, Assistant Secretary, Policy and Review Branch
Mr J. Parr, Assistant Secretary, Research Policy and Grants Branch Ms S. Grahame, Director, Higher Education Contribution Scheme and Fees Administration Section Mr C. Bannerman, Principal Adviser, Economic and Policy Analysis Division
Ms W. Jarvie, Assistant Secretary, Evaluation and Monitoring Branch Mr A. Ruby, First Assistant Secretary, Schools and Curriculum Division Ms H. Alnutt, Assistant Secretary, Schools and Curriculum Policy Branch Mr B. Pearson, Director, Review and Analysis Section
292
Ms J. Ledgar, Assistant Secretary, Risk Management and Communications Branch, Management Division Mr N. van Weelden, Assistant Secretary Resource Management Branch, Management Division Mr J. Muir, First Assistant Secretary, International Division Ms A Kamarul, Assistant Secretary, Language and Literacy Branch
Ms L. Evans, Acting Assistant Secretary, China Task Force Mr D. Brewster, Acting Principal Adviser, Vocational Education and Training Division Mr T. Greer, Assistant Secretary, Industry Training Programs Branch Mr B. Harvey, Acting Principal Adviser, Student and Aboriginal Programs Division Mr J. McCarthy, Assistant Secretary, Aboriginal Programs Branch Mr K. Clarke, Assistant Secretary, Aboriginal Education Branch Mr R. McGowan, Director, Skills Training Section Mr D. Fisher, Director, National Board of Employment, Education and Training Mr J. Burston, Assistant Secretary, Business and Planning Branch, Systems
Division
Mr R. Peacock, Acting Principal Adviser, Policy Secretary Mr V. Gakhar, Assistant Director, Program Resources Section, Management Division Mr G. Gill, Program Resources Section, Management Division Ms M. Kingston, Administrative Service Officer, Schools and Curriculum Division Ms J. Ford, Administrative Service Officer, Schools and Curriculum Division
Department of Finance:
Ms M. Venner, Chief Finance Officer Ms K. Woods, Chief Finance Officer, Labour and Culture Division
The Chair called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee:
Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 Program 4 Program 5 Program 6 Program 7
Schools Higher Education Skills Formation Labour Market Program Assistance Labour Market Operation Education Assistance and Income Support Corporate Services and Portfolio Advising
The Committee concluded its examination of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Employment, Education and Training, 1991-92, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers of the Department to provide additional information to the Committee.
293
3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 12.28am.
4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Zakharov, Aulich, Calvert, Kemp, Maguire and Parer. Senators Tambling and West also attended.
CONFIRMED:
Olive Zakharov Chair
294
Thursday, 12 September 1991
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 15
1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 4.31pm in Committee Room 2S3. Senator Zakharov took the Chair.
2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-92: EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING PORTFOLIO. The Committee commenced its consideration of the Proposed Expenditure of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
In attendance was Senator Bolkus, Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
Mr W. Gray, Chief Executive Officer Dr P. Shergold, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr R. Beadman, General Manager, Policy Development Mr R. Palfreyman, General Manager, Corporate Services Mr M. Dillon, Director, Office of Evaluation and Audit Mr J. Eldridge, Assistant General Manager, Finance Mr P. Goggin, Assistant General Manager, Community Support Policy Mr R. Morony, Assistant General Manager, Economic Initiatives Mr I. Myers, Assistant General Manager, Office of Aboriginal Health Mr G. Jones, Assistant General Manager, Land Management Mr M. Stewart, Assistant General Manager, Regional Co-ordination Ms C. Rogers, Assistant General Manager, Information Technology Mr A. Doolan, Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commercial Development Corporation
Mr C. Foord, General Manager Mr B. Kimmings, Financial Controller
295
Ms E. Barolits, OAM, General Manager Mr J. Rooks, Assistant General Manager and Company Secretary Mr R. Hampton, Acting Assistant General Manager, Operations Mr J. Higgins, Acting Manager, Finance
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Dr W. Jonas, Principal Mr J. Ramsay, Deputy Principal Mr D. Firth, Finance Officer
The Chair called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee:
Program 1 Land and Economic Development Program 2 Social Advancement Program 3 Heritage and Culture Program 4 Corporate Services
The Committee concluded its examination of the proposed expenditure for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission within the Employment, Education and Training portfolio, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers to provide additional information to the Committee.
PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-91: IMMIGRATION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ETHNIC AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO. The Committee commenced its consideration of the proposed expenditure of the Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs portfolio.
In attendance was Senator Bolkus, Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:
Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs
Mr Chris Conybeare, Secretary Mr David Wheen, Project Manager, Migration and Citizenship Mr Vince McMahon, Assistant Secretary, Migration Planning Ms Jenni Gordon, Assistant Secretary, Residence and Review Mr Peter Hughes, Assistant Secretary, Migration Entry and Citizenship Mr Chris Doepel, Assistant Secretary, Legal Branch
Dr John Nieuwenhuysen, Director, Bureau of Immigration Research Mr Andrew Struik, Deputy Director, Bureau of Immigration Research Mr Ian Simington, Program Manager, Refugees and International Mr Dario Castello, Assistant Secretary, DORS Operations
Mr Chris Dear, Acting Assistant Secretary, DORS Policy and Review Mr Evan Arthur, Director, DORS Policy Mr Trevor Rodgers, Registrar, Immigration Review Tribunal
Aboriginal Hostels Limited
296
Mr Laurie Bugden, Acting Program Manager, Student Visitors and Entry Mr Emil Joseph, Assistant Secretary, Visitor and Temporary Entry Branch Mr Des Storer, Program Manager, Settlement and Ethnic Affairs Mr David Page, Assistant Secretary, Settlement Branch Ms Pat McCahey, Program Manager, Corporate Services Mr Eric Brookbanks, Assistant Secretary, Resource Management Mr Alex Blake, Director, Resource Systems Mr Harley Baulch, Acting Director, Budget Management Mr Keith Owen, Assistant Secretary, Overseas Operations Mr Mark Lynch, Program Manager, Office of Local Government Mr Rod Calvert, Assistant Secretary, Office of Local Government Mr Steve Garlick, Assistant Secretary, Local Development Mr Des Harris, Director, Assessment Information and Support Mr Rodney Inder, Assistant Secretary, Executive Support Mr Tom Havas, Director, Ministerial and Parliamentary Business
Department of Finance
Mr K. McAndrew, Acting Chief Finance Officer, Immigration Section Mr P.B. Hoffman, Immigration Section
The Chair called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee:
Program 1 Migration Program 2 Students, Visitors and Entry Program 3 Settlement and Ethnic Affairs Program 4 Corporate Services
The Committee concluded its examination of the proposed expenditure for the Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs portfolio 1991-92, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers of the portfolio to provide additional information to the Committee.
4. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.33pm.
5. ATTENDANCE: Senators Zakharov, Aulich, Calvert, Kemp, Maguire and Parer. Senator Tambling also attended.
CONFIRMED:
fb. ίÎ'.-.ν- y
Olive Zakharov Chair
297
Wednesday, 9 October 1991
THE SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D
Minutes of Proceedings
No. 16
1. PRIVATE MEETING: The Committee met in deliberative session at 1.50pm in the Government Advisers Lobby. Senator Zakharov took the Chair.
2. REPORT: The draft report of the Committee, previously circulated to members, was adopted as the report of the Committee, subject to amendments. Reservations to the report were foreshadowed by Senators Kemp and Parer.
3. MINUTES: The Committee agreed to confirm the minutes of meetings nos. 12 - 15, held on 3, 5, 10 and 12 September respectively, subject to reformatting.
4. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 2.00pm.
6". ATTENDANCE: Senators Zakharov, Kemp, Loosley, Parer and Tierney.
CERTIFIED CORRECT:
Olive Zakharov Chair
298
299
AUSTRALIAN SENATE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E
REPORT TO THE SENATE
OCTOBER 1991
300
301
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Report to the Senate 1
Reservations - Senator Campbell - Senator Newman - Senator Patterson - Senator Walters
- Senator Herron - Senator Harradine - Senator Macdonald - Senator Vanstone
Appendix 1: List of Questions taken on notice before and during the public hearings
Appendix 2: List of Questions unanswered as at 9 October 1991
Table of Contents for Hansard of Public Hearings
Minutes of Meetings
302
303
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE Î'
REPORT TO THE SENATE
1. Estimates Committee Î presents its report to the Senate.
INTRODUCTION
2. On 22 August 1991, the Senate referred to the Committee the Particulars of
Proposed Expenditure for 1991-92 and the expenditure under advance to the Minister
for Finance for the year ending 30 June 1992 in relation to the following portfolios:
- Attorney-General's
- Veterans' Affairs
- Health, Housing and Community Services
3. These expenditures were considered by the Committee, which took into account
the Program Performance Statements provided by each department and the information
obtained through its hearings on 5, 10, 12 and 19 September 1991. The Committee has
received evidence from the Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs (Senator the Hon.
Michael Tate) and the officers of the departments and authorities concerned.
4. The Committee tables for the information of the Senate copies of the Minutes of
Proceedings, Hansard Transcripts of Evidence of Committee proceedings and a table of
contents to the Hansards. The answers taken on notice at the Committee's hearings will
be tabled in the Senate under separate cover in volumes entitled "Additional Information
Provided to Estimates Committee E's Examination of Expenditure for 1991-92". Bulky
bound documents not suitable for inclusion in the Additional Information which were
furnished as part of answers have been listed in the Additional Volumes, tabled
separately and are available for viewing on request.
304
5. The Committee draws the attention of the Senate to the following matters of
concern:
ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT
Parliament and Privacy Principles
6. The Committee sought information from the Privacy Commissioner and officers
of the Attorney General's Department during these and previous estimates hearings
about the application of privacy principles to Parliamentarians using the Department of
Administrative Services equipment to create an electoral database.
7. Under present legislation, Parliamentarians are not viewed by the Commissioner
as being subject to the principles laid down in the Privacy Act. However, the
Commissioner informed the Committee that one of his roles is to encourage voluntary
compliance with privacy standards by sectors of the community that are not subject to
the Act.
8. The Committee considers it would be appropriate for guidelines to be developed
by and for Parliamentarians concerning the use of this potentially sensitive information.
Copyright Agency Ltd
9. The Committee notes that negotiations are underway concerning payments by the
Commonwealth to the Copyright Agency, and that this may apply to copies made of
newspaper articles. The Committee was informed that there is an obligation under
copyright law for bodies such as newspaper clipping services to make payments.
10. The Committee draws the attention of the Senate to the possible financial
implications for Government agencies, particularly if the rate of payment currently being
sought by the agency is paid.
305
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Defence Service Home Loans
11. The Committee notes that two changes to the Defence Service Home Loan
scheme were not handled satisfactorily.
12. In the first case a condition of service for certain defence force personnel, namely
discretionary second assistance, was removed without consultation with the Department
of Defence, which has the responsibility for conditions of service for defence personnel.
13. Secondly, by 22 August, when the Minister for Veterans' Affairs announced that
eligibility for Defence Service Home Loans could be exercised concurrently where two
defence personnel were married, such personnel had only until 31 August to decide
whether to revoke their entitlement under that scheme and take up an entitlement under
the new Australian Defence Force Home Loan Assistance Scheme. Unknown numbers
of such personnel may have revoked their Defence Service Home Loan eligibility on the
basis of advice previously wrongfully given by the Department.
14. It is of concern that the rights of defence personnel may have been extinguished.
The Committee recommends that the Department seek ways to redress this situation.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Provision of draft Annual Report
15. The Committee notes that the Draft Annual Report of the Department of Health,
Housing and Community Services was not provided to Committee members prior to
consideration of the Appropriations for this Department.
306
16. The Committee was advised by departmental officers that the report was not yet
in a condition considered suitable to be provided to the Committee. At the public hearing
on 10 September, the Committee was assured that the Department was "...within a week
or so of having it in a suitable form"... . At the time of tabling this report (10 October)
the draft report still has not been provided.
17. The Committee is aware that the formal requirement for reporting is that reports
be tabled within six months of the end of the reporting period. However, Government
guidelines stipulate that where possible, reports should be made available in draft form
for consideration during the Estimates process. This practice is observed by most
Departments.
18. The draft annual report is considered by Committee members to be a most useful
document to have available for the consideration of a departments' appropriations. The
Committee believes that every effort should be made by the Department of Health,
Housing and Community Services to have its report available in time next year.
GENERAL MATTERS
Time allocated for meeting of Estimates Committees
19. The Committee considers that a greater number of days should be set aside for
the Estimates Public hearings than was the case on this occasion.
20. The minimum number of days which will be required by a particular Committee
is generally reasonably predictable by considering the past record of that Committee's
sittings. It is noted that on this occasion, the Committee sat for almost twenty seven
hours.
307
21. Senators' diaries are generally filled several weeks in advance of the actual hearing
days, and it is frequently very difficult for Committee members to allocate extra days that
are mutually convenient.
22. The Committee considers that in future, adequate time should be allocated for
consideration of the Estimates, and that the days to be set aside be agreed well in
advance and in consultation with the Minister.
RECOMMENDATIONS
23. Estimates Committee Î' recommends that:
- all of the matters of interest raised in this report in relation to each of the
departments under examination be further examined by the Senate.
- all questions taken on notice before and during the Committee's hearings,
as listed in Appendix 1, and not answered before the tabling of this report,
also be subject to further examination by the Senate.
- the Senate approve, without amendment or request for amendment,
expenditure in accordance with the estimates referred to the Committee.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
24. The Committee is grateful for the assistance given by the Minister for Justice and
Consumer Affairs, Senator Tate and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer,
Senator McMullan together with officers of the departments examined.
B.Cooney
Chairman
308
Î
309
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E
RESERVATIONS
310
THE SENATE
CANBERRA. A.C.T.
9 O c to b e r 1991
Mr P .H a l l a h a n
S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e E
D e a r Mr H a l l a h a n ,
By way o f r e s e r v a t i o n I recom m end t h a t t h e S e n a t e f u r t h e r
i n v e s t i g a t e m a t t e r s r e l a t i n g t o t h e A u s t r a l i a n S e c u r i t i e s
C o m m issio n , c o n t a i n e d i n P ro g ra m 2 . 2 . 1 o f t h e p o r t f o l i o e s t i m a t e s
f o r t h e A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l 's D e p a rtm e n t.
Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y
IAN CAMPBELL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
P A R L IA M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
SENATOR JOCELYN NEWMAN SEN ATO R FO R TASMANIA
S H A D O W MINISTER FO R VETERANS AFFAIRS S H A D O W MINISTER FO R D EFEN C E SCIENCE A N D PERSO NN EL
S H A D O W MINISTER ASSISTING THE LEADER O N THE STATUS O F W O M E N
By way o f r e s e r v a t i o n I recom m end t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g
a r i s i n g fro m t h e C o m m itte e 's c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e E s t i m a t e s
1 9 9 1 /9 2 f o r t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f V e t e r a n s ' A f f a i r s b e s u b j e c t t o
f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n .
DSH Loans - Concurrent Eligi-bility (Program 1)
1. I t i s a m a t t e r o f some c o n c e r n t h a t a t t h e tim e o f t h e
h e a r i n g s t h e D e p a rtm e n t h a d s t i l l n o t r e c e i v e d a n y l e g a l
a d v i c e on i t s s t a n d i n g w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e w r o n g f u l r e f u s a l
of c o n c u r r e n t e l i g i b i l i t y f o r DSH l o a n s .
M cG irr Report: (Program 1/2)
2 . In a n sw e r t o a q u e s t i o n t a k e n o n n o t i c e t h e D e p a rtm e n t h a s
i n d i c a t e d t h a t a d e f i n i t e d e c i s i o n w as t a k e n b y t h e G o v e rn m en t
n o t t o c h a n g e t h e d i s a b i l i t y p e n s i o n p r o v i s i o n s a p p l y i n g t o
m a r i n e r s u n d e r t h e S e a m e n 's War P e n s i o n s a n d A llo w a n c e s A c t.
War Widows (Program 1)
3. I n a n s w e r t o a q u e s t i o n o n n o t i c e i t w as s t a t e d t h a t t h e
D e p a rtm e n t h a s a n " o n g o in g p ro g r a m o f r e v i e w i n g e x i s t i n g
p o l i c y t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e n e e d s o f v e t e r a n s a n d t h e i r
d e p e n d a n ts a r e p r o p e r l y c a t e r e d f o r " .
4 . T h o se w ar w idow s who f a c e d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a s c o m p a re d w i t h
t h e i r c i v i l i a n c o u n t e r p a r t s a p p e a r t o h a v e b e e n e x c lu d e d fro m
t h i s " o n g o in g ” r e v ie w .
jn: sw 8 t h O c to b e r 1 9 9 J _ - ^
D e a r Mr H a l l a h a n ,
Mr Peter Hallahan Secretary E s t i m a t e s C o m m ittee E
P a r l i a m e n t H ouse
CANBERRA ACT 2600
. . . /2 .
II ELPHIN RO A D . L A U N C E ST O N . TAS. 7 2 5 0 T E L E P H O N E ( 0 0 3 ) 341755 FACSIMILE ( 0 0 3 ) 341624
( 0 6 ) 2 7 7 3 4 4 9 PARLIAMENT H O U S E . CANBERRA. A C T . 2 6 0 0 ( 0 6 ) 2 7 7 3 6 6 0 "
313
Integration (Program 2)
5 . E x - s e r v i c e o r g a n i s a t i o n s h a v e r a i s e d s e r i o u s q u e s t i o n s w i t h
r e g a r d t o t h e p o s s i b l e e f f e c t s on q u a l i t y o f c a r e a n d p r i o r i t y
o f a c c e s s f o r v e t e r a n s a n d w a r w idow s s h o u l d i n t e g r a t i o n
p r o c e e d .
6 . I t w as r e m a r k a b l e t o n o t e t h a t i n t h e h e a r i n g s t h e
D e p a rtm e n t i n d i c a t e d i t h a d o n l y v e r y b r o a d e s t i m a t e s o f t h e
c o s t o f im p le m e n tin g t h e P r i v a t e P a t i e n t S ch em e.
7 . No d e t a i l s w e re m ade a v a i l a b l e o n t h e n a t u r e o f t h e
f i n a n c i a l a r r a n g e m e n ts b e i n g n e g o t i a t e d w i t h t h e S t a t e s .
8 . S in c e t h e h e a r i n g s t h e C om m onw ealth a n d T a s m a n ia n S t a t e
G o v e rn m e n ts h a v e a n n o u n c e d t h a t t h e y h a v e r e a c h e d a g r e e m e n t
on t h e t r a n s f e r o f H o b a r t R e p a t r i a t i o n G e n e r a l H o s p i t a l .
Claims System (Program 4)
9 . D i s c u s s i o n on t h e v o lu m e o f d e c i s i o n s o f t h e R e p a t r i a t i o n
C o m m issio n b e i n g o v e r t u r n e d a t t h e V e t e r a n s ' R e v ie w B o ard
y i e l d e d g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t t h a t i t i s u n a c c e p t a b l e a n d t h a t i t
r a i s e s q u e s t i o n s o f b o t h e q u i t y a n d c o s t .
Australian War Memorial (Program 5)
1 0 . A t t h e t i m e o f w r i t i n g no r e s p o n s e s t o q u e s t i o n s t a k e n on
n o t i c e b y t h e A u s t r a l i a n War M em o rial h a d b e e n r e c e i v e d .
1 1 . I w o u ld r e s e r v e t h e r i g h t t o f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t e a n y
m a t t e r s a r i s i n g fro m t h e s e r e s p o n s e s .
Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y ,
J o c e l y n Newman S e n a t o r f o r T a sm a n ia
314
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
S E N A T O R KAY P A T T E R S O N
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
8 O c to b e r 1991
Mr P H a lla h a n
S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e E
P a r l i a m e n t H ouse
C a n b e r r a ACT 2600
D e a r Mr H a ll a h a n
By way o f r e s e r v a t i o n , I recom m end t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g m a t t e r s
r e l a t i n g t o e s t i m a t e s o f e x p e n d i t u r e b y t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f
H e a l t h , H o u s in g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s b e s u b j e c t t o f u r t h e r
c o n s i d e r a t i o n b y t h e S e n a t e :
GENERAL:
1) The n o n - a v a i l a b i l i t y o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t 's A n n u a l R e p o r t
a n d i n f o r m a t i o n i n i t t h a t h a s n o t b e e n s u b j e c t t o
e s t i m a t e s s c r u t i n y .
3) Q u e s t i o n s On N o t i c e t h a t r e m a in u n a n s w e re d .
SPE C IFIC :
1) The N a t i o n a l H e a l t h a n d M e d ic a l R e s e a r c h C o u n c il
G u i d e l i n e s f o r t h e U se o f G e n e tic R e g i s t e r s i n M e d ic a l
R e s e a r c h . ( S u b p ro g ra m 1 .4 )
2) E m ploym ent S e r v i c e s f o r P e o p le w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s .
(S u b p ro g ra m 4 .2 )
3) T h e r a p e u t i c Goods P ro g ra m , i n c l u d i n g t h e Baume R ev iew
a n d t h e R e g u l a t i o n o f I m p o r te d a n d E x p o r te d T h e r a p e u t i c
P r o d u c t s . (P ro g ra m 5 .0 )
4) D e p e r s o n a l i s a t i o n o f M e d ic a re a n d P h a r m a c e u t i c a l
B e n e f i t s i n f o r m a t i o n h e l d b y t h e H e a l t h I n s u r a n c e
C o m m issio n a n d t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u sin g a n d
C om m unity S e r v i c e s . (P ro g ra m 6 .0 )
5) F i n a n c i a l S u p p o r t t o S e r v i c e P r o v i d e r s , i n c l u d i n g
M e d ic a re B e n e f i t s a n d V o c a t i o n a l R e g i s t r a t i o n .
(S u b p ro g ra m 6 .1 )
G R O U N D FLO
parliament r
FAX 106' 277 3i
PARLIAMENT HO USE
CANBERRA ACT 2600
TEL: (06) 2 7 7 3680
FAX: (06) 2 7 7 3679
P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE
S E N A T O R SHIRLEY W ALTERS
S E N A T O R FO R TASM ANIA
AFTER HOURS:
TEL: (0021 â â â § 25 3284
FAX: (002) 25 2291
MARINE BOARD BUILDING
I FRANKLIN WHARF
G ° 0 BOX OH. HOBART 7001
TEL: (0 0 2 ) 34 1409 FAX ( 0 0 2 )3 1 0 9 0 4
8 October 1991
Mr Peter Hallahan Secretary Estimates Committee E Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Mr Hallahan,
By way of reservation I recommend that the following matters arising from the Committee's consideration of the appropriations for the Department of Health Housing and Community Services on 10th and 19th September 1991 be subject to further consideration by the Senate:
* All Programs and Sub Programs for which the Minister or Departmental Officers requested that Questions be taken on notice and for which answers have been subsequently provided or still remain to be answered.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, particularly AIDS and HIV; Ptor^AH Assistance for People with Disabilities, particularly Employment and Accommodation Services; 9$C&FMA Lf -Ji £ Health Care Access, particularly Medicare and Pharmacy. A .
Yours sincerely,
Shirley Walters Senator for Tasmania.
316
T H E S E N A T E
S E N A T O R J O H N H E R R O N LIBERAL SEN A TO R FO R QUEENSLAND
8 O c to b e r 1991
Mr P e t e r H a lla h a n
S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m ittee E
P a r l i a m e n t H ouse
CANBERRA ACT 2600
D e a r Mr H a lla h a n
By way o f r e s e r v a t i o n I recom m end t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g m a t t e r s
a r i s i n g fro m t h e C o m m itte e 's c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e a p p r o p r i a t i o n s
f o r t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u s in g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s on
10 a n d 19 S e p te m b e r 1991 b e s u b j e c t t o f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n b y
t h e S e n a t e :
1 . P ro g ra m 4 - A s s i s t a n c e f o r P e o p le w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s ;
2 . P ro g ra m 6 - H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s
Y ours s i n c e r e l y
J o h n H e rro n
P.O B O X 658. SPR IN G H IL L O L D 4004
G R O U N D FLO O R . 67 ASTOR TERRACE. SPRING HILL. O L D 4004 TEL (07) 832 3072 FAX (07) 832 3089 PARLIAMENT H O U SE. CANBERRA. A C T 2600. AUSTRALIA. TEL (0 6 ) 277 3440 FAX (06) 277 3709
A U STRALIAN SENATE CANBERRA. A C T
8 October 1991
Mr P. Hallahan, Secretary, Estimates Committee "E", Parliament House,
CANBERRA A.C.T. 2600
Dear Mr Hallahan,
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E REPORT TO THE SENATE
RESERVATION BY SENATOR HARRADINE
By way of reservation I recommend that the following matters relating to the estimates of expenditure referred to the Committee be further examined by the Senate.
Department o f Health, Housing and Community Services
1. Written reply to question about the Australian Health Ethics Committee. 6-1 2. Written reply to question about Medicare abortion statistics. I ^3. Written reply to question about NH&MRC grants for 1992 and the apparent failure of the Department to supply the requested information to the Committee.
4. Program 5 - Written reply to question about the drug RU-486. 5. Sub-program 1.3 - Family planning allocation. 6. Sub-program 1.4 - Research (genetic registers).
Attorney-General's Department
Cg '“Wld-lS. Written reply to question about the CEDAW Monitoring Committee (E98). Senator Brian Harradine P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE SENATOR IAN M ACDONALD UBFRAl SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND 8 t h O c to b e r 1991 T he S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m ittee E F a c s i m i l e 3899 P a r l i a m e n t H ouse D e a r S i r , By way of reservation I recommend that the following matters be further examined by the Senate. ATIbOlEH- 3 ν'tT A F C V M j 1 . P ro g ra m 4 .8 - I am a w a i t i n g p r o v i s i o n o f d e t a i l s o f r e v e n u e r a i s e d b y t h e i m p o s i t i o n o f a S e t t i n g Down F ee on a l l F e d e r a l C o u r t s a n d T r i b u n a l s and w h a t new s e r v i c e s a r e t o b e p r o v i d e d w i t h t h e r e v e n u e r e s u l t i n g ( E s t i m a t e s H a n s a r d , p a g e E63) 2 . A ls o i n P ro g ra m 4 . 8 - 1 a w a i t d e t a i l s o f t h e num ber o f p e o p l e who p a y f e e s t o c o u r t s , an d t h e num ber o f p e o p l e who h a v e t h e p a y m e n t o f f e e s e x e m p te d b e c a u s e o f s p e c i a l r e a s o n s . 3 . I n r e l a t i o n t o S u b -P ro g ra m 2 . 2 , I w is h t o d e b a t e t h e ti m e w hen t h e A u s t r a l i a n S e c u r i t i e s C o m m issio n i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o t h e R a v e n sh o e M i l l p ay m en t w i l l b e c o m p l e t e d , w h ic h w e re r e f e r r e d t o a t p a g e s E19 a n d E26 o f t h e S e n a t e E s t i m a t e s H a n s a rd . 4 . I a l s o w is h t o r a i s e f u r t h e r t h e q u e s t i o n o f p a y m e n ts t o t h e Q u e e n s la n d M a r r ia g e G u id a n c e C o u n c il r e f e r r e d t o a t p a g e s E 55. 5 . I n r e l a t i o n t o S u b -P ro g ra m 6 .6 S p e c i a l I n v e s t i g a t i o n s U n i t , I w is h t o r a i s e t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e t o t a l am o u n t o f fu n d s s p e n t r e l a t i n g t o War C rim es I n v e s t i g a t i o n s a n d p r o s e c u t i o n s r e f e r r e d t o a t p a g e E90 o f t h e S e n a te E s t i m a t e s H a n s a r d . T he l e t t e r a d v i s i n g u s o f t h e n e e d t o a d v i s e r e s e r v a t i o n s i s d a t e d to d a y a n d was o n ly b r o u g h t t o my a t t e n t i o n a f t e r 4PM. Y o u rs f a i t h f u l l y Ian Macdonald S e n a t o r f o r Q u e e n s la n d Ï Î· ν · '? f v i i IE v*"7; *: iru f. v - 7 ·!·; * ' . W . . · / i·-. 4 i C*r-.C>C*&/· i l k · ' . ' 7 >⺠; .«,· 7" v3r· Ρ » . · 319 M t^ A U S T H A LJ A ,, PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA THE SENATE 9 O c to b e r 1991 The S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e E F a s c i m i l e 3 8 9 9 . D e a r S i r , By w ay o f r e s e r v a t i o n , I recom m end t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g m a t t e r s be f u r t h e r e x a m in e d b y t h e S e n a t e . A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l ' s D e p t P rogram m e P e r f o r m a n c e S t a t e m e n t s : S I , p . 1 4 , S o c i a l J u s t i c e a n d t h e m a t t e r s r a i s e d a t E6 a n d E7 w h ich c o u l d a l s o b e d i s c u s s e d u n d e r 4 .8 i f a program m e i s r e q u i r e d . 3 . 1 . 2 Human R i g h t s a n d E q u a l O p p o r t u n i t y C o m m issio n , p a r t i c u l a r l y r e l a t i n g t o d i s c r i m a t i o n i n i n d u s t r i a l m a t t e r s 4 .2 F a m ily C o u r t o f A u s t r a l i a a n d i n p a r t i c u l a r e f f o r t s t o r e d u c e t h e c o s t o f j u s t i c e 4 .7 C o u r ts B u i l d i n g S e r v i c e s , s p e c i f i c a l l y t h e n e e d f o r a F e d e r a l C o u r t B u i l d i n g i n A d e la id e 4 .8 C o u r ts a n d T r i b u n a l s P o l i c y , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e new ' s e t t i n g d o w n ' f e e s a n d c o s t o f j u s t i c e m a t t e r s . Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y Amanda V a n s to n e SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA. * 320 ADDENDUM AU S TR A LIA N SENATE S enator Mai C olston PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA A C T . 26( TEL (06) 277 3100 FAX (06) 277 3694 DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES 13 S e p te m b e r 1991 Mr P e t e r H a l l a h a n S e c r e t a r y S e n a t e E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e E P a r l i a m e n t H o u se CANBERRA ACT 2600 D e a r Mr H a l l a h a n By w ay o f a r e s e r v a t i o n t o t h e r e p o r t o f E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e E , I recom m end t h a t t h e S e n a t e f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r s u b p r o g r a m 6 .1 ( A u s t r a l i a n F e d e r a l P o l i c e ) i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S t a t e m e n t s o f t h e A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l ' s P o r t f o l i o f o r 1 9 9 1 / 9 2 . Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y D e p u ty P r e s i d e n t a n d C h a irm a n o f C o m m itte e s ESTIM ATES COM M ITTEE E M IN U T ES O F M EETIN G S FO R Thursday 5 September 1991 Tuesday 10 Septem ber 1991 Thursday 12 Septem ber 1991 Thursday 19 Septem ber 1991 322 323 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE Î ' M in u te s o f M e e tin g No. 3 6 /1 2 T h u r s d a y 5 S e p te m b e r 1991 1 . PUBLIC MEETING The C o m m ittee m e t a t 1.30pm i n S e n a t e C o m m ittee Room 2S1. The C h a irm a n , S e n a t o r C o o n ey , t o o k t h e C h a i r . 2 . PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE 1 9 9 1 -1 9 9 2 - ATTORNEY-GENERAL' S DEPARTMENT I n a t t e n d a n c e : S e n a t o r t h e H on. M ic h a e l T a t e , M i n i s t e r f o r J u s t i c e a n d C onsum er A f f a i r s , a c c o m p a n ie d b y t h e f o l l o w i n g o f f i c e r s : A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l ' s D e p a rtm e n t A la n R ose S e c r e t a r y S te p h e n S k e h i l l D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y Norman R e a b u rn D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y M ike C ra m s ie A /g F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y C o r p o r a te S e r v i c e s D i v i s i o n O l i v e r W in d e r F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , O f f i c e o f L e g a l A id a n d F a m ily S e r v i c e s J o h n D i c k i e C h ie f C e n s o r , O f f i c e o f F ilm and L i t e r a t u r e C l a s s i f i c a t i o n Graham B l e w i t t T e r r y G a l l a g h e r A /g D i r e c t o r , S p e c i a l I n v e s t i g a t i o n s U n it A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , F i n a n c i a l M anagem ent a n d G e n e ra l S e r v i c e s M ike F i s h D i r e c t o r , F in a n c e S e c t i o n O f f i c e o f P a r l i a m e n t a r y C o u n s e l I a n T u r n b u l l QC, F i r s t P a r l i a m e n t a r y C o u n s e l R ic h a r d S a r v a a s A /g S e c o n d P a r l i a m e n t a r y C o u n se l ( F in a n c e ) Don S p e d d in g A d m i n i s t r a t i v e O f f i c e r A u s t r a l i a n S e c u r i t i e s C o m m issio n C h a r le s W illia m s D e p u ty C h a irm a n B i l l R o b in so n S t a t u t o r y Member I a n C am eron D i r e c t o r R e s o u r c e s B ra n c h 324 B e m i e M ith e n A la n R u ff I a n B a te s B ra d M organ E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r , I n f o r m a t i o n D i v i s i o n G e n e r a l M a n a g e r, IPC (M o rw e ll) P r o j e c t D i r e c t o r , IPC P r o j e c t M a n a g e r, IPC T ra d e P r a c t i c e s C o m m issio n Hank S p i e r F i r s t A s s i s t a n t C o m m is s io n e r E n fo r c e m e n t a n d L e g a l D i v i s i o n Human R i g h t s & K e v in 0 ' C onnor C h r is S i d o t i B i l l Chapman N ig e l W a te rs E q u a l O p p o r t u n i t y C o m m issio n P r i v a c y C o m m is s io n e r A / g R a c e D i s c r i m i n a t i o n C o m m issio n e r A /g S e c r e t a r y H e ad , P r i v a c y B ra n c h F e d e r a l C o u r t o f A u s t r a l i a Jim Howard R e g i s t r a r M aureen Crowe M an a g er C o r p o r a t e S e r v i c e s F a m ily C o u r t o f A u s t r a l i a Len G l a r e C h i e f E x e c u t iv e O f f i c e r I a n L oughnan P r i n c i p a l R e g i s t r a r B ru c e F r a n k la n d P r i n c i p a l D i r e c t o r o f A d m i n i s t r a t i o n S uprem e C o u r t o f t h e ACT A la n T o w i l l R e g i s t r a r A d m i n i s t r a t i v e A p p e a ls T r i b u n a l D a v id S c h u lz R e g i s t r a r H ig h C o u rt o f A u s t r a l i a Ron G. R o se C l e r k o f t h e H ig h C o u r t Lex H ow ard S e n i o r D e p u t y M a r s h a l (A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ) A u s t r a l i a n F e d e r a l P o l i c e A d r ia n W h id d e tt A c ti n g D e p u ty C o m m is s io n e r S te v e G a v in A s s o c i a t e C o m m is s io n e r Bob M i l l s A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , R e s o u r c e s N a t i o n a l C rim e A u t h o r i t y D e n is L e n ih a n C h i e f E x e c u t iv e O f f i c e r Dene Hawke D e p u ty C h ie f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r A u s t r a l i a n B u re a u o f C r i m in a l K e it h Askew D i r e c t o r I n t e l l i g e n c e A la n L u t h e r E x e c u t iv e O f f i c e r S te v e n D ixon A d m i n i s t r a t i v e O f f i c e r C ash T r a n s a c t i o n R e p o r ts A gency B i l l C oad D i r e c t o r 325 O f f i c e o f t h e D i r e c t o r o f P u b l i c P r o s e c u t i o n s P a u l C o g h la n A s s o c i a t e D i r e c t o r I a n B erm ingham S e n i o r A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r Tom M cK night S e n i o r A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r The C o m m ittee e x a m in e d t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e b y p ro g ra m a s s e t o u t i n t h e P ro g ra m P e rf o rm a n c e S ta t e m e n t s 1 9 9 1 -9 2 . The f o l l o w i n g d o c u m e n ts w e re t a b l e d a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d : . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r V a n s to n e . L i s t o f C o s ts r e l a t i n g t o P ro g ra m 6 . 6 ; S p e c i a l I n v e s t i g a t i o n U n it . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r H a r r a d i n e . . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r M a c d o n a ld . The C o m m ittee c o n c lu d e d i t s c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e f o r t h e A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l ' s D e p a r tm e n t, s u b j e c t t o u n d e r t a k i n g s t o p r o v i d e a d d i t i o n a l w r i t t e n i n f o r m a t i o n t o t h e C o m m itte e . 3 . PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1 9 9 1 -9 2 - DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS I n a t t e n d a n c e : S e n a t o r t h e H on. M ic h a e l T a t e , M i n i s t e r f o r J u s t i c e a n d C onsum er A f f a i r s , a c c o m p a n ie d b y t h e f o l l o w i n g o f f i c e r s : D e p a rtm e n t o f V e t e r a n s ' A f f a i r s Mr K e it h L yon D e p u ty P r e s i d e n t , R e p a t r i a t i o n C om m ission Mr R o b e r t Somes Mr R ic h a r d B e a r Mr G a r r y Webb Mr R o b e r t Hay A c tin g N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , C o r p o r a te S e r v i c e s A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , B u d g e t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , I n f o r m a t i o n T e c h n o lo g y F a c i l i t i e s A c tin g A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , P a r l i a m e n t a r y a n d C o r p o r a te A f f a i r s Ms F e l i c i t y B a r r A c tin g N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , B e n e f i t s Ms Kay G r im s le y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , C o m p e n s a tio n a n d R eview Mr Jim D a lto n A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , C o m p e n s a tio n a n d R eview Mr Don F a g e t A c tin g A s s i s t a n t H o u sin g A s s i s t a n c e Secretary, 326 Mr Tony A s h f o r d N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , H e a l t h Dr G raem e K i l l e r P r i n c i p a l M e d ic a l A d v i s e r Mr M ike G o l d s t e i n D e p u ty N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , H e a l t h Mr B i l l M axw ell A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , H o s p i t a l S e r v i c e s Mr J o h n Z a r e c k y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , C om m unity- b a s e d H e a l t h C a re Mr B ru c e M anning A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , H e a l t h P ro g ra m M anagem ent a n d S e r v i c e s Mr A r t h u r E d g a r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , H o s p i t a l I n t e g r a t i o n Mr P a t r i c k C a l l i o n i A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , H e a l t h P la n n i n g Ms A l i s o n T u r n e r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , TAS/PARS R ev iew Mr F r e d W oodhouse P r i n c i p a l R e g i s t r a r , V e t e r a n 's R ev iew B o ard Mr B re n d o n K e ls o n D i r e c t o r A u s t r a l i a n War M e m o ria l Mr J o h n P e a r s o n A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B ra n c h Mr A la n H eggen D i r e c t o r , O f f i c e o f A u s t r a l i a n War G ra v e s The C o m m itte e e x a m in e d t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e by p ro g ra m a s s e t o u t i n t h e P ro g ra m P e rf o rm a n c e S t a t e m e n t s 1 9 9 1 -9 2 , D e p a rtm e n t o f V e t e r a n 's A f f a i r s . The f o l l o w i n g d o c u m e n ts w e re t a b l e d a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d : . D e r i v a t i o n t a b l e s f o r A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l ' s , O f f i c e o f P a r l i a m e n t a r y C o u n s e l , ABCI, NCA, F e d e r a l C o u r t , AFP a n d Law R efo rm C o m m issio n . . The O f f i c e o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l Law - Q u a l i t y an d P r o c e d u r a l S t a n d a r d s . . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e by S e n a t o r C a m p b e ll. . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r V a n s t o n e . The C o m m itte e s u s p e n d e d i t s c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e f o r t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f V e t e r a n s ' A f f a i r s . 327 4 . ADJOURNMENT The C o m m ittee a d j o u r n e d a t 11.30pm o n T h u r s d a y , 5 S e p te m b e r 1 9 9 1 . 5 . ATTENDANCE S e n a t o r s C ooney ( C h a ir m a n ) , F a u l k n e r , H e r r o n , Newman, P a t t e r s o n , M a c d o n a ld , C a m p b e ll, V a n s to n e a n d W e st. A ls o i n a t t e n d a n c e w e re S e n a t o r s P a n i z z a , C o l s t o n , B o s w e ll a n d R e id . CONFIRMED B . Cooney CHAIRMAN 328 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE Î ' M in u te s o f M e e tin g No. 3 6 /1 3 T u e s d a y 10 S e p te m b e r 1991 1 . PUBLIC MEETING The C o m m ittee m et a t 7.30pm i n S e n a te C o m m itte e Room 2 S 1 . The C h a irm a n , S e n a t o r C ooney, t o o k t h e C h a i r . 2 . PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1 9 9 1 -1 9 9 2 - DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS I n a t t e n d a n c e : S e n a t o r t h e H on. M ic h a e l T a t e , M i n i s t e r f o r J u s t i c e a n d C onsum er A f f a i r s , a c c o m p a n ie d b y t h e f o l l o w i n g o f f i c e r s : D e p a rtm e n t o f V e t e r a n s ' Mr K e it h Lyon A f f a i r s D e p u ty P r e s i d e n t , R e p a t r i a t i o n C om m ission Mr R o b e r t Somes A c ti n g N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , C o r p o r a te S e r v i c e s Mr R i c h a r d B e a r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , B u d g e t Mr G a rry Webb A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , I n f o r m a t i o n T e c h n o lo g y F a c i l i t i e s Mr R o b e r t Hay A c ti n g A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , P a r l i a m e n t a r y a n d C o r p o r a t e A f f a i r s Ms F e l i c i t y B a r r A c ti n g N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , B e n e f i t s Ms Kay G rim s le y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , C o m p e n s a tio n a n d R eview Mr Jim D a lto n A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , C o m p e n s a tio n a n d R eview Mr Don F a g e t A c ti n g A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , H o u sin g A s s i s t a n c e Mr Tony A s h fo rd N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , H e a l t h Dr G raem e K i l l e r P r i n c i p a l M e d ic a l A d v i s e r Mr M ike G o l d s t e i n D e p u ty N a t i o n a l P ro g ra m D i r e c t o r , H e a lth 329 Mr B i l l M axw ell A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , S e r v i c e s H o s p i t a l Mr Jo h n Z a re c k y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , b a s e d H e a l th C a re C om m unity- Mr B ru c e M anning A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , P ro g ra m M anagem ent a n d , H e a l th S e r v i c e s Mr A r t h u r E d g a r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , I n t e g r a t i o n H o s p i t a l Mr P a t r i c k C a l l i o n i A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y P la n n i n g , H e a l th Ms A l i s o n T u r n e r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y , R eview TAS/PARS Mr F r e d W oodhouse P r i n c i p a l R e g i s t r a r , R eview B o a rd V e t e r a n s ' Mr B re n d o n K e ls o n D i r e c t o r A u s t r a l i a n War M em o rial Mr J o h n P e a r s o n A s s i s t a n t S e c A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B ra n c h r e t a r y , Mr A la n H eggen D i r e c t o r , O f f i c e o f War G ra v e s A u s t r a l i a n The C o m m itte e e x a m in e d t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e b y p ro g ra m a s s e t o u t i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S ta t e m e n t s 1 9 9 1 -9 2 , D e p a rtm e n t o f V e t e r a n s ' A f f a i r s . The f o l l o w i n g d o c u m e n ts w e re t a b l e d an d i n c o r p o r a t e d : . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d on n o t i c e by S e n a t o r A l s t o n . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d on n o t i c e by S e n a t o r S h o r t . The C o m m itte e c o n c lu d e d i t s c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e f o r t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f V e t e r a n s ' A f f a i r s . 3 . PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1 9 9 1 -9 2 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u sin g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s M ick R oche D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y G le n R ees D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y A la n B an sem er D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y M ary M urnane F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y Aged an d C om m unity C a re B a r r y W ig h t F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y C h ild C a re 330 M a r g a r e t F o rd F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y C o r p o r a t e S e r v i c e s B r i a n C o r c o r a n F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y D i s a b i l i t y P ro g ra m s B r i a n M ac d o n ald A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y R e h a b i l i t a t i o n S e r v i c e s B ra n c h , D i s a b i l i t y P ro g ra m s T e r r y S l a t e r F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l t h A d v an cem en t M ary S c o t t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y AIDS P o l i c y a n d P r o g r a m s , H e a l t h A d v an cem en t L iz F u r l e r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l t h P ro m o tio n a n d D e v e lo p m e n t, H e a l t h A d v an cem en t I a n M cN eil F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e ta r y - H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s D a l l a s A r i o t t i A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l th C a re E v a l u a t i o n B r a n c h , H e a l th C a re A c c e s s J o a n L ip sc o m b e A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l th C a re S t r a t e g i e s , H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s B r ia n C h a n d le r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H o s p i t a l s a n d H e a l th S e r v i c e s , H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s C o l B a i l e y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y M e d ic a re B e n e f i t s B ra n c h , H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s J o h n Loy F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l t h R e s e a r c h a n d S e r v i c e s Dr Jo h n P r im r o s e P r i n c i p a l M e d i c a l A d v i s o r P h a r m a c e u t i c a l B e n e f i t s B ra n c h I a n C a m p b e ll F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H o u sin g M a rc ia F u r l e r A /g F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y I n f o r m a t i o n S e r v i c e s W arren B u t l e r O p e r a t i o n s M an ag er N a t i o n a l A c o u s t i c s L a b o r a t o r i e s P a t G r i f f i n E x e c u t iv e M an ag er N a t i o n a l Food A u t h o r i t y 331 A la n S te v e n s J e f f r e y H arm er C l a u d i a Thame I a n W in g e tt J o h n C a b le B r e w s te r A s h le y P e t e r P fla u m Ken H a z e l l M. M u rra y M ic h a e l W helan Jo h n N e a rh o s C h r i s t i n e F u so A /g P r i n c i p a l A d v i s o r P h a r m a c e u t i c a l B e n e f i t s F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y P o l i c y D e v e lo p m e n t A /g P r i n c i p a l A d v is o r P o l i c y D e v e lo p m e n t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y P ro g ra m S u p p o r t a n d D e v e lo p m e n t, P o l i c y D e v e lo p m e n t A / g N a t i o n a l M a n a g e r T h e r a p e u t i c G oods A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y D rug E v a l u a t i o n B r a n c h , T h e r a p e u t i c Goods A d m i n i s t r a t i o n T h e r a p e u t i c Goods A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A s s i s t a n t G e n e r a l M an ag er H e a l th B e n e f i t s H e a l th I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n A s s i s t a n t G e n e r a l M an ag er F in a n c e a n d P la n n i n g H e a l th I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n M anager A c c o u n tin g H e a l th I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n M e d ic a l D i r e c t o r H e a lth I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n A /g H ead o f C o r p o r a t e S e r v i c e s A u s t r a l i a n I n s t i t u t e o f H e a l t h Tony G r e v i l l e A /g H e ad , W e lf a r e D i v i s i o n A u s t r a l i a n I n s t i t u t e o f H e a l t h The C o m m ittee e x a m in e d t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e b y p ro g r a m a s s e t o u t i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S ta t e m e n t s 1 9 9 1 -9 2 , D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u sin g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s . The f o l l o w i n g d o c u m e n ts w e re t a b l e d a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d : . Q u e s tio n s p l a c e d on n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r Newman . Q u e s tio n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r T a m b lin g . Q u e s tio n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r B o s w e ll . Q u e s tio n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r S h o r t 332 The C o m m ittee s u s p e n d e d i t s c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e f o r t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u s in g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s . 4 . ADJOURNMENT The C o m m ittee a d j o u r n e d a t 11.31pm on T u e s d a y 10 S e p te m b e r 1991. 5 . ATTENDANCE S e n a t o r s C ooney ( C h a ir m a n ) , G i l e s , H e r r o n , Newman, P a t t e r s o n , W a lt e r s a n d W e s t. A ls o i n a t t e n d a n c e was S e n a t o r C o l s t o n . CONFIRMED: B.Cooney CHAIRMAN 333 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE Î ' M in u te s o f M e e tin g No. 3 6 /1 4 T h u r s d a y 12 S e p te m b e r 1991 1 . PUBLIC MEETING The C o m m itte e m e t a t 4.2 6 p m i n S e n a te C o m m itte e Room 2 S 1 . The C h a irm a n , S e n a t o r C o o n ey , t o o k t h e C h a i r . 2 . PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1 9 9 1 -9 2 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u s in g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s M ick R oche D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y G le n R ees D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y A la n B an se m e r D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y M ary M urnane F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y Aged a n d C om m unity C a re B a r r y W ig h t F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y C h ild C a re M a r g a r e t F o rd B r i a n C o r c o r a n B r ia n M ac d o n ald T e r r y S l a t e r F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y C o r p o r a te S e r v i c e s F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y D i s a b i l i t y P ro g ra m s A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y R e h a b i l i t a t i o n S e r v i c e s B ra n c h , D i s a b i l i t y P ro g ra m s F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l th A dv an cem en t M ary S c o t t L iz F u r l e r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y AIDS P o l i c y a n d P ro g ra m s , H e a lth A dvancem ent A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a lth P ro m o tio n a n d D e v e lo p m e n t, H e a lth A dvancem ent I a n M cN eil F i r s t A s s i s t a n t H e a l th C a re A c c e ss S e c r e t a r y 334 D a l l a s A r i o t t i A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l t h C a re E v a l u a t i o n B r a n c h , H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s J o a n L ip sc o m b e A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a lth C a re S t r a t e g i e s , H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s B r ia n C h a n d le r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H o s p i t a l s a n d H e a l t h S e r v i c e s , H e a l t h C are A c c e s s C ol B a i l e y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y M e d ic a re B e n e f i t s B r a n c h , H e a l t h C are A c c e s s J o h n Loy F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l t h R e s e a r c h a n d S e r v i c e s Dr J o h n P r im r o s e P r i n c i p a l M e d i c a l A d v i s o r P h a r m a c e u t i c a l B e n e f i t s B ra n c h I a n C a m p b e ll F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H o u s in g M a rc ia F u r l e r A /g F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y I n f o r m a t i o n S e r v i c e s W a rre n B u t l e r O p e r a t i o n s M an ag er N a t i o n a l A c o u s t i c s L a b o r a t o r i e s P a t G r i f f i n E x e c u t i v e M an ag er N a t i o n a l F ood A u t h o r i t y A la n S te v e n s A /g P r i n c i p a l A d v is o r P h a r m a c e u t i c a l B e n e f i t s J e f f r e y H arm er F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y P o l i c y D e v e lo p m e n t C l a u d ia Thame A /g P r i n c i p a l A d v i s o r P o l i c y D e v e lo p m e n t I a n W in g e tt A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y P ro g ra m S u p p o r t and D e v e lo p m e n t, P o l i c y D e v e lo p m e n t Jo h n C a b le A / g N a t i o n a l M a n a g e r T h e r a p e u t i c G oods A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B r e w s te r A s h le y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y Drug E v a l u a t i o n B r a n c h , T h e r a p e u t i c G oods A d m i n i s t r a t i o n P e t e r P fla u m T h e r a p e u t i c G oods A d m i n i s t r a t i o n 335 Ken H a z e l l A s s i s t a n t G e n e r a l H e a l t h B e n e f i t s I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n M an a g er H e a l th M. M u rra y A s s i s t a n t G e n e r a l F in a n c e a n d P l a n n i n g I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n M a n a g e r H e a l th M ic h a e l W h elan M anager A c c o u n tin g I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n H e a l th Jo h n N e a rh o s M e d ic a l D i r e c t o r I n s u r a n c e C om m ission H e a l th C h r i s t i n e F u so A /g H ead o f C o r p o r a te S e r v i c e s A u s t r a l i a n I n s t i t u t e o f H e a l t h Tony G r e v i l l e A /g H e ad , W e lf a r e A u s t r a l i a n I n s t i t u t e D i v i s i o n o f H e a l t h The C o m m ittee e x a m in e d t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e b y p ro g ra m a s s e t o u t i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S ta t e m e n t s 1 9 9 1 -9 2 , D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u sin g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s . The f o l l o w i n g d o c u m e n ts w e re t a b l e d a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d : . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r Kemp t o t h e A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l 's D e p a r tm e n t, D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u s in g and Com m unity S e r v i c e s a n d D e p a rtm e n t o f V e te r a n s A f f a i r s . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r P a t t e r s o n . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r R e y n o ld s . Q u e s t i o n s p l a c e d o n n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r A l s t o n The C o m m ittee s u s p e n d e d i t s c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e f o r t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u sin g an d C om m unity S e r v i c e s . 3 . PRIVATE MEETING The C o m m ittee d i s c u s s e d p o s s i b l e f u t u r e s i t t i n g d a y s and t i m e s . I t was a g r e e d t h a t t h e C o m m itte e w o u ld s i t on 19 S e p te m b e r a t 9 .0 0 am a n d t h a t c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f P ro g ra m 6 w o u ld b e p o s tp o n e d u n t i l a l l M embers o f t h e C o m m itte e w e re p r e s e n t . 4 . ADJOURNMENT The C o m m ittee a d j o u r n e d a t 11.52pm o n T u e sd a y 10 S e p te m b e r 1 9 9 1 . 5 . ATTENDANCE S e n a t o r s C ooney ( C h a ir m a n ) , G i l e s , H e r r o n , P a t t e r s o n , W a lt e r s a n d W e s t. A ls o i n a t t e n d a n c e w e re a n d H i l l . tors Colston, Kemp, Reynolds CONFIRMED: B.Cooney, Chairman 336 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE Î ' M in u te s o f M e e tin g No. 3 6 /1 5 T u e s d a y 19 S e p te m b e r 1991 1 . PUBLIC MEETING The C o m m ittee m et a t 9 .0 0 am i n S e n a t e C o m m itte e Room 2 S 1 . The C h a irm a n , S e n a t o r C o o n ey , to o k t h e C h a i r . 2 . PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1 9 9 1 -9 2 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u s in g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s Mr S t u a r t H a m ilto n S e c r e t a r y Mr M ick R oche D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y Mr A la n B ansem er D e p u ty S e c r e t a r y Mr B a r r y W ight F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y C h ild C a re Ms M a r g a r e t F o rd F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y C o r p o r a te S e r v i c e s Mr T e r r y S l a t e r F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l th A d v a n cem en t Ms L iz F u r l e r Dr M a r g a r e t Dean Mr I a n M cN eil Ms D a l l a s A r i o t t i Ms G a il Batm an A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l t h P ro m o tio n a n d D e v e lo p m e n t, H e a lth A d v a n cem en t M e d ic a l S e r v i c e s A d v i s o r H e a l t h P r o m o t i o n a n d D e v e l o p m e n t , H e a l t h A dvancem ent F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a lth C a re A c c e s s A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a l t h C a re E v a l u a t i o n B r a n c h , H e a lth C a re A c c e s s A /g A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H e a lth C a re S t r a t e g i e s , H e a lth C a re A c c e s s 337 Mr B r i a n C h a n d le r A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H o s p i t a l s a n d H e a l t h S e r v i c e s , H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s Mr C o l B a i l e y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y M e d ic a re B e n e f i t s B ra n c h , H e a l t h C a re A c c e s s Mr I a n C a m p b e ll F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y H o u s in g S e r v i c e s D i v i s i o n Mr Bob B o a t w r i g h t A /g A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y L and D e v e lo p m e n t a n d H o u sin g I n d u s t r y B ra n c h Ms M a r c ia P u r l e r A / g F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y I n f o r m a t i o n S e r v i c e s D i v i s i o n Mr A la n S te v e n s A /g P r i n c i p a l A d v i s o r P h a r m a c e u t i c a l B e n e f i t s Dr J e f f r e y H arm er F i r s t A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y P o l i c y D e v e lo p m e n t Dr C l a u d i a Thame A /g P r i n c i p a l A d v i s o r P o l i c y D e v elo p m e n t Dr J o h n P r i m r o s e P r i n c i p a l M e d ic a l A d v is o r P h a r m a c e u t i c a l B e n e f i t s B ra n c h Mr I a n W in g e tt A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y P ro g ra m S u p p o r t a n d D e v e lo p m e n t, P o l i c y D e v elo p m e n t Dr J o h n C a b le A /g N a t i o n a l M a n a g e r T h e r a p e u t i c G o o d s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Dr B r e w s t e r A s h le y A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y Drug E v a l u a t i o n B r a n c h , T h e r a p e u t i c G o o d s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Mr P e t e r P fla u m T h e r a p e u t i c G o o d s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Mr N ic k M e r s ia d e s P r i n c i p a l A d v is o r B u d g e t M anagem ent B ra n c h Mr J e f f B u c k p i t t D i r e c t o r B u d g e ts , B u d g e t M anagem ent B ran c h 338 Mr Ken H a z e l l A s s i s t a n t G e n e r a l M an ag er H e a l t h B e n e f i t s H e a l th I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n Mr M. M u rra y A s s i s t a n t G e n e r a l M an ag er F in a n c e a n d P la n n i n g H e a l th I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n Mr M ic h a e l W helan M an ag er A c c o u n tin g H e a l th I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n Dr J o h n N e a rh o s M e d ic a l D i r e c t o r H e a l th I n s u r a n c e C o m m issio n The C o m m ittee e x a m in e d t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e b y p ro g ra m a s s e t o u t i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S t a t e m e n t s 1 9 9 1 -9 2 , D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u sin g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s . The f o l l o w i n g d o c u m e n ts w e re t a b l e d a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d : . G .P . S a v in g s E s t i m a t e s . Q u e s tio n s p l a c e d on n o t i c e b y S e n a t o r P a t t e r s o n The C o m m ittee c o n c lu d e d i t s c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e p r o p o s e d e x p e n d i t u r e f o r t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f H e a l t h , H o u s in g a n d C om m unity S e r v i c e s . 3 . ADJOURNMENT The C o m m itte e a d j o u r n e d a t 6.4 1 p m on T h u r s d a y 19 S e p te m b e r 1991. 4 . ATTENDANCE S e n a t o r s C ooney ( C h a ir m a n ) , G i l e s , H e r r o n , P a t t e r s o n , W a lte r s a n d W e st. B.Cooney CHAIRMAN 339 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E M in u te s o f M e e tin g No. 3 6 /1 6 W ed n esd ay 9 O c to b e r 1991 1 . MEETING The C o m m ittee m et i n d e l i b e r a t i v e s e s s i o n a t 7 .5 0 p m i n t h e A d v i s e r s A re a a d j a c e n t t o t h e S e n a te C h am b er. The C h a irm a n , S e n a t o r C o o n ey , to o k t h e C h a i r . 2 . CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT REPORT The C o m m itte e c o n s i d e r e d t h e C h a ir m a n 's d r a f t r e p o r t . A m endm ents t o t h e r e p o r t w e re s u g g e s t e d b y S e n a t o r s C ooney (o n b e h a l f o f S e n a t o r Newman), P a t t e r s o n , V a n s to n e a n d W e s t. A f t e r d i s c u s s i o n a n d a l t e r a t i o n t h e am endm ents w e re a g r e e d t o . The r e p o r t a s am ended w as a g r e e d t o . 3 . MINUTES The C o m m itte e 's M in u te s o f P r o c e e d i n g s f o r 5 , 1 0 , 12 a n d 19 S e p te m b e r 1991 w e re c o n f ir m e d . 4 . ADJOURNMENT The C o m m itte e a d j o u r n e d a t 8 .2 5 p m . 5 . ATTENDANCE S e n a t o r s C ooney ( C h a ir m a n ) , C a m p b e ll, G i l e s , H e r r o n , P a t t e r s o n , V a n s t o n e , W a lt e r s an d W e st. CERTIFIED CORRECT B . C ooney C h a irm a n 340 341 APPENDIX 1 QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE BY DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS BEFORE AND DURING THE HEARINGS 342 Program 6.6 All costs of the investigation under War crimes legislation to dale and costs of the Special Investigations Unit since inception. Program 5 Financial administration impact for High Court Macdonald 7 EEO statistics Vanstone 349 351 Kemp (written) 1. Policy for payments to employees as union officials 2. Any full time union officials 3. Any part time union officials 4. Total cost of these employees. Newman Program 1 Page 21- review of Dept performance copy of corporate plans for evaluations new claims review determining system Why were 2,800 claims not appealable Increase entitlement of a widow on death of spouse Minister's Letter of September 4th savings out of disability pensions, war pensions or service pensions where derived from reduction of service pension numbers, what savings projected reduction in pension numbers interdepartmental committee 11.9 25.9 25.9 5.9 2.10 2.10 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 2.10 Z10 20.9 20.9 20.9 20.9 E85 E85 E86 E86 E88 E88 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 20.9 20.9 20.9 20.9 E88 E90 E90 E90 â¢Number of children in the Veterans' children's education scheme ⢠amendment to the legislation to extend the deadline for military superannuation scheme PROGRAM 2.1 Reason for not repealing the SWPA Act Newman (written) Aged Accommodation 23 Supplementary Assistance for carers of Vets 23 Vets affairs 4.1 Contracting 4.2 Management 5.4 Research 5.5 Staffing 5 19.9 20.9 E91 19.9 20.9 E95 19.9 20.9 E96 10.9 Z10 2.10 δ 10 3 10 2.10 Z10 5-10 d.10 el48 cl48 6-/^8 nJli-'Z 8 10 S 7 0 a iu8 3 · ι ο 2 - i C 3 t o V - f O 11'<-* . incorporated 10.5 352 356 1 358 360 P a tte r s o n ( w r itte n ) Program 4 - 4.5 Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service 1. CRS eater for demand Z Post CRS program Tracking 3. increase cost 4. success rale of CRS achieving goals 5. Pilot rehabilitation units Program 7 __ ________________________________________ 1. Move of the Housing Cost Reduction Program 2. Impact of this 3. Did staff agree 4. If not where placed 5. Staffing of housing division Program 7.1 __________________________________________ I. Housing Industry Development Program Z $ 3. Council Members 4. Aims 5. Aims 6. Action and funding 7. Australian Model Okie for Residential Dev. 8. Regulations 9. Performance indicator 10. 2nd Performance indicator II. Salaries 1Z Admin expenses 13. Staffing levels 14. Grdh Street Joint Venture 15. Activities Planned PROGRAM 7.2 Housing Industry ________________________ 1. Housing Industry Development Strategy Z Activities 3. ___________________________________________________ 4. 56% increase in costs 5. Details of projects under the Housing Development program 6. Homcshow program 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 rcrcfcrrcd to das inoorp 19.9 u> o> M PatlcrsoD Patterson Program 7.3 1. Housing Access 2. First Home owner Scheme 3. New deposit assistance arrangements 4.Shared home ownership schemes 5-State households assisted Ï-Stalc expenditure on mortgage and rent relief 7.Public houses S.waiting list 9. average waiting time 10. proportion of funds given to states 11. National Housing strategy 12. * * * for 1992 13. Consultanls 14. Wind up 15. cost of NHS 16. recommendations 17. cost to promote NHS Program 8 copy of report on aboriginal child care Breakdown cost of consultations 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 1C U 10 U-IO Î.ÎÎ i f . I O i f IO i i Î 0 u io Ï·ÎÎ H-ID if. Id 30.9 30.9 lf.rO 30.9 30.9 H 9 A t& ja n cr> »v & iC £â 10 S 10 e io * iO 9 / o * 'C S iO B ic g lO a i c 30.9 30.9 3 /0 30.9 30.9 19-9 rex 7" e236 e236 Program 9 9.1 copy of guidelines for occupational health and safety 19.9 30.9 30.9 c238 - Details of rehabilitation giver to couple on compensation- tafe course involved as part of rehab -Ovt/qll c o s t c f coexZ 9.2 response to letter requesting a grant for Schizophrenia Fellowship 9 Who consulted as part of indemnity Review 19.9 30.9 if 10 30.9 S /fJ 30.9 e239 <«â¦8- 362 Paltcrson Pallcrson 9.2 List of organisations by funding level 9.2 Nos of people die of drug and alcohol related diseases Program 5 - foreign language on labels 5- listing in the 15 month period, how many assessed 5- Figures on imported gcxxiyimplcmentation of Act 5- Broncho-dilators 5- when was Bcrotcc taken off the PBS 6.2 - figures for perscriptions in MArch April 6.2 - figures on overcharging complaints from 008 6.2 - copy of Prices Survicllance Authority report -membership of guild in WA, Nos of patients involved 6.2- Breakdown of queries from 008 line 6.2 - Distribution list of who sent copy of infomation package on PBS 6.2 - details of projects undertaken by groups funded by the PBS education Program Program 6.1 Universities overrepresented in 3000 6.1 terms of reference for review of health care professionals indemnity ( one sheet tabled and given to Patterson) 6.1 vocational register 6.1 exact figure for overpayments to HIC - debt recovery 6.1 No of services reduced this year 6.1 non GP services benefits cost more than $120 6.1 Breakdown of services to prolonged professional attendance 6.1 Date that Medicare Safely Net ceased sending out 6.1 Cost of discrimination ease fc i X o U n t i ' v ) ' z p c s i 5_____________________________________ 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 l-i Î J.-lAf'·6 25.9 a H s i m z r z d 30.9 4 to u . i 0 4 t o 19.9 4- (0 i t ID *t to u ID 25.9 UIO ll ÎÎ U - Î Î n ? 19.9 4-/C xi/lfc-it'ezf o Î- iO 4 t o /l/VSu 4 S' a C_____ 25.9 /V /£ X f 30.9 S iO 8 / 0 2-10 19.9 /Î/ 7 Î X T ' 8/0 g/O » t o ε · ι ο 25.9 8·/0 f 1 0 9 -iO /?- 19.9 IN session It ip /λ/ TEA- r 8 /D 8 /c /a / re< Î 8 10 8lC c243 c244 e250 c252 c252 c253 c253 c264 | e270 e270 e273 e275 c275 c275 e285 c305 e307 c311 c312 c315 e316 e316 c317 & 3CB 363 APPENDIX 2 QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE FOR WHICH NO WRITTEN REPLY HAS BEEN RECEIVED AS AS 9 OCTOBER 1991 JOO QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE TO WHICH NO REPLY HAS BEEN RECEIVED AT 9 OCTOBER 1991 1. ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT 1. Pre-Program (e 13) Copy of the draft Client Service Agreement between AGs Department and Australian Taxation office. Vanstone 5.9, Letter received 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS Program 5. Australian War Memorial: Detail about the travel of officers 3. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES 1. Patterson's Written Questions on Programs 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 3, 4, 4.5, 6, 7, 8 J b t i ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS Thursday 5 September 1991 Tuesday 10 September 1991 Thursday 12 September 1991 Thursday 19 September 1991 J/U 371 ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT Program 6 - Maintenance of Law, Order and Security Firearms and Security in Parliament House 2 - Turkish foreign delegation 3 AFP - recruitment program 4,74-75 - consultants used 4,74-75 - cost to applicants of medical examination 4,56-57 - Aboriginal deaths in custody Royal Commission 14 - construction of goal at Jervis Bay 14,15 Program 1 -Legal Services to the Commonwealth Program evaluations 4 - evaluation of the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 4,5 Assessment of the Criminal Environment 5 - National Crime Authority 5 Do-it-yourself legal kits 6 Social Justice 7 - access by people in rural areas 7 - financial assistance 8 Practice Management 8 - GLEAM 8 - LOIS 9 - prime contract arrangement 9 - national integrated system (network) 10 Copyright 10 - Copyright Agency Ltd 10 - charge for newspaper articles 10 - cost to Commonwealth 10,11 - Australia Musical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) 11 - payment to individual journalists 11 - proposed changes to copyright laws 11,12 - collection of charges 12 - revenue from copyright charges 12 Client service agreements 13 - user pays implementation 13 - standards for delivery of legal services in Commonwealth departments 13 372 Parliamentary Counsel 13 - plain English drafting manual 13 Program 2 - Business and Community Affairs Insolvency & Trustee Service 15 - repeal of Bankruptcy Act 15 - possible amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 15 - staffing of service 15 - workload resources formula 16 - strategies for the prevention of bankruptcy 17 - complaints regarding the Services performance 17 - audit or registered trustees 18 - provision of information and advice to financial counsellors 18 - achievement of revised business plan initiatives 18 Australian Securities Commission 18 - Ravenshoe investigation 18,20 - staff numbers in the Commission 20 - number of additional staff employed to deal with enforcement and litigation 20 - budget for enforcement for current financial year 20 - involvement in major litigation cases 21 - numbers of staff working on each major litigation case 21 - delays in litigation due to West Australian Royal Commission 21 - cost of investigating breaches of the Corporations law 1990-91 22 - breakdown of expenditure on individual cases 22 - cost of establishing state offices of the Commission 22 - ESSO proposal 22 - administrative expenses 22 - activities of the Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board 22 - proposed expenditure 23 - prospectus provisions 23 - performance indicators 24 - corporate plan 24 - registered company bankruptcy figures 25 Trade Practices and Consumer Affairs - grant to maximise community awareness 27 - level of compliance activity 27 - cost of legal services 27 - monitoring of waterfront 29 - authorisation of collective bargaining 30 - amalgamations and aggregations 31-33 - Berger-British Paints merger 31,32 - Griffith Committee Report 32 - Superannuation 32-33 - monitoring of 'environment friendly' products 34-36 Incorporation of questions from Senator Vanstone 36 Program 3 - Community Affairs Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission - co-operative arrangements with the States 36 - free speech 37 - credit referencing and Social Security data matching 37 - evaluation of strategies relating to the Aboriginal community 37-38 - National inquiry into racist violence 38 - youth project 39 - cost of programs 37-40 - assessment of Commission performance 40 - finalisation of data matching guidelines 41-42 - genetic registers in medical research 43 - 'hot line' advertisement 44-45 - use of sensitive data by parliamentarians 45-47 - out-sourcing by the Department of Veterans Affairs 47 Establishment of new committee to review applications for refugee status 48 Law Reform - status of reports 48 - administrative expenses 49 Censorship - revenue relating to the number of classifications 50 Legal Aid and Family Services - administrative review of Aboriginal legal aid services 50 - family services for Aboriginals 51 - war crimes defence costs 51 - marriage guidance counselling services 52 374 Program 4 - Administration of Justice Courts and tribunals policy - administration of Courts 58-63 Incorporation of questions on notice from Senator McDonald 63 Family Court - refurbishment of Melbourne Family Court 64 - Marland House 64 - re-introduction of pleadings 65 - statistics in relation to allegations of child abuse 66 - cost of justice 67-68 Administrative Appeals Tribunal - Access and Equity Committee 68 Other tribunals - running costs 69 Commonwealth Reporting Service - transcript production system 69-70 Courts Building Services - Federal Court building in Adelaide 70,72 - refurbishment of Adelaide Family Court 70 - AAT building at Kindersley House 71 Courts and tribunals policy - cost of justice 72 Program 5 - High Court of Australia High Court Corporate Services 72 - performance indicators 72 - transcription costs 73 Investigation of Crimes against the Commonwealth 73 - NCA 74 - AFP 74 National Crime Authority 75 - increase in appropriations 75 - decrease in revenue 76 - law reform unit 76 - Commonwealth take over of South Australian office 76 - investigation of HYDRA 76-77 - payment of fees by NCA in Dempsey v Mengler Case 78 Special Investigations Unit 7g - salary costs 7 8 - number of persons employed 7 9 - new Deputy Director 7 9 - cost of unit since inception 7 9 - cases under investigation 81 Program 7 - Corporate Services Executive 8 2 - EEO policies 82 Corporate Services 83 - Ozton project 83 - capital equipment cost 83 - construction of departmental facilities 84 VETERANS' AFFAIRS Program 1 - Benefits Income Support - evaluation of management and programs 85 - organisational culture 85 - new claims review 8 6 - claims processing 87 - widows pension transfer to a single rate age pension with DSS 87 - savings accrued from introduction of data matching 88-89 - progress towards four-tier pension system 89-90 - campaign medals approach to qualifying service for a service pension 90 - projected savings due to reducing pension numbers 90 - savings related to the plain English re-write 90 Compensation - sales tax exemption scheme for new vehicles 90 - assessment of disability pensions 91 - veterans' children's education scheme 91 - costs relating to the strikeout of appeal claims over two years old 91-92 Housing Assistance - legality of the concurrent exercise of entitlement and repercussions for pre 22 August applicants 92-95 - military superannuation scheme extension of deadline 94 Program 2 - Health Treatment Management 96 - amendment to the Seamans' War Pension Act in relation to the extension of repatriation treatment benefits 96 - recommendations of the McGirr Report 96 - Dapsone study report 96 - study by Professor Garry Andrews relating to nursing home and domiciliary care - 96-97 - major review of domiciliary nursing 97 - savings relating to a decrease in demand for nursing home beds 97 - development and evaluation of health program packages piloted in the Canterbury-St George region 104 - beneficiary transport 105-107 - level of inappropriate institutionalisation 107-108 - independent living assistance 108 - access to mainstream services 108 - non-mainstream treatment for veterans and their dependants 109 Health Care Services - integration of the repatriation hospitals and also the repatriation private patients' scheme 1 1 0 -1 1 1 - specialisation repatriation hospitals 1 1 0 - continuation of the private patients' scheme 110 - future of the Repatriation Commission 111 - services in public hospitals 112-113 - financial arrangements relating to palliative care 114-115 - privacy relating to veterans' hospital files 116 - delivery of community services 116 - policy regarding treatment outside Repatriation General Hospitals (RGH) 116 - closure of beds at RGH Concord 117 - divesting of Repatriation Artificial Limbs and Appliance Centre (RALAC) by the Department 117 Community based health care - review of the national Local Medical Officer (LMO) advisory committee 118 - increased demand for LMO's 118 - *benefit drift' 118 - stoma therapy supplies 118 War Graves - completion of Rookwood Garden of Remembrance Memorial (GRM) 119 Program 4 - Corporate Services General - resource needs of the Veterans' Review Board (VRB) 120 - rate of decisions of the Repatriation Commission overruled by States and Territory 121 - cases rejected by the VRB and subsequently appealed to the AAT 122-123 - consultancy costs regarding information campaign integration 123 - cost of legal expense for appeal by Westpac in relation to stamp duty assessment 123 - contracting out of computing services 124-125 - aspects of departmental operations suitable for contracting out to the private sector 125 - military compensation scheme 125 378 Program 5 - Australian War Memorial General - evaluation of client services 126 - sources of non-government revenue 126 National Collection 127 - Gulf war collection and documentation 127 Education and Information Services - availability and extent of information service facilities 127 - training of voluntary guides 128 - tour services provided by guides 128 Corporate Services - overseas trips relating to the War Memorial Program 128 - new exhibition hall 128-129 - review of the Memorial mail order service 129 - sponsorship for the construction of a theatre 129 - free airport advertising of the Memorial 130 - level of sponsorship 1990-91 130 - procedure for dealing with complaints 130 - gallery maintenance 130-131 - retrenchment of security staff 131-132 - review of staffing 132-33 Incorporation of Questions on Notice by Senators Alston, Short, Parer and Newman 133 HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES General - staffing increases 134 - employment of persons with disabilities 134 - Annual Report 135-137 Program 1 - Health Advancement General - attainment of goals 137 - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 137-140 Drug Abuse Reduction - 'Smoking. Who Needs It?' campaign 140 - decline in mortality rate due to tobacco 141 - expenditure relating to the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse 141 - Anti-alcohol campaign 142 - Aboriginal health strategies relating to substance abuse 142-143 - consumption and trends relating to illicit drugs 144 Health Promotion and disease prevention 145 - incidence relating to communicable diseases 145 - alternative birthing services program 145 - family planning allocation 145 - women's health program 147 - FPA pilot program for rural residents 147 Incorporation of questions on notice from Senators Tambling and Boswell 147 Health Promotion and disease prevention (cont'd) - birthing services in Victoria 154-155 - Australian Government Health Service 156 - HIV and AIDS reporting requirements 157-159 - transmission of AIDS 159-162 - reporting requirements Hepatitis A 162-163 - women's health screening 164-165 - tuberculosis screening 166-167 - human quarantine and communicable disease surveillance 168 - alternative birthing programs for Aboriginal women 168-169 Research (excluding the Australian Institute of Health) - National Health and Medical Research Council 169 - genetics register guidelines 169-171 - ABS research on health issues 171-174 380 Program 2 - Home and Community Care Home and Community care services - HACC - promotional funds spent (by state) 174-176 - extent of tied funds for HACC and the Geriatric Assessment Team (GAT) 176 - growth funds for HACC programs 176 - administration of HACC program 177-178 - Departmental reviews of HACC program 178-179 Program 3 - Residential Care for Older People Assessment - teams with delegation 179-180 - nursing home turnover between 1987-88 and 1898-90 180 - Residential Classification Instrument - checking procedures 181-183 Financial Support - strategies for coping with increased aged population 183-186 - CAM and SAM and public nursing homes 185-186 - hostels classifications 186-187 - multi-purpose centres 187 - small rural nursing homes and bush hospitals 187-188 - development of special services for Aboriginal community 188-189 - private enterprise hostel beds 189 - increase in administrative expenses 189 Quality of Residential Care - user rights 189-190 Program 4 - Assistance for People with Disabilities General - variations in program costs 191 - ECO - employment of people with disabilities 192-199 - exempt homes 199-201 - DISCUS system - consumer focus funding 202-203 - July Premiers Agreement 204 - staffing and funding level for national technical assistance unit 205 Employment Services - funding level for new and old services 207-209 - funding of competitive employment training or placement services 209-211 - administrative expenses 211 - award conditions 211 - ACROD 212 - breakdown of costs relating to CETP or sheltered workshops 2 1 2 - funding by Commonwealth 2 1 2 Accommodation - people assisted over 2 years 213 - services not achieving minimum outcomes 213-214 Community Participation - participation rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in disability services 214-215 - backfilling of current accommodation units 215-216 Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service - running costs for Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service 216-217 Program 7 - Housing General - better cities program 226-232 Program 8 - Services for families with children General - accreditation of profit making child care centres 232 - family resource centres in relation to the Aboriginal Community 233 - level of child care demand met by non-profit and commercial centres for 0-4 year olds 233-235 - review of Aboriginal and Islander child care agencies 235 - situation regarding high cost centres, long hour centres and centres in isolated area 236 Program 9 - Corporate Management Corporate leadership and resource management - strategies in relation to personnel and office services 237 - rehabilitation programs for staff involved in cases of discrimination or harassment 238 - the South Australian Sex Discrimination Case 238-240,317 382 Strategic policy analysis and evaluation - mental health strategy in relation to the Burdekin inquiry into human rights and the mentally ill 240-242 - Schizophrenia Fellowship Centre program 241-242 - financial management in relation to request for exemption from full audit examination 242-243 - classification of national organisations in relation to the community organisation support program 243-245 Community advisory and resource services - level of funding to SICH 245 - articles in the publication 'Catalyst' 245 - national mental health strategy paper 246 - Macklin inquiry 246 Therapeutic Goods - implementation of the Baume report 247-248 - time taken to evaluate new products 248 - approval of products for export only 249,256-257 - translation of instructions on imported therapeutic goods 250 - agreement with Asian authorities in relation to cooperation and acceptance of Australian therapeutic goods on export markets 251 - assessment of imported grand-father products for good manufacturing practice standards 251-253 - delisting of Berotec from the PBS 253 - non-compliance with good manufacturing practice 254 - prescription of heroin to terminally ill patients 255 Program 6 - Health Care Access Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - depersonalisation of health-related information 258-262 - cost sharing in relation to the Pharmacy Restructuring Authority 262 - number of prescriptions filled 262 - hoarding of prescription drugs 263 - data collection in relation to non-PBS and non prescription drug usage 264-265 - impact of $2.50 prescription charge 266-269 - proposal to publish an Australian National Formulary 269 - overcharging by pharmacists 270-273 - survey undertaken by Roy Morgan Research Centre in relation to overcharging by pharmacists 273-275 - information package on PBS 275 - community projects funded by the PBS education program 275 - essential pharmacies’ allowance payments 275 - assessment of program performance 276 - payment by Commonwealth to pharmacists in relation to restructuring 276 - computer lodgement of claims by pharmacists 277 - evidence regarding the unnecessary over-prescribing of drugs and subsequent benefit to PBS and taxpayers 278 - costs associated with the PBS education campaign 278 Financial support to individuals - program goals in relation to health care services 279-280 - evaluation of health care services 280 - $3.50 co-payment for general practitioner services 281,289,312 - differentials between vocationally registered doctors and non-vocationally registered doctors 282 - trends in the demand for services 282-284 - overservicing 284-286 - oversupply of doctors 286 - immigration of doctors 287 - maldistribution of doctors 287 - number of acute hospital beds 288 - review of the Medicare benefits schedule 288 - scheduled fee rise for November 1991 290-292 - redefinition of professional services 292 - funding of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 295-297 - benefit schedule rationale 297-298 - cost of the National Health Strategy 298 - use of computers to detect inappropriate service patterns by GPs 299 - cost benefit of Medical Services Committees of Inquiry (MSCI's) 300 - practice grants 301-303 - reduction in specimen collection centres 303-305 - review of professional indemnity arrangements for health care professionals 305-306 - financial and staffing resources 306 - vocational register of doctors 307-311 - debt recovery in the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) 311 - impact of the $3.50 co-payment for GP services 312-314 - correlation between GP services and direct billing 314-315 - out-patient services 316 - Medicare Safety Net brochure 316 - overall costs relating to the Sex Discrimination Case in South Australia 317 - new Medicare Card 318 - project grant to the Australian Council of Trade Unions 318 - patient contributions per service 319 - evaluation of services and technology by the Australian Health Advisory Committee 319 Financial Support to Service Providers - Early Detection of Breast Cancer Program Health Services Provision - stoma appliances in relation to Department of Veterans' Affairs beneficiaries 320-324 324 385 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F REPORT TO THE SENATE October 1991 386 JbZ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Report to the Senate 1 Reservations 9 Appendix 1: List of questions taken on notice by portfolio officers before and during the hearings 17 Index to Hansard Thursday 5 September 1991 59 - Industrial Relations Portfolio - Primary Industries and Energy Portfolio Tuesday 10 September 1991 70 - Transport and Communications Portfolio Thursday 12 September 1991 75 - Transport and Communications Portfolio Minutes of Proceedings Public hearing, Thursday 5 September 1991 81 Public hearing, Tuesday 10 September 1991 87 Public hearing, Thursday 12 September 1991 91 Private Meeting, Wednesday 9 October 1991 93 388 389 ESTIMATES F REPORT TO THE SENATE Estimates Committee F presents its Report to the Senate. INTRODUCTION 1. On 22 August 1991 the Senate referred to the Committee the particulars of proposed expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1992 relating to the following portfolios: . Industrial Relations . Primary Industries and Energy . Transport and Communications. 2. The Committee has considered the estimates of these portfolios as presented in the respective program performance statements and has received explanations of the estimates from the Minister for Industrial Relations, the Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, and officers of the departments and authorities concerned. 3. The Committee tables for the information of the Senate in conjunction with Appropriation Bills No 1 and No 2, copies of the Minutes of Proceedings, Hansard transcripts of evidence of Committee proceedings and a table of contents to the Hansards. The answers taken on notice at the Committee's hearings will be tabled in the Senate under separate cover in a volume entitled "Additional Information Provided During Estimate Committee F's Examination of Proposed Expenditure for 1991-1992". 4. The Committee wishes to bring certain matters of interest to the attention of the Senate. PROGRAM 1 - AVIATION SUB-PROGRAM 1J: FEDERAL AIRPORTS CORPORATION -BANKSTOWN AIRPORT 5 5. In relation to Bankstown Airport, Senator Bishop expressed concern about the 'many complaints that have come to me in regard to the way the Federal Airports Corporation is managing that airport; the way it is managing the resources that go into that airport; and the way that one particular section of the airport, where 390 there are tenants, has less than adequate upkeep on the runway, resulting in damage to planes.'1 6. Representatives of the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) undertook to provide answers to the Senator's detailed questions. In assessing the performance of the representatives of the FAC, Senator Bishop commented on their lack of knowledge of this area, which resulted in many questions being taken on notice. SUB-PROGRAMS L5 AND 1.6: FEDERAL AIRPORTS CORPORATION AND CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY - MANAGEMENT OF ASSETS 7. Apart from the FAC's management of Bankstown Airport, the Corporation was queried about its management of aircraft parking, the basis of its profit and dividend calculations, the gate access for Compass Airlines at terminal buildings, the application of parking fees, the progress in commercial leases at Darwin and Alice Springs, general aviation facilities at Darwin, its program to acquire works of art, the profitability of the airport terminal at Hobart and its handling of duty free concessions that are tendered for at overseas terminals.1 2 8. Senators Schacht, Bishop and Crane queried representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority about the tendering process for the integrated national system of air traffic control. Senator Schacht observed: The nub of the question is whether you, as a statutory authority, charged with operating civil aviation in Australia at a commercial level as far as possible, should be involved in encouraging associated industry development.3 9. Senator Bishop expressed concern that the step by step procurement requirements of the Department of Administrative Services had not been complied with.4 1 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F90 2 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, pages F98-F118 3 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F130 4 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, pages F138-F140 391 PROGRAM 2 - BROADCASTING SUB-PROGRAM 2.2: AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION BIAS IN ABC PRODUCTIONS 10. Two issues were raised with the representatives of the ABC with regard to claims of bias in ABC productions. Senator Bishop expressed concern at the ABCs coverage of the republican movement in Australia, particularly given the public support of some senior managers of the ABC for the movement.5 Senator Bishop's second area of concern was perceived lack of evenhandedness in the treatment of political parties by the 7.30 Report during the last Federal election campaign.6 11. The Managing Director of the ABC, Mr David Hill, responded by explaining that the ABC has rules for the conduct of current affairs programs (a copy was provided to the Committee). These apply to all staff. The rules are supported by a complaints procedure which enables the public to comment on programs to which they take exception. The complaints procedure also enables management to monitor compliance with its rules. Mr Hill noted that '...across the range of programs we provide, and from program to program and from day to day, overall we get the balance right.'7 12. In response to Senator Bishop's concerns, Mr Hill undertook to investigate any complaint about program content and to respond to the Senator. With regard to the specific interview on the 7.30 Report of which Senator Bishop complained, Mr Hill noted that it had been the subject of complaints and been assessed in accordance with the ABC's procedures. He undertook to provide the committee with outcome of that assessment. PLAGIARISM 13. In the wake of a recent episode involving a print media journalist, Senator Bishop asked whether the ABC had a policy on plagiarism. Mr Hill was not aware of any specific reference to plagiarism in the ABC's guidelines for its staff. .He undertook to investigate the matter, report to the committee and have guidelines put in place if required.8 5 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, pages F149-F151 6 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F167 7 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F168 8 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, pages F168-F169 392 CO-PRODUCTION COST POLICY 14. Senator Bishop sought details of the ABC's policy with regard to co-production costs for sports programs on ABC television. Mr Hill stated that: ...there are roughly three levels of sports coverage in Australia. ...very popular sports that the ABC covers and is prepared to pay a rights fee for, and the ABC Board accepts that it is sufficiently valuable as part of the ABC's comprehensive broadcasting role...Secondly, there are those that do not involve any significant rights fee, but nevertheless the ABC believes that it is worthwhile undertaking the expenditure to cover those sports....then there is a category of sport that we would like to cover but we simply do not have the money, where we try to attract co-production fees...9 15. Mr Hill noted that there were no guidelines 'as such' as to the level of co production funding which individual sports had to raise. The decision as to which sports would be televised was '...an editorial decision that is made within the ABC' on the basis of '...the quality and value of the program's subject matter and how it is going to meet the needs and interests of audiences.'10 1 1 16. In response to further questioning from Senators Bishop and Panizza, Mr Hill undertook to provide details of the cost of putting each sports broadcast to air together with the details and source of the co-production funding.11 PROGRAM 3 - COMMUNICATIONS SUB-PROGRAM 3.2: AUSTRALIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 17. Senator Panizza raised the issue of 0055 services provided by Telecom. The Senator's particular concern was with the content of the 'adult entertainment' services and open access to those services. 18. In response, representatives of Telecom outlined a proposal to split the existing 0055 services into two separate services - a general information service covering news, sport, weather,etc and an entertainment service. Access to the first would be available without any action by the subscriber while access to the second would require the subscriber to ask specifically for access to the service and also meet certain conditions such as proof of age. Access would be by way of a PIN number. 9 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F151 10 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F152 11 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F153 393 19. The proposal also includes the creation of an independent committee representing a broad range of community views which would monitor the content of the 'entertainment' services.12 20. This whole issue is the subject of detailed examination by a select committee of the Senate. PROGRAM 4 - LAND TRANSPORT SUB-PROGRAM 4 J : AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS COMMISSION TASMANIAN RAIL NETWORK (TASRALL) 21. In relation to redundancies in Tasrail, the Committee is concerned that information provided by a senior departmental officer on the morning of 11 September 1991 appears less than accurate. As part of an effort by the Australian National Railways Commission to restructure Tasrail, the officer referred to offers of a redundancy package.13 Less than one week later, the Commission gave notice that approximately 160 employees of Tasrail would be compulsorily retrenched. The Committee is concerned that it was not advised of the forthcoming compulsory retrenchments in response to Senator's Sherry's questions. TIMING OF THE LODGEMENT OF MATERIAL 22. The Committee notes that program performance statements were required to be lodged with the Senate Table Office earlier this year than in previous years. While the three portfolio areas reporting to the Committee were able to meet the tighter deadline, members are concerned about the reduced time they have available to analyse the performance statements prior to the Estimates hearings. As one member remarked: [The program performance statements] were only available eight working days ago. When you have three or four departments to analyse, it makes it very difficult... [It] has prevented adequate and timely analysis...14 12 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, pages F185-F186 13 Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, pages F196-F197 14 Senator Chapman, Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F3 394 23. The same member made a similar observation in regard to the late receipt of draft annual reports: ... the report from the Department of Primary Industries and Energy was only received yesterday. In a sense, it makes the reports of very limited use if we do not have time to consider them before we appear at Estimates committees and to use them effectively.15 24. With respect to the draft annual reports of statutory authorities, the Committee was dismayed that only one of these agencies was in a position to lodge a draft annual report for the estimates hearings. The Committee gives notice that it will utilise the completed annual reports during its hearings into the Additional Estimates in April next year. 25. The Committee observes that providing members with adequate time to analyse the program performance statements can only be achieved by delaying estimates hearings until two full weeks after the statements are tabled. Estimates hearings could then take place either in a non-sitting period or in the first available sitting week. SCHEDULING OF ESTIMATES HEARINGS 26. This year, Estimates Committee F sat on three occasions as follows (meal breaks excluded): 5 September 2.05pm-12.15am Industrial Relations; Primary Industries and Energy 10 September 7.40pm-4.50am Outriders of Transport and Communications 12 September 4.29pm-9.30pm Transport and Communications 27. The Committee notes that the scheduled starting times this year (namely, 1.30pm for day hearings and 7.30pm for the evening hearing) are as recommended in the report of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration on Estimates Committee Documentation and Proceduresfiggil. That Committee observed that these commencement times would permit sufficient time on each sitting day for Question Time and for an urgency debate or matter of public importance debate, should one be proposed, or for some progress on legislation. 28. This Committee considers that both senators and officials would be better served if the starting time for each estimates session was 10.30am and the finish time was 6.00pm. The Senate should give consideration to sitting at 9.00am for Question Time and suspending at 10.30am to enable estimates committees to meet. The Senate could then resume sitting at 8.00pm to deal with normal business. This 15 Ibid 3 9 5 would reduce the probability of departmental officials being required to attend late at night. 29. The Committee also observes that scheduling the appearance of component parts of a portfolio is somewhat hit or miss at present. It is difficult to give precise starting times for examination of discrete divisions, branches or agencies. Thus officials are often kept 'hanging about' unproductively, waiting for their hearings to commence. 30. This Committee believes that consideration should be given to scheduling five sessions per committee, as far as possible during normal working hours (see paragraph 28). This would reduce the perceived pressure on committees to finish in three sessions. Greater time would enable committees to schedule their witnesses more precisely. 31. Under present arrangements, the committees' role of monitoring the performance reporting of departments and Budget-dependent agencies is hindered by the limited time available to members to consider program performance statements together with the scheduling problems and the frequent late sittings. ATTENDANCE OF OFF-BUDGET AUTHORITIES AT ESTIMATES HEARINGS 32. The Chairman expressed concern about the distinction that seems to be made between off-budget authorities that are included in the estimates hearings and off- budget authorities that are not. He raised the example of Australian Airlines and Qantas not appearing before the Committee whereas the Federal Airports Corporation did appear.16 33. In response, the Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support, the Hon. Bob Collins, explained that his practice was to arrange for off-budget authorities to be represented where his office had been contacted by senators about particular areas of interest affecting such authorities.17 34. The Committee commends the Minister for this practice. It may be desirable to formalise this practice for examining off-budget agencies in the estimates process, particularly given the proposal by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration that these agencies be examined by standing committees of the Senate in the context of scrutiny of annual reports and not by estimates committees. 16 Senator Beahan, Senate Hansard Estimates Committee F, page F118 17 Ibid RECOMMENDATIONS 35. Estimates Committee F recommends that all of the matters of interest raised in this report be further examined by the Senate. 36. Estimates Committee F recommends that all questions taken on notice before and during the Committee's hearings, as listed in Appendix 1, and not answered before the conclusion of hearings, be further examined by the Senate. 37. Estimates Committee F recommends that the Senate approve, without amendment or request for amendment, expenditure in estimates considered by the Committee. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 38. The Committee takes the opportunity to thank the Minister for Industrial Relations, Senator the Hon. Peter Cook, the Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support, Senator the Hon. Bob Collins, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan, for their assistance during the hearings. The Committee also thanks the officials of the three portfolios for their attendance and cooperation in answering questions, and for providing detailed written responses where sought. Michael Beahan Chairman 397 RESERVATIONS 398 AUSTRALIAN SENATE Senator Mai Colston PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA A C T . 2600 d e p u t y p r e s i d e n t a n d CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES x TEL. (06) 277 3100 X C A Y 1 7 7 7AC1A FAX (06) 277 3694 13 S e p te m b e r 1991 Mr D e re k A b b o tt S e c r e t a r y S e n a t e E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e F P a r l i a m e n t H ouse CANBERRA ACT 2600 D e a r Mr A b b o tt By w ay o f a r e s e r v a t i o n t o t h e r e p o r t o f E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e F, I recom m end t h a t t h e S e n a t e f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r s u b p ro g r a m 2 .4 ( A u s t r a l i a n B r o a d c a s t i n g T r i b u n a l ) i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S t a t e m e n t s o f t h e T r a n s p o r t a n d C o m m u n ic a tio n s P o r t f o l i o f o r 1 9 9 1 /9 2 . Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y MAL COLSTON D e p u ty P r e s i d e n t an d C h airm an o f C o m m itte e s 400 P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE John H. Panizza Senator for Western Australia 3rd Floor. Durack Centre. 263 Adelaide Terrace. PERTH W A 6000 Telephone: (09) 325 8449 Facs.rn.le: (09) 325 5943 Telephone: Southern Cross (090) 401080 25 S e p te m b e r 1991 Mr D e rek A b b o tt S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e F The S e n a te P a r l i a m e n t H ouse CANBERRA ACT 2600 Parliament House. CANBERRA A.C.T. 2600 Telephone: (062) 77 3625 D e a r Mr A b b o tt By way o f a r e s e r v a t i o n t o t h e R e p o r t o f E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e F I recom m end t h a t t h e S e n a te f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r : P ro g ra m 4 - L and T r a n s p o r t S u b p ro g ra m 4 . 1 - R oad a n d r a i l p o l i c y d e v e lo p m e n t w i t h r e g a r d t o r o a d f u n d i n g i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S ta t e m e n t o f t h e T r a n s p o r t a n d C o m m u n ic a tio n s p o r t f o l i o f o r 1 9 9 1 /9 2 . Y o u rs s i n c e r e l y J o h n H P a n i z z a S e n a t o r f o r W e s te r n A u s t r a l i a 401 ^ S S S S ^ P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE John H. Panizza Senator for Western Australia 3rd Floor. Durack Centre. 263 Adelaide Terrace. PERTH W A 6000 Telephone: (09) 325 8449 Facsimile: (09) 325 5943 Telephone: Southern Cross (090) 401080 Parliament House. CANBERRA A C T 2600 Telephone: (062) 77 3625 4 O c to b e r 1991 H r D e re k A b b o tt S e c r e t a r y E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e F The S e n a te P a r l i a m e n t H ouse CANBERRA ACT 2600 D e a r Mr A b b o tt I r e f e r t o a q u e s t i o n o n n o t i c e i n E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e F ( r e f e r e n c e S e n a te H a n s a r d 5 S e p te m b e r 1991 p a g e F24) c o n c e r n i n g t h e A u s t r a l i a n Q u a r a n t i n e a n d I n s p e c t i o n S e r v i c e . The a n s w e r was r e c e i v e d i n my o f f i c e o n 3 O c to b e r . I now w ish t o make a r e s e r v a t i o n t o t h e R e p o r t o f E s t i m a t e s C o m m itte e F an d I recom m end t h a t t h e S e n a t e f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r : P ro g ra m 1 - I n d u s t r i e s D e v e lo p m e n t S u b p ro g ra m 1 .1 - L i v e s t o c k a n d p a s t o r a l w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e A u s t r a l i a n Q u a r a n t i n e a n d I n s p e c t i o n S e r v i c e a n d w o r k e r s c o m p e n s a t io n i n t h e P ro g ra m P e r f o r m a n c e S ta te m e n t o f t h e P r im a r y I n d u s t r i e s a n d E n e rg y p o r t f o l i o f o r 1 9 9 1 /9 2 . Y ours s i n c e r e l y C f '<â ·â < Jo h n H P a n i z z a S e n a t o r f o r W e s te rn A u s t r a l i a 402 P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE SENATOR CHERYL KERNOT Australian Democrat Senator for Queensland October 8, 1991 Derek Abbott By way of reservation to the report of Estimates Committee F, I recommend that the Senate further consider programs and sub-programs in the Program Performance Statements 1990-1991 and 1991-1992, Transport and Communications Portfolios. 1. Aviation 1.6 Civil Aviation Authority 2. Broadcasting 2.5 Broadcast Operations 6. Corporate Direction and Support 6.3 Research Yours sincerely Senator Cheryl Kernot Australian Democrats I45 Melbourne Street. South Brisbane. Qld 4I0I Telephone: 07-844 8I55 Facsimile: 07-844 367I Pan-ament House. Canberra. ACT 2600 Telephone: 06-277 3745 Facsimile: 0 6 -2 7 7 3315 > Ϊ J P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A · THE SENATE SENATOR GRANT TAMBLING S E N A T O R F O R T H E N O R T H E R N TER RITO R Y S H A D O W M IN ISTER F O R R E G IO N A L D E V ELO PM EN T. EX TERN A L TER RITO R IES A N D N O R T H E R N AUSTRALIA POSTAL ADDRESS CANBERRA OFFICE DEPUTY LEADER G P O BO X 4196 PARLIAMENT H O U SE IN THE SENATE - D A R W IN . N T 0801 TELEPHONE (0 6 ) 2 7 7 3 4 3 6 NATIONAL PARTY AUSTRALIA FACSIMILE (0 6 ) 2 7 7 3 7 0 4 OF AUSTRALIA NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNTRY LIBERAL PARTY D A R W IN OFFICE 3 /8 0 THE ESPLANADE. D A RW IN TELEPHONE (0 8 9 ) 813567 FACSIMILE (0 8 9 ) 813022 Secretary Estimates Committee F Parliament House CANBERRA 2600 Dear Sir By way of reservation I recommend that the following be the subject of further debate in the Senate: Primary Industry and Energy Program 2.1 - Natural R esource M anagem ent - North Australia future developm ent conference Oct/Nov 1991. (H ansard 5/09/91 - F62) Program 2.3 - Q uarantine an d Inspection - Development of Tropical Horticulture. (H ansard 5/09/91 - F72) Program 4.1 - Corporate Policy - G overnm ent response to the Alice Springs Transport Conference. Transport and Communications Program 1.5 - Federal Airports C orporation - Relocation of general aviation operators, Darwin. (Hansard 10/09/91 - F109) Program 4.1 - Road and Rail Policy Development - Commitment to Victoria Highway. Yours sincerely GRANT TAMBUNG /SENATO R FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY 8 October 1991 404 P A R L I A M E N T O F A U S T R A L I A T H E S E N A T E SENATOR WINSTON CRANE Mr Derek Abbott Secretary - Estimates Committee "F" Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 S T A T E E L E C T O R A L O F F I C E 8 9 0 A LB A N Y H IG H W A Y P.O . BOX 1041 E A S T V IC T O R IA P A R K W A. 6101 TEL: (0 9 ) 4 7 0 4 4 4 2 lOOSl 1 9 3 3 9 7 FAX: 109) 4 7 0 4 5 3 7 C A N B E R R A O F F I C E : S G 117 P A R L IA M E N T H O U S E C A N B E R R A A C T . 2 6 0 0 T E L 106) 2 7 7 3 8 4 5 FAX: (0 6 ) 2 7 7 3 8 4 9 Dear Mr Abbott, By way of reservation to the report of Estimates Committee F, I recommend that the Senate further consider: DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Program 1 - Industrial Relations Wages, Incomes and Labour Market Development sub-program 1.3 Special Industry Services sub-program 1.7 Australian Trade Union Training Authority DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS: Program 1 - Aviation sub-program 1.5 Federal Airports Corporation sub-program 1.6 Civil Aviation Authority Program 2 - Broadcasting sub-program 2.1 Broadcasting Policy sub-program 2.2 Australian Broadcasting Corporation sub-program 2.3 Special Broadcasting Service Program 3 - Communications sub-program 3.5 Australian Postal Corporation sub-program 3.7 Radio Communications Policy and Operations LIBER AL SENATO R FOR WESTERN AU STR ALIA Program 4 - Land Transport sub-program 4.1 Road and Rail Policy Development Program 5 - Maritime sub-program 5.1 Maritime Policy sub-program 5.3 Waterfront Industry Reform Authority sub-program 5.4 Shipping Industry Reform Authority Program 6 - Corporate Direction and Support sub-program 6.3 Research DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND ENERGY Program 1 - Industries Development sub-program 1.1 Livestock and pastoral sub-program 1.2 Crops sub-program 2.1 Natural Resource Management sub-program 2.2 Rural Adjustment and Services sub-program 2.3 Quarantine and Inspection sub-program 4.1 Corporate Policy in the Progress Performance Statements of the above mentioned Departments. Yours sincerely, SENATOR WINSTON CRANE 406 407 LIST OF QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE BY PORTFOLIO OFFICERS BEFORE A N D DURING THE HEARINGS 408 SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE BY DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS BEFORE AND DURING THE HEARINGS Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Remarks Department of Industrial Reiations Questions placed on notice prior to hearings Short Approved grants to trade unions or community groups in 1990/91 - name of trade union or community group who received funds - amount of grant - purpose of grant - under what program was grant made - was any contribution made by the trade union or community group towards the project and what amounts were involved Short Outstanding acquittals for grants made in 1990/91 - name of organisation - sum involved - date of grant 20.08.91/F84 2.10.91 3.10.91 see Additional Information VoL2 20.08.91/F84 2.10.91 3.10.91 Senator Subject Short Research studies and/or opinion polls commissioned for 1990/91 - subject of research study or opinion poll - sum involved - period of research study or opinion poll - who conducted research study or opinion poll - were projects subject to tendering process. If yes, how many tenderers were there. If no, how were the successful agencies chosen Short Advertising or promotional projects the Department or any of its Statutory Authorities has undertaken during the financial year - list of In each case: - what was the subject - what was the cost and period involved - who conducted the campaign - did the Department or Statutory Authority seek the advice or assistance of the Office of Government Information and Advertising of the campaign, and if so, what advice or assistance was given - was the campaign subject to a tendering process. If yes, how many tenderers were there. If no, how was the successful agency chosen. Short Publications, videos or television advertisements produced in 1990/91 - how many copies of these were produced - at what cost in relation to each Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received 20.08.91/F85 2.10.91 20.08.91/F85 2.10.91 20.08.91/F85 2.10.91 Provided to Senator 3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoL2 410 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Remarks Short Parer Parer Parer Were any campaigns undertaken by the Department to direct mail to relevant target groups in 1990/91. If so, what material was distributed, at what cost and how many direct mail items were involved. 20.08.91/F85 2.10.91 How much did the Department or Statutory Authorities within the portfolio spend on external printing and/or print services in 1990-91? Of this total, how much was: - contracted to and supplied by the AGPS - contracted through the AOPS to the private sector - contracted direct to the private sector. 4.09.91/F84 2.10.91 How much does the Department expect to spend on external printing and/or print services in 1991-92 4.09.91/F84 2.10.91 Does the Department maintain any internal printing capacity (including photocopying facilities)? If so please detail: - the number of photocopy or similar machines and the number of sheets printed by these machines during 1990-91 - the number of offset printing presses and the number of sheets printed by these machines during 1990-91 - the number of staff/staff years allocated to internal printing services in the Department 3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91 see Additional Information VoL2 4.09.91/F84 2.10.91 3.10.91 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Hansard Page Answer Received Provided to Senator Parer If the Department maintains in-house printing facilities, is the Department aware of Finance Direction 25F? If so, has the Department undertaken any evaluation of the full cost of maintaining those in-house facililties? If so, what were the results? 4.09.91/F84 2.10.91 3.10.91 General Questions Taken on Notice at bearing Chapman Corrective action taken in respect of matters raised in Auditor-General's Report No.22 1990-91 5.09.91/F4 2.10.91 3.10.91 Kemp Union officials - policy of Department, associated enterprises, agencies and other organisations regarding payments to employees who are union officials when they are working on behalf of the union - employees on Department's payroll who are full time union officials: names, job classifications and salaries - employees on Department's payroll who are part time union officials: names, job classifications and salaries - total cost to the Department and associated enterprises and agencies of these employees 10.09.91/F247 2.10.91 3.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoL2 F ----------------------------------------------------------------- Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Program 1 - Industrial Relations Wages, Incomes and Labour Market Development Sub-program 1.1: Policy development and advice Crane Receipts credited under section 35 of the Audit Act - why enormous difference between the estimates and expenditure for financial years 1990-91 and 1991-92 5.09.91/F5 2.10.91 3.10.91 Sub-program 1.3: Special industry services Crane Waterfront reform program - number of enterprise agreements 5.09.91/F8 2.10.91 3.10.91 Sub-program 1.5: Australian Industrial Relations Commission and the Australian Industrial Registry Chapman Implementation of Auditor-General's recommendations re computer-based assets register and a system of valuation and recording of inventories 5.09.91/F11 Sub-program 1.6: National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (Worksafc Australia) Crane Grants to other organisations for training of managers 5.09.91/F10 2.10.91 3.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoL2 see Additional information VoL2 see Additional Information VoL2 413 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Chapman Program 2 - Australian Government Employment: Remuneration, Structures and Conditions Sub-program 24: Commission for the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation o f Commonwealth Employees (COMCARE) Reducing number of work related injuries - details of numbers 5.09.91/F16 Chapman Program 3 - Corporate Management and Support Sub-program 33: Policy coordination and communication Transfer between programs - movements, offsets 5.09.91/F17 Crane Transfer between programs - staff numbers and other details - percentage increase in estimates, outlays - total percentage increase for programs 1,2 and 3 - dollar shifts 5.09.91/F18 Crane Sub program 3.4: Corporate Services Reduction in costs 5.09.91/F19 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91 3.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoL2 Senator Short Short Short Department o f Primary Industries and Energy Questions Placed on Notice prior to hearing Approved grants to trade unions or community groups in 1990/91 - name of trade union or community group who received funds - amount of grant - purpose of grant - under what program was grant made - was any contribution made by the trade union or community group towards the project and what amounts were involved 20.08.91/F84 1.10.91 Outstanding acquittals for grants made in 1990/91 - name of organisation - sum involved - date of grant 20.08.91/F84 1.10.91 Research studies and/or opinion polls commissioned for 1990/91 - subject of research study or opinion poll - sum involved - period of research study or opinion poll - who conducted research study or opinion poll - were projects subject to tendering process. If yes, how many tenderers were there. If no, how were the successful agencies chosen 20.08.91/F85 1.10.91 Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoLl Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Remarks Short Advertising or promotional projects the Department or any of its Statutory Authorities has undertaken during the financial year - list of In each case: - what was the subject - what was the cost and period involved - who conducted the campaign - did the Department or Statutory Authority seek the advice or assistance of the Office of Government Information and Advertising of the campaign, and if so, what advice or assistance was given - was the campaign subject to a tendering process. If yes, how many tenderers were there. If no, how was the successful agency chosen. 20.08.91/F85 1.10.91 2.10.91 Short Publications, videos or television advertisements produced in 1990/91 - how many copies of these were produced - at what cost in relation to each 20.08.91/F85 1.10.91 2.10.91 Short Were any campaigns undertaken by the Department to direct mail to relevant target groups in 1990/91. If so, what material was distributed, at what cost and how many direct mail items were involved. see Additional Information VoLl 20.08.91/F85 1.10.91 2.10.91 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Hansard Page Answer Received Parer How much did the Department or Statutory Authorities within the portfolio spend on external printing and/or print services in 1990-91? Of this total, how much was: - contracted to and supplied by the AGPS - contracted through the AGPS to the private sector - contracted direct to the private sector. 4.09.91/F84 1.10.91 Rarer How much does the Department expect to spend on external printing and/or print services in 1991-91? 4.09.91/F84 1.10.91 Parer Does the Department maintain any internal printing capacity (including photocopying facilities)? If so please detail: - the number of photocopy or similar machines and the number of sheets printed by these machines during 1990-91 - the number of offset printing presses and the number of sheets printed by these machines during 1990-91 - the number of staff/staff years allocated to internal printing services in the Department 4.09.91/F84 1.10.91 Parer If the Department maintains in-house printing facilities, is the Department aware of Finance Direction 25F? If so, has the Department undertaken any evaluation of the full cost of maintaining those in-house facililties? If so, what were the results? 4.09.91/F84 1.10.91 Provided to Senator 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoLl General Questions Taken on Notice at hearing Senator Subject Panizza Policy on export controls - statement in respect of each commodity including radioactive waste management Crane Total proportion of 1989/90, 1990/91 and 1991/92 Budgets that have been sourced by industry funds Crane Have any industry funds been 'seen to be' Commonwealth funds Crane Have any industry funds been used to fund departmental (or other Commonwealth bodies) people to attend meetings, sit on boards, conduct a particular service and so on? Kemp Union officials - policy of Department, associated enterprises, agencies and other organisations regarding payments to employees who are union officials when they are working on behalf of the union - employees on Department's payroll who are full time union officials: names, job classifications and salaries - employees on Department's payroll who are part time union officials: names, job classifications and salaries - total cost to the Department and associated enterprises and agencies of these employees 5.09.91/F23 1.10.91 5.09.91/F86 5.09.91/F86 5.09.91/F86 Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received 10.09.91/F247 Provided to Senator 2.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoLl 1.10.91 2.10.91 see Additional Information VoLl Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Panizza Program 1 - Industries Development Sub-program LI: Livestock and pastoral Number of meat inspectors presently on workers compensation 5.09.91/F24 1.10.91 Crane Beef production levy under the AMLC and the Meat Corporation Act - reason for reductions in estimations for financial year 1991-92, provide detail 5.09.91/F25 1.10.91 Crane Cattle Export Charge Act 1990, cattle transaction levy and revenue from interest on moneys from the BTEC program - increase in revenue: explanation of the relativities and shifting between these 5.09.91/F26 1.10.91 Crane Cattle transaction levy - points in sales chain where tax is now falling - impact on different industries - which industries are paying for changed arrangements 5.09.91/F27 1.10.91 Crane Reason for increase in the Commonwealth's contribution under the Meat Research Corporation Act 1985 5.09.91/F27 1.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 Archer Embargo on cheese imported from the United States of America 5.09.91/F30 1.10.91 2.10.91 Crane Exotic animal disease prepardesness - projects initiated during the year 5.09.91/F32 1.10.91 2.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoLl 419 Senator Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Remarks Crane Recommendations aimed at improvements in abattoir operations: copy of 5.09.91ZF32 1.10.91 2.10.91 Sub program 1.2: Crops Panizza Crop program - consultants 5.09.91/F33 1.10.91 2.10.91 Sub-program 1.3: Fisheries Archer Discrepancy between expenditure in 1991 as set out in the Program Performance Statements and that shown in the draft annual report 5.09.91/F43 1.10.91 2.10.91 Archer Research program - exact cost (details) 5.09.91/F47 Archer' Fish ageing facility, Victoria - progress 5.09.91/F48 1.10.91 2.10.91 Archer Additional arrangements and approvals granted to facilitate harvesting of trepang at Groote Eylandt 5.09.91/F52 1.10.91 2.10.91 Panizza Protection of Western Australia's silver-lipped oyster: study, legislation 5.09.91/F52 1.10.91 2.10.91 Sub program 1.5: Coal and minerals Tambling Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act - timetable for achieving legislative amendments to the Act 5.09.91/F57 1.10.91 2.10.91 see Additional Information Volt f Beahan Minerals (Submerged Lands) Act - redrafting in plain English: is this based on Victorian guidelines 5.09.91/F60 1.10.91 2.10.91 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Tambling Program 2 - Industry Support Services Sub-program 2.1: Natural resource management Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre - level of financial support for 1990-91 and 1991-92 - research projects funded to other institutions: funding for and comparisons with previous years 5.09.91/F61-62 1.10.91 Tambling North Australian Future Development Workshop - relationship between the proposals for this workshop and the work that has been commissioned by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Northern Australia, and associated studies being conducted at James Cook University - duplication between the workshop and the studies conducted at James Cook University 5.09.91/F63 1.10.91 Crane National afforestation program - names of organisations receiving grants and how much each receives 5.09.91/F64 1.10.91 Tambling Sub-program 23: Quarantine and inspection Department's response to the recommendations arising out of the Review o f Post-Entry Plant Quarantine Facilities in the Northern Territory 5.09.91/F72 1.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoLl 421 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Hansard Page Answer Received Crane Explanation for 'miscellaneous' in estimates 5.09.91/F79 1.10.91 Crane Total expenditure and revenue received from levies by AQIS on a State by State basis 5.09.91/F80 1.10.91 Crane Auditor-General's Report - action taken on matters referred to the Department - quarantine and inspection sub-program: difference in expenditure and revenue, - cross-subsidisation occurring between States 5.09.91/F80 1.10.91 Tambling Meat inspectors located in towns that no longer have abattoirs - number offered relocation assistance - number who refused relocation assistance or to transfer - inspectors recruited since abattoir closures and to what areas have they been assigned 5.09.91/F85-86 1.10.91 Panizza AQIS link with Austrade - liaison between the two organisations - do the two services overlap 5.09.91/F85 1.10.91 Program 3 - Research and Assessment Sub-program 3.1: Geoscience and Resource Assessment Panizza Nature of building requiring an allocation for construction of departmental facilities 5.09.91/F85 1.10.91 Panizza Scope for increasing number of services for which customers are charged 5.09.91/F85 1.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 Provided to Senator 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 see Additional Information VoLl Remarks f ----------------------------------------------- Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page ReceivedProvided to Senator Sub-program 33: Rural research Archer Auslralian animal health information system - details of the six animal diseases to be used during pilot program 5.09.91/F82 1.10.91 Program 4 - Corporate Management and Policy Sub-program 4.1: Corporate policy Tambling Alice Springs Road Transport Conference of March 1991 - Government response to the recommendations - when will response be tabled in Parliament - what initiatives are included in 1991-92 Budget 5.09.91/F86 1.10.91 Tambling Consultants - expenditure for 1990-91 and 1991-92 5.09.91/F86 1.10.91 Crane Sustainable development working groups - members of those groups - members who have received financial assistance 5.09.91/F84 1.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 2.10.91 Remarks see Additional Information VoLl 423 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Department of Transport and Communica'hons Questions Placed on Notice prior to bearings Short Approved grams to trade unions or community groups in 1990/91 - name of trade union or community group who received funds - amount of grant - purpose of grant - under what program was grant made - was any contribution made by the trade union or community group towards the project and what amounts were involved 20.08.91/F84 Short Outstanding acquittals for grants made in 1990/91 - name of organisation - sum involved - date of grant 20.08.91/F84 Short Research studies and/or opinion polls commissioned for 1990/91 - subject of research study or opinion poll - sum involved - period of research study or opinion poll - who conducted research study or opinion poll - were projects subject to tendering process. If yes, how many tenderers were there. If no, how were the successful agencies chosen 20.08.91/F85 Remarks E ----- Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Short Advertising or promotional projects the Department or any of its Statutory Authorities has undertaken during the financial year - list of In each case: - what was the subject - what was the cost and period involved - who conducted the campaign - did the Department or Statutory Authority seek the advice or assistance of the Office of Government Information and Advertising of the campaign, and if so, what advice or assistance was given - was the campaign subject to a tendering process. If yes, how many tenderers were there. If no, how was the successful agency chosen. 20.08.91/F85 Short Publications, videos or television advertisements produced in 1990/91 - how many copies of these were produced - at what cost in relation to each 20.08.91/F85 Short Were any campaigns undertaken by the Department to direct mail to relevant target groups in 1990/91. If so, what material was distributed, at what cost and how many direct mail items were involved. 20.08.91/F85 Remarks 425 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Parer How much did lhe Department or Statutory Authorities within the portfolio spend on external printing and/or print services in 1990-91? Of this total, how much was: - contracted to and supplied by the AG PS - contracted through the AGPS to the private sector - contracted direct to the private sector. 4.09.91/F84 Parer How much does the Department expect to spend on external printing and/or print services in 1991-91? 4.09.91/F84 Parer Does the Department maintain any internal printing capacity (including photocopying facilities)? If so please detail: - the number of photocopy or similar machines and the number of sheets printed by these machines during 1990-91 - the number of offset printing presses and the number of sheets printed by these machines during 1990-91 - the number of staff/staff years allocated to internal printing services in the Department 4.09.91/F84 Parer If the Department maintains in-house printing facilities, is the Department aware of Finance Direction 25F? If so, has the Department undertaken any evaluation of the full cost of maintaining those in-house facililties? If so, what were the results? 4.09.91/F84 Remarks 426 t--------- Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page ReceivedProvided to Senator Short Short Kemp How much did the ABC receive in 1990/91 from payments by external organisations for it to televise particular programs? 5.09.91/F85 Does RAGE receive any funding from external sources in 1990/91? If so, from whom, and how much. Are there any conditions imposed by external organisations on the content or format of the program? 5.09.91/F85 Questions Taken on Notice at the hearings General Questions Union officials - policy of Department, associated enterprises, agencies and other organisations regarding payments to employees who are union officials when they are working on behalf of the union - employees on Department's payroll who are full time union officials: names, job classifications and salaries - employees on Department's payroll who are part time union officials: names, job classifications and salaries - total cost to the Department and associated enterprises and agencies of these employees 10.09.91/F247 Remarks 427 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Panizza Administrative Arrangements - break-down by month of administrative expenditures for the Department and for the Land Transport programs: officer travel, office furniture, office equipment, etc 12.09.91/F251 Program 1 - Aviation Sub-program U : Federal Airports Corporation Bishop Bankstown Airport - action taken in response to a complaint concerning the condition of the taxiway surfaces on southern side of aerodrome 10.09.91/F92,115 - Sewer line: northern and southern side, if none whether received requests; construction of line along Tower Road 10.09.91/F93,97 - budgeted expenditure for capital works 10.09.91/F95 - FAC action in response to air safety incident reports 10.09.91/F99 - undertaking to install cat's eyes to aid direction on southern side taxiways 10.09.91/F114 - gait charges 10.09.91/F114 - current method of repairing potholes on southern side 10.09.91/F115 Bishop Crane Budgeted expenditure for capital works at Tullamarine Airport 10.09.91/F95 List of airports where parking fees are charged 10.09.91/F106 Remarks 428 Tambling Tambling Tambling Tambling Sherry Bishop Senator Subject New terminals at Darwin and Alice Springs Airports - schedule of dates when concessions signed - schedule of the names of tenants and tenancies and the status of those leases signed and not signed - delay in opening new terminals: cost to FAC for compensation to concessionaires Darwin Airport - general aviation facilities: extra charges for new lease sites on northern side, schedule of comparisons between charges for present and new sites 10.09.91/Fill Consultancy of Dr Jean Battersby - remuneration and basis of engagement 10.09.91/Fill Annual appropriation for the acquisition of art for 1990-91 and 1991-92 10.09.91/F111 Profitability of the international terminal facility at Hobart Airport vis-a-vis the international terminal facilities at other FAC airports 10.09.91/F112 Percentage of total national business that is done at duty free airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide 10.09.91/F116 10.09.91/F106 10.09.91/F107 10.09.91/F109 Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Bishop Copy of current RFT Remarks 10.09.91/FI 18 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Boswell Kernot Tambling Sub-pmgram 1.6: Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft placed into a holding pattern - number of delays caused by traffic controllers for last two months 10.09.91/FI 19,120 - cost incurred by the various airlines 10.09.91/F120 Denial of redundancy payments for some Commonwealth employees with previous ADF service: reason for policy 10.09.91/F121 ABC FM and Radio National services for Alice Springs - working parties CAA has been involved in to finalise the establishment of these facilities 10.09.91/F122 Tambling CAA owned residential housing - policy and basis for disposal 10.09.91/F124 - number of residential properties in each State, the value of those properties and the valuation basis on which they were offered for sale to employees 10.09.91/F124 - consultations with Defence re disposal 10.09.91/F124 - employee purchase of two properties within 12 months or two years: amounts paid by the CAA in respect of property dealings for the last two financial years 10.09.91/F125 Remarks \ ---------------------------------------------- Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page ReceivedProvided to SenatorTambling Schacht Crane Bishop Control of air movements associated with Kakadu National Park - are proposed rules consistent with any other national parks in Australia - representations from and consultations with Aboriginal interests - who makes final decision - summissions for other parks TAATs tendering process - prime contractor; Australian Air navigation charges for a 5,000-kilogram turbo-prop aircraft Terrestrial microwave transmission network connecting Melbourne with Brisbane - CAA’s management of the network - cost effectiveness of the network 10.09.91/F126 10.09.91/F127 10.09.91/F127 10.09.91/FI 27 10.09.91/F130 10.09.91/F143 10.09.91/F198 Bishop Two Centre' project - use of satellite instead of the microwave network or the national voice/data network - why possible use of the national voice/data network was ignored by the project group - design of communications aspects so the delay introduced by satellite transmission will not impact on the quality of the many communication circuits - has the communication architecture been designed to prevent the use of more than one satellite link 10.09.91/F198 Remarks 431 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Remarks Hansard Page Received to Senator Bishop Two Centre' project (continued) - has recently issued tender described the existing a) national voice/data network, b) terrestrial microwave network, c) existing investment in Digital computer equipment and/or d) existing investment in PABX systems 10.09.91/F198 Bishop Re-organisation of CAA why was the opportunity to integrate the management of all communications services not pursued during the re-organisation CAA's recognition of the potential to save costs with integration Management's recognition of the additional costs incurred by operating these separate networks to maintain a separation of operational and other communications 10.09.91/F198 Chief Executive's awareness of and visits to the centre Chief Executive's awareness of the representations made by this group to the Two Centre project team and that the project team won't even consider using the national voice/data network 10.09.91/F198 Bishop Group Computer Network (GCN) Bishop Chairman's awareness of any of the issues raised in the questions shown above and found on Hansard page F198 10.90.91/F198 432 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Hansard Page Answer Received Program 2 - Broadcasting Sub-program Z l: Broadcasting policy Panizza Recommendations of the Price Waterhouse Urwick Report, Future Management o f Commonwealth Transmitting, November 1990 - if recommendations rejected, is there any plan to alter the present management arrangements of the transmitting facilities - is there any plan to open to competitive tender the contracts for the design and maintenance of the facilities 10.09.91/F199 Panizza Principles underlying the exemption of the ABC and SBS from the efficiency dividend 10.09.91/F200 Sub-program ZZ· Australian Broadcasting Corporation Bishop List of Canberra based staff, the positions and cost 10.09.91/F147 Bishop Co-production cost to broadcast sport - list of those that have gone to air - percentage the sport concerned had to pay of the total cost of putting it to air 10.09.9t/F153 10.09.91/F153 Panizza List of regions to be visited by the ABC orchestras 10.09.91/F155 Panizza Crane Broome Aboriginal Radio - ABC's involvement - future assistance by the ABC: philosophy, principle and commitment 10.09.91/F155 10.09.91/F157 Panizza Cuts in estimates: percentage changes 10.09.91/F157 Provided to Senator Remarks f Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Tambling List of programs that affect regional and rural Australia that have had to be altered in this year's programming 10.09.91/F158 Tambling ABC FM Stereo and Radio National transmission facilities in Alice Springs - date become operational 10.09.91/F160 Tambling ABC residential housing - basis for determining valuations and why not using current valuations as at date of application to purchase the properly 10.09.91/F160 - Australian Valuation Office advice on valuation - number of residential properties in each 10.09.91/F161 State, the value of those properties, dates on which sold, the valuation used to calculate those sale prices and the dates on which each valuation was adopted 10.09.91/F161 - special assistance for housing provided to ABC employees when move to a new post or relocated - consultations with Defence Housing 10.09.91/F161 Authority re disposal of properties in the Northern Territory 10.09.91/F161 Crane Further information on 'other specialist programs' 10.09.91/F164 Sherry Breakdown of figures from diary surveys in Hobart 10.09.91/F164 Sherry Details of the audience that is reached by Radio Australia 10.09.91/F165 Bishop Ultimo property: financial arrangements 10.09.91/F166 Bishop Complaint concerning an interview on the 7.30 Report - action taken 10.09.91/F168 Provided to Senator Remarks 434 Senator Subject Bishop Panizza Panizza Panizza Panizza Panizza Plagiarism by electronic media journalists Basis for General Managers prediction of a fall in revenue for 1991-92 amd what is the expected revenue Details of costs of raising the $59.1 gross revenue generated in 1990-91 and the costs of the gross revenued to be raised in 1991-92 ABC marketing - current financial status - gross takings for 1990-91 - profit for FY 1990-91 - amount of advertising time allocated - number of personnel employed in marketing division - number of those personnel employed in ABC shops Explanation for statement that the ABC paid 'the equivalent of a 3% annual dividend to the Government' Explanation of how the expansion of transmitters (for ABC FM stereo, Radio National, regional radio and ABC TV) relates to increases in productivity 10.09.91/F169 10.09.91/F198 10.09.91/F198.199 Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received 10.09.91/F199 10.09.91/F199 10.09.91/F199 Panizza Commonwealth Transmitting Stations - does the ABC believe it should have an ownership or management role in these stations - if so, what savings, if any, does the ABC envisage could be made to the budget outlays of S76.8m in 1991-92 and in following years of these stations 10.09.91/F199 Provided to Senator Remarks Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Remarks Hansard Page Received to Senator Panizza ABC's new radio and orchestra construction at the Southbank site in Melbourne - current status - how much has been spent on site, including plans, etc - nature of special assistance promised by the Government - who will move to the new site - will facility accommodate all existing staff 10.09.91/F199 - has entire program budget of the eight Radio Australia sections been taken from program production and allocated to a new marketing division, if so, why and, if so, expected impact on programs - could same restraints be applied to other divisions in the ABC - will the program budgets be restored in the next financial year - what does marketing division expect to market - number of personnel employed in marketing 10.09.91/F199 - head of marketing: details of his experience - budget for Radio Australia marketing in 1991-92; anticipated revenue and will this revenue be returned to program divisions - does funding for programs constitute 'sponsorship' and could the programs be compromised by funding - details of Cabinet Statement reducing the status of expatriate Australians in the Radio Australia target priorities; who advised Cabinet on this decision; how are Radio Australia target priorities determined 10.09.91/F200 Panizza Radio Australia Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Hansard Page Answer Received Sub-program 2.3: Special Broadcasting Service Bishop Language programs: list of pluses and minuses in allocation of time 10.09.91/F171 Sub-program Z4: Australian Broadcasting Tribunal Colston Inquiry into Radio Station 4CRB - amendment to FARB submission 10.09.91/F174 Colston Sponsorship guidelines - copy of report by Mr Westerway - copy of options paper by the Department of Transport and Communications 10.09.91/F177 10.09.91/F177 Colston Community broadcast stations - number of - mean and standard deviations on the amount of 10.09.91/F178 community access broadcasts out of the total broadcast time 10.09.91/F178 Colston Copy of the report and minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Gold Coast Christian and Community Broadcast Association 10.09.91/F178 Provided to Senator Sub-program 2.5: Broadcasting operations Kernel National Transmission Network - current value - anticipated expenditure for 1991-92; capital works that will be started during 1991-92 12.09.91/F247 - does a register of national transmitter assets exist, if not, why not Remarks Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Remarks Kernot National Transmission Network (continued) - are the costs of providing services for each user of national facilities and for providing common usage facilities recorded and reported separately - contract relationship with regard to transmitters that will exist when Telecom merges with OTC in 1991; does Department have a commercially viable contractual arrangement with Telecom - accommodation at single or shared national transmitter sites of new telecommunications network carrier or third public mobile licence holder - will second telecommunications carrier build own transmission towers, if so, how many are expected to be erected within the next two to three years. How will sites be planned. - how will these sites fit into the national transmission sites plan if they are built - have the recommendations of the Auditor-General on the planning and management arrangements of the national transmission sites been implemented, if so, how is it to be organised - role of AUSTEL in the regulation of national transmitter sites - effectiveness of the tripartite arrangements in providing and maintaining the national broadcasting networks - have steps been taken to ensure the transfer of ownership of the ABC transmitters to the ABC - will ABC be disadvantaged in using these facilities when the new carrier joins the national transmission network 12.09.91/F248 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Kernel Panizza National Transmission Network (continued) - are funds for operations and maintenance and electricity included in moneys appropriated to SBS - comparison of cost of share facilities at a single site as against a single service at that site; monitoring of comparative categories of service - action taken to prevent degradation of existing services at Radio Australia, ABC and SBS; anticipated capital works for 1991-92; cancellation of services due to poor reception; anticipated transmission/ quality problems in next twelve months for Radio Australia, ABC and SBS 12.09.91/F248 Review of HF band: 3 megahertz to 30 megahertz 12.09.91/F213 Program 3 - Communications Sub-program 3.2: Australian Telecommunications Corporation Tambling Reverse charge calls - list of countries that provide reciprocal arrangements 10.09.91/F185 Remarks Bishop Tambling Senator Panizza BRW corporate ski race - did Telecom enter a team - did Telecom pay for their ski suits, entry fees and accommodation, if so, how much it cost and why Telecom paid 10.09.91/F187 Sub-program 3.5: Australian Postal Corporation Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received AUSTPOST residential housing - policy for the sale of residential housing, particularly in Northern Territory, to employees - basis for determining valuations, are they current - number of residential properties in each State, the value at which sold and the valuation, how that valuation was arrived at - additional subsidies or arrangements to employees if sold or purchased more than one house in a reasonable period of time - consultations with Defence Housing Authority re disposal of properties 10.09.91/F189 10.09.91/F189 10.09.91/F189 10.09.91/F189 10.09.91/F189 Country post offices - how many of the 3,010 post offices would have been agencies all along 10.09.91/F189 - how many bigger post offices turned over to private enterprise in last eight years 10.09.91/F190 Provided to Senator Remarks 440 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Hansard Page Answer Received Bishop Time AUSTPOST advertises il would take to deliver interstate mail from Canberra 10.09.91/F190 Crane Staffing levels for grade 1 and 2 post offices 10.09.91/F191 Crane East Victoria Park post office in Western Australia - claims that it is to be closed down and shifted 10.09.91/F191 Program 4 - Land Transport Sub-program 4.1: Road and rail policy development Crane National Rail Freight Initiative Task Force - terms of reference; report 12.09.91/F214 Panizza List of projects funded in 1990-91 by the: provincial cities and rural highways program; black spots program; and the urban public transport program 12.09.91/F215 Panizza LPG - potential loss to revenue of having LPG exempt - percentage of road use of LPG vehicles 12.09.91/F217 O'Chee National Road Transport Commission - expenditure to dale in preliminary work to set up Commission - date final draft legislation will be shown to the State Premiers - estimated cost of Commission in first year of operation 12.09.91/F219 12.09.91/F220 12.09.91/F220 Provided to Senator Remarks Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Panizza Percentage of tenders for Commonwealth road projects secured by private operators; how much won by State road authorities Panizza Proportion of total maintenance budget of Commonwealth road maintenance tendered out Panizza Amount of concrete road in Australia Tambling Depreciation of cash commitment to Victoria Highway from original commitment for 1991-92 Tambling Road funds - commitment to better cities program - allocation of standard 3% to the Northern Territory Tambling Alice Springs Road Transport Conference - government's response to recommendations - tabling of government response in Parliament - initiatives included in 1991-92 budget Crane/Panizza Sub-program 4.1: Matching Program Objectives with Performance Indicators - how program expected to improve efficiency - performance indicators used to measure effectiveness and efficiency - measurement of the quality of advice provided to the Minister - why road construction costs not used as a performance indicator - problem of congestion in relation to the program objective of reducing vehicle operating costs 12.09.91/F222,250 12.09.91/F222.250 12.09.91/F224 12.09.91/F248 12.09.91/F249 12.09.91/F249 12.09.91/F249 Remarks Crane/Panizza Sub-program 4.1 (Continued) - guarantee from road construction authorities on quality of road - guarantee period from road construction authorities in proposed quality assurance systems - trend rate of road accidents and serious injury in areas with purported higher quality roads; is it lower than national average trend (all measures) 12.09.91/F249 Crane/Panizza Road Funding - will any funds earmarked for roads in the Budget go into rail - acutual amount of money spent on roads (capital and recurrent, not research) in 1990-91 - estimated actual amount of money to go to roads in 1991-92 12.09.91/F249.250 Crane/Panizza Reconciliation of local 'roads' funding: Budget Paper No 4 $344.6m Table 35; $315.6m Table 21; and Budget Paper No 1 Tables 9A1.1 and 9A.4 $355m 12.09.91/F249.250 Panizza Fully-operational quality management systems - what is involved with development - operational dates - savings expected from implementation 12.09.91/F249.250 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Remarks 443 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Remarks Hansard Page Received to Senator Panizza Commonwealth Road construction - dollar term figures for tenders for road construction for each State - proportion of total road maintenance budget that is won by other Government agencies; dollar term figures for each State - savings made by tendering projects - does Federal department design and supervise all road construction projects, if not, who does - differences in labour costs between projects done by day labour forces and those contracted to private operators - cost of road construction and maintenance in different areas of Australia (typical costs) - proportion of total costs of road construction and road repairs and maintenance for: labour, plant and equipment, pavement materials (type and durability), government charges/taxes, interest payments, and R & D 12.0 9 .9 1 /F2 5 0 Sub-program 4.2: Road safety Panizza Child restraints: wearing rates 12.09.91/F226 Panizza Number of child fatalities in last couple of years 12.09.91/F226 Panizza Number of approvals given for importers of second-hand vehicles 12.09.91/F229 444 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Sub-program 43: Australian National Railways Commission Tambling Panizza Panizza Panizza National freight initiative - target set for each terminal to meet in order to perform properly National Rail Corporation - source of funds (how much each year) - absence of rail users on proposed Board Country Passenger Services - is AN going to maintain these services - which ones - subsidy to each service Tasrail - any work done on the effect of the sale of Tasrail to the private sector or employees, if so, what were the findings, if not, why not 10.09.91/F195 10.09.91/F200 10.09.91/F200 10.09.91/F200 Program 5 - Maritime Sub-program 5.1: Maritime policy Crane Copy of the terms of reference of the Commonwealth-State working party to evaluate The National Plan to Combat the Pollution of the Sea by Oil' 12.09.91/F235 Remarks Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Hansard Page Received to Senator Sub-program S3: Waterfront Industry Reform Authority Panizza Re-classification of stevedore positions - additional cost per employee: ranges across the broad-banding of groups 12.09.91/F239 Panizza Summary of redundancies achieved 12.09.91/F239 Panizza Summary of specialists recruited 12.09.91/F240 Panizza Idle time payment - total sum paid since the commencement of the waterfront reform process - total payments in 1991 financial year and to end financial year 1990-91 12.09.91/F242 Sub-program 5.4: Shipping Industry Reform Authority Panizza Variations between the award and conditions for tugs and those for the ANL 12.09.91/F244 Crane Has the PSA report been released, if so, what conclusions can be drawn as the success or otherwise of the two reform packages 12.09.91/F249 Panizza Bass Strait Service - number of container slots per year between Tasmania and the mainland (400,000?) - has it been necessary to supplement ANL capital to balance their accounts as a result of capital costs and operating losses 12.09.91/F251 Remarks 446 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Panizza Bass Strait Service (continued) - what proportion of the trade has ANL achieved with their recent return to the Bass Strait service - is the service, on their occupancy rate, economically viable - capital expenditure required at terminals by ANL to restart (heir service - amount paid by Government or ANL for the completion of recent contracts (Carrington Bale Out) 12.09.91/F251 Panizza Foreign Flag Ships - number declared unsafe under Australian regulations during 1990-91 - number detained under Australian regulations during 1990-91 - reasons they were declared unsafe or detained - percentage of foreign flag ships using Australian waters - percentage of all ships using Australian waters - percentage of all ships declared unsafe or detained - number engaged in trading activities in Australian waters - into what categories, and in what proportions, did their trade fall - number of single voyage permits issued in 1990-91 - number of vessels to which permits issued that were declared unsafe or detained under Australian regulations in 1990-91 - how many of them have ever been declared unsafe or detained under Australian regulations 12.09.91/F251 Remarks 447 Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Provided Remarks Hansard Page Received to Senator Panizza Foreign Flag Ships (continued) - number of single voyage permits refused in 1990-91 - number of these refusals that were for safely reasons - number of continuous voyage permits issued in 1990-91 - number of continuous voyage permits refused in 1990-91 - number of these refusals that were for safety reasons 12.09.91/F251 - If cabotage policy did not apply, what safety regulations would apply to foreign flag ships on the Australian coast, and what would be the average per vessel cost of policing and enforcing them 12.09.91/F252 Program 6 - Corporate Direction and Support Sub-program 6.1: Executive Panizza Effort expended in the preparation of the sale of Australian Airlines and Qantas; consultants 12.09.91/F245 Sub-program 6.2: Management support and advice Panizza Date judgment on damages will be handed down in the Amann case 12.09.91/F246 448 Î Senator Subject Date to Dept./ Answer Hansard Page Received Provided to Senator Remarks Kernel Crane Panizza Sub-program 63: Research Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics (BTCE) - amount spent in 1989-90 and 1990-91 on producing publicity materials to promote services: separate figures for glossy publications brochures, publicity materials, information leaflets, publication lists, advertising material or any other published materials - cost of producing glossy BTCE publications brochure for July 1991 and the research report for 1991-92 - number of people directly employed in promoting BTCE's services to users or prospective customers of the service - number of organisations and individuals on BTCE's mailing and distribution lists 12.09.91/F248 Copy of the Bureau's report on the efficient transportation of export coal 12.09.91/F247 List of consultants used in the last two years 12.09.91/F247 449 450 INDEX TO HANSARD THURSDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1991 TUESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1991 THURSDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1991 452 453 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F HANSARD INDEX Thursday, 5 September 1991 Subject Page INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS PORTFOLIO General Questions Review of COMCARE F3 Timing of Estimates process F3 Draft annual report F3 Valuation of assets F4 Internal audit controls F4 Printing services F84 Grants to trade unions or community groups F84 Advertising or promotional projects F85 Research studies and opinion polls F85 Union officials F247 Program l - Industrial Relations Wages, Incomes and Labour Market Development Sub-program 1.1: Policy development and advice Interests of workers with family responsibilities F4-F5 Receipts credited under section 35 of the Audit Act F5 Sub-program 12: Industrial relations development Federal Award Text Retrieval System F6 Reason for increase in total outlays F6-F7 454 Workplace Reform Consultancy Service r 1 Sub-program 13: Special industry services Stevedoring industry levy - check of company records F7 - collection of levies F7-F8 - enterprise agreements F8 Coal mining industry long service leave fund F8 Sub-program 1.4: Affirmative Action Agency Reports by private sector employers - reports not lodged F8-F9 Sub-program 13: Australian Industrial Relations Commission and Australian Industrial Registry Meat industry inquiry F9 Correction to program performance statements F9 Assets register, valuation and recording of inventories F ll Sub-program 1.6: National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (Worksafe Australia) Grants to the CAI and ACTU F10 Administration of grants F ll Sub-program 1.7: Australian Trade Union Training Authority Executive Council - new representatives F10 - tenure F10 - voluntary or paid positions F10 - number of meetings F10 Weakness in financial controls F10-F11 Program 2 - Australian Government Employment: Remuneration, Structures and Conditions Sub-program 2.1: Australian Public Service Pay and Structures Implementation of Accord Mark VI - productivity targets F12 - implications for Public Service employment F12-F13 - assessment of productivity F13 Sub-program 22: Remuneration and conditions Advice to GBEs and statutory authorities F13-F14 Sub-program 23: Remuneration tribunals Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal - salaries increase F14 Remuneration Tribunal - the link of parliamentary salaries to Public Service salaries F14 Sub-program 24: Commission for the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation o f Commonwealth Employees (COMCARE) Response to Auditor-General's report F15-F16 Objectives and performance measures F15-F16 Administrative costs F16-F17 Cash on hand F17 Program 3 - Corporate Management and Support Sub-program 32: Legal services F17 Sub-program 33: Policy coordination and communication Internal re-structuring F17-F18 Absence of Derivations in program performance statements F19 456 Sub-program 3.4: Corporate services PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND ENERGY PORTFOLIO General Questions Changes to staff and staffing levels F21-F22 Change in objectives F21-F22 Outlays for 1990-91 and 1991-92 F22-F23 Timing of Committee's access to the Program Performance Statements F23 Policy on export controls on primary industry products and radioactive waste management F23 Program performance statements E24 Consultants F24 Travel related expenses F24 Printing services F84 Grants to trade unions or community groups F84 Advertising or promotional projects F85 Research studies and opinion polls F85 proportion of 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1991-92 Budgets sourced by industry funds F86 Union officials F247 Program 1 - Industries Development Sub-program 1.1: Livestock and pastoral Meat inspectors on workers compensation F24 Administrative expenses F24-F25 Reduction in estimates F25 Cattle transaction levy - revenue F25-F26 - complaints F26-F27 - share arrangements between Commonwealth and industry F27 - collection point of levy F27 Meat Research Corporation Act 1985 - Commonwealth contribution F27 Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Trust Account - reduction in payment to account F27 - Victorian situation F27-F28 Tuberculosis and brucellosis program F28 Merino rams and semen export F28 Wool - trade with Soviet Union, Baltics, Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc F29 - support payment scheme F29 Live sheep exports F29-F30 Embargo on cheese imported from the United States F30 Chicken Meat Research and Development Council - funding arrangements F30 Inconsistencies in levies across industries F30-F31 Wool realisation - payment of debt F31-F32, F35-F36 Exotic animal disease preparedness F32 Abattoir operations F32 Interim Wool Policy Council F32 Negotiations with Chinese regarding their import duties on wool F32 458 Sub-program L·2: Crops Salaries and payments F32-F33 Crop program F33 Variations in administrative expenses and revenue F33-F34 Compensation paid to the grain industry in respect of trade sanctions against Iraq F34-F35 Australia's access to Iraqi assets frozen in the USA F35 Investments made by Australian Wheat Board F35 Research by commodities in trust account F36 Australian exports of canned fruits to Canada F37 Plant Variety Rights F41-F42 Bilateral consultations with key countries regarding protectionism F37-F38 Microeconomic reform in wheat industry F38 EFIC F39 Use of generic terms in wine production F30-F40 Department's action to ease burden of recession in rural areas F40 Concessional loan to Letona F40 Membership of international organisations F40-F41 Variations in levies and export charges F41 Australian negotiations with USA regarding their export enhancement program F42 Impact of peas and potatoes imported from New Zealsnd F42 Sub-program 1J: Fisheries Discrepancy in recording of expenditure for 1991 F43 Variation in estimates for 1990-91 and 1991-92 F43 Fisheries resource research F44 Administrative expenses F44 Internal organisation of the Department F44-F45 Number of staff solely engaged in preparation of the new organisation F45 Payments by fishermen as numbers are reduced F45-F46 Maintenance of existing rights in established fisheries F46 Government involvement in exploratory fishing F46 Commercial agreements with operators F46 Task force to examine and recommend structural adjustment on each fishery F46 Contributions to trust fund to match fishing and aquiculture industries F46 Industry contribution to management related research F46 Southern shark and gemfish industies F46 Research program F46-F47 Restriction on fisheries until Christmas F47 Buy-back scheme F47 Tuna and billfish research F47-F48 Fish ageing facility, Victoria F48 Publication of Australian Fisheries F48 Publication of brief details for individual fisheries F48 **uu Australian/Japanese joint tuna fanning project at Port Lincoln F48-F49 Access of foreign fishing interests in the east coast tuna fishery F49 Buy-out of prawn boats in the northern gulf F49 Action taken when quota on gemfish exceeded F51-F52 Objectives F50 Industrial bans by fisheries union F51 Level of staffing F51 National working group on ecologically sustainable development F51 Harvesting of trepang at Groote Eylandt F52 Protection of Western Australia's silver-lipped oyster F52 Sub-program 1.4: Petroleum Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 - reduction in 1991-92 estimate of expenditure F52-F53 Increase in repayments under the Pipeline Authority Act 1973 F53 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation energy project F53 Excise from Jackson and Saladin fields F53-F54 Department supervision of types of ships that deliver oil to Australia F54 Coordination between Federal and State governments to handle potential environmental damage from oil pollution F54-F55 Sub-program 1J>: Coal and minerals Medium or high level radioactive storage depot F55 Storage of low level waste in Western Australia F55 Rehabilitation of former mine sites in the Northern Territory F55-F61 Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act - legislative amendments Three mines policy Redrafting of the Minerals (Submerged Lands) Act Pricing dispute over export controls on bauxite and alumina Program 2 - Industry Support Services Sub-program 2.1: Natural resource management Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre Research projects in the Murray-Darling Basin Proposed environmental protection agency North Australian future development workshop North Australian Development Conference Grants for water resources assessment and research Grants for the national afforestation program Landcare Australia Ltd National soil conservation program Whole or part farm plans Sub-program 2.2: Rural adjustment and services Distribution of funds under the structural adjustment scheme Salaries and payments Rural counselling F57 F57-F60 F60 F60 F61-F62,F68 F62 F62 F62-F63 F63 F63-F64 F64-F66 F66-F67 F67-F68 F68 F69-F70 F70-F71 F71-F72 L 4 b Z Sub-program 13: Quarantine and inspection Post-entry plant quarantine facility in the Northern Territory Importation of cold smoked salmon from New Zealand Salmonoids exported to New Zealand Danger of contamination in imported salmon Consultants' report on AQIS Charges for services Cost of phytosanitary certification for seed samples Program to assist exporters with their quality management system Recovery of costs for weekend service Control of ballast water Contracting of inspection services Percentage of food imported that is inspected by AQIS Payment of loans to Victoria for superannuation arrangements Explanation for 'miscellaneous' in estimates Expenditure and revenue received from levies by AQIS Weakness in financial controls Meat inspectors located in towns that no longer have abattoirs - number offered relocation assistance - number refused relocation assistance or to transfer - inspectors recruited since abattoir closures AQIS link with Austrade Sub-program 14: Energy Administrative expenses F72 F72-F73 F73 F73-F74 F75 F75-F76 F76 F76-F78 F78 F78 F78-F79 F79 F79 F79 F80 F80 F83.F85 F83,F85 F83,F86 F85 F80 F80 Sub-program 2.6: Other industry services Agricultural and veterinary chemical fees Property operating expenses F80-F81 Program 3 - Research and Assessment Sub-program 3.1: Geoscience and Resource Assessment Nature of building requiring an allocation of departmental facilities F85 Scope for increasing number of services for which customers are charged F85 Sub-program 3.2: Agricultural resource economic analysis Independence of ABARE F81-F82 Sub-program 33: Rural research Australian animal health information system program F82 Management of introduced and native wild animals in Australia F82 Representation of wheat yield trends F83-F83 Program 4 - Corporate Management and Policy Sub-program 4.1: Corporate policy Alice Springs Road Transport Conference of March 1991 F83,F86 Consultants F83.F86 Sustainable development working groups F84 Tuesday 10 September 1991 Subject TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS PORTFOLIO General Questions Printing services Grants to trade unions or community groups Advertising or promotional projects Research studies and opinion polls Draft annual report received late or not at all Accountability of off-Budget authorities Program 1 - Aviation Sub-program 1J: Federal Airports Corporation Draft annual report unavailable Bankstown airport - complaints by tenants F90-92, - sewer line - motel development - near-accident involving a helicopter Board meetings Development at Tullamarine Tourist entry to Australia Aircraft parking Aircraft parking/landing fees Profit Cross-subsidy Page F84 F84 F85 F85 F89-F90 F100-F101, FI 18 F90, F97 F96, F98-F100, F114-F115 F93, F97, F107 F93, F97 F98-F99 F94, F101-F102 F95 F96 F98 FI06, F114-F115 F103, F112 F103-F104 ‘iOU Compass Airlines Terminals at Darwin & Alice Springs Consultancy: Dr Jean Battersby Hobart Airport Concessions F104-F106 F109-F111 F ill, F114 F111-F112 F106, F109, F115-F118 Sub-program 1.6: Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft holding patterns F118-F120 Redundancy packages F120-F121 Alice Springs radio F121-F122 Aerodrome licensing F122-F124 Housing owned by the CAA F124-F125 Tamworth airport fire station facility F124 Rules for low-flying aircraft over National Parks F126-F127 TAAT tender process F127-F142 Annual report F142 Dividend F142-F143 Aircraft charges F143-F146 Terrestrial microwave transmission network connecting Melbourne and Brisbane F197 Two Centre' project F198 P r o g r a m 2 - B r o a d c a s t i n g Sub-program 22: Australian Broadcasting Corporation External funding of ABC programs Funding for RAGE Canberra staff Editorial and program policies Co-production with regard to reporting events - reference to sponsors Rights fees ABC orchestras and country visits Broome Aboriginal radio Radio Australia - marketing National/local sport Rural program changes Alice Springs radio Housing - ABC residences in the NT - employee assistance - negotiations with Defence Housing Authority Annual report Australian content on TV Evening audience: TV Development at Southbank (Melbourne) Sydney property Policy on plagiarism F85 F85 F146-F147 F147-F151, F167-F168 F151-F154 F153-F154 F152 F155 F155-F157 F157, F161-F165 F199 F157-F158 F158-F159 F159-F160 F160 F161 F161 F162 F164 F164 F165, F199 F166 F168-F169 Revenue for 1990-91 and 1991-92 F198 ABC marketing F199 Dividend F199 Expansion of transmitters F199 Commonwealth transmitting stations F199 Sub-program 23: Special Broadcasting Service Language programs F169-F171 Soccer rights F171-F172 Northern Territory programs F172 Salaries and administrative expenses F172-F173 Sub-program 24: Australian Broadcasting Tribunal License renewal of 4 CRB (Gold Coast) F185, F187 Residential housing F185 0055 Numbers F185 Program 3 - Communications Sub-program 3.6: Australian Telecommunications Authority Public involvement F187-F188 Sub-program 33: Australian Postal Corporation Residential housing F189 Post office agencies F189-F191 Program 4 - Land Transport Sub-program 43: Australian National Railways Commission National Rail Freight Corporation F191 - commencement date F191 - shareholders' agreement F191-F192 - Board of Directors F192 - location of headquarters F192, FI 96 - terminals' performance F194 - role of AN FI 95 - profitability F197 AN operations F193-F197 Tasmanian rail F196-F197, F200 National Rail Corporation - funds F200 - membership of Board F200 Country passenger services F200 Thursday 12 September 1991 Subject TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS PORTFOLIO General Questions Union officials Administrative expenditure Program 1 - Aviation Sub-program 1.1: Aviation Policy, Security and Infrastructure Aerodrome local ownership plan Airport security Second Sydney airport Sub-program 12: Investigating for safety MU 2s Administrative expenses Program 2 - Broadcasting Sub-program 2.1: Broadcasting policy ABC and SBS exemption from the efficiency dividend Ethnic radio News Service SBS radio reception Training of Aboriginal announcers Page F247 F251 F202-F203 F203-F205 F204 F205-F206 F206-F207 F199 F207-F209 F208 F209 470 Sub-program 2-5: Broadcasting operations Administrative expenses Management of radio transmitters Commonwealth transmission network Program 3 - Communications Sub-program 3.1: Telecommunications policy Second telecommunications carrier selection F211 F209 F199, F210 F247-F248 Sub-program 3.7: Radiocommunications policy and operations Off-budget agancies (OTC and Aussat) F211-F212 Frequency band plans - two-way radio F212 F212-F214 Program 4 - Land Transport Sub-program 4.1: Road and rail policy development National Rail Freight Initiative Task Force F214-F215 National Rail Corporation F215 Australian Land Transport Development Act funding F215, F217 Heavy vehicle charges F215-F218, F220-F221 - effect on regions F218 National Road Transport Commission F216 - regulations for heavy vehicles F216 - location of office F216 - membership F216 - road charging guidelines F216 - volumetric loading F219 - establishment F219-F220 - effect in the Northern Territory F221 Absence of a charge on LPG F216-F217 471 Tenders for Commonwealth road projects F222 Quality management systems F222-F225 Road construction costs F223-F225 Urban public transport funding F225 Cash commitment to the Victoria Highway F248 Allocation of road funds F249 Government's response to recommendations of the Road Transport Conference F249 Roads - program performance indicators F249 - quality F249 - funding F249 - reconciliation of local 'roads' funding F249 - construction and maintenance F250 Quality mangement systems F249-F250 Administrative expenditure F251 Sub-program 4-2: Road safety Child safety campaign F225 Rural drivers F226 Truck driving hours in Western Australia F226-F227 Car theft F227-F228 Air bags F228 Effectiveness of programs F229 Road safety improvement package F230 Young driver training F230-F231 Australian Motocycle Council grant F231-F232 Program 5 - Maritime Sub-program 5.1: Mantime policy Ships (Capital Grants) Act allocation Search and rescue Oil pollution incidents Ship structural strength Sub-program 53: Waterfront Industry Reform Authority Administrative expenses Classification of stevedore positions Waterfront reform program Sub-program 5.4: Shipping Industry Reform Authority Redundancies Award provisions PSA report Bass Strait service Foreign flag ships Program 6 - Corporate Direction and Support Sub-program 6.1: Executive Administrative expenses - staff years Strategic direction of the portfolio F232 F232-F233 F233-F238 F236-F237 F238 F238, F242 F239-F243 F243 F243-F244 F249 F251 F251-F252 F244 F244-F245· F245 Sub-program 6.2: Management support and advice Compensation and legal expenses F245 - Amann case F245-F246 Sub-program 63: Research F246 BTCE advertising materials F248 474 M IN U T E S O F P R O C E E D IN G S 476 477 T H E SE N A T E EST IM A T ES C O M M ITTEE F M IN U T E S O F P R O C E E D IN G S N O . 1 Thursday, 5 Septem ber 1991 1. M EETING : The Committee met in public session at 2.05pm in the Main Committee Room. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair. 2. O P E N IN G ST A T E M E N T B Y C H A IR M A N : The Chairman reported the Resolution of the Senate, dated 22 August 1991, relating to the consideration of particulars of proposed expenditure for 1991-92 and made a statement relating to the procedure to be followed by the Committee in its examination of the Estimates. 3. P A R T IC U L A R S O F PR O P O SE D E X P E N D IT U R E 1991-92: PO R T FO L IO O F IN D U S T R IA L RELATIONS: In attendance: Senator the Hon. Peter Cook, Minister for Industrial Relations. The Minister was accompanied by the following officers: Department of Industrial Relations -Mr R. L. Marshman, Deputy Secretary Mr T. Munyard, Assistant Secretary, Resources Branch Mr B. Yates, First Assistant Secretary, Industrial Relations Policy Division Mr P. Reece, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Industrial Relations Development Division Mr R. Fotheringham, Senior Specialist Mr N. Jacobs, Acting Assistant Secretary, Development Services Branch Mr B. Carton, Assistant Secretary, Awards Management Branch Mr M. Coghlan, First Assistant Secretary, Pay and Structures Division Mr R. Hoy, First Assistant Secretary, Remuneration and Conditions Division Mr R. Stewart-Crompton, First Assistant Secretary, Legal Services Group Ms M. Stanton, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Development Division Mr D. Macdonald, Assistant Secretary, International and Secretariat Branch 478 Affirmative Action Agency: Ms V. Pratt, Director Ms J. Allen Australian Industrial Relations Commission and Australian Industrial Registry: Mr M. Kelly, Executive Director, Corporate Services Mr J. Leydon, Director, Administration National Occupational Health and Safety Commission: Mr L. Strange, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Mr J. Nolan-Neylan, Director, Resource Management Mr F. Maestrelli, Manager, Finance and Services Trade Union Training Authority: Mr P. Drew, National Industry Training Co-ordinator Mr T. Prabhakaran, Manager, Finance Remuneration Tribunals: Mr T. Kenna, Executive Officer Commission for the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation of Commonwealth Employees: Ms J. Neary, Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr R. Knapp, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr P. Pharaoh, General Manager, Finance and Systems Mr P. Skeen, General Manager, Claims Management Department of Finance -Mr G. Hehir, Director, Industrial Relations and Immigration Branch Ms J. Pettit, Senior Finance Officer, Industrial Relations and Immigration Branch The Chairman called on consideration of general items spanning more than one program and then the following Programs requiring Expenditure for consideration by the Committee: Program 1: Industrial Relations Wages, Incomes and Labour Market Developments Program 2: Australian Government Employment: Remuneration, Structures and Conditions Program 3: Corporate Management and Support 479 Division 365-371 (Document A) Division 910-912 (Document B) Together the expenditure in these Programs comprised the following: 4. PA R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O SE D E X P E N D IT U R E 1991-92: PO RTFO LIO O F P R IM A R Y IN D U S T R IE S A N D E N E R G Y : In attendance: the ministerial responsibility was shared between Senator the Hon. Bob Collins, representing the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, and Senator the Hon. Bob McMullan. The Ministers were accompanied by the following officers: Department of Primary Industries and Energy -Mr G.D. Lawless, Executive Director, Corporate Development Mr P.T. Core, Executive Director, Minerals and Fisheries Group Mr B.J. Hill, Executive Director, Agriculture and Forestry Group Mr P. Hunt, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Affairs Division Mr W.G. McGregor, First Assistant Secretary, Livestock and Pastoral Division Mr T. Mackey, First Assistant Secretary, Crops Division Mr B. Wonder, First Assistant Secretary, Land Resources Division Mr M. Holthuyzen, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Policy Division Ms W.L Fisher, Assistant Secretary, Finance Branch Mr S.E. Hearn, Assistant Secretary, Coal and Minerals Division Mr I. Cronshaw, Acting Assistant Secretary, Petroleum Policy Branch, Petroleum Division Mr P.L Webb, Assistant Secretary, Energy Programs Branch, Energy Division Mr R.N. Rawson, Assistant Secretary, Test Site Management Branch Mr R.G. Crick, Assistant Secretary, Uranium and Nuclear Industry Branch, Coal and Minerals Division Mr C. Hughes, Acting Assistant Secretary, Agriculture and Forestry Secretariat Branch Mr G. Hooper, Director, Agriculture and Veterinary Chemicals Mr A. Burdon, Director, Rural Adjustment Section, Agriculture and Forestry Secretariat Branch Mr J. Rhodes, Levies Section, Agriculture and Forestry Secretariat Mr R.N. Gillingham, Manager, Group Support Unit, Minerals and Fisheries Group Mr C. Hyman, Resource Manager, Petroleum Division Bureau of Mineral Resources: Professor R.W.R Rutland, Executive Director Mr J.A. Cahill, Head, Business Management Branch 480 Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics: Dr B.S. Fisher, Executive Director Bureau of Rural Resources: Dr M.J. Williams, Acting Executive Director Mr J. Picot, Manager, Corporate Management Section Australian Fisheries Service: Mr G.C. Gorrie, Director Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service: Mr D.G. Gascoine, Director, Food Inspection and Support Services Mr J. Landos, Director, Quarantine Imports and Exports Division Mr K. Doyle, Senior Assistant Director, Animal Quarantine and Exports Ms D.I. Holmesby, Assistant Director, Financial Management Mr M. Catley, Senior Assistant Director, Plant Quarantine Inspection Australian Plaque Locust Commission: Dr G. Hooper, Director Department of Finance -Mr G. Piko, Director, Rural Section Mr D. Purcell, Director, Environment Projects Section Senator the Hon. Bob Collins, Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support, representing the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, made an introductory statement. The Chairman called on consideration of general items spanning more than one program and then the following Programs requiring Expenditure for consideration by the Committee: Program 1: Industries Development Program 2: Industry Support and Services Program 3: Research and Assessment Program 4: Corporate Management and Policy Together the expenditure in these Programs comprised the following: Division 490-494 (Document A) Division 930-932 (Document B) 481 5. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 12.15am. 6. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Beahan (Chairman), Chapman, Crane, Foreman, Panizza and Sherry. Senators Archer, Boswell, Reid and Tambling also participated in the Committee's proceedings. C O N FIR M E D Michael Beahan Chairman 482 483 THE SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS NO. 2 Tuesday, 10 Septem ber 1991 M EETING: The Committee met in public session at 7.40pm in the Main Committee Room. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair. O P E N IN G ST A T E M E N T B Y C H A IR M A N : The Chairman reported the Resolution of the Senate, dated 22 August 1991, relating to the consideration of particulars of proposed expenditure for 1991-92 and made a statement relating to the procedure to be followed by the Committee in its examination of the Estimates. PA R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O SE D E X P E N D IT U R E 1991-92: PO RTFO LIO O F T R A N S P O R T A N D C O M M U N IC A T IO N S: in attendance: Senator the Hon. Bob Collins, Minster for Shipping and Aviation Support. The Minister was accompanied by the following officers: Department of Transport and Communications -Ms A Buttsworth, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Aviation Policy, Security and Infrastructure Division Mr P. Field, Assistant Secretary, Industry and Economic Policy; Aviation Policy, Security and Infrastructure Division Mr R. Turner, Assistant Secretary, Security; Aviation Policy, Security and Infrastructure Division Mr R. Elder, Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure; Aviation Policy, Security and Infrastructure Division Mr I. Rischbieth, Assistant Secretary, Special Projects, Aviation Policy, Security and Infrastructure Division Dr R. Lee, Director, Investigating for Safety Mr J. Pike, Deputy Director, Investigating for Safety Mr L. Smith, Manager, Corporate Services, Investigating for Safety 484 Federal Airports Corporation: Mr W. Swingler, Chief Executive and Managing Director Mr P. Robson, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel Civil Aviation Authority: Mr R. Cooper, General Manager, Safety Regulation & Standards Broadcasting: Mr T. Shaw, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting Policy Division Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Mr D. Hill, Managing Director Mr P. Lidbetter, General Manager, Finance Ms J. Smith, Director, Corporate Policy & Planning Special Broadcasting Service: Mr A. Lloyd-James, Head of Television Mr Q. Luu, Head of Radio Mr R. Stokes, Director, Policy & Coordination Mr R. Diak, Head of Resources & Marketing Mr M. Stoneham, Director, Finance Australian Broadcasting Tribunal: Mr P. Westaway, Chairman Ms J. Stafford, Director, Licencing Division Mr N. Herd, Acting Director, Programs Division Mr N. Grimmond, Acting Director, Corporate Services Mr V. Jones, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting Operations Communications: Ms V. Fanning, First Assistant Secretary, Telecommunications Policy Division Dr L. Dobes, Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Policy, Telecommunications Policy Division Mr C. Dalton, Assistant Secretary, STCST, Telecommunications Policy Division Mr D. Yarra, Director, STCST, Telecommunications Policy Division Telecom: Mr J. Holmes, Corporate Secretary Mr S. Fish, Manager, External Relations Mr R. Garland, Director, Corporate Accounting and Taxation 485 Australian Postal Corporation: Mr G. Ryan, Secretary Austel: Mr R.C. Davey, Chairman Mr J. Szydzik, Manager, Secretariat Mr R. Smith, First Assistant Secretary, Radiocommunications Policy and Operations Mr G. Tromp, Assistant Secretary, Radiocommunications, Radiocommunications Policy and Operations Land Transport: Mr C. Thorpe, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Land Transport Policy Division Mr N. Waslin, Principal Adviser, Land Transport Policy Division Mr N. Potter, Assistant Secretary, Land Transport Operations, Land Transport Policy Division Mr G. Feeney, Assistant Secretary, Road Management, Land Transport Policy Division Ms S. Page, Director, Land Transport Development Mr P. Makeham, First Assistant Secretary, Road Safety Mr K. Wheatley, Assistant Secretary, Road User Branch, Road Safety Australian National Railways Commission: Dr F. Affleck, General Manager, Corporate Affairs Maritime: Mr P. Memer, First Assistant Secretary, Maritime Policy Division Mr B. Vellnagel, Secretary, Waterfront Industry Reform Authority Mr P. Newman, Chairman, Shipping Industry Reform Authority Mr A. Kinloch, Manager, Corporate Services, Australian Maritime Safety Authority Corporate Direction and Support: Mr B. Ellis, First Assistant Secretary, Management Support and Advice Mr J. Elliot, Assistant Secretary, Planning and Budgeting, Management Support and Advice Department of Finance -Mr T. Dyson, Chief Finance Officer, Transport and Industry Division Mr R. Robinson, Senior Finance Officer, Transport and Industry Division Mr C. James, Senior Finance Officer, Transport and Industry Division I- 486 The Chairman called on consideration of general items involving officials representing agencies based interstate and then the following Programs requiring Expenditure for consideration by the Committee: Program 1: Aviation Sub-program 1.5: Federal Airports Corporation Sub-program 1.6: Civil Aviation Authority Program 2: Broadcasting Sub-program 2.2: Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sub-program 2.3: Special Broadcasting Service Sub-program 2.4: Australian Broadcasting Tribunal Program 3: Communications Sub-program 3.2: Australian Telecommunications Corporation Sub-program 3.5: Australian Postal Corporation Sub-program 3.6: Australian Telecommunications Authority Program 4: Land Transport Sub-program 4.3: Australian National Railways Commission 4. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 4.50 am, 11 September 1991 to reconvene on 12 September 1991 for further consideration of the proposed estimates of the Transport and Communications portfolio. 5. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Beahan (Chairman), Bishop, Crane, Foreman, Panizza and Sherry. Senators Colston, Kemot, MacGibbon, O'Chee, Schacht and Tambling also participated in the Committee's proceedings. C O N FIR M E D Michael Beahan Chairman 487 THE SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS NO. 3 Thursday, 12 Septem ber 1991 1. M EETING : The Committee met in public session at 4.29pm in the Main Committee Room. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair. 2. O P E N IN G ST A T E M E N T B Y CH A IR M A N : The Chairman reported the Resolution of the Senate, dated 22 August 1991, relating to the consideration of particulars of proposed expenditure for 1991-92 and made a statement relating to the procedure to be followed by the Committee in its examination of the Estimates. 3. R E SU M P T IO N O F H E A R IN G R E L A T IN G TO T H E PO RTFO LIO O F T R A N S P O R T A N D C O M M U N IC ATIO N S: Discussion resumed on the Department's programs: Program 1: Program 2: Program 3: Program 4: Program 5: Program 6: Aviation Broadcasting Communications Land Transport Maritime Corporate Direction and Support Together the expenditure in these Programs comprised the following Division 660-668 Division 972-975 (Document A) (Document B) 488 4. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 9.30pm. 5. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Beahan (Chairman), Crane, Foreman, Panizza and Sherry. C O N FIR M E D ___ Michael Beahan Chairman 489 W ednesday, 9 O ctober 1991 THE SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS NO. 4 1. M EETING: The Committee met in private session at 7.31pm in the Government Lobby. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair. 2. C O N FIR M A T IO N O F M IN U T ES: The Minutes of the meetings held on 5, 10 and 12 September (Nos. 1, 2 and 3) were confirmed. 3. CO M M ITTEE R EPO R T: The Committee considered matters in the Chairman's draft report and agreed that the Report as amended be adopted and be tabled in the Senate on 10 October 1991. 4. C O N FIR M A T IO N O F M IN U TES: The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 1991 were confirmed. 5. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 7.30pm. 6. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Beahan (Chairman), Chapman, Crane, Sherry, Foreman and Panizza. 7. A PO LO G IES: Senator Bishop. 1. Michael Beahan Chairman