ParlInfo - Estimates - Senate Committees - Reports - Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of year ending 30 June - 1990 - Committees B, C, E, and F

Estimates - Senate Committees - Reports - Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of year ending 30 June - 1990 - Committees B, C, E, and F - Reports

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 the year 1989-90 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance 1988-89

November 1989

The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia Parliamentary Paper No. 476 of 1989

Ordered to be printed ISSN 0727-4181

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

SENATE ESTIMATE COMMITTEES

A, B,C,D,E AND F

Reports to the Senate on Departmental

Estimates for the year 1989-90 and

Expenditure under the Advance to the

Minister for Finance 1988-89

November 1989

Australian Government Publishing Service

Canberra

Â© Commonwealth of Australia 1990

ISBN 0 644 12888 7

Printed in Australia by R. D. RUBIE, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra

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CONTENTS PAGE

1. Resolution of the Senate

2. Estimates Committee Groups

3. Membership of Committees

4. Estimates Committee A Report Minutes of Proceedings 26 September 1989 (2 meetings)

3 October 1989 (2 meetings) 9 October 1989 (2 meetings) 18 October 1989 23 October 1989 (2 meetings)

27 October 1989 30 October 1989 (2 meetings) 2 November 1989 (2 meetings) Hansard Index to issues raised in

public hearings

5. Estimates Committee B Report Minutes of Proceedings 26 September 1989

3 October 1989 11 October 1989 Hansard Index to issues raised in public hearings

6. Estimates Committee C Report Hansard Index to issues raised in public hearings Minutes of Proceedings

5 May 1989 26 September 1989 (2 meetings) 3 October 1989 27 October 1989

25 31 37 43 47

55 57 61

95 99

103

105

119

125

139 141 147 153

7. Estimates Committee D Report Reservation Hansard Index to issues raised in

public hearings Minutes of Proceedings 28 September 1989 5 October 1989

9 October 1989 10 October 1989 31 October 1989

157 165

169

187 191 195 197

201

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205

8. Estimates Committee E Report Minutes of Proceedings 6 September 1989 221

28 September 1989 223

3 October 1989 229

5 October 1989 231

10 October 1989 239

23 October 1989 243

31 October 1989 251

Hansard Index to issues raised in public hearings 255

9. Estimates Committee F Report 281

Minutes of Proceedings 28 September 1989 (2 meetings) 285

5 October 1989 291

10 October 1989 (2 meetings) 297

27 October 1989 303

Hansard Index to issues raised in public hearings 307

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RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE PASSED ON 18 AUGUST 1989

1. Extract from Senate Journals, 18 August 1989, page 1961.

6 ESTIM A TES C O M M IT T E E Sâ R EFER EN C E O F PA RTICULARS OF PR O PO SED E X PEN D ITU R E 1989-90 AND D EPA R TM EN TA L E X PEN D ITU R E UNDER ADVANCE TO T H E M IN IST E R FO R FINA N CE 1988-89: The Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs (Senator Ray), pursuant to Notice o f Motion

not objected to as a Formal Motion, movedâ (1) That the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1990 in relation to the Parliamentary Departments, the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the service of the year ending on

30 June 1990 and the Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1990 be referred forthwith to Estimates Committees for examination and report. (2) That expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the

year ended 30 June 1989 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 resolution of the Senate of 1 September 1988. (4) That the Committees report to the Senate on or before Wednesday, 1

November 1989. Question put and passed.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

REPORT TO THE SENATE

November 1989

Membership of Estimates Committee A

Senator Childs (Chairman) 9 Senator Alston 7 Senator Bishop Senator Burns 3 < 6 Senator Chapman Senator Cook 1 Senator McMullan 2 3 Senator McKiernan 4 '5 6 7 8 9 1 0 '10 Senator Lewis 8

1 Discharged on 18 March 1988. 2 Appointed on 18 March 1988. 3 Discharged on 29 September 1988. 4 Appointed on 29 September 1988. 5 Discharged on 9 March 1989. 6 Appointed on 9 March 1989. 7 Discharged on 6 September 1989. 8 Appointed on 6 September 1989. 9 Discharged for the period 4 to 20 October 1989, inclusive. 10 Appointed for the period 4 to 20 October 1989 , inclusive.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

REPORT TO THE SENATE

NOVEMBER 1989

Estimates Committee A presents its report to the Senate.

On 18 August 1989 the Senate referred the following matters to the

Committee:

â¢ Particulars of Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1990;

â¢ Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1990;

â¢ Particulars of Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1990 in relation to the Parliamentary Departments;

â¢ The Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ending 30 June 1989;

in relation to the Departments of Industry, Technology and Commerce, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Industrial Relations and the Parliamentary

Departments.

The Committee met on 26 September and 3, 9, 18 and 23 October 1989 to examine these departmentsâ estimates. The Committee has considered the estimates of the departments utilising the departmental explanatory notes, annual (draft) reports, corporate plans and related Auditor-Generalâs reports.

At the Committee hearings the Parliamentary departments were represented by the President of the Senate (Senator the Hon. Kerry W. Sibraa) and officers of the Parliamentary departments. The other departments were represented by the Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce (Senator the Hon. John

Button) and the Minister for Resources (Senator the Hon. Peter Cook i and officers of the departments.

The Committeeâs Minutes of Proceedings and the Issues Contents of the Hansard transcript of evidence are included in this report. The Hansard transcripts of evidence taken by the Committee concerning Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill 1989-90, Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 1989-90

and Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 1989-90 and the Advance to the Minister for Finance; are tabled in the Senate with this report.

The Committee, from its examination of the estimates, draws to the attention of the Senate the following matters:

DEPARTM EN T OF THE SENATE

The Senateâs Appropriations

Estimates Committee A reported in October 1985, May 1986, October 1986 and November 1987 on the need for the Parliament to achieve greater autonomy and independence from the Executive in regard to its operations. Even as far back as October 1979, Estimates Committee A reported that âany

Parliament which claims, or aspires to, accountability of an executive government to the Parliament, must take such arrangements for its own resources and facilities as are necessary to achieve this constitutional relationship, in practice as well as in theoryâ.

Following the report of the Senate Select Committee on Parliamentâs Appropriations and Staffing in May 1980, the Senate Standing Committee on Staffing and Appropriations was established in 1982, with the primary responsibility of considering the proposed estimates and staffing arrangements of the Senate.

In October 1985, Estimates Committee A commented that it was disturbed by the fact that during its examination of the estimates of the Department of the Senate it was told by the President of the Senate that the Government had:

â¢ sought to vary the agreed arrangements for discussion of the

Parliamentary estimates;

â¢ set outlays and staffing targets for each of the Parliamentary

departments; and

â¢ suggested a global or total provision for the Parliament with the Presiding Officers to have the ability to adjust the distribution of the total between the various Parliamentary departments prior to their inclusion in the Appropriations (Parliamentary Departments) Bill.

Unfortunately, very little has changed.

In his opening statement to the Committee the President reported that: âIn its eleventh report presented to the Senate on 1 September 1988, the

Appropriations and Staffing Committee reported that the procedures laid down by the Senate in its resolution of 2 December 1985 for the determination of appropriations for the Senate had not been followed, in that appropriations determined by the Committee have been reduced by the Minister for Finance without the required consultation shortly before the introduction of the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill 1988-89. In response to the

Committeeâs report, the Senate, after considerable debate on two occasions, on 28 September and 30 November 1988, passed a resolution calling for adherence to the required procedures. That resolution requires that the

consideration of appropriations for the Senate be undertaken in time to allow the process of consultation, required by the resolution of 1985, to take placeâ.

It is with some regret and concern that this process has once again not been followed.

The President informed Estimates Committee A th at on 16 June 1989, he advised the Minister for Finance of the appropriations so determined for 1989-90 which included a reduction of some $800,000 on the proposed estimates to the Appropriations and Staffing Committee.

Over six weeks later, too late to allow the required consultations to take place, the President received a letter from the Minister dated 2 August 1989 indicating the appropriations he was willing to support. Those appropriations reduce by some $1.8m the amount determined by the Committee. The

President then wrote to the Minister pointing out th at the consultative process required by resolution of the Senate had again not been followed.

The President commented further that: âDuring the development of the estimates currently before you (Estimates Committee A) extensive consultations between officers did take place, and a large measure of agreement was reached on a base level of funding for the Department.

However, it became clear during the process th at there is no mechanism by which funding for new policy matters can be finally agreed to by the Government. Because of the stalemate between the Senate and the Minister for Finance, the Explanatory Notes presented to the Senate, and in particular,

this Committee, did not reflect the reductions made by the Minister for Financeâ.

This situation made it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to adequately examine the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the Department of the Senate. The Committee was therefore unable to ascertain where likely cuts are to occur under the various programs to conform with the Minister for Finance's

cut of some $1.8m. The Committee was also left up in the air as to whether or not some agreement would be reached between the Minister and the Senate Appropriations and Staffing Committee regarding another agreed figure.

Several Senators expressed the view that the Senate cannot be master of its own destiny if it does not have the ability to raise its own funds. The

constitutional situation is that appropriations have to be introduced bv Government and these appropriations have to be approved by both Houses of Parliament. It therefore follows that an appropriation for the Senate has to be determined by agreement between the Executive Government and both Houses

of Parliament. There is no substitute for this process and therefore some form of agreement or mechanism must be reached. This is why the Appropriations and Staffing Committee was established and the procedures in the resolution of 1985 were laid down. If orderly procedures are to prevail then the

Executive Government, through the Minister for Finance and the Senate must take appropriate steps to ensure that the resolution that has been agreed to by the Senate is followed.

Further, the Committee also stresses the need for further consultations to take place between the Appropriations and Staffing Committee and the Department of Finance regarding an agreed base level of funding as well as establishing a set of clear procedures whereby funding for new policy matters can be

negotiated and agreed to by both parties. In the Twelfth Report of the Appropriations and Staffing Standing Committee mention was made of some progress being made in this area. The Committee will follow up these developments at Additional Estimates in 1990.

Whilst useful, it is unfortunate that informal consultations between members of the Appropriations and Staffing Committee and the Minister for Finance took place on 25 September 1989, one day before Estimates Committee A commenced its examination of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for

1989-90 for the Department of the Senate.

Unfortunately, the situation has changed little since the report of Estimates Committee A in October 1985, specifically in relation to the appropriations of the Senate. Therefore, this Committee, once again, reiterates its conclusions in that report in which it put beyond doubt the Senateâs intentions when it set up the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing and the Committee recommended that the Senate resolve as follows:

'That the estimates of expenditure for the Senate be included in the Appropriations (Parliamentary Departments) Bill shall be those determined by the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffingâ.

The Committee also notes with concern that similar cutbacks were made to other Parliamentary departments with little or no consultation with the Presiding Officers and in a time frame which prevented alternative proposals to be put to the Minister for Finance.

D EPARTM ENT OF THE PARLIAM EN TARY LIBRARY

Senior Parliamentary Appointments

During the examination of the Particulars of the Proposed Expenditure for the Department of the Parliamentary Library, the events surrounding the appointment of a new manager for PISO were examined at some length. Whilst the Committee acknowledges the right of the Presiding Officers to appoint people to senior positions throughout the various Parliamentary departments, it does have some concern about some of the procedures that

were adopted with respect to this appointment.

The Parliamentary Librarian, Mr MacLean, indicated that he took responsibility to advertise and establish the selection panel for this position and had advised the Presiding Officers of his intentions. The President indicated to

the Committee that he was happy with this procedure, however, he noted that a number of very senior appointments have been made without recourse to an interview panel.

The interview panel, consisting of two senior parliamentary officers and two outsiders with particular expertise, undertook a series of interviews and forwarded a report which identified four applicants as being suitable for appointment and recommended one for appointment. This report was passed to

the Presiding Officers by the Acting Parliamentary Librarian, Mr Brudenall.

The President indicated th at the Presiding Officers had some significant concerns about the recommendation and put those concerns in writing to the Acting Librarian and asked th at this matter be given further consideration. After examining the documentation from the Presiding Officers, together with

the report of the interview panel, the Acting Librarian, Mr Brudenall, put forward another proposal to the Presiding Officers for their consideration.

The Committee is not disputing the fact that Presiding Officers do have the right to make appointments, regardless of whether their appointments are in agreement with any interview panel that may have been established.

The Committee believes that it would have been appropriate for the Presiding Officers, given their concerns, to have taken one of the following options. First, to have sent their reservations back to the original interview panel for further consideration. Secondly, the Presiding Officers, given their reservations, could

have simply overturned the original recommendation and proceeded to make their own recommendation based on the information before them. Thirdly, the Presiding Officers could have referred their concerns to the head of the Department for his consideration and recommendation.

In view of the need not to undermine confidence in appointment procedures, while recognising the Presiding Officersâ absolute right in these matters, the Committee recommends that in the future, wherever possible, the Presiding Officers refer their concerns back to the interview panel prior to making their

decision. In this way, credibility and confidence will be maintained in the normal interview and appointment procedures.

Employment of Former Officers as Consultants

The Committee is concerned at the manner in which a former senior PISO officer resigned on a Friday and was re-employed as a consultant on the following Tuesday to continue work on a number of projects that he had commenced whilst an employee of PISO. Dr Paul Thistlewaiteâs salary, when

an officer of PISO, was approximately $46,000 per annum. On 26 April 19Hh he commenced employment as a consultant with PISO at the rate of $420 per day. During his consultancy with PISO, a second contract was awarded to him and his daily rate rose to $730. All up from the period 26 April 1988 to 18

March 1989, Dr Thistlewaite earned $101,270 (averaging $501 per day over the 11 month period). If all salary and on-costs are taken into account Dr Thistlewaiteâs daily rate increased by 100 per cent when he resigned as an employee and recommenced duties as a consultant.

The consultancy fees paid to Dr Thistlewaite possibly reflect the going market rate for such services, however that is not the issue. The issue concerns the appropriateness of such an appointment and the apparent lack of guidelines within PISO to ensure that former employees who resign do so in the knowledge that no prior undertakings or agreements have been entered into regarding immediate re-employment on the same projects under consultancy arrangements.

From the line of questioning that took place during the examination, it would appear to the Committee that PISO has not adopted any guidelines relating to the re-employment of former employees, nor does it have a clear policy regarding the quarantining of employees who indicate that they will be resigning to take up an outside appointment. Without such guidelines and quarantining procedures, the potential will always be there for conflict of interest and the accusation that any future contracts were not undertaken at arms-length.

Security of Information Systems

The Committee is unaware of any breaches of security that have taken place within Parliament House. It was however, disturbed to hear that once again PISO does not have any clear guidelines and procedures to ensure security and

confidentiality with respect to access and retrieval of various information from Parliamentary databases and individual workstations. It is all very well for officers to claim that security and confidentiality are always uppermost in their minds, however, it is simply not appropriate to accept the best endeavours or undertakings of the officers involved with the supply and maintenance of information systems throughout the Parliament.

The Committee hopes that these are matters that will be addressed by all Parliamentary departments when they respond to the post-implementation review of PISO. In particular, the Committee will be most interested to see whether or not these issues were canvassed in this review, and if not, why not.

Reporting Responsibilities

It would appear to the Committee that there is still confusion regarding the reporting responsibilities of PISO since its placement into the Department of the Parliamentary Library. PISO, as a service provider, is involved on a number of panels and forums throughout the Parliament. The Committee is aware of such groups as the Information Systems User Forum which consists of the permanent heads of the five parliamentary departments and senior officers from PISO, and the Presiding Officersâ Advisory Committee on Information Systems chaired by Roger Price, MP. Nobody is disputing the role, advice and contribution PISO officers provide to these committees. However, the point must be made that these committees or forums should not in any way detract from the formal reporting responsibilities of PISO through the head of the

Parliamentary Library. Once again, it is hoped that this matter has been canvassed thoroughly in the review of PISO.

The âUnofficialâ Account - PISO

It is an understatement to say that the Committee was disturbed to discover that PISO had established an âunofficialâ account to bank proceeds from the sale of the old Honeywell equipment. The Committee was told that the proceeds of this disposal, amounting to some $88,000 were paid into a special

account operated by Computer Power on behalf of the Parliament. Not only is the Committee concerned about the establishment of this account, it is also very concerned about the length of time taken by the Parliamentary Librarian before appropriate action was taken to call in the Auditor-General to

undertake an investigation into whether or not there had been any breaches of the Finance Regulations and/or the Audit Act. The Parliamentary Librarian became aware of the account in âearly to mid-July 1989â (some 12 months after the account had been created) but only called in the auditors on 13 September

1989. Further, the Finance Officerâs attention was only drawn to this account on 6 September 1989; not in June 1988 when it was created or July 1989 when the Parliamentary Librarian became aware of it.

The Committee is very interested to know whether or not the other

departments were advised of this scheme and whether moneys drawn from the account were going to be used for the benefit of these departments. After all, it would be assumed that the old Honeywell equipment was purchased by the other departments out of their earlier appropriations and not by PISO. It would also be assumed that the other Parliamentary departments were not

advised that moneys arising from the sale of assets owned by them were to be used to help fund a two-day workshop at the Sydney Hilton Hotel in June 1989 involving four PISO officers.

The Department of Finance announced new policy guidelines on retention of receipts by government agencies and the rules relating thereto on 1 July 1989. It is also noted that these arrangements are prospective and, to the extent that they are inconsistent with other agreed arrangements, are not to apply without

further consultation with the Department of Finance. These are new guidelines and were certainly not in existence in June 1988 when the account, managed by Computer Power, was established.

On Wednesday, 1 November 1989, the Committee received a copy of the Auditor-Generalâs report entitled âInvestigation of an unofficial account operated by PISOâ. In that report the Audit Office made the following findings:

â¢ PISO disposed of surplus stores (Honeywell equipment) without obtaining approval to do so from the Parliamentary Presiding Officers, Departmental Secretary, or Delegate (Breach of Finance Regulation 127A and Finance Direction 26/17 (c) and (d));

â¢ PISO did not declare surplus stores to the Purchasing Division, Department of Administrative Services, for disposal action (Breach of Finance Direction 26/19) or in any way consult with th at Department on alternative arrangements for disposal of the equipment; â¢ PISO did not obtain advice from the Purchasing Division, Department

of Administrative Services, that acceptance of trade-in offers is to the best interest of the Commonwealth (Breach of Finance Direction 26/26); â¢ PISO did not offset trade-in offer(s) against the purchase price of

replacement equipment, or credit to miscellaneous revenue the proceeds of sale of surplus stores (Breach of Finance Directions 26/27 and 5/18 and Purchasing Manual);

â¢ PISO retained public moneys (being the proceeds from the sale of surplus stores) in an account with Computer Power Pty Ltd and expended some of those moneys (Breach of sections 81 and 83 of the Constitution, as moneys received were not paid into the Consolidated

Revenue Fund, and moneys were expended otherwise than under appropriation made by law);

â¢ PISO expended moneys without that expenditure having being approved by the Parliamentary Presiding Officers or their delegate (Breach of Finance Regulation 48(a)(iii);

â¢ PISO arranged for moneys to be released without claims for payment being certified and authorised (Breach of sub-section 34(2) of the Audit Act);

â¢ PISO officers had no cause to be unaware that prescribed procedures must be followed by all Commonwealth Departments, including the Parliamentary Departments and should have acted accordingly;

â¢ the two PISO officers who stayed at the Hilton International Hotel on the nights of 28,29 and 30 June incurred Commonwealth expenditure on accommodation greater than the accommodation component in the Australian Public Service travelling allowance;

â¢ all books, equipment and materials purchased with moneys derived from the sale of the surplus equipment have been located by PISO, inspected by the AAO and found to be in use for Parliamentary purposes;

â¢ all transactions in respect of the unofficial account occurred between PISO and Computer Power only and by-passed the Department of the Parliamentary Library completely; and

â¢ all moneys derived from the sale of the surplus equipment have been accounted for and Computer Power Pty Ltd in response to a letter written by the Parliamentary Librarian on 24 October 1989, has repaid the unexpended balance of those moneys ($64,482.80) to the Collector of Public Moneys, Department of the Parliamentary Library.

The report concluded that:

â¢ There is no evidence to suggest that PISO officers, and the persons employed by Computer Power under the prime contract between PISO and Computer Power, acted other than in good faith, nor is there any evidence of fraud. Nonetheless the episode displays a disregard for the

established form of Commonwealth budgetary and expenditure control and a potential for misuse of public assets.

â¢ Computer Powerâs assurance of the one-off nature of the trade-in arrangement with PISO is of some comfort. Nevertheless the AAO will suggest to the Department of Finance and the Department of Administrative Services that Commonwealth agencies should be

notified of the need to guard against arrangements of this kind in asset disposal.

â¢ On 6 September 1989 the Parliamentary Librarian signed a certificate on the Departmentâs financial statements for the year ended 30 June 1989 in the capacity as Departmental Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer. That certificate stated, inter alia, that 'the

statements were in agreement with the departmentâs accounts and recordsâ. The statements contained no record of the transactions of the âunofficial accountâ which could be construed to be an account of the Department of the Parliamentary Library, albeit a highly irregular

account. Since the Parliamentary Librarian was aware of the accountâs existence at the time of signing the certificate, it is a matter of conjecture whether he should have required the transactions of the account to be reflected in the statements or worded the certificate to

disclose the accountâs existence. Further, the AAO provided an unqualified report on the Departmentâs financial statements dated 6 September 1989, not being aware of the accountâs existence until 13 September 1989. It is also a matter of conjecture whether an

unqualified report could have been issued had the account been brought to the AAOâs attention earlier.

The report recommended that:

â¢ the financial and stores accounting arrangements within PISO, and between PISO and the Department of the Parliamentary Library management be reviewed and strengthened to establish documented lines of accountability and proper internal controls and thus clearly

delineate responsibility;

â¢ PISO give careful consideration to any possible conflict of interest situations before making any future arrangements to act consultants in line management positions; â¢ instructions be issued to all officers of the Parliamentary Departments

reminding them that the departments are fully subject to the provisions of the Audit Act, the Finance Regulations and the Finance Directions and that this should be borne in mind in any arrangements for the procurement of supplies and disposal of stores; and

â¢ the two PISO officers who stayed at the Hilton International Hotel at Commonwealth expense through the âunofficial accountâ, be asked to pay to the Collector of Public Moneys the expenditure incurred in excess of the Sydney accommodation component in the Australian

Public Service Travelling Allowance.

The Committeeâs initial concerns have been vindicated by the findings of the Auditor-Generalâs report. The Committee can only conclude that there is no substitute for proper and responsible âline managementâ control. The whole episode highlights a lack of responsible senior management and a cavalier

attitude towards due processes.

On reading the Auditor-Generalâs report, the Committee is of the view that the summary and recommendations do not address fully all the matters raised in the body of the report, particularly the findings and conclusions.

Unfortunately the report raises more questions than it answers.

Estimates Committee A is very mindful of due processes. Because the powers of Estimates Committees are limited, the Committee recommends that the following matter be referred to the Joint Statutory Committee on Public Accounts for inquiry and report:

An examination of the events surrounding the establishment and operation of the âunofficial PISO accountâ with particular reference to:

(a) the role a n d resp o n sib ility o f th e form er m a n a g er

o f PISO;

(b) the role a n d resp o n sib ility o f the P a rlia m e n ta ry

L ib ra ria n ;

p rim e c o n tra cto r to PISO;

(d) the role a n d resp o n sib ility o f co n su lta n ts em ployed by C om pu ter P ow er on b e h a lf o f PISO;

(e) w h eth er a co n flict o f in te re st d id a rise when a

con su ltan t, em ployed by C om pu ter Power, a cted in a line m a n a g em en t position ;

(f) the role a n d resp o n sib ility o f o th er m a n a g ers o f

PISO who were a sso c ia te d w ith th is account;

(g) the a p p a r e n t la ck o f in volvem en t o f th e F inance

S ection, P a rlia m e n ta r y L ib ra ry w ith th e a u d itin g p ro ced u res o f P IS O âs accou n ts a n d th e role a n d

resp o n sib ility o f the A u d ito r-G en era l in

o versig h tin g th is m a tter; a n d

(h) w h eth er the breaches o u tlin e d in the

A uditor-G en eraV s rep o rt w a r r a n t fu rth e r action .

The Committee requests that this m atter be dealt with as a m atter of urgency and that the Public Accounts Committee report back to the Parliament on or before the first sitting day in 1990.

Parliamentary Databases

During the course of the hearings the question was asked whether or not any estimates reports had been removed from the Parliamentary database. After some initial confusion, PISO officers indicated that to the best of their knowledge that no data had been removed from the system. Mr Simons said âI

wish to reaffirm my earlier statement that I am as satisfied as I can be that no estimates committee reports have been purged from the database as far as I am aware. All reports that have been produced have in fact been loaded to the databaseâ.

Unfortunately, there still seems to be some conjecture as to whether or not earlier estimates reports have been removed from the system. This information was previously part of the database on the ICL Bureau system. If the data from the ICL system was not reloaded onto the new system, the Committee

would be very interested to know who made that decision and what level of consultation took place. The Committee requests that this matter be pursued further with PISO so that there is no misunderstanding as to what is now part of the Parliamentary database, what may have been previously transferred

onto this system, whether it was for trial purposes only and, most importantly, what has become of that earlier ICL database.

Administration of PISO

The Committee would have assumed that one of the major objectives of placing PISO within one of the five Parliamentary departments was to ensure adherence to proper administrative procedures and practices. It is clear from the evidence before the Committee that this has not occurred.

The Committee noted the Presidentâs statement when he told the Committee that he and the Speaker were aware and concerned about a number of allegations regarding the administration of the Parliamentary Information Systems Office. It is hoped that the new Manager of PISO will be able to

provide the appropriate level of leadership and administration and as a matter of priority introduce the necessary procedures and guidelines concerning the numerous matters raised in this report.

PARLIAM ENTARY REPO RTIN G STAFF

Staffing Difficulties

The Committee notes with concern that the Parliamentary Reporting Staff continues to face considerable difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff. The Principal Parliamentary Reporter, Mr -John Campbell, informed the Committee that seven of the sixteen reporter positions are vacant and that Hansard have

not been able to recruit sufficient staff to replace those who left in the last financial year. These problems have been evident for some years.

There are a number of factors which contribute to the difficulties faced. Mr Campbell stated that the conditions under which Federal Parliamentary staff are required to operate are particularly onerous compared with those elsewhere, such as in the State Parliaments and court reporting staffs. For example, the Thursday sitting pattern amounts to doing two days work in one day, as sittings commence at 10.00 a.m., frequently sit through lunch and then until late at night. In the first week, the Senate then sits again at 9.00 a.m. the following morning.

Additionally, most of the people who are engaged in the actual reporting, supervising and sub-editing are above the overtime barrier and are not eligible for penalty payments to compensate them for this extra duty.

The Committee considers that this situation is one of great concern which must be urgently addressed by the Parliament. The Committee notes that the issue of relevant salary is one of the issues that is now being looked at by the Auditor-Generalâs representative.

The Committee also wishes to place on record its appreciation of the high standard of service provided and degree of dedication exhibited by Hansard staff.

Audit Office Review of Hansard

The President of the Senate, Senator the Hon. Kerry Sibraa, informed the Committee of actions that he and the previous Speaker of the House of Representatives had set in train to address the staffing difficulties currently being encountered within the Parliamentary Reporting service.

The Presiding Officers requested that the Australian Audit Office review the processes employed by the Department in the preparation of the daily and other editions of Hansard and the extent to which new technology may more efficiently aid its production. In addition, the work processes within the

Department were reviewed in consultation with the staff to gain an appreciation of the problems within the Parliament which may be affecting staff morale.

The review highlights a number of serious concerns about the operation of the reporting service and sets out a number of recommendations for action.

The President informed the Committee that an officer of the Audit Office had been appointed for a period of up to twelve months to assist with

implementation of changes recommended in the review.

The Committee will continue to scrutinise the operations of Hansard and report on progress made towards addressing the problems which have been identified.

JO IN T HO U SE DEPARTM ENT

Building Design Faults

After examining the proposed outlays of the Joint House Department, the Committee expresses its concern at the number of faults in the design of the building. Chief among these is the faulty design of the Parliament House kitchens. The design of the kitchens severely restricts their efficiency and

cost-effectiveness. The Presiding Officers are well aware of the problems and have taken steps to investigate potential solutions. All proposed solutions, however, will require a large financial input. Advice from the Minister for Finance suggests that this need may be addressed âat some time in the future'

Where defects have been identified as being the contractorâs responsibility, these have been referred to Parliament House Construction Authority i PHCA i who have arranged for the defects to be rectified at their expense. However, some areas have not been accepted by PHCA and these have either had to be

accepted as is (like the stairs in the memberâs and guests dining room), or Joint House has had to take responsibility and try to rectify them.

For example, the cost of imported light globes and the human resources necessary to replace them each year is one design fault which Joint House appears to have inherited. However, it appears that the flickering of the halogen lights in the Chamber, caused by the installation of an igniter which is

incompatible with the lights and fittings, is a design fault which has been referred to PHCA for rectification.

In the vicinity of $300,000 has already been spent on consultants by the Joint House Department in determining the nature and extent of many of these problems. Joint House Department staff were also diverted from their maintenance duties to assist in the identification and rectification of many

defects.

About $500,000 has been allocated for consultants and contract staff engaged on âstart upâ activities. A proportion of this amount will be spent on correcting defects or design omissions.

Subsidisation of Services

During its examination of proposed expenditure of the Joint House Department, the Committee was informed that the Parliamentary Catering Service (PCS) incurred a loss of $2.7m during 1988-89. This loss occurred in all areas, including, somewhat surprisingly, the non-memberâs bar.

The effect of this loss is that the services provided to Senators, Members and other occupants of the building are heavily subsidised. The level of subsidy has increased by approximately $600,000 since the Parliament moved to the new

building, although as turnover has greatly increased, the level of subsidy is less than it was previously in percentage terms.

The Committee notes that despite this subsidy, prices charged for services are comparable with those charged at the many small eating houses within a short distance of Parliament House.

The Secretary of the Joint House Department informed the Committee that the PCS suffers many inefficiencies because of the operations of the Parliament, and inadequacies in the design of the building. For example, staff must still be retained during non-sitting periods, yet the heavy demands imposed on services during sitting periods require a high staff to customer ratio.

The Committee was informed that the Joint House Department is taking steps to increase the efficiency of the catering service and has asked Spotless catering services to bring in its experts, look at various areas of operations and provide advice as to how operations can be further tightened and the deficit

reduced. The Committee will follow these developments with interest, but notes that if the Parliament is to continue to require the current level of service to be maintained, a number of inherent inefficiencies may be very difficult to resolve.

D EPARTM ENT OF IND U STRY, TECH NOLOGY AN D COMMERCE

Offsets and the Partnerships for Development Program

Offsets and the Partnerships for Development Program have come under a great deal of scrutiny during recent hearings of Estimates Committee A. Concerns have been expressed about the time taken to provide information to

the Committee on such matters as lists of contracts and associated offsets obligations, the provision of the draft annual report of the Civil Offsets Program and the number of former departmental officers resigning and taking

up positions in the private sector advising industry on the very systems or policies they had helped to frame. The Committee notes that a draft annual report of the Australian Civil Offsets Program for 1988-89 was made available to the Committee prior to the appearance of the Department; a much improved

response time compared to the previous yearâs annual report but still in a time frame which made it very difficult to examine thoroughly prior to its consideration before the Committee.

According to the latest draft annual report, offsets are required in respect of all purchases which, individually or when accumulated, exceed $2.5m and the imported content exceeds 30% (some States use a $lm imported content threshold). Under the scheme, offset activities must comply with the following criteria:

- activities must be likely to lead to commercially viable local activity;

- must not result in any increase in the price of the products;

- must be of equivalent technology to the products purchased; and

- must result in new activities.

Offset obligations can be fulfilled by:

- exports;

- research and development;

- technology transfer; and

- training.

The draft annual report went on to say that the Partnerships for Development Program is designed to address the role of the major transnational information technology companies in the Australian economy and their relationship with local firms and institutions. Unfortunately, there appears to be flexibility in both schemes to enable companies to delay, defer or minimise their obligations.

According to Dr Fitzpatrick the Department does not regard individual targets as mandatory on a year-to-year basis - it is the seventh year that is required for the Partnerships for Development Program - and the Department desires flexibility within the programs because of the uncertainties in the commercial environment.

On page 8 of the Australian Civil Offsets draft annual report 1988-89 it states: âin the event of non-compliance two sanctions are open to the Department - denying offsets clearance and the public naming of a company as delinquent. Before such action is taken however a number of factors need to be considered.

The first of which is whether it can be conclusively demonstrated that the corporation involved is in breach of the offsets agreement. If this is established, the Department informs the company that it is in breach of the agreement and requests its immediate rectification. In the event of the Department and the

corporation being unable to agree on suitable agreements to overcome the problem, refusal of offsets clearance would occur and, if necessary, public naming of the corporationâ.

According to Dr Fitzpatrick, during 1988-89 one company was threatened with being named as a delinquent. However, following representations made on behalf of the embassy of the country where the company originates, it has now

agreed to toe the mark. Given the very large amount of unfulfilled offset obligations, it is remarkable that no action has ever been taken against a single company. It would either suggest possible loopholes in the scheme and/or

lack of comprehensive and clear guidelines which would enable departmental officers to follow up all obligations in a timely manner. In particular, there appears to be no mechanism within the Department to independently value the

various obligations.

With many hundreds of millions of dollars of offsets obligations at stake, and the total growing each year, the Committee expects that the Department can achieve greater compliance resulting in more exports, research and development, technology transfer or training which will provide the benefits to the Australian economy as originally conceived under these programs. Whilst flexibility and commercial considerations need to be taken into account, every effort should be made to ensure compliance to the various offset obligations.

Further, the Committee would have expected greater results following the numerous overseas trips by senior officers to discuss the specific offset obligations with key organisations such as Rolls Royce, Airbus, General Electric, Boeing and SNECMA. In 1988-89 $109,346 and $33,491 were spent on overseas travel in relation to offsets and partnership schemes respectively.

Consultants

The Committee has already raised the m atter of the employment of former departmental officers as consultants during its examination of the Parliamentary Information Systems Office. The Committee still has concerns about similar practices within the Department of Industry, Technology and

Commerce. The Committee once again refers the Department to the comments made in Estimates Committee A report to the Senate dated November 1988 which stated that, âit may be necessary in the future for governments to consider the American practice of requiring former government employees to undergo an appropriate (e.g. two year) prohibitive period before they were able to take advantage of their inside knowledgeâ.

Australian Customs Service

The Auditor-General, in report number 17 of 1989-90, expressed concern about the level of security at Sydney International Airport. The Committee heard evidence that airport security was still inadequate and that claims by the Federal Airports Commission in September 1989 that upgraded security

measures were in place was inaccurate. A number of questions were taken on notice by the Customs Service which when answered will give the Committee a clearer idea of the extent of the problem.

Austrade

Many questions put to Austrade had to be taken on notice. Whilst the Committee appreciates senior officers being available to answer questions, it defeats the purpose of parliamentary scrutiny if too many questions have to be

taken on notice. A balance must be struck. If general managers (FAS

equivalent) are to attend then the Committee would expect that they have been fully briefed by their managers (AS equivalent) on recent developments in specific areas or if that is not possible, some thought will need to be given to managers being in attendance.

DEPARTM EN T OF THE PRIM E M INISTER AN D CABINET

Australian Bicentennial Authority (ABA)

The Committee notes that the ABA is in the process of winding up its activities and sought no appropriations for 1989-90. However, it noted that in its explanatory notes headed Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure for 1989-90, the Authorityâs proposed total expenditure for this period will be

funded entirely from cash on hand at 30 June 1989 and estimated receipts from non-government sources in the same financial year. It is worth noting that the ABA has been the source of much comment in previous Estimates Committee A reports. On this occasion, officers from the ABA were not subjected to the same level of scrutiny, however, a great number of questions

were put on notice. ABA officials suggested that because they had archived most of the material relating to the operations of the ABA, it may be very difficult to provide answers to these questions on notice in a timely fashion. The Committee once again reminds the ABA that while it is still operating as

an authority, albeit in its final days of operation, it is still ultimately

accountable to the Parliament and therefore requests for further information should not be ignored.

Any future authorities that may be established to co-ordinate other major events, such as the centenary of Federation, should draw on the experience of the ABA and avoid many of the problems encountered by the ABA during its period of operation.

GENERAL MATTERS

Performance Indicators

Performance indicators are a useful mechanism for conveying âinformation on the performance of programs to understand the justification for proposed program outlays and the results already achieved by programsâ. (Budget Paper No. 3). However, the Committee expressed the view that performance

indicators should not only inform the Parliament and the public, but that they should also be able to be used to reflect the level of effectiveness of programs.

The Committee notes that very few departments are at a stage where they are able to supply useful figures to the Committee to quantify the effectiveness and efficiency of their programs in both financial and other terms. The Committee will continue to monitor the development of performance indicators across all

departments.

Committee Rooms

Difficulties were experienced by the Committee and staff in holding the hearings in the Main Committee Room, poor acoustics being the major problem. The Hansard technician, located at the back of the room, had difficulty identifying speakers and was not always able to turn on the relevant

microphone in time to hear either the question or the answer.

In addition, the telephone was located in a most inconvenient place which greatly intruded into the conduct of the hearings. Although this was partially rectified at a second hearing in the Main Committee Room, it raises the question of the location of conveniently accessible telephones in all rooms where

hearings are being conducted.

Acoustics were also a problem in Senate Committee Room 16. Further, telephone access was also restricted in Senate Committee Room 16 where the office was used as a furniture store.

Annual Reports

In addition to departmental annual reports, Administrative Arrangements indicate that approximately 30 other agencies are required to submit annual reports. Of these, the Committee received 10 (see attached list).

The Committee hopes that all departments and relevant agencies will endeavour to supply (draft) reports in advance of the commencement of hearings, and that these reports be submitted, together with a covering note to the Committee Secretariat to ensure their prompt distribution to Committee

members. To achieve this, the Committee recommends that draft annual reports and other relevant documentation such as corporate plans be provided to Estimates Committees at the same time as the Explanatory Notes.

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

1988-89 Annual Reports received prior to com m encem ent of hearings and during the course of hearings:

D ep a rtm en ta l

Department of the Senate Department of the Parliamentary Library (draft) Department of the Parliamentary Reporting Staff (draft) Joint House Department (draft)

Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General (draft) Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (draft) Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

O ther

Australian Civil Offsets Program (draft) Australian Customs Service (draft) Australian Science and Technology Council (draft) Automotive Industry Authority (draft)

Economic Planning Advisory Council (draft) Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Merit Protection and Review Agency (draft) National Standards Commission (draft)

Public Service Commission (draft) Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Development Authority (draft)

'% - ' â f - . f ' â ! "1 f r

: Â· :â â

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

NO. 22

26 September 1989

1. M E E T IN G : The Committee met in private session at 2.50 p.m. in the Main Committee Room.

2. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Chapman, Lewis and McMullan

3. N O T IF IC A T IO N O F R E P L A C E M E N T M E M B E R O F TH E

CO M M ITTEE: The Chairman informed the Committee that, pursuant to the motion tabled in the Senate on 6 September 1989 Senator Alston had been discharged from the Committee and Senator Lewis appointed as his replacement.

4. M A N N E R O F E X A M IN IN G T H E E S T IM A T E S: The Committee agreed to examine Departments in the following order: the Parliamentary Departments, the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General, the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce, the Department of the

Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Industrial Relations. The Committee agreed to consider the Explanatory Notes of the Office of Governor-General at approximately 6.00 p.m. on this day. The Committee agreed to use Monday, 9 October 1989 for a third day of hearings if necessary.

5. CIV IL O F F S E T S PR O G RA M : The Committee agreed to defer

consideration of this matter until a later date.

6. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 2.56 p.m.

CONFIRMED:

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

MEETING NO. 23

26 September 1989

7. M E E T IN G : The Committee met in public session at 2.57 p.m. in the Main Committee Room. The Chairman, Senator Childs, took the chair.

8. S T A T E M E N T BY T H E C H A IR M A N : The Chairman made an opening statement.

9. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

P A R L IA M E N T A R Y D E P A R T M E N T S

In Attendance:

Senator the Hon. Kerry Sibraa, President of the Senate, accompanied by the following officers:

D ep a rtm en t o f the S en ate M rH. Evans Ms A. Lynch Mr C. Elliott

Mr P. OâKeeffe Mr J. Vander Wyk Ms M. Cornwell Mr R. Alison

Mr G. Nankervis

Clerk of the Senate Deputy Clerk Clerk-Assistant (Management) Clerk-Assistant (Procedure)

Clerk-Assistant (Table) Clerk-Assistant (Committees) Usher of the Black Rod Principal Parliamentary Officer (Management)

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr T. Gallagher Mr A. Hoitink

The Committee suspended its discussion on Senate programs at 6.10 p.m.

10. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90; O FFIC E O F T H E O FFIC IA L SE C R E T A R Y TO T H E G O V E R N O R -G E N E R A L

In Attendance:

Mr D. Smith Mrs L. Lawless Commodore P. Landon

Miss R. Rawson Mr C. Bell Ms E. Sanderson

Official Secretary Deputy Official Secretary Military Secretary and Comptroller to the

Governor-General Director Honours Secretariat Senior Executive Officer Administrative and Finance Officer

D e p a rtm en t o f F inance Mr T. Gallagher Mr A. Hoitink

The Committee concluded its consideration of the particulars of proposed expenditure 1989-90 in relation to Programs 1-4 of the Explanatory Notes, subject to an undertaking by officers to provide additional information to the Committee.

11. S U S P E N S IO N O F M EETING : The Committee suspended its discussions from 6.30-8.00 p.m.

12. D ep a rtm en t o f the S en ate

Discussion resumed on Senate Programs.

Papers tabled included (a) correspondence between the President and Minister for Finance; (b) Parliamentary Education Office Program of Activities and Budget details for 1989-90.

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr T. Gallagher Mr A. Hoitink

The Committee concluded its consideration of particulars of proposed expenditure 1989-90 in relation to Programs 1-5 of the Explanatory Notes, subject to an undertaking by officers to provide additional information to the

Committee.

13. D e p a rtm e n t o f the P a rlia m e n ta ry L ib ra ry

In Attendance:

Mr H. Mac Lean Parliamentary Librarian Mr J. Brudenall Deputy Parliamentary Librarian Mr D. Argali Head, Legislative Research Service

Mr M. Watson Mr R. Walsh Mr S. Blume

Assistant Director, Finance Manager, PISO Director of Special Projects Director of Contracts

Director, Planning & Administration Acting Manager, Computer and Communications

Mr B. Robinson Mr M. Mullane Mr N. MacLean

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr T. Gallagher Mr A. Hoitink

Papers tabled included correspondence between the President, the President and the Speaker and the Minister for Finance.

14. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee suspended its consideration of the Parliamentary Library and adjourned at 10.50 p.m.

15. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Chapman. Lewis and McMullan.

Senators M. Baume, P. Baume, Crichton-Browne and Walters also attended.

CONFIRMED:

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE Aâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

MEETING NO. 24

3 October 1989

16. M EETING : The Committee met in public session at 4.00 p.m. in the Main Committee Room. The Chairman, Senator Childs, took the chair.

17. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

P A R L IA M E N T A R Y D E P A R T M E N T S

In Attendance: Senator the Hon. Kerry Sibraa, President of the Senate, accompanied by the following officers:

D ep a rtm en t o f the P a r lia m e n ta r y L ib ra ry Mr H. Mac Lean Parliamentary Librarian Mr J. Brudenall Deputy Parliamentary Librarian Mr D. Argali Head, Legislative Research Service

Mr M. Watson Assistant Director, Finance Mr R. Walsh Manager, PISO

Mr S. Blume Director of Special Projects

Mr B. Robinson Director of Contracts Mr M. Mullane Director, Planning & Administration Mr N. MacLean Acting Manager, Computer and Communications Mr H. Simon Director, Applications Development

Mr G. Harber Manager, Computers and Communications

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr M. Admans Mr A. Hoitink

Discussion resumed on Parliamentary Library programs. Papers tabled included correspondence between Senator Bishop and the President, and Assessment of Level 1 package.

18. S U S P E N S IO N O F M E E T IN G : The Committee suspended its discussions from 6.22-8.22 p.m.

19. D ep a rtm en t o f the P a rlia m e n ta r y L ib ra ry

Discussion resumed on Parliamentary Library programs.

20. D ep a rtm en t o f the P a r lia m e n ta r y R ep o rtin g S ta ff

In Attendance:

Mr J. Campbell Principal Parliamentary Reporter Mr B. Harris Assistant Principal Parliamentary Reporter Mr M. Farrelley Administrative Officer

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr M. Admans Mr A. Hoitink

The Committee concluded its consideration of the particulars of proposed expenditure 1989-90 in relation to Programs 1-4 of the Explanatory Notes.

21. J o in t House D ep a rtm en t

In Attendance:

Mr M. Bolton Mr F. Bradley Mr D. Hood Mr R. Wedgwood

Secretary of the Department Assistant Secretary, Commercial Services Assistant Secretary, Property Management Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr H. Admans Mr A. Hointink

Papers tabled included correspondence between Presiding Officers and the Minister for Finance.

The Committee concluded its consideration of particulars of proposed expenditure 1989-90 in relation to Programs 1-3 of the Explanatory Notes, subject to an undertaking by officers to provide additional information to the

Committee.

22. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 12.58 a.m.

23. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Chapman, Lewis and McMullan.

Senators M. Baume, Colston and McKiernan also attended.

CONFIRMED:

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

NO. 25

3 October 1989

24. M E E T IN G : The Committee met in private session at 8.05 p.m. in the Waiting Room of the Main Committee Room.

25. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Chapman, Lewis and McMullan.

26. C O M M IT TE E P R O C E D U R E S: The Committee discussed the procedures involved in conducting certain lines of questioning of witnesses during a hearing.

27. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 8.12 p.m.

CONFIRMED:

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

NO. 26

9 October 1989

28. M EE TIN G : The Committee met in private session at 10.05 a.m in Senate Committee Room No. 16.

29. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Bishop, Burns, Chapman, Lewis, McMullan and McKiernan.

30. The Secretary informed the meeting that pursuant to the motion agreed to in the Senate on 4 October 1989, Senator Childs had been discharged from the Committee from the period 4 to 20 October 1989 inclusive, and that Senator McKiernan, having been duly nominated in accordance with Standing Order

36AB was appointed a member of the Committee for that period.

31. E L E C T IO N O F NEW C H A IR P E R SO N : Pursuant to Standing Order 36AB, the Secretary called for nominations for the position of Committee Chairperson, Senator McMullan duly nominated Senator Burns and was seconded by Senator McKiernan. There being no other nominations, Senator

Burns was elected Chairperson. Senator Burns took the Chair.

32. O R D E R O F B U S IN E S S FO R 9 O C T O B E R 1989: The Committee

resolved to deal with the particulars of proposed expenditure of the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce as set out in their Explanatory Notes. However, if by mid-afternoon, if any of the interstate officers had not

been called to discuss their programs or sub-programs, a re-ordering would take place to accommodate these officers.

33. F O U R T H SIT T IN G DAY: The Committee deferred consideration of a fourth day of sitting until a later hour. Consideration will be given to either some time during the week commencing 16 October 1989 or on 23 October 1989.

34. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 10.20 a.m.

CONFIRMED:

Bryant Burns (Chairman)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

MEETING NO. 27

9 October 1989

35. M EE TING : The Committee met in public session at 10.23 a.m. in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairman, Senator Burns, took the chair.

36. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

D E P A R T M E N T O F IN D U S T R Y , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D CO M M ERCE

In Attendance: Senator the Hon. P.F.S. Cook, Minister for Resources, representing Senator the Hon. J.M. Button, Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce, accompanied by the following officers:

D ep a rtm en t o f In dustry, Technology a n d Com m erce Mr N. Stevens Acting Secretary

C o rporate S e rv ic e s a n d In fo r m a tio n Mr R. Palfreyman Principal Adviser, Corporate Services and Information Mr F. Kovachevich Assistant Secretary, Resource Management Mr G. Carlos Director, Resource Planning

L ig h t I n d u s tr ie s Dr M. Fitzpatrick Mr G. Taylor Mr P. Constable

Mr P. Manning

First Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary, Aerospace Assistant Secretary, Information Industries Director, Offsets Policy

H ea vy I n d u s tr ie s Mr A. Bain Mr N. Hurst Mr K. Matthews

Mr B. Meredyth Ms J. Uhr

First Assistant Secretary Principal Adviser, Heavy Industries Assistant Secretary, Automotive and Chemicals Assistant Secretary, Metals and Engineering

Acting General Manager, National Industries Extension Service

B u r e a u o f I n d u s tr y E co n o m ics Mr R. McKeon Assistant Director, Bureau of Industry Economics

In te r n a tio n a l Mr K. Fullgrabe Mr K. Croker Mr G. Wall Mr A. Mikkonen

Acting First Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary, Europe and Americas Director, Investment Promotion Director, Coordination & Administration

P olicy Dr J. Bell First Assistant Secretary

In n o v a tio n Mr M. Farrow Principal Adviser Innovation Mr J. Grant Director, Research & Development Tax Concessions

B u ild in g a n d S erv ic e In d u s tr ie s Dr R. Hawkins First Assistant Secretary

Mr J. McLucas Assistant Secretary, Land Development and Housing Mr D. Taylor Assistant Secretary, Service Industries Mr D. Stafford Director, Export Credit Policy

C o m m is s io n fo r the F u tu r e Mr P. Noyce Deputy Director

P a te n ts, T ra d e M a r k s a n d D e sig n s O ffices Dr I. McCay Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and Coordination Mr P. Collas Director, Planning

A u s tr a lia n M a n u fa c tu r in g C o u n c il S e c r e ta r ia t Mr B. Spencer Acting Director

A n ti- D u m p in g A u th o r ity Mr J. McGuire Executive Director

A u to m o tiv e I n d u s tr y A u th o r ity Mr B. Scales Chief Executive

Mr P. Woodham Executive Officer

T e xtiles, C lo th in g a n d F o o tw e a r D e v e lo p m e n t A u th o r ity Mr D. McCarthy Executive Director

N a tio n a l S ta n d a r d s C o m m is s io n Dr G. Harvey Acting Director

A u s tr a lia n In s titu te o f M a r in e Scien ce Dr -J. Baker Director

A u s tr a lia n N u c le a r S cien ce a n d T ech n o lo g y O r g a n isa tio n Mr D. Davy Acting Executive Director

Mr D. Wilson General Manager, Corporate Mr R. Baker Director, Business Administration

A u s tr a lia n C u s to m s S erv ic e Mr F. Kelly Comptroller-General

Mr D. OâConnor Ms V. Stretton Mr J. Drury Mr G. Steele

Mr C. Vassaroti Mr P. Burns Mr D. Griffiths Mr B. Bissaker

Mr P. Murphy Mr B. Docherty Mr P. Watson Ms M. Grant

Deputy Comptroller-General National Manager, Industry Assistance National Manager, Import/Export Control National Manager, Inland Revenue

National Manager, Barrier Control Acting National Manager, Coastwatch National Manager, Passenger Processing National Manager, Investigation

Head of Inspectorate Acting National Manager, Coordination and Services National Manager, Systems Director, Budgets and Accounts

A u s tr a lia n T r a d e C o m m is s io n Mr D. Hunter Acting Deputy Managing Director Mr B. Friend Mr N. Davis

Mr A. McIntosh Mr R. Anderson Mr R. Maxwell Mr G. McClelland

Mr G. Britt Mr R. Ausserlechner

Acting General Manager, Corporate Services Acting Manager, Resources & Services Acting General Manager, Operations Group Manager, National Operations

Acting General Manager, Export Development Manager, Administration Export Grants Manager, Resources Budgets and Estimates Officer

C S IR O Dr N.K. Boardman Dr B. England Mr P. Langhorne

Mr I.L. Farrer Dr A. Pik

Chief Executive Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Director, Corporate Services General Manager, Corporate Services

Manager (Planning) Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Mr A. Healey Mr I. Lowth

Director, Institute of Plant Production and Processing Assistant Manager, Resource Budgeting and Corporate Services Mr G. Thompson Finance Officer (Resource Planning)

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr Les Henning Mr Greg Cunningham

37. S U S P E N S IO N OF M E E T IN G : The Committee suspended its discussions from 12.47 - 2.10 p.m.

38. D ep a rtm en t o f In du stry, Technology a n d Com m erce

Discussion resumed on DITAC programs.

39. S U S P E N S IO N O F M EE TIN G : The Committee suspended its discussions from 6.30 - 8.00 p.m.

40. D ep a rtm en t o f In d u stry, Technology a n d Comm erce

Discussion resumed on DITAC programs.

Papers tabled included Questions on Notice from Senator Lewis to CSIRO.

41. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 10.30 p.m., without completing its examination of the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce, and proposed to re-convene on 18 October 1989, subject to sittings of the Senate.

42. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Burns (Chairman), Bishop, Chapman, Lewis, McKiernan and McMullan.

Senators M. Baume and McGibbon also attended.

CONFIRMED:

Bryant Burns (Chairman)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

MEETING NO. 28

18 October 1989

43. M EETING : The Committee met in public session at 10.13 a.m. in Senate Committee Room No. 14. The Chairman, Senator Burns, took the chair.

44. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

D E P A R T M E N T O F IN D U S T R Y , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D C O M M ERC E

In Attendance: Senator the Hon. J.M. Button, Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce, accompanied by the following officers:

D epartm en t o f In du stry, Technology a n d Com m erce Mr N. Stevens Deputy Secretary

C orporate S e rv ic e s a n d In fo r m a tio n Mr R. Palfreyman Principal Adviser, Corporate Services and Information Mr G. Carlos Director, Resource Planning

L ig h t I n d u s tr ie s Dr M. Fitzpatrick Mr G. Taylor Mr P. Constable

Mr P. Manning

First Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary, Aerospace Assistant Secretary, Information Industries Director, Offsets Policy

H e a v y I n d u s tr ie s Mr A. Bain Mr N. Hurst Mr K. Matthews

Mr B. Meredyth Ms J. Uhr

First Assistant Secretary Principal Adviser, Heavy Industries Assistant Secretary, Automotive and Chemicals Assistant Secretary, Metals and Engineering

General Manager, National Industries Extension Service

B u r e a u o f In d u s tr y E c o n o m ic s Mr R. McKeon Assistant Director, Bureau of Industry Economics

In n o v a tio n a n d In te r n a tio n a l Mr K. Fullgrabe Acting First Assistant Secretary Mr M. Farrow Mr K. Croker Mr G. Leach

Program Manager, Innovation Group Assistant Secretary, Europe and America Branch Assistant Secretary, International Projects and Collaboration Mr A. Mikkonen Director, Coordination & Administration

P olicy Dr J." Bell First Assistant Secretary

B u ild in g a n d S e rv ic e I n d u s tr ie s Dr R. Hawkins Director, Construction Industries Mr J. McLucas Mr D. Taylor Mr D. Stafford

Assistant Secretary, Land Development and Titles Assistant Secretary, Service Industries Director, Export Credit Policy

P a te n ts , T ra d e M a r k s a n d D e sig n s O ffices Dr I. McCay Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and Coordination Mr P. Collas Director, Planning

A n ti- D u m p in g A u th o r ity Mr S. Brown Acting Executive Director

A u s tr a lia n C u s to m s S e rv ic e Mr F. Kelly Comptroller-General

Mr D. OâConnor Ms V. Stretton Mr J. Drury Mr G. Steele Mr C. Vassaroti

Mr P. Burns Mr D. Griffiths Mr B. Docherty Mr P. Watson Ms M. Grant Mr B. Strang Mr P. Harding

Deputy Comptroller-General National Manager, Industry Assistance National Manager, Import/Export Control National Manager, Inland Revenue National Manager, Barrier Control Acting National Manager, Coastwatch National Manager, Passenger Processing Acting National Manager, Coordination and Services

National Manager, Systems Director, Budgets and Accounts Acting National Manager, Investigation Assistant Director, Budget Development

C S IR O Dr B. Heyde Dr B. England Mr P. Langhorne Mr I.L. Farrer Mr B.J. Mithen Mr G. Upstil

Dr I. Elsum

Principal Secretary, CSIRO Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Director, Corporate Services General Manager, Corporate Services Assistant General Manager, Finance and Services

Manager i Planning) Institute of Industrial Technologies Manager (Planning) Institute of Information and Communications Technologies Dr A. Pik Manager (Planning) Institute of Natural Resources and

Environment

Mr A. Healey Mr I. Lowth

Director, Institute of Plant Production and Processing Assistant Manager, Resource Budgetting and Corporate Services Finance Officer (Resource Planning)

Chief Executive, CSIRO Director, Institute of Animal Production and Processing Director, Institute of Industrial Technologies Director, Institute of Information and Communication Technologies

Director, Institute of Minerals Energy and Construction Director, Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Director, Institute of Plant Production and Processing

Mr G. Thompson Dr N.K. Boardman Dr A.D. Donald Dr C.M. Adam

Dr R.H. Frater

Dr A.F. Reid Dr R. Green Dr E.F. Henzell

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr Les Henning Mr Mike Rombouts

Discussion resumed on DITAC programs. Senator Button tabled a press release of 14 September 1989 âConcessional Entry System for Importsâ and an Anti-Dumping Authority report of March 1989 âInquiry into Material Injury Profit in Normal Values and Extended Period of Timeâ Report No. 4 for the

information of the Committee. A copy of each is available from the Committee Secretariat.

45. S U S P E N S IO N O F M E E T IN G : The Committee suspended its discussions from 12.17 - 2.12 p.m.

46. D ep a rtm en t o f In du stry, Technology a n d Com m erce

Discussion resumed on DITAC programs.

Papers tabled included additional questions on notice from Senator M. Baume on behalf of Senator Bishop in relation to the following Programs:

2.2 - Import/Export 2.6 - Passenger Processing 2.7 - Investigation 2.8 - Internal Audit

and âSystem Support Consultancies - November 1989-October 1990â.

47. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

D E P A R T M E N T O F T H E P R IM E M IN IS T E R A N D C A B IN E T - THE A U S T R A L IA N B IC E N T E N N IA L A U T H O R IT Y

In Attendance:

Mr Jim Kirk Chairman

Mr Bill Fairbanks General Manager, Finance and Management Services

D e p a rtm e n t o f F inance Mr Les Henning Mr Mike Rombouts

Papers tabled included questions on notice from Senator M. Baume on behalf of Senator Bishop.

The Committee concluded its consideration of Program 5 âAustralian Bicentenaryâ of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, subject to an undertaking by the officers to provide additional information to the Committee.

48. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 7.00 p.m., without completing its examination of the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce, and proposed to re-convene at 10.00 a.m. on 23 October 1989.

49. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Burns (Chairman), Chapman, Lewis and McMullan.

Apologies: Senators Bishop and McKiernan

Senators M. Baume and McGibbon also attended.

CONFIRMED:

Bryant Burns (Chairman)

THE SENATE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

NO. 29

23 October 1989

50. M EE TIN G : The Committee met in private session at 10.05 a.m. in Senate Committee Room No. 16.

51. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Burns, Childs and McMullan

52. E L E C T IO N O F NEW C H A IR P E R S O N : The Secretary advised that Senator Burns was standing down as Chairperson. Pursuant to Standing Order 36AB, the Secretary called for nominations for the position of Committee Chairperson, Senator McMullan duly nominated Senator Childs and was

seconded by Senator Burns. There being no other nominations, Senator Childs was elected Chairperson.

53. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 10.06 a.m.

CONFIRMED:

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

MEETING NO. 30

23 October 1989

54. M EE TING : The Committee met in public session at 10.11 a.m. in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairman, Senator Childs, took the chair.

55. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

D E P A R T M E N T O F IN D U S T R Y , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D CO M M ERCE

In Attendance: Senator the Hon. J.M. Button, Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce, accompanied by the following officers:

D ep a rtm en t o f In du stry, Technology a n d Com m erce

A U S T R A D E Mr D. Hunter Dr R. Webb Mr J. Bennett

Mr M. Cummins

Mr J. Hemphill Mr A. McIntosh Mr R. Anderson Mr G. McClelland

Mr B. Friend

Mr G. Britt Mr R. Ausserlechner

C S IR O Dr N.K. Boardman Dr B. Heyde Dr B. England

Mr I.L. Farrar Mr B.J. Mithen Mr G. Upstil

Acting Deputy Managing Director General Manager, Export Development Group General Manager, Corporate Services Group Manager, Funding Operations, Finance Insurance and

Projects Group Manager, Corporate Communications Division Manager, International Operations, Operations Group Manager, National Operations, Operations Group

Manager, Export Grants Division, Operations Group Manager, Resources and Services, Corporate Services Group Manager Resources, Corporate Services Group

Budgets and Estimates Officer, Corporate Services Group

Chief Executive, CSIRO Principal Secretary, CSIRO Executive Assistant to Chief Executive General Manager, Corporate Resources

Assistant General Manager, Finance and Services Manager (Planning), Institute of Industrial Technologies

Mr G. Thompson

Mr A. Healy

Mr I. Lowth

Dr I. Elsum

Dr A. Pik

Manager (Planning), Institute of Information and Communications Technologies Manager (Planning), Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Manager (Planning), Institute of Plant Production and Processing Assistant Manager, Resource Budgeting, Corporate Resources Finance Officer (Resource Planning), Corporate Resources

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr Jeff Hurst Mr Greg Cunningham

Discussion resumed on these remaining DITAC programs.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure 1989-90 for the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce, subject to an undertaking by officers to provide additional information to the Committee.

56. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

D E P A R T M E N T O F IN D U S T R IA L R E L A T IO N S

In Attendance: Senator the Hon. J.M. Button, Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce, accompanied by the following officers:

Mr R. Marshman Deputy Secretary Mr G. Brine Assistant Director, Resources Management Section Mr P. Marshall Assistant Director, Resources Management Section

A ffir m a tiv e A c tio n A g e n c y Ms H. Campbell Acting Director of Affirmative Action Ms J. Anderson Administrative Officer

A u s tr a lia n I n d u s tr ia l R e la tio n s C o m m is s io n a n d A u s tr a lia n I n d u s tr ia l R e g is tr y Mr J. Leyden Manager, Administration

N a tio n a l O c c u p a tio n a l H e a lth a n d S a fe ty C o m m is s io n Mr I. Cameron Assistant Director, Resources Branch Mr J. Nolan-Neylan Assistant Director, Secretariat Branch

A u s tr a lia n T ra d e U n io n T r a in in g A u th o r ity Mr K. Stone National Director

Mr C. Gannon Manager, Administration and Finance

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr Richard de Ferranti

The Committee concluded its consideration of the interstate agencies of Department of Industrial Relations, subject to an undertaking by the officers to provide additional information to the Committee.

57. S U S P E N S IO N O F M EE TIN G :

The Committee suspended its discussions from 1.02 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.

58. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90;

D E P A R T M E N T O F TH E P R IM E M IN IST E R A N D C A B IN E T

In Attendance:

Dr P. Shergold Mr G. Nichols Mr P. Mussared Mr T. OâSullivan

Mr W. Blick

Ms A. Tinney

Mr P. Luck Mr B. Hoffmann Ms H. LOrange Ms E. Delaney

Ms T. Mercer Mr G. Linnane Mr P. Vaughan

Mr D. Waddell Mr D. Anderson Mr E. James Mr G. Linehan

Acting Deputy Secretary First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division Assistant Secretary, Corporate Support Branch First Assistant Secretary, Social Policy Division

First Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary and Government Division Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary and Government Division

Senior Adviser, Parliamentary Branch Parliamentary Branch First Assistant Secretary, Office of the Status of Women Assistant Secretary, Office of the Status of Women

Assistant Secretary, Office of the Status of Women Acting Secretary, Resource Assessment Commission Acting First Assistant Secretary, Office of Multicultural Affairs

Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Multicultural Affairs Assistant Secretary, Ceremonial and Hospitality Branch Assistant Secretary, Office of the Chief Scientist Senior Finance Officer, Corporate Support Branch

P u b lic S erv ic e C o m m issio n Mr J. Baker Ms R. Oxer Mr R. Minns

Ms M. Edwards Mr P. Jones Ms G. Radford

First Assistant Commissioner Assistant Commissioner, Selection and Placement Branch Assistant Commissioner, Staffing Branch Acting Assistant Commissioner, Recruitment Branch

Assistant Commissioner, Staff Development Branch Principal Adviser, Equal Employment Branch

M e rit P ro tectio n a n d R e v ie w A g e n c y Mr P. Gifford Director

Mr T. Thornton Resources Manager Mr B. Sheedy Acting Resources Manager

A u s tr a lia n Scien ce a n d T e ch n o lo g y C o u n c il Mr I. Shortt Assistant Secretary, Briefing and Administration Branch Mr G. Tomlinson Administrative Officer

O ffice o f the In sp e c to r G e n e ra l fo r In te llig e n c e a n d S e c u r ity Mr P. Moss Principal Executive Officer

O ffice o f N a tio n a l A s s e s s m e n ts Mr D. Robertson Deputy Director General Mr D. Triffett Chief Executive Officer

O ffice o f the C o m m o n w e a lth O m b u d s m a n Mr M. Williamson Senior Assistant Ombudsman Mr B. Hugg Executive Officer

O ffice o f E P A C Mr F. Argy Ms A. Holmes Mr E. Zinchenko

Director Executive Secretary Administrative officer

O ffice o f R eso u rce A s s e s s m e n t Mr P. Kelly Director of Inquiries, RAC

Mr G. Linwane Acting Secretary, RAC

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr Keith Henry

A copy of the EPAC list of consultants, a list of members of the Prime Ministerâs Science Council and a copy of the report âEvaluation of the Womenâs Information Services - Queensland and Tasmaniaâ were provided for the

information of the Committee. Copies of these documents are available from the Secretariat.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure 1989-90, subject to an undertaking by officers to provide additional information to the Committee.

59. D ep a rtm en t o f I n d u stria l R elation s

In Attendance:

Mr R. Marshman Mr B. Yates

Mr R. Stewart- Crompton Mr B. Preiss

Mr M. Coghlan

Deputy Secretary First Assistant Secretary, Industrial Relations Policy Division First Assistant Secretary, Legislation and Review Division First Assistant Secretary, Industrial Relations Development Division First Assistant Secretary, APS Pay and Structures Division

Mr E. Cole Ms R. Campbell

Ms L. Ludovici

Mr T. Brosnan

Mr T. Munyard Mr P. Turl Mr P. Marshall

Mr G. Brine

Principal Advisor, APS Pay and Structures Division First Assistant Secretary, AGE Remuneration and Conditions Division Assistant Secretary, Defence Remuneration and

Conditions Branch Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary, Secretariat and Communications Branch Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Branch

Director, Systems Section, Corporate Services Branch Assistant Director, Resources Management Section, Corporate Services Branch Assistant Director, Resources Management Section,

Corporate Services Branch

C o m m is s io n fo r th e S a fe ty , R e h a b ilita tio n a n d C o m p e n s a tio n o f C o m m o n w e a lth E m p lo y e e s (C O M C A R E ) Ms S. Hamilton Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr R. Knapp General Manager, Finance and Systems

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr Richard de Ferranti

Discussion resumed on the remaining DIR programs.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure 1989-90, subject to an undertaking by the officers to provide additional information to the Committee.

60. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 4.15 p.m.

61. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Chapman and McMullan.

Apologies: Senator Lewis

Senator M. Baume also attended.

CONFIRMED:

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

NO. 31

27 October 1989

62. M EE TIN G : The Committee met in private session at 2.20 p.m. in Senate Committee Room 12.

63. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Chapman and Lewis. Apologies: Senator McMullan

64. C O N S ID E R A T IO N O F D R A F T REPO R T: The Committee considered the Chairmanâs draft report to the Senate.

65. A D JO U R N M E N T : Committee adjourned at 3.30 p.m.

CONFIRMED:

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

NO. 32

30 October 1989

66. M E E T IN G : Committee met in private session at 5.12 p.m. in Senate Committee Room 12.

67. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Chapman, Lewis and McMullan.

68. C O N S ID E R A T IO N O F D R A F T R E PO R T : The Committee considered the draft report and resolved to re-convene at a later time to consider additional information.

69. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 5.55 p.m.

CONFIRMED:

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

NO. 33

30 October 1989

70. M E E T IN G : The Committee re-convened in private session at 9.00 p.m. in Senate Committee Room 12.

71. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Chapman, Lewis and McMullan. Apologies: Senator Burns

72. C O N S ID E R A T IO N O F D R A F T R E PO R T : The Committee considered the draft report and resolved to postpone finalization of the report until further information was received.

73. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 9.30 p.m.

CONFIRMED:

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

r Â· ' â

â Â· â â , ;â

* :

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THE SENATE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

MEETING NO. 34

2 November 1989

74. M EE TING : The Committee met in private session at 5.12 p.m. in Senate Committee Room No. 14.

75. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Bishop, Burns, Lewis and McMullan. Apologies: Senator Chapman

76. C O N S ID E R A T IO N O F D R A F T REPO R T: The Committee considered the Chairmanâs draft report to the Senate and foreshadowed that, at the next formal meeting of the Committee it would be adopted without reservation.

77. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 5.50 p.m.

CONFIRMED:

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

THE SENATE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

PRIVATE MEETING

MEETING NO. 35

2 November 1989

78. M EETING : The Committee met in private session at 7.10 p.m. in Senate Lobby.

79. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Childs (Chairman), Burns and McMullan Apologies: Senators Bishop, Chapman and Lewis.

80. M IN U T E S O F P R E V IO U S M E E T IN G S: The Committee endorsed the Minutes of the previous meetings Nos. 22-34.

81. C O N S ID E R A T IO N O F D R A F T R E PO R T: The Committee considered the Chairmanâs draft report to the Senate.

Senator McMullan moved that the Chairmanâs report be adopted; seconded by Senator Burns. The report was adopted without reservation.

82. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 7.15 p.m.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE âAâ

Bruce Childs (Chairman)

:? 1 .

/ Î¯ .1

6 4

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS

Tuesday, 26 September 1989

Tuesday, 3 October, 1989

Monday, 9 October 1989

Wednesday, 18 October 1989

Monday, 23 October 1989

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS

Tuesday, 26 September, 1989 Page/s

DEPARTM ENT OF THE SENATE

Program 1 - Principal Advisors Chairmanâs Opening Statement Presidentâs Opening Statement Program Budgeting

Reduction in Senate Appropriations Establishment of base funding level

Funding of new matters Effect of Appropriation cut-backs Proposal by the Minister for Administrative Services to give responsibility for running Parliament to outside body

Staff selection Staff development Application of policy on access and equity to Parliament Corporate Plan

Adequacy of institutional goals Appropriations and Staffing Committee Election as a source of potential saving Reductions proposed by Appropriations and Staffing

Committee Comparison with House of Representatives Appropriations Salary costs Effect of proposed changes to Standing Orders on Standing

Committee Funding Committeeâs activity levels Compensation for extra duty Attendant staff

Effects of overtime funding cut Equipment purchases Computerised pass system Printing equipment

Advance to the President of the Senate Parliamentary Education Office Visitor numbers in new Parliament House Education Office - bipartisan nature

Blood on the Wattle

A 1-2 A2-4 2 A3-5.9

A3,A ll-3, A22-3 A3-5 A6

A6-7 AT A7-8 A8

A8 A8

A2-3,5,6,9-12 A9,A10,A11

A12,A13-4 A13 A14

A14 A14-5 A15 A15

A15 A16 A17 A17-8 A18-9

A19 A19 A20

A20.22

Procedure Office research - consultant drafters A20-1

Subscriptions A21

Delegated Legislation Conference A21

Legal expenses A21

Publications A21

Exhibitions and seminars A21-2

Double counting A22

Department of the Senate - ability to discharge constitutional responsibility in view of spending cuts A23

House of Representatives Appropriations A23-4

Administrative expenses A24-6

Salary costs A25-6,29,33

Objectives A26,29

P r o g r a m 2 - T a b le O ffice Performance indicators A26-7

Parliamentary printing A27-8

AGPS Bookshop A28-9

Achievement of objectives A29-30

P r o g r a m 3 - P r o c e d u r e O ffice Exhibitions A30-1

Parliamentary Education Office - activities A31

- publications and audio visual program A31

- items removed by Appropriations and Staffing Committee A31 - basic strategy A31-2

- school visits programs A31-2,33-4

- film presentation A34-5

Research program A32-3

Lectures, seminars and training courses A33

P r o g r a m 4 - C o m m itte e O ffice Committees - reduction in allocation for expenses A3 5

Staff allocation A35-6

P r o g r a m 5 - M a n a g e m e n t O ffice Presiding Officerâs letterhead A36-7

Mail room floor covering - industrial dispute A37-8

Office requisites and equipment A38-9

Interaction between Department of the Senate and PISO A39

Parliamentary Education Office Program (incorporated document) A43-7 Correspondence with Minister for Finance (incorporated documents) A47-56

Salary and related expenses (Program 1) - dissection A56-8

Program Budgeting - Problems associated with transition A57-8 Departmental publishing program A58

Printmax (AGPS) A58-60

Departmental printing A59-60,62,

63,65

Departmental printing - use of AGPS services AGO

Development of computerised personnel section - role of PISO A61-2 Publication of Australian Senate Practice A62-3

Departmental travel A63

Information systems A63-4

Australian Protective Service A64-65

Act of Grace payments A65

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS

Tuesday, 3 October, 1989

Page/s

PARLIAM ENTARY LIBRARY Presidentâs opening statement on PISO A91-2

P r o g r a m 1 - In fo rm a tio n R e s o u r c e s a n d S e r v ic e s Media monitoring services A93

Parliamentary data bases A93-7

Parliamentary data bases - availability of Estimates Committee reports A93-4, A119

Parliamentary data bases - checks on level of usage A94-7

MICAH - Relationship with National Media Liaison Service A97-8.100 Administrative Expenses A98

Press clippings A98-9

MICAH - salaries increase less than CPI A99

Parliamentary data bases - access by the ABC A101

P r o g r a m 2 - R e s e a r c h S e r v ic e s Salaries A101

Employment of former staff as consultants A101

Preparation of external papers A101-2

Guest lecturers A 102

Staffing provision within subject areas A 102-3

National Library services A103

P r o g r a m 4 - C o rp o ra te S e r v ic e s Items written off A103

Parliamentary bicentennial publications project A 103-4

P r o g r a m 3 - P a r lia m e n ta r y In fo r m a tio n S y s te m s Appointment of chief officer, PISO A 104-112

Negotiation of Thistlewaite contract A 112-4

Dr Paul Thistlewaite - remuneration A 114-6

- length of notice A117

Disposal of excess computing equipment A118-9

Auditor-Generalâs investigation of account resulting from A119-20, the sale of excess assets 124-131

Organization review workshop at the Hilton Hotel A 121-4

âIrregularâ account A120, 124-131

Parliamentary audio visual unit - contract staff Contract staff versus permanent staff Establishment of computer links between electorate offices and parliament house offices

Purchase of Macintosh computers PABX - maintenance contract Quarantining of officers with conflict of interest Accomodation of PISO staff

Telephone handsets Attendance of PISO staff at Estimates Committee hearings Giving of evidence by non-parliamentary staff Computer equipment compatibility

Replacement of word processing package Fault servicing Maintenance of current level of services and standards Selection of new word processing package

PARLIAM ENTARY REPO RTIN G STAFF Presidentâs Opening Statement

P r o g r a m 1 - C h a m b e r r e p o r tin g Implementation of word processing Staffing levels and difficulties recruiting staff Effects of staffing crisis Actions taken by President and Speaker concerning

Hansard - Audit Office review Training of new Hansard reporters Difficulties imposed on Hansard by sitting patterns Penalty rates

P r o g r a m 3 - T r a in in g Increase in allocation for training Auditor General - review of Hansard Information systems - underspent allocation

Recruitment and advertising

JO IN T HOUSE DEPARTM ENT - D IVISIO N 107 Presidentâs Opening Statement Establishment of funding levels - correspondence between Minister for Finance and Speaker Financial status of catering services Level of subsidy Review of catering services by Spotless Food Services Design of building - contribution to cost of delivery of services Ambience in dining and private dining rooms

Light fittings Parliamentary Catering Service - fall in sales Catering Service - extent of loss Performance indicators /

Cleaning contracts

A131-2 A131-2

A132 A132-3 A133-5 A134 A135-6

A136 A136 A136-7 A137 A137-8

A138 A138 A137-9

A139

A139-40 A140-3 A141

A141 A142 A142-3 A143

A143-4 A144 A144 A144-5

A145

A145-6 A147-50 A147-8 A148-50

A150-1 A151 A151-2 A152-3 A153-4

A154-5, 161-2 A155

Accidents within building New works Theft of stores Art collection

Unfinished space Accomodation of parliamentary staff off site BOMS Program Employment of former employees as consultants

Building operating costs Bogong moths

Program 2 - Commercial Services Bookshop - sales levels Bookshop performance indicators Theatrette equipment and use

Parliamentary Catering - multiskilling and staff development Defects notification Employee relations section Floor covering dispute

Program 3 - Corporate Services Personnel management - performance indicators Consultants

Just in Time principle

A155 A156 A156 A156-7 A157-8

A158

A159-60 A161-2 A162-3 A 163-4

A164-6 A166 A166-7 A167-8

A168 A169 A170

A 170-1 A171 A171

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS

Monday, 9 October 1989

Page/s

DEPARTM ENT OF IN D U STR Y, TECHNOLOGY AN D COMMERCE Chairmanâs Opening Statement A175

P r o g r a m 1 - In d u str y P o lic y a n d D e v e lo p m e n t

S u b-program 1.1 - In d u stry D evelopm en t Staffing A 175

Housing cost reduction program A175-7

National interest export credits function A 177

EFIC A177-9

Green Street Program (joint venture for more affordable housing) A179-80 Patent Office - salaries A180

Computer bounty A180-2

Textile yarns bounty A182

Australian Manufacturing Council Inquiry (Pappas, Carter, Evans and Koop) A182

Office of Government Purchasing A 182

Book bounty A183

Cost of making payments under the Bounty Act A 1 83

Import of components for elaborately transformed manufactures - Waltanna Tractors A183-4

Tariff concession system A184-5

Corporate plan (Consultant - Ian McAulay) A 185- <

Receipt of annual report A187-8

Staffing A 188

National space program A188

Information industry strategy - Mr Rob Durie A 188-9

Partnership for development program A 189-90

Computer bounty A 190-1

Offsets program, partnerships for development program A191-200, 203-4,212-3

- performance of partners A191

- enforceability of agreements A 193-4

- travel associated with program A 194- 7

- establishment of programs A194-8

- value of obligations A198-200

See also A261-2,A272-3

- Boeing A200-1

- delinquent companies A201-4

- discharge of responsibilities A212-3

- audit A216-221

- DESINE A221-2

Delivery of annual report A202-3

Offsets - purchase of Tax Office computer A204-5

Procurement practices A205-7

Food processing industry A207

Shipbuilding industry - development of niche markets A207-8

Automotive Industry Authority - export levels A208-10

- components development grants scheme A209,211,212

- objectives A209-10

Sarich A209-10,213-6

Passenger vehicle sales A210-11

Export facilitation program A211-12

Equal employment opportunity program - motor vehicle industry A212 Interest rates A215

Offsets and partnership program - audit process A216-221

DESINE - Offsets A221-2

S u b-program 1.5 - C orporate Services a n d In form ation Australian Manufacturing Council - activities A222-3,226-7

Industry development project A223-5

Investment subsidy - wool processing A224-5

AMC - performance indicators A225-6

Indigenous capital investment A226

AMC - running costs A226-7

Fraud control plan A227-9

S u b-program 1.7 - C om m ission for the F uture Annual report A229-31

Appointment of Dr Peter Ellyard A229

Recycled paper - quantity produced A230

Salaries A231

Commission reports A231-2

S u b-program 1.9 - In stitu te o f M arin e Science Capital works and services A232

El Nino-southern oscillation research program A232

Study of long lived corals A232

Greenhouse research A232-3

Prime Ministerâs Committee on Greenhouse A233

Crown of thorns research A233-4

Ballast water-monitoring of impact A234

Increased utilization of the economic zone A234-5

Objectives of research programs A235

Outside funding A235

Development of new sun screens Collaborative work with ASEAN nations Publications Scientific Industries Steering Committee (DITAC)

Sub-program , 1.10 - N a tio n a l S ta n d a r d s C om m ission Police reports - use of metric system and imperial system

S u b-program 1.1 - In d u stry D evelopm ent Textile, clothing and footwear industries (TCP) - tender premiums - levels of protection of footwear industry

- raw material processing program Incentives for international competitiveness scheme Export performance of TCP companies Export development grants

Consultants - role of Arthur Anderson - role of Peat Markwick

P rogram 4 - N u clea r Science a n d Technology Disposal of nuclear waste Synroc program National survey on soil erosion

Soil erosion and salination of soil Staff numbers Engineering services Cost of transport of spent fuel

Medical-related activities Benefit of Lucas Heights to the Australian community Adequacy of funding Impact on export earnings

Neutron scattering research project Publicity and education Relationship between ANSTO and Office of the Supervising Scientist

Alligator Rivers analogue project ANSTO and the Office of Supervising Scientist - duplication of functions Equipment purchases

Revenue Administrative expenses

S u b-program 1.1 - In d u stry D evelopm ent Partnerships for development program Consultants Offsets - report on international offsets and countertrade

activities of the Boeing Corporation Offsets - Inglis report

A235-7 A237 A237 A237-8

A238-9

A239-40 A240-1 A241-2 A242-4

A243-4 A244-5

A245 A245-6

A246

A246-7,256 A247 A247-8 A248

A249

A249.A251-2 A249-50 A249-50 A250-1

A250 A250-1 A252-3

A253 A253-4

A255 A255-6 A256 A256

A257-60 A260-1

A261 A262

Centre for Management Resources and Development - Senior Management Seminars A262-4

Vendor Qualification Scheme A264-5

National Industry Extension Service (NIES) A265-8

GIRD A268

Bureau of Industry Economics Report on tax concessions A268-9 Technology development programs A269

Investment promotion program A269-70

Questions placed on Notice by Senator Lewis A270-1

âItâs Your Breakâ program - advertising program to lift industry awareness of R & D A271-2

Consultants A272

National Offsets Management Information System (NOMIS) A272 Draft offsets report A272-3

Buy Australian campaign A273

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS

Wednesday, 18 October 1989

Page/s

DEPARTM EN T OF IN D U STRY, TECH NOLOGY AN D COMMERCE

P r o g r a m 1 - In d u str y , P o lic y a n d D e v e lo p m e n t

S u b-program 1.1 - In d u stry D evelopm en t Pulp Mills - proposed national safeguards A277-9

Chairmanâs ruling regarding proceedings A279-80

Textiles yarns bounty A280-1

Quota premiums - effect on TCF protection levels A281

Vendor qualifications scheme A281-2

External funding of Bureau of Industry Economics A282

Report on export market development assistance A282

Woodchipping industry A282-3

Anti-Dumping Authority - salary vote A283

- staff A 283

- administration of policy A283

Book bounty A283

Concessional entry system - review A284

Reference of matters to the IAC A284-5

Australian manufacturing - rate of change A285

Australian Manufacturing Council - review of industry policy and competitiveness A285-6

National technology strategy A286-*

Innovation in business - government role A287

Education, training and skills A287

Management Investment Company Scheme A287-8

DITAC review of computer purchasing A288

Establishment of Small Business Unit A288-90

Consultancies A290-2

TUTA-DITAC relationship A291-2

S u b-program 1.2 - In n ovation Administrative expenses A292-3

Technology development programs A 2 93

Auditor-Generalâs report on R and D tax concessions A293

Partnerships for development program Assessment of grant applications for industry research and development

R and D advertising campaign

S u b-program 1.3 - In tern a tio n a l South East Asia investment promotion program Association for Science Cooperation in Asia Multifunction polls

International science and technology cooperation programs Telecom research into photovoltaic cells Industrial collaboration strategy with Taiwan

Direct mail campaigns in the US and Europe -Japanese synchrotron

S u b-program 1.4 - In d u stry R esearch Bureau of Industry Economics - staffing difficulties - external funding - cost of activities

- research program

S u b-program 1.6 - Policy Business Regulation Review Unit Co-ordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls Management Investment Companies program

ASTCON Counsellors - number and cost Science and technology awareness program Performance indicators

NASAQ Venture capital industry

S u b-program 1.8 - I n d u stria l P roperty Property operating expenses Staff turnover Patent Office staffing

P r o g r a m 2 - A u str a lia n C u sto m s S e r v ic e Increased estimates for barrier control, coast watch and passenger processing Performance indicators (tariffs)

Audit of major bounty claimants Administrative expenses Customs sales decrease Midford Paramount prosecution - cost

Overtime Voluntary retirement of Hobart customs officers

S u b-program 2.1 - In d u stry A ssistan ce Assessment of dumping complaints - role of ACS Review of Anti-Dumping Schedule

A293

A293-4 A294

A294-5 A295

A295,297-303 A295-6 A296 A296

A296 A296-7

A302-3 A303 A303 A303

A303 A303 A303-4 A304

A304 A304 A304 A304-5

A305 A305-6 A306

A306 A306-7 A307 A307

A307 A307 A307 A308

A308-10 A310

S u b-program 2.2 - Im port/E xport C on trol Community protection objectives Access to import/export information Volume of imported generic foodstuffs

Dumping assessment procedures Tariff on aids for the disabled âDob-in-a-dodgerâ campaign Fraud awareness program

Customs amnesty Section 243 prosecutions - effect on duty collections Appeals to the A AT Footwear tender quotas - availability

Footwear duty rates Tariff concession system - ACS rulings overturned by courts - effect of proposed changes to the commercial tariff

concession system Checking of motor vehicle component manufacturers Tariff concessions and concessional entry - concessional entry systems for imports

- impact of legal interpretations by courts - anomalies - local manufacture by-laws - nomenclature Waltanna tractors

Harmonised tariff techniques Risk management techniques Security of telephone computer lines Bounty claims

Powers of the Comptroller-General

S u b-program 2.2 - Im port E xport C on trol Mitford Paramount case Use of the Crimes Act for prosecutions Malaysian Government âdifficultiesâ

Improvement of risk assessment and audit techniques New technical systems and devices Efficiency dividend Exporters exit program OTC contract CELA legislation

- Administrative penalties Powers of customs officers to enter premises - number of entries Organisation of freight and insurance by customs agents Establishment of foreign inland insurance and freight

Duty status of certain items (towels, napkins, etc) Revenue from audit operations Enhancement of risk assessment - Cargo examinations

A311 A311 A311-2 A312,314

A312 A312 A312 A312

A312 A312-3 A313 A313

A313

A313 A313

A314-18 A314.317 A314-5 A315,318

A315-7 A318 A316-18 A318 A318-19

A319-20 A320 A320

A320-1 A321 A321 A321

A322 A322 A322-3 A323

A323 A323 A323 A323 A323-4

A324 A234 A324-5 A324-5

S u b-program 2.3 - In la n d Revenue Petroleum products freight subsidy scheme A325-6

S u b-program 2.4 - B a r r ie r C ontrol Impact of barrier interceptions A326

Questions on notice A326

Drug seizures by Customs A326-7

Interceptions of prohibited goods A327

Passenger processing facilities at Sydney Airport A3 2 7

Remote area sensors A327-8

Auditor-Generalâs Report on barrier control at Airports A328

Triplicate system for yacht reporting A3 28

Dockside surveillance-CET teams A328-9

Drug smuggling - success rate A329-30

S u b-program 2.5 - C oastivatch Coastal surveillance A330-2

- Hudson report A330-1

- effectiveness A330-1

- capabilities required (equipment) A331-2

- consultation with defence forces A331

- sources of technical advice A331

DEPARTM ENT OF THE PRIM E M INISTER AN D CABINET

P r o g r a m 5 - A u str a lia n B ic e n te n n ia l A u th o r ity Ancient Macedonia Exhibition A322

Questions on notice (incorporated) A333-4

Revenue from licensing of logos A334-7

Prosecutions A334

Requests for compensation A334-7

DEPARTM ENT OF IN D U STRY, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE

P r o g r a m 2 - A u str a lia n C u sto m s S e r v ic e

S u b-program 2.5 - C oastw atch Coastwatch contract - finalisation A337

S u b-program 2.6 - P assen ger P rocessin g Risk assessment A337-8

Intelligence gathering budget A338

Passenger processing - cost program staffing A338

Overtime in Brisbane and Cairns A338

Airlines dispute - mixing of international and domestic passengers A338-9 Public relations - reported incidents A339-40

Overtime charges for customs merchants A340

Auditor-Generalâs Report on airport security A340-3

Questions on notice (incorporated)

- General security arrangements A343

- Domestic passengers A343-4

- Document seizure in Malaysia A344

- Internal audit A344

S u b-program 2.9 - C o o rd in a tio n a n d Services Industrial disputation, practices A344-5

Coordination and Services Program A345

S u b-program 2.10 - System s Increases in revenue for barrier control and passenger programs A345 Bond store licence fees A345

Consultants employed A345-6

Human resource management strategies - training A346-7

Auditor-Generalâs comments on training A346-7

Staff âleakageâ A347

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS

Monday, 23 October 1989

Page/s

DEPARTM ENT OF IN D U STR Y, TECHNOLOGY A N D COMMERCE

P r o g r a m 3 - A u str a lia n T r a d e C o m m issio n Austrade - Vietnamese office A350-1

Export strategy - therapeutic devices A351-2

- pharmaceuticals A352

Role of General Manager, Austrade A352-4

Export markets development scheme - reviews A354-5

Export strategy A355

International business development scheme A355-6

Primary role of Austrade A356

Relationship between Agritech and Austrade A356-7

Growth in exports - current rate A357-8

P r o g r a m 5 - C o m m o n w e a lth S c ie n tific a n d In d u str ia l R e s e a r c h O rg a n isa tio n Revenue decline A358

Staffing A 3 58

Adequacy of resources A358

Funding restraints A358-9

Balance between private and public sector research A359

Increase in funding by Australian industry A359

Decline in capital works and equipment expenditure - effects on research A359-60

Vaccine to control sexual behaviour in cattle A360

Cattle tick vaccine A360

Astronomical research equipment A360

National Greenhouse Advisory Committee A360-1

Relationship between Institute of National Resources and Greenhouse Committee A361

Liaison between climate change program and DASETT land care project A361-2

DEPARTM ENT OF IND U STRIAL RELATIONS

P r o g r a m 1 - In d u str ia l R e la tio n s W ages, I n c o m e s a n d M a r k e t D e v e lo p m e n ts

S u b-program 1.5 - A ffirm a tive A ction A gency Telephone advisory service A363

Program outlook A363

Dissemination of information A363

S u b-program 1.6 - A u stra lia n In d u stria l R elation s C om m ission a n d In d u stria l R eg istry Objectives A363-4

Principal registry - staffing A364

Increase in salary for Commission members A364-5

S u b-program 1.7 - N a tio n a l O ccu pation al H ealth a n d S afety C om m ission Knowledge and prevention - increase in administrative and operational expenses A365

Fitting out of new building A365

Program performance A366

National strategy on occupational backpain A366

S u b-program 1.8 - A u stra lia n T rade Union T ra in in g A u th o rity Salaries A366-7

Increase in administrative and operational expenses A367

Training courses A367

Internal union training program A367-8

Materials development (training aids) A367-8

Variations in administrative and salary costs A368

Restructuring A368

Staff development A368

Employment of consultants A368-9

Performance indicators A369

Student contacts A369

Feedback on course content A369

Cost per student training day A369

Cost variation between courses A369

Targeting of industries under the industry training program A369-70 Review of trade union training A3 70

One day seminars A370

Employer participation in courses A370-1

Cost recovery A371

Expenditure per student training day A371

Use of TUTA logo (TUTA, Lane Cove) A371

Costs associated with retrenchments, restructuring and relocation A371-2 Rental costs for Melbourne national office A372

Use of office accommodation at Clyde Cameron College A371-2

National training staff A372-3

Staff numbers at Clyde Cameron College A373

Number of courses conducted A373

Utilisation and costs of running Clyde Cameron College A374

Number of permanent training staff A375

Fringe benefits tax A375

Recruitment A375

Assistant National Director A375-6

Training grants A376

Costs structure A376

Administration expenses A376

DEPARTM ENT OF THE PRIME M INISTER A N D CABINET Questions on notice by Senators Puplick and Short A377

P r o g r a m 1 - P o lic y A d v is in g Administrative expenses A378

Centre for research on federal financial relations A378

Increase in interest in scientific vocations A378

Restructuring of Australian industry A378-9

CSIROâs funding position A379

Prime Ministerâs Science Council A379-80

Science Councils A379-80

S u b-program 1.2 - A u stra lia n Science a n d Technology C ouncil Assessment of performance A380-1

S u b -p ro g r a m 1.3 - O ffice o f N a tio n a l A s s e s s m e n t s Economic parameter changes A381

Secure telephone system A3 81

S u b-program 1.4 - Office o f Econom ic P la n n in g A dvisory C ouncil Administrative expenses A381

S u b-program 1.5 - Office o f Resource A ssessm en t C om m ission Assessment of performance A381-2

Projects A 38 2

Coronation Hill inquiry A382

P r o g r a m 2 - G o v e r n m e n t S u p p o r t S e r v ic e s

S u b-program 2.1 - G overnor-G eneral Administrative expenses A382

Act of grace payment A382

S u b-program 2.2 - M achinery o f G overnm ent Official establishments - staff years and salaries A383

Restoration work on the Lodge A383

Security works A3 8 3-4

Security at Kirribilli House and the Lodge A384

Telephone services A384

Kirribilli House - operating expenses A384

Official residences - incidentals A384

Professional and consultancy fees A384-5

Use of Kirribilli House A385-6

Use of the Lodge A386

S u b-program 2.3 - S u p p o rt Services Administrative expenses A386

Commonwealth government contribution to the cost of official visits A386-7

Criteria for holding receptions for heads of state A387

Prime Ministerâs XI - Commonwealth costs A387

Rural womenâs access grants program A387-8

Flow of information and publications to women in the community - costs A388

Improved employment opportunities for women A388-9

Employer provided child care A389

Family day care centres A389

Research undertaken on financial and retirement planning by women A389

Seminar on employer provided child care A389-90

Internal audit review A390

Implementation of the National Womenâs Health Policy A390

Overseas operation of the Office of the Status of Women A390

Consultancies - Office of the Status of Women A390

Links between Affirmative Action Agency and Equal Employment Opportunity Section A390

Sexually transmitted diseases research project A390

P r o g r a m 6 - C o rp o ra te S e r v ic e s

S u b-program 3 - P rogram S u p p o rt Administrative expenses A390

DEPARTM ENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

P r o g r a m 1 - N a tio n a l In d u str ia l R e la tio n s W a g es, I n c o m e s a n d L a b o u r M a rk et D e v e lo p m e n t Access and equity statement A391-2

P r o g r a m 2 - A u str a lia n G o v e r n m e n t E m p lo y m e n t R e m u n e r a tio n S tr u c tu r e s a n d C o n d itio n s Restructuring A3 9 2

Restructuring negotiations A3 9 2

P r o g r a m 3 - C o rp o ra te M a n a g e m e n t a n d S u p p o r t Enterprise based structures A393

Enterprise bargaining A393-4

Enterprise based unions A394

Publication âWorkplace Changeâ A394-5

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

REPORT TO THE SENATE

NOVEMBER 1989

Membership of Estimates Committee B

Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator

Gietzelt (Chairman) Brownhill Devereux 2 , 1 1 MacGibbon 1 2 3 - 12 Maguire 1

Panizza 11 Schacht 3 ' 7 Hamer 5 Morris 4 Â· 6 Alston 5 6 ' 10

Coates 7 (Chairman) Hill 10 Collins 12

1 Discharged on 7 October 1987. 2 Appointed on 7 October 1987. 3 Discharged on 29 September 1988. 4 Appointed on 29 September 1988. 5 Senator Hamer appointed on 29 September 1988, with Senator

Alston to replace Senator Hamer for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of Transport and Communications. 6 Discharged on 9 March 1989. 7 Appointed on 9 March 1989. 8 Resigned 27 February 1989. 9 Elected Chairman 3 April 1989. 10 Senator Hill apointed on 6 September 1989, with Senator

Alston to replace Senator Hill during the consideration of the estimates of the Department of Transport and Communications. 11 Discharged for 11 October 1989 only. 12 Appointed for 11 October 1989 only.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

REPORT FOR BUDGET SESSION 1989

1. On 18 August 1989 the Senate referred to the Committee:

â¢ the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 -June 1990; and

â¢ the Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1990

â¢ relating to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Transport and Communications.

2 . The Committee has considered this expenditure, making use of the Explanatory Notes provided by the respective Departments. The Committee received explanations of the Expenditure from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator Gareth Evans, from the Minister for Consumer Affairs,

Senator Nick Bolkus, (representing the Minister for Transport and Communications, Ralph Willis, MP) and from officers of the Departments or statutory authorities concerned.

3. Copies of the Minutes of Proceedings, the Hansard reports of the evidence taken, and a table of contents to the Hansard reports are tabled for the information of the Senate in connection with its consideration of Appropriation Bills for 1989-90. Written answers to questions taken on notice during the

Committeeâs hearings will be tabled separately in the Senate.

4. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance of the Ministers and the officers of the departments and authorities who appeared before it.

5. In general terms, the Committee felt that the E x p la n a to r y N o te s of the departments concerned continued to be disappointing as a vehicle for assessing program performance in terms of expenditure for outcomes. The Notes really need to contain efficiency assessments by the departments themselves against

specific outcomes. 6

6. The Committee recommends that the departments pay considerable attention to the identification of reasonable performance indicators in preparation of their Notes. Of course, if program management (and program budgeting) is not used by the departments in day to day operations throughout

the year, a late effort to rearrange items of expenditure against very general statements of portfolio activity exclusively for the purposes of Estimates Committee meetings will frustrate the purposes of the Committee.

7. In practical terms, the activities of all government departments can be expressed in terms of three principal activities: monitoring, advising and implementing. Each of these activities has observable and measurable outputs - even for "policy" departments, such as Foreign Affairs and Trade. Moreover, there are ways to assess the efficiency of all of these activities.

8. The Committee would like to see a more self-critical approach from departments in preparation of their E x p la n a to r y N otes. For example, the lack of reference to training and development programs in the E x p la n a to r y N o te s suggests either that most officers are fully trained for their jobs or that there is

little review within the departments of how well they are doing their jobs.

John Coates (Chair)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 12

Tuesday 26 September 1989

9. P U B L IC M E E T IN G : The Committee met in public session at 2.15pm in Senate Committee Room 14. Senator Coates took the Chair.

10. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 -

D E P A R T M E N T O F F O R E IG N A F F A IR S A N D T R A D E .

In attendance: Senator Gareth Evans, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, accompanied by the following officers -D ep a rtm en t o f F oreign A ffa irs a n d Trade Mr G J Forrester Acting First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management

Division

Mr J P McCarthy First Assistant Secretary, Public Affairs Division Mr K J Boreham Acting Principal Adviser, Americas And Europe Division Mr Î T Pierce Assistant Secretary, West Europe Branch Mr R Ahuja Acting Assistant Secretary, East Europe Branch

Mr R C Smith First Assistant Secretary, Pacific, Africa, Middle East and South Asia Division Mr R A Burns Assistant Secretary, South Asia, Africa and Middle East Branch

Mr A P Godfrey-Smith Director, South Pacific Regional Section Ms P C Wells Director, Papua New Guinea Section Mr J R Burgess Assistant Secretary, Environment and Antarctic Branch Mr J P C Sheppard Assistant Secretary, International Organisations Branch

Mr P Gregg Director, United Nations Political and Commonwealth Section. Mr D H Spencer Acting First Assistant Secretary, Economic and Trade Development Section. Mr A J Hely Assistant Secretary, Trade Strategy Branch

Mr P Urban Assistant Secretary, Trade Analysis Branch Ms J Drake-Brockman Director, International Economic Analysis Section Mr R L Hillman Acting Assistant Secretary, Economic Organisations Branch

Ms I Svenne Assistant Secretary, South East Asia Branch Ms P A Wensley Assistant Secretary, East Asia Branch Mr J H Crighton Assistant Secretary, North Asia Branch

Mr A C Edwards Assistant Secretary, Peace, Arms Control and Disarmament Branch Mr A S Mullin Mr P J Sparkes Mr D P Connors

Acting Assistant Secretary, Nuclear Policy Branch Assistant Secretary, Trade Rules Negotiations Branch Assistant Secretary, Security and Communications

Branch

Mr R Bradley Mr R H Wyndham Mr G R Nicholls

Director, Technical Services Section Assistant Secretary, Systems Development Branch Acting Project Director, ADCNET Task Force, Communications Technology Mr A G D White Mr J E Buckley Mr G J Thompson Mr G 0 West Mr D G Tucker Mr D J Evans

Assistant Secretary, Consular and Passports Branch Assistant Secretary, Resources and Liaison Branch Director, Budget and Resources Section Executive Officer, Financial Resources Acting Director, Personnel Services Section Acting Director, Locally Engaged Staff Management Section

A u stra lia n In te rn a tio n a l D evelopm en t A ssistan ce B u reau Dr R B M Dunn Director-General Dr P McCawley Deputy Director-General, Community, Commercial and International Programs Division Mr C E Terrell Mr R Stensholt

Deputy-Director General, Country Programs Division Acting Deputy Director-General, Policy, Planning and Management Division Dr L Morauta Mr E Ingevics

Assistant Director-General, Policy Branch Assistant Director-General, Community Emergency and Refugee Programs Branch Mr E Huning Acting Assistant Director General, Financial and Resource Management Branch Mr J Russell Director, Corporate Planning, Budget, and Effectiveness Review Section Mr F Wojtaszak Director, Finance Accounting and Management Support Section Dr K Donaghue Acting Director, Refugee and Disaster Coordination Section Ms W Fisher Mr M Proctor Director International Financial Institutions Section Director, Commercial Programs and Business Liaison Section

A u stra lia n Centre for In te rn a tio n a l A g ricu ltu ra l R esearch. Dr G H L Rothschild Director Mr A W Barden Manager, Corporate Services Mr R Riches Budget Office, Projects

D ep a rtm en t o f F in an ce Mr E Williams Chief Finance Officer

The Committee considered all the proposed expenditure as set out and described in the Explanatory Notes provided by the Department.

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.

11. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 -

D E P A R T M E N T 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 Gareth Evans, Minister Representing the Minister for Transport and Communications, accompanied by the following officers:

Mr T Slatyer Assistant Secretary, National and Public Broadcasting Branch, Broadcasting Policy Division Ms D Mildern First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management Division

A u stra lia n B ro a d c a stin g C orporation Mr D Hill Managing Director

Mr P Lidbetter General Manager, Finance

D ep a rtm en t o f F in an ce Mr K Mackay Chief Finance Officer

Mr P Connolly Senior Finance Officer

The Committee considered the proposed expenditure for Program 2, Sub-program 2.2 (Australian Broadcasting Commission) as set out and described in the Explanatory Notes.

12. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee concluded its consideration of sub-program 2.2 and adjourned at 12.20 am on 27 September, 1989.

13. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Coates (Chair), Alston, Brownhill, Devereux, Hill, Panizza, and Schacht. Senators Harradine and Walters also attended.

Confirmed:

John Coates (Chair)

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 13

Tuesday 3 October 1989

14. P U B L IC M EE TIN G : The Committee met in public session at 4.09 pm in Senate Committee Room 14. Senator Coates took the chair.

15. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 -

D E P A R T M E N T 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 Nick Bolkus, representing the Minister for Transport and Communications, accompanied by the following officers:

Mr W Ellis Mr T Slatyer

Mr R Smith

Mr V Jones

Mr C Knowles Mr M Potter

Mr R Beale Mr D Buckingham Mr R Turner Mr D Scorpecci

Mr R Elder Mr P Merner Mr R Lee Mr J Pike

Mr A Stray Dr N Primrose

Mr T Shaw Mr N Waslin

Mr P Field Mr J Elliot

First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting Policy Division Assistant Secretary, National and Public Broadcasting Policy Branch First Assistant Secretary, Communications Policy and

Planning Division First Assistant Secretary, Communications Operations Division Assistant Secretary, Station Planning Branch

Acting First Assistant Secretary, International Aviation Policy Division Associate Secretary First Assistant Secretary, Domestic Aviation Division

Assistant Secretary, Aviation Security Branch Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure Branch Assistant Secretary, Domestic Aviation Industry Branch First Assistant Secretary, Sydney Airport Group

Director, Bureau of Air Safety Investigation Acting Director, Air Safety, Bureau of Air Safety Investigation Acting Senior Investigatory Air Safety

Acting First Assistant Secretary, Telecommunications Policy Division Assistant Secretary, Industry Policy Branch Principal Adviser, Land Transport, Land Transport Policy

Division Assistant Secretary, Land Transport Operations Branch Acting Assistant Secretary, Road Management Branch

Mr R Desmond Mr P Makeham Mr P Crone Mr P Eccles Mr I Williams Mr K Ticehurst Ms D Mildern Dr G A Feeney

Director, Road Transport Operations Acting First Assistant Secretary, Road Safety Division First Assistant Secretary, Maritime Operations Division First Assistant Secretary, Maritime Operations Division Assistant Secretary, Ship Safety Branch

Executive Officer, Maritime Officer First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management Assistant Secretary, Planning and Budgeting Branch

S p ecia l B ro a d ca stin g Service Mr Lloyd-James Head of Television Mr Q Luu Head of Radio

Mr R Strokes Director, Policy and Coordination Mr R Go wing Director, Finance and Resources

A u stra lia n B ro a d ca stin g T ribu n al Ms R Medd General Manager

A u stra lia n A irlin es Mr G Dalidarkis Financial Planning and Control Manager

F ederal A irp o rts C orporation Mr A Ramsey Financial Controller

C ivil A via tio n A u th o rity Mr P Bowen Group General Manager, Airways Operations Mr M Mayoh General Manager, Finance and Investment Mr T Thomas Flight Crew Licensing and Training, Safety Regulation Mr A Rainbird Deputy Chief Executive

In depen den t A ir Fares C om m ittee Mr P Scott Secretary

A u stra lia n T elecom m unications C orporation Mr G Cameron Executive Director, Finance and Control Mr G Ward General Manager, Corporate Pricing, Corporate Strategy Division Mr L Tyre 11

Mr S Fish

General Manager, Network and Consumer Services, Metropolitan Division Manager, External Relations Secretariat

OTC L im ited Mr R Cruikshank Corporate Affairs Manager

A u stra lia n P o sta l C orporation Mr A Arena Manager, Government and Liaison

A u stra lia n T elecom m unications A u th o rity Mr M Keehn General Manager, Industry Facilitation Division

100

A u stra lia n N a tio n a l R a ilw a ys C om m ission Dr F Affleck Mr G Greatrex Mr G Atkinson

General Manager, Corporate Relations General Manager, Financial Services Manager, Budgets and Performance

In tersta te C om m ission Mr F Keith Mr 0 Rodda Mr C Sayers

Secretary Secretariat Director Assistant Secretary, Investigations and Research Branch

D ep a rtm en t o f F inance Mr G Piko Senior Finance Officer

The Committee considered the estimates of proposed expenditure for 1989-90 for the Department of Transport and Communications, beginning with Program 2.3 (SBS) and the remainder of Program 2 (Broadcasting, Radiocommunications and Technology Development), and then proceeded with

the other departmental programs in the order that they are set out and described in the Explanatory Notes.

16. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditures and adjourned the meeting at 1.10am, 4 October 1989.

17. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Coates (Chair), Alston, Brownhill, Devereux, Panizza, and Schacht. Senators MacGibbon and Newman also attended.

Confirmed:

John Coates (Chair)

101

102

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 14

Wednesday 11 October 1989

18. P U B L IC M EETING : The Committee met in public session at 10.08am in Senate Committee Room 14. Senator Coates took the chair.

19. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 -

D E P A R T M E N T 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.

20. In attendance: Senator Nick Bolkus, representing the Minister for Transport and Communications, accompanied by the following officers:

Dr R B Lee Director, Bureau of Air Safety Investigation

Mr J E Pike Deputy Director, Air Safety, Bureau of Air Safety

Investigation

C ivil A via tio n A u th ority Mr C W Freeland Mr A Rainbird Mr T D Thomas

Mr P K Evans

Mr M D Dunn Mr M R Lewino

Mr A Heggen Mr L Norsworthy

Mr G Segan

Chief Executive Officer Deputy Chief Executive Acting Assistant General Manager, Operations Assistant General Manager, Air Traffic Services, New

South Wales Assistant General Manager Airworthiness Assistant General Manager, Safety Regulation, Victoria/Tasmania

Group General Manager, Safety Regulation Assistant General Manager, Corporate Management Group Examiner of Aviation

The Chair announced the changed membership of the Committee, namely that Senator MacGibbon replaced Senator Panizza and Senator Collins replaced Senator Devereux for hearings on that day.

The Committee reconsidered proposed expenditure for subprograms 1.3 (concerning the Bureau of Air Safety) and 1.7 (concerning the Civil Aviation Authority) as set out and described in the Explanatory Notes.

103

21. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditures and adjourned the meeting at 11.00pm, 11 October 1989.

22. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Coates (Chair), Brownhill, Collins, MacGibbon, and Schacht. Senators M. Baume, Newman and Sanders also attended.

Confirmed:

John Coates (Chair)

104

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE HANSARD OF THE HEARING ON 3 APRIL 1989

105

1 0 6

SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

LIST OF ISSUES RAISED IN HEARING

26 September 1989

DEPARTM ENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Access and Equity monitoring programme

B ila te ra l a n d R eg io n a l R elation s. Increase in administrative expenses Amalgamation of Foreign Affairs with Trade Early retirement scheme

Increase in administrative expenses Trade Facilitation Fund Special visits program Australia-China Council

Indonesia Project, Australian National University Australia-Indonesia Institute Australia-Japan Foundation Compensation and legal expenses

Free Trade Agreement with Japan Chemical Weapons Regional Initiative Environmental Issues Asia-Pacific regional body initiative

Chemical weapons conference Australia New Zealand Foundation French Bicentenary Gift Export enhancement program

Fishing agreement with Soviet Union Council for Celebration of French Revolution- members Integrated Europe â commercial opportunities and risks Assistance to Poland

East German refugees Vladivostok trade display Belgrade consulate

N orth a n d S o u th ea st A sia Human rights Driftnetting by Japan and Taiwan Airlines negotiations â Korea

Suspension of various policies re China Vietnamese refugeess â repatriation from Hong Kong Hong Kongâs future Airline agreements with Taiwan

Visa for Taiwanese parliamentarian â refusal

3 4

11 11 12 12

12 13 15 15

15 17 17 18 22

23 23 24 25

26 27 27 28

28 28

29 29 31 31

32 33 34 35

107

Indochina â Paris Conference â Cambodia issue 35

US bases in Singapore 38

Philippines â Human Rights 39

Burma (Myanmar) 39

Thailand â Economic Cooperation Agreement 41

ASEAN Australia economic cooperation 41

PNG â Current situation 43

Middle east â live sheep dispute 44

Fiji â Draft Constitution 45

Tahiti and Tonga 47

Southern Africa 47

Middle east peace plans 48

New Zealand â Australia relations 48

Sri Lanka 49

P rom otin g A u s tr a lia A broad Cultural promotions â spending 49

Journalist positions 50

In tern a tio n a l T rade N eg o tia tio n s a n d D evelopm en t COCOM 50

G lobal Issues Natural allies of Australia 51

Increase in administrative expenses 52

Australia and the ILO 52

UNESCO 53

Peace Research Centre at the ANU 53

Commonwealth Secretariat 55

Human Rights Fund 55

UNCTAD 56

Commonwealth Foundation 57

Antarctic Minerals Convention 58

Negotiations with USSR on uranium processing 59

A id Australian Aid for Family Planning 59

Administration costs 67

Life Education Centres 68

Flood relief Aid to China 68

Myanmar â aid 69

Family Planning projects in Indonesia 71

Aid and Trade â DIFF 73

Trade development programs â expenditure 78

Asian Development Bank 79

Australian procurement for international agencies 80

Merino industry in China â aid 80

Coercion in Family Planning programs 82

108

C on su lar a n d P a ssp o rts Loss of passports 82

Forged passports 82

Security clearances 83

C orporate S ervices Backgrounder publication 84

A u stra lia n S ecret In telligen ce S ervice Dispute with Brian Toohey 84

D EPARTM ENT OF TRAN SPO RT AN D COM M UNICATIONS

A u stra lia n B ro a d c a stin g C om m ission Motor Vehicles â purchase of 85

Equal Opportunities policy â no. of staff 86

Resourcing review 86

Annual Report and accounts 86

Staff numbers 87

Contract versus permanent employment 87

Salaries 87

User Pays System on ABC Equipment 89

Sponsorship 89

Full-time and part-time employment 89

Budgets for individual programmes 90

Asset sales 90

Budget for ABC â dispute over inflation factor 91

Damages payouts 108

Brownhill, Senator â Various Q.O.N. 104

ABC T elevision Attitude to Australian Broadcasting Tribunal 105

ABC, complaints to 108

People meters HO

Program costs â questions to breakdown 1 1 1

Program costs â comparison with commercials Staff levels In-house and co-production balance ABC made and Purchased programmes â costs 1 1 n

Australian drama HÂ®

Broadcasts to China HÂ®

Radio Australiaâs broadcast capacity 11 '

109

110

SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

LIST OF ISSUES RAISED IN HEARING

3 October 1989

DEPARTM ENT OF TR A N SPO R T A N D COM M UNICATIONS

S p ecia l B ro a d ca stin g Service SBS Broadcasting in Northern Territory SBS Broadcasting to new areas Questions on Notice â Senator Brownhill

Local Production details Expansion of SBS services Appointment of Charles Perkins People meters

Run of contract employees SBS news in South Australia Bidding for sports programmes â arrangements with ABC Sponsorship for World Cup soccer

Test pattern deals Transponder costs Audience reach versus audience share R rated movies

Administrative costs SBS radio â audience reach Sponsorship and advertising UHF Promotion

Staff increases Equal Opportunity Employment

A u s tra lia n B ro a d ca stin g T rib u n a l Tribunal inquiries ABT Budget and backlog Aboriginal community radio licences

Staff numbers Past experience of staff Staff monitoring AIDS

Licence expiries General reviews Regulatory regime â performance of Legislative reform â further policy analysis

Impact on UHF of new television services Remote commercial licence for Western Zone Regulatory regime â support for Hutchinson review

121 121 121 122 123

124 125 125 125

126 127 127 127

128 128 128 129

129 130 131

131

131 132 133 135

135 135 136 137

137 137

137,142 138

138,139 138 142

111

C om m u n ication s P olicy a n d P la n n in g Contributions to ITU Reports on new technology Frequency auctioning

B ro a d c a stin g a n d ra d io co m m u n ica tio n s operation s SBS technical equipment â costs Band II clearance timetable Radio Australia equipment Radio Australia reach into China Siting for new Radio Australia transmitters Questions on Notice â Senator Alston

AVIATION GBE levels of service Basis of operation of America West and Air Maritime Support for tourism Workload in support of tourism during pilots dispute Megacarriers QANTAS pilots pay rises Passengers entering Australia during pilots dispute Interlining Disengagement and separation costs Departure tax Tourist promotion

Domestic Aviation Seagulls Filling Court costs

Broome Airport Compensation to airlines; Waiving of certain charges Monitoring of airlines capacity

Badgery Creek Airport Airport parking fines CAA funding constraints

In v e stig a tin g for safety CAA â number of aircraft owned Accident reporting systems MU2 accident in West Australia

Number of reported accidents Whittington aerodrome QANTAS AUSTRALIAN AIRLINES Federal Airports Corporation

143 143 143

143 143 144 145 146 147

147 148

148-9 149 149 149 150 151 151 152-3

152 153 153 154 154 155

157-65 165-68 168-171 171

171

172 172 173 173

174 175

175-79 180-185

112

C ivil A via tio n A u th o rity Whittington aerodrome 185

CAA aircraft 187

CAA accident record 187

Insurance provisions for passengers 188

CAA publications 190

Licences for French pilots 191

CAA reporting of own accidents 193

Reduction of air traffic controller operations in N.T. 193

Independent Air Fares Committee 193

T elecom m u n ication s Questions on Notice â Senator Brownhill 193

CSOâs â costing 194

Directory assistance 195

LEK 196

Questions on Notice â Senator Alston 197

Waiting time for O il call 198

Connect calls 199

OTC (Australia) Ltd. 199

Aussat 200

Australia Post 201

Questions on Notice â Senator Alston 202

Australia Post â legal suits 202

Questions of Notice â Senator Brownhill 203

AUSTEL 204

Questions on Notice â Senator Alston 206

Land Transport 206

Questions on Notice â Senator Brownhill 206

Rail freight 207

Road and rail policy 208

Maritime policy 210

Civil Aviation disengagement costs 2 1 1

Contract status of employees 211

Interstate Commission 2 1 1

113

114

SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE B

LIST OF ISSUES RAISED IN HEARING

11 October 1989

DEPARTM ENT OF TR A N SPO R T AN D COMMUNICATIONS

In vestig a tio n for safety Royal Brunei pilots 214

Accidents during pilots strike 216

French pilots taking wrong turn 216,235-42

C ivil A via tio n A u th o rity Changes to regulatory procedures 219-21

Newman inquiry 221

Staffing 222

Inspections of foreign airlines 222-24

Omega 707 223,226

CAA annual report 224

Legal basis of air regulations 227

Discretionary power to vary regulations 227-35

Foreign pilots on Australian planes - nos. 232

Arrow Air 244

Take-off clearance times 245

Various reported air traffic incidents 246-8

America West and VOR 249

Townsville incident report 249-50

Directive on foreign flight crew/craft requirements 251,301

Mr. Lewinoâs and Captain Seganâs letters 251-96,306-18

Check captainsâ approvals 292

Captain Grady case 292

CAAâs cost recovery program 293

Search and rescue procedures 294

Safety regulations re State aircraft 296

Nos of Reported Incidents To BASI 298

Accrediting of F27 Pilot 300

America West pilots 303

Instrument departures 318

Flight XK201 318

Figures on reported incidents 319

Incident at Roma, Queensland 320

Whittington events 321-7

CAA aircraft in accidents 322

General Aviation sector 329

115

116

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C

REPORT TO THE SENATE

November 1989

Membership of Estimates Committee C

Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator

Crowley (Chairman) Archer 1 ' 3 Collins Devlin McGauran

Parer 3 ' 6 Watson 2 Messner 4 Â»5 Teague 4

1 Discharged for the period 24 March 1988 to 17 May 1988. 2 Appointed for the period 24 March 1988 to 17 May 1988. 3 Discharged on 29 September 1988. 4 Appointed on 29 September 1988. 5 Discharged on 6 September 1989. 6 Appointed on 6 September 1989.

118

ESTIMATES C

REPORT TO THE SENATE

Estimates Committee C presents its Report to the Senate.

INTRODUCTION

On 18 August 1989, the Senate referred to the Committee the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1990, and the Particulars of Certain Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ending 30 June 1989, relating to the following portfolios:

Finance Treasury Employment, Education and Training

The Committee has considered the estimates of these portfolios, together with the portfolio explanatory notes, and has received explanations of them from the Minister for Finance and officers of the departments and authorities concerned. Copies ol the Minutes of Proceedings, Hansard reports of the evidence taken by the Committee, and a table of contents to those Hansards are tabled for the information of the Senate in connection with Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 1989-90 and Appropriation Bill (No. 2)

1989-90. Written answers provided after the Committeeâs hearings will be tabled separately.

The Committee draws the attention of the Senate to the following matters:

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

In the course of examination of the estimates of the Department of Finance, the Department was asked whether it is continuing to maintain pressure on other departments and agencies to provide satisfactory performance information. 1 he Committee accepted that there have been substantial improvements in the quality of

information now available, particularly through the explanatory notes for Estimates Committees. The question posed was whether the provision of performance information by departments was still being treated as a priority by the Department of Finance and whether sufficient attention is being given to related matters such as the ellective

utilisation of resources within departments and agencies.

In response, the Minister for Finance explained that there had been a change ol policy in this regard. The Department of Finance was now seeking to minimise 'detailed and

119

constant scrutiny of everything that is going on in other departmentsâ. Instead it was placing more emphasis on initiatives to encourage departments to assume greater responsibility for improving their efficiency. As examples of this, the Minister mentioned the efficiency dividend which is now in its third year of operation, and the relaxation of staff controls which meant that the discipline on staffing levels is now âa financial discipline rather than a body count disciplineâ.

Subsequent to the Committeeâs hearings, the Minister for Finance wrote to the Chairman, correcting a response which he had given, in the course of the examination of the estimates of the Department of Finance, concerning superannuation and the ABC. A copy of the Ministerâs letter is provided in Appendix 1 of this report. The Committee thanks the Minister for the correction.

TREASURY PORTFOLIO

Australian Bureau of Statistics

The Committee devoted considerable time to an examination of programs of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, including the National Health Survey.

DEPAR TMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Committee was pleased to note the range and quality of the information provided in the explanatory notes of the Department of Employment, Education and Training. This included statistical tables relating to secondary schooling containing data on participation and retention rates, subjects taken and gender. This obviated the need for many questions.

ACKNO WLEDG M ENTS

The Committee wishes to record its appreciation for the attendance of the Minister for Finance and the officials who attended the hearings, and thanks them for their co-operation.

I he Chairman wishes to thank other Committee members and Senate colleagues for their co-operation in dealing with the estimates of expenditure for 1989-90 and also thanks the secretariat to the Committee.

(Rosemary Crowley) Chairperson

120

Appendix 1

Letter from the Minister for Finance

121

122

â¢ *

1Î¯

MINISTER FOR FINANCE

Î¿Î½

Senator R . A . Crowley Chairman Estimates Committee C

Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600

26 0C11969

Dear Senator Crowley

I am writing to you about information I provided to your Committee on 26 September 1989 in relation to Program 4 (Retirement Benefits) in the Finance portfolio.

In the course of giving evidence, I was asked by Senator Watson whether Telecom, Australia Post or the ABC would be permitted to establish their own superannuation schemes. I answered that that would be up to them, but that the ABC

already had its own superannuation scheme. My response may be found on page C20 of the Hansard transcript of that day's proceedings.

This was not correct as the ABC does not have its own scheme. Most of its employees are members of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), although certain of its fixed term executives are provided with

personalised superannuation cover outside the CSS. There is no current proposal before my Department for the ABC to have its own superannuation scheme.

Yours sincerely

/ \ '

PETER WALSH

123

" . Â· ViÂ·.'" - â Â· > 4 "

1 2 4

Appendix 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR HANSARD OF HEARINGS

Tuesday 26 September 1989

Tuesday 3 October 1989

125

126

SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C

Table of Contents for Hansard of Hearing

Tuesday, 26 September 1989

Pages

Chairmanâs Opening S tatem en t....................................................................................... 1

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Program 1 - B udget D evelopm en t a n d M a n a g e m e n t....................................................... 1

Subprogram 1.1 - B udget c o o r d in a tio n ............................................................................. 2

Local Area Networks ........................................................................................... 2, 3-4

Exchange gains and exchange rate variations.......................................................... 2-3

Staff increases (AGRBO and A A O ) ................................................................... 4-5, 6

Proposed new superannuation scheme ...................................................................... 5-6

Review of Financial Management Improvement Program, regional office operations and parliamentary contributory superannuation sc h e m e ................... 6 Outlays as a proportion of GDP ............................................................................... 6

Telecom asset sales and debt repaym ents................................................................. 6

Public debt interest....................................................................................................... 2

Effect of airline pilots dispute on key economic indicators .................................... 2

Forward Estimates adjustments ............................................................................... 2-9

Subprogram 1.2 - O versight a n d e v a lu a tio n ..................................................................... B)

Civil Aviation Authority - Relief granted to airlines ................................................1Â·Â·

Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme - Financial management review ......... 10 Austel funding ................................................................................................................ **)

Family Court - Review of operations .......................................................................... 01

Property assets, valuation and sales ................................................................... 11-14

Oversight of departments - Role of the Department of Finance ................... 15-16

Program 2 - R esource M anagem ent F ra m e w o rk .................................................................B>

Subprogram 2.2 - A ccou n tin g p o licies a n d p r o c e d u r e s.................................................... B>

Corporate credit card .......................................................................................... 16-16

127

Ibogram 4 - R etirem ent B e n e f i t s .......................................................................................18

Subprogram 4.2 - C o m m o n w ea lth Superann uation P o l i c y ..............................................18

Commonwealth superannuation liability ....................................................................18

Commonwealth Superannuation S ch em e............................................................ 19-21

Program 5 - Specific P aym en ts a n d R eceipts A c t i v i t i e s ...................................................21

Subprogram 5.2 - O th er p a y m e n ts s c h e m e s ......................................................................21

Canberra Commercial Development Authority loan servicing and ACT repaym ents................................................................................................ 21-22

National disaster relief (including drought relief) .............................................. 22-24

Payments to Tasmania - Gordon River power development ..................................24

Subprogram 5.3 - C o m m o n w ea lth task fo r c e on asset s a l e s ........................................... 24

Defence Service Homes Corporation s a l e .......................................................... 24-25

Australian Embassy in Jakarta - relocation ................................................................ 25

Airports transferred to Federal Airports C orporation................................................26

Federal Airports Corporation - Loss of landing charges .................................. 26-27

Film Australia - Financial assistance............................................................................ 27

Asset sales breakdown ......................................................................................... 27-29

Moomba-Sydney gas pipeline ................................................................................... 28

Embassy land in Tokyo .............................................................................................28

Uranium stockpile............................................................................................. 28-29

I'rogram 7 - A ustralian A u d it O ffice .................................................................................29

Staff losses and work achievem ent..................................................................... 29-32

Graduate recruitment ........................................................................................... 30-32

Public Accounts - Joint Committee recommendations (Report No. 296) - AAO responses.................................................................................................. 32-33

Subprogram 7.3 - C orporate S e r v i c e s ................................................................................ 33

Average sa la ry ............................................................................................................... 33

128

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

l*rogram 1 - E c o n o m ic P o l i c y ..............................................................................................34

Subprogram 1.1 - M a cro eco n o m ic (P rices S urveillance A u th ority) ............................... 34

Increase in outlays ................................................................................................. 34-35

OTC charging - PSA recommendation ........................................................................ 35

Australia Post revenue ...................................................................................................35

PSA guidelines for price increase determ inations..................................................... 36

Staff recruitment and retention .................................................................................... 37

Photographic material, cosmetics and beer - Passing on of price reductions . . . . 37

Program 5 - A u stralian B ureau o f Statistics ................................................................... 37

Household durables figures - Separation from import capital goods figures . . 37-38 National Health Survey - Compulsion to respond.............................................. 38-43

Comparison studies of compulsory vs voluntary surveys .................................. 43-46

Pilot study on surveys........................................................................................... 46-47

Compulsory vs voluntary surveys ........................................................................ 47-52

National Health Survey -Questions in Survey........................................................................................... 52-53

Australian Medical Association support for survey ........................................ 53-55

Australian Public Health Association of Australia support for survey ..................55 Method of measuring mortgage interest charge component of CPI -Australian Statistics Advisory Council advice .................................................. 55-56

Public statement by ABS o ffic e r...............................................................................56

Availability of indices..................................................................................................57

Inoperative s ta f f ..............................................................................................................58

ABS offices - Break-ins -Hobart office ..............................................................................................................58

Review of security of ABS o ffices............................................................................ 59

Off-site management m eetings......................................................................................59

Household Expenditure Survey - Ombudsmanâs Report .................................. 59-60

Program 1 - E co n o m ic P o l i c y .............................................................................................61

Subprogram 1.1 - M a c r o e c o n o m ic ..................................................................................... 61

Current account deficit underestimation .......................................................61, 64-65

Trade forecasts ............................................................................................................. 61

Consumer and capital goods - Classification and statistics - Article in the A ustralian F inancial R e v i e w ................................................................... 62-63

Unemployment rate ...................................................................................................... 65

Economic forecast revisions.......................................................................................... 65

Effect of airline pilots dispute...................................................................................65

Quarterly estimates ................................................................................................... 66

Net invisible debts ........................................................................................................ 66

129

130

SI-NATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C

Table of Contents for Hansard of Hearing

Tuesday, 3 October 1989

Pages

Chairmanâs Opening S tatem en t.........................................................................................68

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

I'rogram I - E co n o m ic P o l i c y ..............................................................................................68

Subprogram 1.1 - M a c r o e c o n o m ic ...................................................................................... 68

Economic quarterly forecasts for 1989-90 ................................................................. 68

International Monetary Fund review of Australian economy -Treasury assistance ........................................................................................... 68-69

SRD interest r a t e ................................................................................................... 69-70

Economic growth -Sustainability................................................................................................................ 70

Inflation........................................................................................................................70

Unemployment .................................................................................................. 70-7!

Export and domestic consumption levels - Effect of excess d e m a n d .............. 71-72 Interest rate policy and demand constraint (relationship between demand, production, consumption spending and imports) ........................... 72-74

Savings ratio ...................................................................................................................74

Economic forecasts - Accuracy............................................................................. 74-75

Subprogram 1.3 - D eb t M a n a g e m e n t................................................................................. 75

Loan guarantees charge increase ........................................................................ 75-76

1 .oan repayments ........................................................................................................... 76

ISogram 2 - F inancial S y s te m .............................................................................................76

Subprogram 2.1 - F inancial S ector Policy a n d A dm inistration ..........................................76

Commonwealth Development Bank Proposed merger with Commonwealth B an k ........................................................................................ 76-77

Subprogram 2.2 - Currency .............................................................................................1 â

Royal Australian Mint - Productivity............................................................................77

Gas quench vacuum furnace used to improve productivity of d i e .............................. 77

131

Revenue estim ate................................................................................................... 77-78

$100 notes shortage in b a n k s ....................................................................................... 78

Coins out of circulation.................................................................................................78

Subprogram 1 3 - N on B u dget D ep en d en t S tatu tory B o d i e s ............................................78

PAYE tax collection - Frequency........................................................................ 78-79

Retirement benefits .............................................................................................. 79-80

Superannuation funds - Premature paym ents..................................................... 80-81

ITogram 6 - T axation A d m in is tr a tio n ............................................................................... 81

Subprogram 6.1 - In co m e Tax ........................................................................................... 81

Australian Taxation Office public relations campaigns .................................... 81-82

ATO internal investigations.................................................................................. 82-83

Tax file numbers ................................................................................................... 83-84

Computer facilities................................................................................................ 84-85

Computer s ta ff....................................................................................................... 85-86

Outlays on interest on overpayments ..........................................................................86

Disputes between ATO and taxpayers .............................................................. 86-87

Payment and rate of company tax ...................................................................... 88-89

Tax instalment deduction adjustments................................................................. 89-90

Subprogram 6.2 - S a les T a x ...................................................................................... 90-92

Subprogram 6 .4 - C h ild S u p p o r t........................................................................................ 92

Efficiency dividend .........................................................................................................92

Applications for child support - N um ber................................................................... 92

Maintenance payments ................................................................................................. 92

Program 7 - Industries A ssista n ce C om m ission ................................................................ 92

I AC restructuring...........................................................................................................93

Kodak subsidy ................................................................................................................93

132

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING

G en eral

Ministerial travel overseas 1988-89 ^ .......................................................... 95

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission - Repercussions for DEET p ro g ram s..........................................................................................................95

Consultants appointed to DEET and M inister............................................................ 95

Increased estimate of expenditure 1989-90 ........................................................ 95-96

Staff in crease................................................................................................................... 96

Program evaluation....................................................... 97

Higher education discipline reviews .................................................................... 97-98

Program 1 - S c h o o l s ............................................................................................................98

Objectives ........................................................................................................................98

Resource agreements ............................................................................................. 99-100

Subprogram 1.1 - P articipation, retention a n d general com p eten cies ............................100

ACT funding ....................................................................................................... 100-101

Prospective cost increases ............................................................................................101

Establishment g ra n ts.....................................................................................................101

Capital and recurrent grants for non-government schools ............................. 101-102

Revised Commonwealth funding arrangements ........................................................103

Student Portfolios................................................................ 103

Post 1992 funding arrangements - Discussion p a p e r ......................................... 103-104

Short term emergency assistance program ................................................................. 104

Student retention ...................................................................................................104-105

Numbers studying languages ............................................................................... 105-106

Efficiency dividend ....................................................................................................... 106

Rural hostels - Financial support ............................................................................... 106

Rural education ............................................................................................................100

Subprogram 1.2 - A ssistan ce fo r d isadvan taged schools a n d stu den ts ........................ ' ' â

English as a second language - Grants to the S ta te s............................................. *06

Subprogram 1.3 - Language a n d m u lticultural studies ...................................................100

National Language Policy Program .......................................................................... *06

Asian languages and studies.........................................................................................*07

Ethnic Schools Program - Eligibility for funding........................................................*07

133

107 Subprogram 1.4 - T eaching a n d curriculum develo p m en t

Curriculum Corporation of Australia budget .................................................. 107-108

ITogram 2 - H igher E du cation .......................................................................................108

Subprogram 2.1 - H igh er edu cation s y s t e m ................................................................... 108

Higher Education Contribution Scheme -Report and evaluative studies on HECS .....................................................108-109

HECS exemption scholarships.................................................................................. 109

Decline in post-graduate numbers within certain disciplines............................. 109 Commonwealth funding per equivalent full-time student ..................................109

Research funds availability to medical sch o o ls................................................ 109-110

Unmet demand for higher education - Equity between S ta te s ......................110-111 Amalgamations of tertiary institutions........................................................................ Ill

Subprogram 2 .2 - T argeted research a n d scien tific d ev elo p m en t ..................................I ll

Special research centres and key cen tres..........................................................111-112

Australian Research Council grants ........................................................................112

Subprogram 2.3 - In ternational s t u d e n t s .......................................................................... 113

Overseas student charges - Instalment payments .................................................. 113

Australian education centres ............................................................................... 113-114

Program 3 - Skills F o r m a tio n ........................................................................................... 114

Subprogram 3.1 - T echn ical a n d fu rth er e d u c a tio n ..........................................................114

Training g u a ra n te e ................................................................................................114-115

Program 4 - S p ecia l E m ploym en t, E du cation a n d In com e S u p p o r t.............................115

Subprogram 4 .4 - E du cation in co m e s u p p o r t................................................................ 115

Austudy - Expenditure on non-government business colleges............................... 115

Subprogram 4.6 - A borigin al edu cation ....................................................................... 115

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education policy ................................. 115-116

Auditor-General audit report on Abstudy ................................................................ 116

Auditor-General audit report on Jobstart ......................................................... 116-117

Subprogram 4.3 - L i t e r a c y ............................................................................................... 117

Vocationally oriented adult education and literacy program .......................... 117-118

134

Program 5 - L a b o u r M arket O peration ........................................................................ 118

Subprogram 5 .4 - R ecognition o f overseas s k i l l s ............................................................ 1 IK

Council on Overseas Professional Qualifications - Transfer to National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition ................................................................. 118

Unemployment duration ............................................................................................118

135

- rf â

136

Appendix 3

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Friday, 5 May 1989

Tuesday, 26 September 1989

Tuesday, 3 October 1989

Friday, 27 October 1989

137

138

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITFEE C

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 18. FRIDAY, 5 MAY 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in deliberative session at 1.03 p.m. in the Government Advisersâ Area. The Chairperson, Senator Crowley, took the chair.

2. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE CLERK OF THE SENATE IN RESPONSE TO I .L ITER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN STATISTICIAN: Senator Collins moved that the correspondence be put in the Committeeâs Additional Information volume. The Committee agreed.

Senator Messner moved that the Australian Statisticianâs letter, including attachments, and the Clerkâs letter he circulated to those Senators who attended the Committeeâs Budget hearings. The Committee agreed.

3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 1.10 p.m.

4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Crowley (Chairperson), Collins. McGauran, Messner, Teague. Apology: Senator Devlin (overseas)

Confirmed:

Rosemary Crowley Chairperson

139

1 4 0

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 19. TUESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 3.00 p.m. in Committee Room 16. The Chairperson, Senator Crowley, took the chair.

2. MINUTES: The Committee approved the minutes of the meeting of 5 May 1989.

3. ORDER OF HEARING DEPARTMENTS: The Committee agreed that the Departments would he heard in the order: Finance, Treasury, Department of Employment. Education and Training. In the case of Treasury, it was agreed that the Prices Surveillance Authority and the Australian Bureau of Statistics would be heard first.

4. ÎÎÎÎÎDANCE OF WITNESSES: The Chairperson drew the attention of members to a letter to the Committee Secretary from Senator Waltersâ Electorate Assistant, Mr R. Douglas, requesting the Secretary to advise the Australian Statistician, Mr I. Castles, that Senator Walters wished to ask him some questions at the Committee hearings. The

Chairperson advised the Committee that the Secretary had subsequently written to Mr Castles to pass on the advice from Senator Walters.

The Committee briefly discussed the powers of Estimates Committees in relation to the attendance of witnesses. The Chairperson advised that it was her understanding that Estimates Committees do not have the power to require the attendance of particular persons. It was agreed that the Secretary should seek confirmation of this on the

Committeeâs behalf.

5. ADJOURNMENT: The private meeting adjourned at 3.10 p.m.

6. ATTENDANCE: Senators Crowley (Chairperson). Devlin. McGauran, Parer. Teague.

Confirmed:

Rosemary Crowley Chairperson

141

142

THE SENATE

1. MEETING: The Committee met at 3.10 p.m. in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairperson, Senator Crowley, took the chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1989-90, FINANCE PORTFOLIO:

3. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Hon. P. Waish, Minister for Finance, accompanied

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 20. TUESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1989

by the following officers:

Department of Finance

Mr A. Podger A/g Deputy Secretary

Mr 1. McPhee A/g First Assistant Secretary

Financial Management Division

Mr R.A. Higgins Principal Adviser, General Expenditure Division

Mr D. Lindsay A/g Assistant Secretary

Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme Review Team

Mr M. Holmes Assistant Secretary

Resource Management Improvement Branch

Mr M.J. Kennedy Assistant Secretary, Accounting Policy Branch

Mr J. Walsh A/g Assistant Secretary

Resource Policies and Management Branch

Mr C. 1 lughes A/g Assistant Secretary

Accounting Operations Branch

Mr A. MacLean Assistant Secretary, ADP Branch

Mr 1 Briggs Assistant Director, Finance and Accounts

143

Mr D. Allen Senior Finance Officer

Primary Industries and Energy Branch

Commonwealth Task Force on Asset Sales

Mr J. Hutson Chief Finance Officer

Australian Government Retirements Benefits Office

Mr K.J. McCullagh A/g Assistant Commissioner Resources Management

Mr R.R. Jackson A/g Director, Finance, Planning and Review

Australian Audit Office

Mr M.J. Jacobs A/g Deputy Auditor-General

Mr E.M. Hay A/g First Assistant Auditor-General

Corporate Management Division

Mr C.M. McPherson Assistant Auditor-General Planning and Resource Management Branch

Mr D.C. McKean Director, Management Section

Mr F.P. Campbell Finance Officer, Management Section

Department of Finance observer:

Mr A.P. Richardson A/g Assistant Secretary Public Administration and Accounting Development Blanch

144

4. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1989-90, TREASURY PORTFOLIO:

5. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Hon. P. Walsh, Minister representing the Treasurer, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of the Treasury

Mr E.L. Waterman A/g Secretary to the Treasury

Mr B.J. Gleeson Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Branch

Mr F.G.H. Pooley First Assistant Secretary Finance and Investment Division

Dr I.J. Walt Assistant Secretary, Capital Markets Division

Mr A. Ross Administrative Service Officer

Capital Markets Division

Mr R. Kerr Assistant Secretary, Structural Policy Division

Mr G.J. Clark Administrative Service Officer

Structural Policy Division

Mrs M.N.D. Santoso Administrative Service Officer, Economic Division

Mr A.G. Henderson Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Policy Division

Mr G.R. Potts A/g First Assistant Secretary

Taxation Policy Division

Dr D. Cousins Member, Prices Surveillance Authority

Mr J. Dullcy Chief Executive Officer

Prices Surveillance Authority

Mr W. Sheehan Controller, Royal Australian Mint

Mr C. Mills A/g Corporate Planner, Royal Australian Mint

Mr D. Holmeshy Director, Corporate Services Branch

Mr R. Eaton Assistant Director, Corporate Services Branch

145

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Mr 1. Castles Australian Statistician

Mr W. McLennan Deputy Australian Statistician

Mr R.W. Edwards First Assistant Statistician Co-ordination and Management Division

Mr T. Skinner First Assistant Statistician

Social and Labour Division

Mr 1. King Assistant Statistician, Resource Management Branch

Ms P. Guy A/g Director

Resource Management and Systems Section

Department of Finance observer:

Mr A.P. Richardson A/g Assistant Secretary Public Administration and Accounting Development

Branch

6. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 10.30 p.m.

7. A [TENDANCE: Senators Crowley (Chairperson), Collins, Devlin, McGauran, Parer, Teague (members); and Senators M Baume, Messner, Patterson, Walters, Watson.

Confirmed:

Rosemary Crowley Chairperson

146

THE SENATE

1. MEETING: The Committee met at 4.10 p.m. in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairperson, Senator Crowley, took the chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1989-90, TREASURY PORTFOLIO (continued from 26 September):

3. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Hon. P. Walsh, Minister representing the Treasurer, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of the Treasury

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 21. TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1989

Mr D.W. Borthwick A/g Deputy Secrtary, Economic

Mr B.J. Gleeson Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Branch

Mr F.G.H. Pooley A/g Deputy Secretary, Financial

Mr J. Eyers Assistant Secretary, Finance and Investment Division

Mr M. Callaghan A/g First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Investment

Division

Mr K. Carpenter Administrative Service Officer, Finance and Investment Division

Dr I.J. Watt Assistant Secretary, Capital Markets Division

Mr A. Ross Administrative Service Officer, Capital Markets Division

Mr G.J. Clark A/g Assistant Secretary, Structural Policy Division

Mr M.F. Shadwick Assistant Secretary, Economic Division

Mrs M.N.D. Santosa Administrative Service Officer, Economic Division

Mr S. French A/g Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Policy Division

147

Mr G.R. Potts A/g First Assistant Secretary, Taxation Policy Division

Mr W. Sheehan Controller, Royal Australian Mint

Mr M. Raynor Marketing Manager, Royal Australian Mint

Mr C. Mills A/g Corporate Planner, Royal Australian Mint

Mr R. Eaton A/g Director, Corporate Services Branch

Australian Taxation Office

Mr V. Mitchell First Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services

Mr R. McDonald Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Management Support

Mr J. Seberry First Assistant Commissioner, Revenue Collection

Mr R. Highfield Senior Assistant Commissioner, Audit Strategic Planning

Mr M. DAscenzo Assistant Commissioner, Complex Audit

Ms J. Hurditch Assistant Commissioner, Client Registration

Mr B. Jones A/g Project Director, Modernisation Project

Mr J. Crowder A/g First Assistant Commissioner, Systems

Mr 1. Moustaka Manager, Modernisation Project Office

Mr J. Wheeler Assistant Commissioner, Management Improvement and Evaluation

Mr M. McHugh Senior Assistant Commissioner, Child Support

Mr M. Reithmullcr Consultant, Child Support

Mr R. Johnston Executive Officer, Child Support

Mr C. Mohhs Executive Officer, Corporate Budgeting

148

Insurance and Superannuation Commission

Mr R.M. Beetham Commissioner

Mr R.J. Smith Deputy Commissioner, General

Mr R.G. Glading Deputy Commissioner, Life Insurance

Mr R.l 1. Dean Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation

Mr N. Stuparich Assistant Commissioner, Superannuation

Mr M. OâNeill Assistant Commissioner, Superannuation

Mr F.I. Keenan Senior Adviser, Policy

Mr J.L. Maroney Australian Government Actuary, Actuarial

Mr G.L.. Burns Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services

Mrs P.M. Bridge A/g Director, Corporate Services

Industries Assistance Commission

Mr W. Bates First Assistant Commissioner, Division 1

Mr J. Day Assistant Commissioner, Corporate

Services Branch

Mr L. Bee ns Director, Finance and Services Section

Department of Finance observer:

Mr A.P. Richardson A/g Assistant Secretary Public Administration and Accounting Development Branch

149

4. PARTICULARS ÎÎ- PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1989-90, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING PORTFOLIO:

5. IN ÎÎ¤ÎÎÎDANCE: Senator the Hon. P. Walsh, Minister representing the Minister tor Employment, Education and Training, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Employment, Education and Training

Dr 11.N. Johnston Deputy Secretary

Mr J.W. Muir A/g Deputy Secretary

Mr DA. Fooks First Assistant Secretary, TAFE & Skills Formation Division

Mr PA. Hartigan First Assistant Secretary, Client Services Division

Mr A.J. Kaspura First Assistant Secretary, Schools & Curriculum Division

Ms L.D. Hale A/g First Assistant Secretary, Management Division

Mr C.E. Bannerman A/g First Assistant Secretary, Economic & Policy Analysis Division

Mr W.I.. Daniels Principal Adviser, Higher Education Division

Mr J.R. McCarthy Assistant Secretary, Training & Adjustment Assistance Branch

Mr D.C. Dillon A/g Assistant Secretary, Community Programs Branch

Mr R.G. Harvey Assistant Secretary, Program Review & Income Support Branch

Ms R.G. McKay Assistant Secretary, Womans Bureau

Mr CJ. Robinson Assistant Secretary, Aboriginal Education Branch

Mr N.Ci. St Jacques Assistant Secretary, Student Services Branch

Ms D.G. Suggctt Assistant Secretary, Youth Bureau

150

Ms A.A. Bannikoff A/g Assistant Secretary, Language Policy Î: Asian Studies Branch

Mr R.R. Craftcr A/g Assistant Secretary, Overseas Student Policy Branch

Mr R.D. Halstead A/g Assistant Secretary, Industry Training Operations Branch

Ms L.M. Riggs A/g Assistant Secretary, TAPE Training Services Branch

Mr P.G. Watson A/g Assistant Secretary, Resources Management Branch

Dr H.S. Preston Assistant Secretary, Equity and Programs Branch

Mr R. McGowan Principal Executive Officer, Community & Aboriginal Programs Division

Mr D.S. Fisher Director, National Board of Employment, Education & Training

Ms A.M. Kamarul A/g Director, National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition

Mr P.W. Pritchard Director, Resources Section

Mr A.J. Greer Director Corporate Services,

Strategy Planning Development Unit

Dr E.V. Dudley Director, Finance & Legislation Section

Dr A.E. Vevoorn Director, Planning & Review Section

Mr G.J. Franklin Director Entitlements, Student Services Branch

Mr G.J. Spencer Assistant Director, Program Resources Section

Department of Finance observer:

Mr J Nicholson Chief Finance Officer

Employment, Education and Training Division

6. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 10.30 p.nt

151

7. ÎÎÎÎÎ ÎÎ ÎÎÎ¯: Senators Crowley (Chairperson), Collins, Devlin, McGauran, Parer, Teague (members); and Senators Boswell, Jenkins, Messner.

Confirmed:

Rosemary Crowley Chairperson

152

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE C

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 22. FRIDAY 27 OCTOBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 9.40 a.m. in Senator Crowleyâs office.

2. MINUTES: The Committee approved the minutes of the meetings of 26 September 1989 and 3 October 1989.

3. MA1TERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: The Committee noted the advice which the Secretary had obtained in relation to the powers of Senate Estimates committees.

4. REPORT: The Committee considered the draft report and approved it with one amendment.

The Chairperson advised that she had received a letter from the Minister for Finance correcting evidence which he had given relating to superannuation arrangements and the ABC. It was resolved (moved Senator Collins, seconded Senator McGauran) that the matter be included in the Committeeâs report and that the letter be included in an

appendix. The Committee resolved to circulate the letter to all Committee members and to other Senators who had attended that part of the hearings.

5. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9.55 a.m.

6. AITENDANCE: Senators Crowley (Chairperson), Collins, Devlin, McGauran. Senator Teague attended at the planned starting time of 9.30 a.m.

Certified correct:

Rosemary Crowley Chairperson

153

154

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D

REPORT TO THE SENATE

November 1989

Membership of Estimates Committee D

Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator

Colston (Chairman) Peter Baume 3 Giles 3 Shell 1' 3 Walters 3

Zakharov 3 Bjelke-Petersen 2 Black (Chairman) 4 Coates 4 ' 6 Cooney 4 - 8 Hill 4 -10 Puplick 5'12 Reid 5 MacGibbon 5 >12

Newman 5 Â·12 Maguire 7 Â·13 Faulkner 9

Boswell H /12 Foreman 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4

1 Discharged for the period 24 March 1988 to 17 May 1988. 2 Appointed for the period 24 March 1988 to 17 May 1988. 3 Discharged on 29 September 1988. 4 Appointed on 29 September 1988. 5 Senators Puplick and Reid appointed on 29 September 1988,

with Senators MacGibbon and Newman to replace Senators Puplick and Reid for the consideration of the estimates of the Departments of Defence and Veterans' Affairs. 6 Discharged on 9 March 1989. 7 Appointed on 9 March 1989. 8 Discharged for 14 April 1989 only. 9 Appointed for 14 April 1989 only. 10 Discharged on 6 September 1989. 11 Appointed on 6 September 1989. 12 Senators MacGibbon and Newman appointed on 6 September 1989

to replace Senators Boswell and Puplick for the consideration of the estimates of the Departments of Defence and Veterans' Affairs. 13 Dischargedon 26 September 1989. 14 Appointed on 26 September 1989.

1 5 6

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D

REPORT TO THE SENATE

Estimates Committee D presents its report to the Senate.

INTRODUCTION

1. On 18 August 1989, 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 1990, the Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending 30 June 1990 and the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ending on 30 June 1989 in

respect of the following Departments:

â¢ Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories

â¢ Defence

â¢ Veteransâ Affairs

2. The Committee has considered the estimates for the year ending 30 June 1990 and the Advance to the Minister for Finance, together with the Departmental Explanatory Notes and has received evidence from the Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories (Senator the Hon.

Graham Richardson), the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister Assisting the Treasurer for Prices (Senator the Hon. Nick Bolkus), the Minister for Resources (Senator the Hon. Peter Cook) and officers of the departments and authorities concerned. Copies of the Minutes of Proceedings and H a n s a r d

reports of the evidence taken by the Committee are tabled for the information of the Senate in connection with the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 1989-90 and Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 1989-90. 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:

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES

Availability of Annual Report and advance information

4. The Committee did not receive advance copies of the annual reports of any portfolio agency, although this is a requirement of the guidelines for preparation of departmental annual reports. The Public Service Act (s. 25) makes these guidelines legally binding on departmental Secretaries and their

equivalents in other agencies. The Committee noted that the Department failed to meet this aspect of its legal obligation to report to Parliament. The

157

Committee also noted, however, that the Department was extremely diligent and prompt in preparing and providing answers to questions taken on notice at the Committee hearings.

Ministerâs instructions to officers

5. In the context of Committee examination of Program 8 in the Explanatory Notes relating to the Departmentâs estimates, Senator Puplick sought to ask questions in relation to Coronation Hill. The Secretary to the Department advised that his Minister, Senator the Hon. Graham Richardson, had

instructed him âto answer no questions at all on Coronation Hillâ (H a n s a r d , p. D127).

6. Questioning of the Director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region and other officers confirmed that the prohibition applied to all officers of the Department and portfolio agencies (H a n s a r d , pp. D133, D167, D173).

7. Further questioning established that Minister Richardsonâs prohibition on comment by his officers extended to confirmation of matters of fact. This included confirmation of matters which the Explanatory Notes stated to have been already made public by the Government (H a n s a r d , p. D128).

8 . Senator Puplick expressed concern at the prohibition in the following terms:

... This Committee, being a Committee of the Senate, has asked for ... information and, very properly, the Secretary is in a position where he simply repeats the instructions which he has been given by his Minister. Under those circumstances the whole purpose of an Estimates Committee is entirely set at nought by a ministerial instruction not to answer questions which arise from written material provided to a committee of the Senate (H a n s a r d , p. D128).

Senator Puplick advised the Committee of his intention to seek determination by resolution of the Senate what is the capacity of a minister to refuse information stated in the Explanatory Notes to be matters of public record. 9

9. The Committee notes that Senator Richardson was not at the Committee hearing when the issue of Coronation Hill arose because Cabinet was considering the same issue at that time. Government policy on the matter was stated by the Prime Minister in a press release issued during the course of the

Committeeâs hearing. The Committee is of the view that, on future occasions, restrictions on comment of this type should not apply to matters of fact. However, the Committee considers that, in these circumstances, the general thrust of the Ministerâs instruction was understandable.

158

Thanks to Mr J. Mollison, Ms P. OâNeil and Professor J. Ovington

10. The Committee noted that Mr J. Mollison, Director of the Australian National Gallery, Ms P. OâNeil, Director of the Australian Heritage Commission and Professor J. Ovington, Director of the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service were all appearing for the last time in these

capacities. The Committee thanked these witnesses for their past assistance and wished them well in their future activities.

Length and content of Explanatory Notes

11. Committee members commented on aspects of the Explanatory Notes which appeared to show, in Senator Puplickâs words, âa tendency to write essays under the rubric of Estimates Committee documents, arguing a particular philosophy or a particular point of viewâ (H a n s a r d , p. D90). The

Committee noted that this was the second year in which this m atter had been drawn to the attention of the Department. The Committee accepted Minister Richardsonâs response that âthere is a fine line to be drawn ... between waxing lyrical on the pages of Estimates Committee documents unnecessarily and yet

at the same time recognising the need to justify the programsâ (H a n s a r d , p. D91). The Committee noted with approval the Ministerâs promise that the problem would be addressed in next yearâs Explanatory Notes.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANSâ AFFAIRS

Availability of Annual Report and other advance information

12. The Committee was pleased to receive, well in advance of the hearing, copies of draft annual reports of agencies in the portfolio and copies of other relevant documents such as the R e p o r t o f P ro g ress a g a in s t the D V A C orporate P la n . In addition, departmental officers provided a briefing for Senators in

advance of the hearing to clarify non-contentious issues. These actions by the Department reduced the requirement for questioning on basic matters of fact at the hearing and substantially assisted the Committee in its examination of the estimates. The Departmentâs performance in this regard might be taken as

a model of constructive support for the estimates scrutiny process.

Risk to the Australian War Memorial collection

13. The Committee was concerned to learn from the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Mr K. Pearson, that staffing restrictions may be such as to put the Memorialâs collection at risk (H a n s a r d , p. D225). The Committee was informed that a German flag from the Second World War had been stolen from

the display dealing with the loss of HMAS Sydney the week before the hearing. Damage to the Bullecourt diorama and thefts of an identification bracelet from a figure in one of the galleries and of a hurricane lamp from outside an exhibition had also occurred during the preceding months (H a n s a r d ,

p. D226).

159

14. Mr Pearson told the Committee that security staff numbers had been reduced from 30 two years ago to 21 at present. While between seven and eleven security staff are on duty in the galleries for much of each day, rostering and lunchtime breaks reduce this coverage to one officer during the

lunch period (H a n s a r d , p. D 226). The Committee considers that this arrangement places the collection at risk.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

Availability of Annual Report and advance information

15. The Committee received the draft D efence R e p o r t in advance of the hearing and noted that the report was tabled on 5 October 1989. Such early tabling of an annual report by one of the largest of the public sector agencies is desirable. The report showed obvious improvements over that of the previous year and the Committee commends those associated with its preparation.

16. Members of the Committee directed a significant number of questions on matters of fact to the Department in advance of the hearing. The Department took a large number of further questions on notice at the hearing. While recognising the workload associated with answering these questions, the Committee considers that the Department should be capable of a more rapid

response. Most if not all of the questions related to matters of fact and the requirement of a department to answer such questions from estimates committees is a predictable feature of the public service routine. The

Committee expects prompt and full answers to the questions of fact that its members directed to the Department.

Assistance to the civil community

17. The Committee questioned the Minister and officials on the use of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) during the current airlines dispute. In particular, Committee members sought advice on whether the use of the ADF had been in accordance with the Defence Instructions (General), usually abbreviated as DI(G). The DI(G) are issued jointly by the Secretary to the

Department of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force. They provide, among other things, for the circumstances and conditions under which the ADF may be used for assistance to the civil community and in aid to the civil power. The Committee noted that s.9A (2) of the D efence A c t 1 9 0 3 gives formal recognition to the DI(G). In addition, however, s.8 provides for the Minister to direct the Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Force. 1 8

18. Vice-Admiral A.L. Beaumont, the Vice-Chief of the Defence Force, told the Committee that the decision to use the ADF in the pilots dispute was not taken under the DI(G) but âderived from the power that the Minister already has and the Government hasâ (H a n sa rd , p. D248). The DI(G), Vice-Admiral Beaumont told the Committee, are âself-imposed instructions within the

Department of Defenceâ (H a n s a r d , p. D247). A significant feature of action under a ministerial direction as opposed to use of the DI(G) is that the DI(G)

160

require full cost recovery for the type of assistance to the civil community supplied in the airlines dispute although provision exists for full cost recovery to be waived if certain procedures are followed. There are no set rules on cost recovery for action under ministerial direction. The DI(G) also requires

indemnification of the Commonwealth against possible claims against the Government arising from provision of the assistance as a prerequisite for the assistance.

19. The Committee was told th at officials understood âthat there has been discussion between the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Financeâ and that a Government decision on financial arrangements had been made (H a n s a r d , p. D252). Minister Richardson

confirmed that a Government decision had been made (H a n s a r d , p. D253).

20. The Committee accepts that the Government has the power, subject to the law, to determine the circumstances and conditions under which the ADF is used to assist the civil community. This power clearly extends to varying conditions specified in the DI(G). However, it can be presumed that DI(G) were

drafted so as to protect the interests of the Commonwealth while permitting appropriate use of the ADF in assistance to the civil community. It would be unfortunate if any ministerial direction so to use the ADF was to weaken unintentionally the protections built into the DI(G). It is not clear whether this

has occurred in the present case.

21. The Minister told the Committee that it would be necessary to seek legal advice on the Commonwealthâs liability in the case of claims related to the use of the ADF in the pilotsâ dispute (H a n s a r d , pp. 254, 293). The Committee is concerned at the possibility that the ministerial direction may have left the

Commonwealth more exposed in this case than was thought generally appropriate when the relevant sections of the DI(G) were drafted.

Sanderson report

22. The Committee noted evidence from officials that no attempts have been made to explore the possibility of a right of redeployment into appropriate public service positions of senior ADF officers made redundant following the Sanderson review (H a n s a r d , p. D241). Senior public servants in the

Department of Defence made redundant in the parallel review of the civilian component of the Department were entitled as of right to active assistance in seeking redeployment as an alternative to compulsory early retirement. The Committee noted comment by Vice- Admiral Beaumont that the affected

officers have been offered assistance to find employment should they so wish {H a n sa rd , p. D242).

161

Possible failure by Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal to carry out salaries and allowances review

23. The Committee directed questions at the implementation of s.58H (6) of the D efence A c t 1 9 0 3 . The section requires that the Defence Force

Remuneration Tribunal âshall inquire into and make a further

recommendationâ on Defence Force salaries and allowances within two years of its last determination, or within a shorter period if directed by the Minister. Committee members suggested th at the Tribunal had failed to comply with this requirement. Officials argued in response that âwhen a national wage case decision is flowed on to the ADF, it can be said that in flowing on that decision the Tribunal has indeed reviewed the pay and allowances of the Defence

Forceâ (H a n s a r d , p. D270). The Department also argued that the Tribunal had reviewed all allowances during the last two year period and registered its satisfaction with them as they stand (H a n s a r d , p. D269).

24. The Committee is uncertain as to whether the actions cited by the Department meet the requirements of S.58H (6). The possibility exists that the Tribunal is in breach of its statutory obligation in this regard.

Purchase of LAV25 armoured fighting vehicles

25. Officers acknowledged in evidence to the Committee that normal evaluation and purchasing procedures were not fully followed in the acquisition of 15 LAV25 wheeled armoured fighting vehicles from the United States Marine Corps. It is expected that Australia will eventually require about 100 wheeled armoured vehicles. The cost of the initial purchase, including spare parts, was about $25 million. The Department had not mentioned the requirement for the purchase in its additional estimates in April 1989 but found the financial resources within its existing appropriation for equipment and stores (H a n s a r d , pp. 319-322). The Committee was not informed of the processes undertaken to assess the priority of this need relative to

requirements for other equipment and stores.

26. The Committee noted that the Department had not trialled the vehicles in Australian conditions, had not formally evaluated them against possible competitors and had not concluded arrangements for Australian industry participation in any additional purchase. In each of these respects, the

procedures followed in this case departed markedly from the usual procurement procedures for major items of equipment. The Committee noted departmental evidence that âWe had already done a lot of work along the way of buying a wheeled vehicle; and in particular, if it turned out that way, this one from the

US Marine Corps ... we did move very quickly, and we short-circuited the system when the opportunity aroseâ (H a n s a r d , p. D320). Nevertheless, because of the size and potential future significance of this purchase, the Committee is surprised that it proved possible to âshort-circuit the systemâ so quickly.

27. The Committee considers that the purchase of the LAV25 vehicles would be an appropriate matter for review by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts or another parliamentary committee.

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PROCEDURAL AND ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS

Allocation of departments

28. The Committee again takes the opportunity of expressing its discontent at the present allocation of departments to the Committee. As Minister Richardson told the Committee in October 1988, the only apparent connection between the Defence portfolio and th at of the Arts, Sport, the Environment,

Tourism and Territories is the presence of unexploded ordnance off John Brewer Reef. The present allocation results in a split membership for the Committee which presents organisational and other difficulties. It is also relevant that the two portfolios cited are among the largest and most complex

to be reviewed. The Committee considers that a more appropriate allocation should be adopted.

Reconciliation of information in program and Appropriation Bill format

29. The Committee noted that the reconciliation of information provided at the back of each set of Explanatory Notes does not contain sufficient information to permit an independent check. The Committee considers that this section of the notes would be better presented if an additional table were included in the

format shown in Appendix 1.

John Black Chairman

163

1 64

RESERVATION BY SENATORS MACGIBBON, NEWMAN AND REID

Assistance to the civil community

30. With respect to the section of the report dealing with Defence Force Assistance to the Civil Community (DFACC) during the airline pilotsâ dispute, we make the following reservation.

31. We consider that the Defence witnesses, in failing to draw to the Committeeâs attention the fact that the Defence Instructions (General) - DI(G) - are authorised by the D efence A c t, attempted to mislead the Committee by omission. Their argument that the Government could routinely ignore the

DI(G) on DFACC would have been far less credible had Committee members been aware during the hearings of the provisions of the D efence A c t regarding the DI(G).

32. Clearly the Government, for reasons associated with its conduct of the dispute, found inconvenient the cost recovery provisions of the DKG) on DFACC. These provisions require either full cost recovery or specified approvals and processes for waiving of full recovery. Accordingly it appears

that the Government chose to by-pass these Instructions and act by administrative f ia t to authorise the expenditure of public monies when it decided not to require full cost recovery from the airlines for the use of RAAF aircraft and resources.

33. Such a procedure may be strictly legal. It is not, however, a model of sound administration to issue well thought-out instructions authorised by the Defence Act and then by-pass them on the first occasion they are found to be politically inconvenient. Nor is it acceptable that the Departmentâs witnesses

chose not to acquaint the Committee with the provisions of Section 9A (2) of the Act.

34. In light of the lack of frankness by the witnesses in their evidence we believe that the attention of the Senate Select Committee on Certain Aspects of the Airline Pilotsâ Dispute should be drawn to the matter, so that more extensive questioning of witnesses can be pursued.

Sanderson report

35. With respect to the section of the report dealing with the redundancy of senior ADF officers following the Sanderson Review, and the inappropriate treatment of them in comparison with the senior public service positions, we find it most discriminatory that no attempts have been made to treat the

servicemen with the same redeployment opportunities as have been given the senior public servants. We consider that it should be within the competence of the Department of Defence actively to seek redeployment of the officers displaced. Senator Newman commented at the hearing:

165

Words can hardly express my disgust at the double dealing on the matter. I find it quite appalling to think that there has been no protest from the Defence Force. (H a n s a r d , p D242)

We stand by these comments.

David MacGibbon Jocelyn Newman Senator for Queensland Senator for Tasmania Margaret Reid Senator for the ACT

166

Ï DEPARTMENT OF ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT

% TOURISM AND TERRITORIES.

RECONCILIATION OF PROGRAM & APPROPRIATION ESTIMATES FOR 1989/90

PROG BILL 1 + BILL 2 + SPECIAL + SEC 35 = PROGRAM + NET TRUST

NO. APPN. APPN. APPNS. RECEIPTS APPROPRIATIONS EXPENDITURE

1 45,487 9,330 0 0 54,817 0

2 41,291 2,530 0 0 43,821 928

3 50,366 9,446 0 350 60,162 0

4 48,332 43,214 0 9,552 101,098 0

5 68,125 0 0 0 68,125 0

6 86,761 0 0 0 86,761 0

7 71,824 6,911 0 3,666 82,401 0

8 11,994 6,995 0 200 19,189 0

9 75,857 23,542 0 30 99,429 0

10 22,683 320 0 487 23,490 0

Total 522,720 102,288 0 14,285 639,293 928

+ ROUNDING FIGURES - REVENUE =

OFFSETS

PROGRAM OUTLAYS

1 0 54,818

0 -752 43,997

0 -350 59,812

-2 -15475 85,621

0 -428 67,697

1 0 86,762

0 -3666 78,735

-1 -219 18,969

0 -333 99,096

-4 -487 22,999

(5) (21,710) 618,506

167

163

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D

INDEX OF ISSUES RAISED AT THE COMMITTEE'S PUBLIC HEARINGS

THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1989

THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1989

MONDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1989

TUSEDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1989

169

170

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D HANSARD INDEX

Thursday, 28 September 1989

Subject Page

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES

Questions on notice

Senator Chris Puplick, on publications, videos, ads D3 Senator Jim Short, on grants to trade unions, groups D3 Senator Ron Boswell, on NMLS, Australian Made Campaign D4 Senator Jim Short, on NMLS, GIAC, AAF D4

Program - non-specific

Australian sports kit - participation, cost, distribution D5 Sports and recreation grants D6

Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts inquiry into drugs in sport - implementation of findings D7

- drug testing facility D7

- AIS requirements for users of facilities D7

- AIS guidelines on use of pharmaceuticals D8

- ASC letter to Jane Flemming re urine substitution D9 - attitude of Peter Bowman Dll

- action against Harry Wardle D12

- correspondence from NSW premier re Bruce Walsh D14, D16 - status of Kelvin Giles in AIS D14

- subject of blood testing D15

- discussions with Customs re athletes D15

Program 1 - Sport and Recreation

Health, fitness and well-being indicators D17

Sponsorship from alcohol, tobacco companies D18

Definition of sporting excellence D19

Violence in sport D19

Economic benefits of the sport and recreation industry D20 Legal obligations of AIS scholarship holders D20

Expenditure in support of Melbourne Olympic Games bid D21 Transfer of events following tobacco advertising bans D21 South Australian velodrome D22

Funding of community sport and recreation facilities D23 Public awareness advertising 024

SBS series "Going Strong" . 024

Recreation facility grants by location 025

Bruce Stadium lease D2f>

AIS warm-up track 028

- disabled access, facilities D28

AIS selection criteria - positive discrimination? 029

171

AGAL costs to reach accreditation standard D30

Australian Sports Drug Agency's assistance to Alex Watson D30 ASC contribution to "Violence in Sport" publication D31 Promotion of Aussie Sports codes of behaviour D31

- access D32

Women in sport - promotion response D32

- budget D32

Elite sport budget D33

Program 2 - Tourism

Tourism recovery plan from effects of pilots' strike D34 Estimates of financial loss from pilots' strike D34

Environmental concerns from ATC promotions D35

Tasmanian consultancy to improve tourist access D36 Departmental further submission to IAC D36

ATC attitude to tourism in Antarctica D37

Response to the Bradbury report on tourist shopping D37 Upgrade of facilities at Kingsford-Smith D38

Downturn in tourist arrivals D38

Tourist promotion strategies D39

Percentage of international travellers using domestic airlines D40

Customs procedures for domestic passengers using international flights D40

Hospitality Industry Training Conference D41

Effects of steel regions assistance program D41

Program 3 - Antarctic

Charter costs for "Aurora Australis" D41

Role of the Division in the non-scientific area D43

Support for wilderness park D44

Refuelling pipe D44

Schedule for Davis operations base D45

Module fit-out costs, staffing D45

Air transport trials D47

- equipment for constructing Lanyon airstrip D48

- forecasting facilities at Casey D49

Strategic transport budget breakdown - flights, ships D49 "Aurora Australis" - monitoring of construction D50 Program performance comparisons, last two seasons D51 Scheduling of resupply voyages D51

Direct return to Hobart of "Lady Franklin" D52

Loss of three current meters D52

"Icebird" Casey voyage 5 slow-down D53

Ship contracts, conditions, costs D54

Oil spillages, clean-up D57

Staff costs, overheads re "Aurora Australis" D57

Joint Committee of Public Accounts - recommendations acted upon D58

172

Report on tourism in Antarctica - identification of sites D60

- project Oasis proposals D60

Filling of senior positions in Division D60

Mawson's hut D60

Ozone and climate research D61

Krill studies D61

Promotion of Division, displays as tourist attraction D61 Definition of "wilderness park" D61

Division's activities to promote the wilderness park D62 - discussions with Foreign Affairs, ANPWS D62

Compatibility of wilderness park with Antarctic Treaty D62 Dovers D63

Promotion of Hobart as supply base for Antarctica D63

Sub-program 7.2 - National Capital Planning Authority

ACT water supply ownership D64

Designated lands consultation D64

Maintenance costs in Parliamentary zone D65

Old Parliament House - administrative control D65

- maintenance D66

- child-care centre D66

- conservation study of gardens D66

Program 4 - Territories

Christmas Island - resettlement office, Perth, attack D66

- status of mining D67

- eligibility for voting D71

- casino proposal D71

- phosphate proposal 07 2

- announcement of new Administrator D72

- revenue generated 073

- service costs compared with Cocos and Keeling Islands D73 - maintenance of infrastructure D73

- resettlement payment to phosphate workers D74

Cocos Island - 1994 UN deadline to raise living standards D67

- tourist proposal for Direction Island 067

- Mrs Lawrie's term as Administrator 068

- Mr Briscoe's house 068

- CGC recommendations on failure of tourism projects 069 - developer's contributions to infrastructure costs 069 - cost breakdown on PMCI liquidation 074

- use of Mr Yeomans as liquidator 074

Coral Sea Islands Territory - conservation status of Osprey, Bougainville Reefs 071 Norfolk Island - Boobook Owl breeding program 074

- legal status of sex-specific legislative provisions D75 - agreement on "Sirius" management plan 075

173

Jervis Bay - status of EIS on proposed relocation of naval facilities D75

- evaluation of alternative locations D76

Program 5 - Arts

Amendments to the Australia Council Act D76

Consultancy on indirect assistance to the arts D76

Committee on coordination of international cultural activities D77

Prices Surveillance Authority recommendations on book pricing D77

Museums review response D78

ARC questions re Australian artists creative fellowships D78 Aboriginal arts and craft industry review committee D78 - missing artworks D79

Aboriginal artists copyright protection D80

Commonwealth support for theatrical performer training D80 NIDA - graduates employment D81

- origin of applicants, enrollees D81

- course review D81

Australia Council - timing, costs, of move to Redfern D81

- staffing implications D82

- one-off grants D82

- funding for "Lowdown" D82

- grant to study human tattoos D82

- grant to the Australian Opera D83

- grants to other opera companies D84

- formation of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra D85

- amalgamation of WA orchestras D85

- musical instruments sales tax D85

- impact of category B postage rates D85

- gender criteria in arts grants D85

Program 6 - Film and Television

Submissions to ABT on Australian quota on TV D86

Australian Film Commission - review D87

- employment of Mr Roland D87

- Commission recommendations on review findings D87 - extension of Chairman's term D87

- Film Development Division D88

- women's program D88

- development of new, critical audiences D88

- description of film, TV industry in explan. notes D89 - difficulty in obtaining pre-sale contracts D94

Film, Television and Radio School - rights of censorship D91

- legal advice, costs D91

- commercial fate of students' films D91

174

Film Australia - international distribution of films D92

- choice of film-makers D92

Film Finance Corporation - legal fees D92

- contract with Government D94

- foreign casting D94

- cash flow D94

Thursday, 5 October 1989

Program 7 - Cultural Heritage and Information

Monitoring changing community needs D97

"What Price Heritage?" - public response, timing D97 National Gallery, National Library reviews D99

"Folklife: our living heritage" - response D99

Statutory authority status for NFSA, NSTC, NMM D100

National Museum - private sector participation D101

Provisional Parliament House - current status, maintenance D101

Taxation incentives for the arts scheme DIO2

Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act - prosecutions, permits D102

Charles Bush painting of opening of Parliament House D102 UNESCO convention on illicit import ... cultural property D103 Australian National Gallery - appointment of director D103

- waterproofing, repairs D103

- writs lodged with AGs D104

- conclusions of review D104

- price of artworks D104

- purchases of Australian folk art, ethnic art D104 - donations, pledges to Foundation DIO5

- decreases in non-government revenue DIO6

- advice on national portrait gallery D106

- "Civilisation" exhibition D106

- level of cost recovery D106

National Maritime Museum - progress on legal arrangements with DHA D107

- bicentennial gifts effects on balance of exhibits D107 - effects on role, staff, of legislation D108

- projected opening date D108

- construction costs, overruns, sponsorship D108 - entrance charges, cost recovery D109

- discussions with Sydney Maritime Museum D109

- participative work design program D U O

- regional consultative committee role D U O

- role of Darling Harbour Authority D U O

- status of warehouse at Mitchell D U O

National Film and Sound Archive - questions on notice from Senator David Hamer Dill - advantages of statutory basis D113

- private sector support Dll3

- acquisitions policy D114

175

D114 - level of cost recovery, fees National Library - submission to PSA on book pricing D115

- discussion of PSA recommendations D115

- progress, resolutions from Australian library summit D115 - collection development policy D116

- cost recovery D116

- library use levels D117

- development of performance indicators D117

- relationship with Parliamentary Library D118

National Museum of Australia - replacement for Dr McMichael Dll8

- focus for next 12 months Dll9

- Friends of the National Museum activities D119

- BWIU initiative D119

- private sector funding Dll9

- ownership of the Yarramundi site D120

- acguisition of Lake Pedder, Franklin River memorabiliaD120 - policy on repatriation of artefacts D121

- legal implications of the UNESCO convention D121 National Science and Technology Centre - statutory authority status D122

- visitor numbers D122

- effects of pilots' dispute D122

- shortfall in Dinosaurs Alive exhibition D122

- private sector involvement D123

- programs for children D123

Program 8 - Conservation

Assistance to voluntary conservation organisations D123 Environmental, Education, Information section staff losses D124 Support for ACF school material for World Environment Day D124 Bilateral international agreements D125

Jervis Bay EIS progress D125

Heritage Commission nomination of Jervis Bay D126

Harris Daishowa woodchip export licence documentation D126 Transmission line to Jabiru D126

Public documentation re evaluation of Wesleyvale EIS D127 Coronation Hill D127

Australian and NZ Environment Council - ozone protection D128 Recycled paper products sales tax exemption D129

Siting of disposal facility for intractable wastes D129 CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology climate research programs D130 Office of the Supervising Scientist - response to the Auditor-General's report D131, D135

- cooperative programs with Ranger, NT University D131, D136 - ERA submission to review of the OSS D132

- new physics laboratory, Jabiru D132

- rainfall trigger mechanism, Ranger D132

- list of published papers D135

- differences over release of water from Ranger D137 - research overlap with ANSTO, CSIRO D139

- relative costs of maintaining a Sydney office D140 - Unisearch consultancy D140

176

- legislation governing the environment of Kakadu NP D141 - research obstacles D141

- evaporation research, Ranger tailings dam D142

Program 9 - Natural Environment

Torrens Island, Spotswood bird guarantine facilities D142 - release of birds D142

National Aguarium stocking, lease D143

Protection of the word "national" D144

Inquiry into environmentally friendly products D144 Inventory of Commonwealth activities causing pollution D144 One billion trees program D145

- numbers planted so far D146

- departmental liaison with Greening Australia D146 "State of the Environment" publication D146

Australian National Botanic Gardens - maintenance of Australian flora's genetic diversity D146 - study arrangements D147

- research unit, education staff D147

- visitor services, facilities D147

- facilities for disabled D148

Indicative list of World Heritage properties D148

- legal advice on Australia's obligations D149

International Tropical Timber Organisation consultancy D149 Amendment of Australian Heritage Commission Act D149 Nominations for World Heritage listing D149

Structural adjustment package, Queensland wet tropics D150 - jobs created D150

- compensation claims D151, D154

- eligibility guidelines provided by the Cairns office D151 - Price Waterhouse costs D153

- timing of compensation payments D154

- jobs created in tourism, plantations D156

- management authority for the wet tropics D159

- nature of obligation to pay compensation D162

Tasmanian World Heritage areas final boundaries D162 Coastal zone management working group D163

Resource Assessment Commission D163

ANPWS review D164

Australian Heritage Commission - position of director D164

- advice on logging in south-east NSW forests D164

- referrals under section 30 D165

- rate of clearing backlog of nominations D165

- Blackall proposal D166

- National Trust (NSW branch) D167

Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service - impact of tourist downturn on Uluru, Kakadu D167

- Munmarlary station ruins D167

- use of American artist to design Kakadu stamp D168 - insurance cover taken out by SA Dept, of Education D168 - questions on notice from Senator Grant Tambling D169 - endangered species unit D169

- cane toads control D169

177

- entry fees, Uluru, Kakadu D170

- wildflower export permits, penalties D170

- cutbacks in CSIRO research covered by ANPWS? D170 - kangaroo quotas D171

- impact of Indonesian fishermen on Ashmore, Cartier reefs D172

- protection of dugong habitat D172

- funding for research into drupelle D173

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park - cost recovery exercises D173

- contribution to "Oceans of Wealth" report D174

- impact of Daintree road construction on reef D174 - Henderson, Walbran work on crown of thorns starfish D174

Program 10 - Corporate Services and Information Coordination

NMLS - legal opinion on where officers located D175

- proportion of work on providing transcripts D175 - persons featured in "Buy Australian" campaign D175 - Mr Parks' salary D176

- role of Mr Parks in last Federal election D176

- provision of transcripts D177

- Mr Parks' reporting role D180

- changes to role, function of NMLS D182

- scrutiny of activities D184

- proportion of Opposition transcripts D185

- quantitative records of activities D186

- programs routinely monitored D187

- use of Monitair D187

- status under Freedom of Information Act D188

- duplication of media monitoring services? D189 - criteria for selection of programs for monitoring D189 - contents of "Focal Point" D191

- circulation of transcripts to Press Gallery D194 - monitoring of Government backbench comment D194 - "Tonight" program on NMLS D196

- Mr Parks' overseas trips D196

- availability of transcripts to public D197

- guidelines re non-involvement in electoral campaigning D201

- travel costs D202

- distribution of "Federal Insight" D202

- relationship between MMG, NMLS D202

Silverton building, dislocation costs 0193

Costs of launch of PM's environment statement 0202

178

Monday, 9 October 1989

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS

Minister's opening statement D206

Pre-Estimates briefing D207

Program 1 - Benefits

Claims for service pensions based on receipt of medal D207 - numbers of applications D208

Income and assets tests assessments D208

Officers involved in administration of GARP, questionnaire D208 War widows' pensions - numbers retained following remarriage D209

- administrative delays D209

Employee-client ratio, Repatriation Commissions D209 Veterans' Review Board - assistance to advocates D210

- Veterans' Entitlements Acts monitoring committee report recommendations 4.17 to 4.19 D211

- lack of female service members D211

Defence Service Home beneficiaries - payment of instalments D212

- costing of portability provisions D212

Program 2 - Health

Veterans' subsistence, travel allowance D213, D224

- comparison with Commonwealth employees D213

Research into the health of veterans D213

Veterans independence support D214

Statutory patients' contribution in nursing homes D214 Waiting time for RGH elective surgery D214

Private hospital use by veterans D215

Availability of colorectal, thoracic, neurosurgery D217

Program 3 - War Graves Program

Eligibility under war graves program D217

Program 4 - Corporate Services

Overseas administration benefits trust account overdrawn D216 Market testing of standard letters, forms D218

Evaluation of defence service homes insurance scheme D218 Priority access of veterans to hospitals after integration D218

RGH management structure review D219

- medical qualifications of CEOs D220

Progress on integration D220

Credit cards on issue, guidelines for use D221

179

Gallipoli commemoration - use of "Tobruk" for defence equipment sales D222

- numbers involved, composition of contingent D222 - task force, travel and associated costs 0223

Program 5 - War Memorial

Reduction in staff numbers 0225

- impact on programs 0225

- security breaches 0225

- use of volunteers 0227,0229

Computerised inventory of relics 0228

Education programs, gallery guides 0228

Microfilming of diaries 0228

Transfer of film stock from nitrate to safety base 0229 Loans control, eligibility 0229

Disposal of records not within Memorial's guidelines 0230 Official history of Australian involvement in Malaya, Vietnam 0230

Recreation, long service leave 0231

Questions on notice from Senator Puplick 0231

180

Tuesday, 10 October 1989

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

Program - Non-specific

Reserves - inadequacy of training resources D234

- equipment shortages D235,D288

- ammunition supplies D235

2 Div. - overtime meal allowance D236

- travel and subsistence funds D236

ADF personnel postings - online information D237

Sanderson report - release date, terms of reference D239

Ralph report D239

- use in Defence Force advocate's claim D239

Secretary's review of civilian side D240

Reductions in SES positions D240

Redundancy provisions, ADF and civilian D241

Redundancy notification, ADF D243

Kangaroo 89 - press coverage D244

- HF communications D245

Use of Raven, Parakeet, satellite communication D245 Air pilots' strike and use of RAAF D247

- Operation Immune D248

- cost recovery arrangements D252

- negligence claims, Commonwealth liability D254,D293 - CDF operational instructions D254

Program 1 - Current Defence Forces

Authority for joint facilities D255

Security at Nurrungar D255

- whether section 51 of Defence Act applied D256

- instructions to 2 Cav. soldiers D256,D267

- why military police not used D257

Australian cadet corps - Thorn review D257

- tax on cadet officers' pay D257,D268

- recruitment to officer academies D259

Cross report - expenditure on implementing recommendations D259 - DFRDB review 0259

- child-care D260,D264

- public relations strategy D260

- reviews of officer structures D260

- issue of uniform, equipment D262

- re-engagement of former Service personnel D262

- personnel resettlement scheme D263

- employment opportunities of service spouses D264

181

- Defence personnel, families, policy plans D265

- ADF activities time allocation survey D265

ADF pay case D266

Upgrade of living-in accommodation D266

Defence driving licence scheme D266

Recognition of service benefits D267

Special action forces allowance D268

Work evaluation program D271

Employment of ex-ARA members in receipt of pensions D271 Defence Force technical training and civilian equivalents D272 Mine hunting sonar D273

Seahawk hand-overs, Wessex withdrawals D274

HMAS Westralia lease D275

Fate of HMAS Stalwart D275

Bids for the Trackers D276

Anzac frigate weapon system D276

Development of a mining concept of operations for RAN D276 Industrial action at CoDock D276

Cummins review D277

Fraud control plans D277

Air Reserve Division, Nowra D277

Reunion travel for navy personnel D277

Training of staff in Navy bars D278,D284

Jervis Bay EIS D278

Navy's impact to date on Jervis Bay D280

Local reaction to Navy's presence in Jervis Bay D281

Need for ammunition depot to be moved D282

Environmental considerations at Tindal D283

Mine trials in fishing grounds D283

NZ Skyhawks - provisions for D285

- memorandum of understanding on use D286

- upgrade of avionics weapon system D287

Availability of entrenching tools D288

Design of flying suit D288

Peacekeeping forces - local or adverse circumstance allowance D289

- tax rebates D290

- eligibility for Australian service medal D290

- cost of commitment to UNTAG D291

- UNMCTT force in Pakistan D292

Norforce Army Reserve Unit waiting list D292

Legal advice sought on agreement to provide RAAF planes D295 Provision of disruptive pattern uniform D295

Frequency of publication of Army supply manual D297

Provision of uniform for soldier of difficult size D297,D301 Issue of redundant items to Reserves D297

Overseas interest in purchase of uniforms D298

Shortage of grade 2 slouch hats D298

Supply of rank boards, epaulets D299

Date of issue of new female uniforms D299

SAS purchase of webbing D300

Quality of Norforce binoculars D301

182

Micro-imaging record system D301

Lack of one-man ration packs D301

Training supplies of mortar and assault pioneer ammunition D302 Trainees retained in army training schools D302

Civilian positions nominated for cutback D303

2 Div. dispatch Army Reserve newspaper distribution D303 Air Force reductions in manning strength D304

Disposal of Chinooks D305

Chinook pilot training D306

Aircraft accidents D306

Tactical failure group D306

Squadrons equipped with F18s, pilot strengths D307

Lloyds search and rescue contract D307

Hornet squadrons flying hours D307

Airborne Early Warning and Control D308

Maritime patrol group crews D308

C-130s, 707s, 748s used in Operation Immune - public transport flying hours D308

- maintenance D309

- crew duty period D310

- establishment of rate of lease D311

- maintenance costs D312

- long-term effects D314

- pilot resignation rate D315

Boeing 707 fleet size D315

Costs, operations of London recruiting office D316

- citizenship arrangements D316

Pilot and other air crew recruitment D317

- encouragement of girls D318

Role of 76 squadron D318

Specialist air crew scheme D318

Program 2 - Defence Development

Capital equipment underspending D319

Purchase of the LAV-25s D319

Patrol boat engine failure D322

Update of the Fill avionics, radar D323

Sale of the Mirage D323

BAC111 trade-in D324

Submarine program progress D324

Frigate weapons systems - choice of gun D324,D336

- missiles D326

Choice of the frigate tender D327

Naval support dominated by Transfield D328

Guarantee of frigate work to Newcastle, NZ? D328

Procurement agreements with NZ D329

Flexibility of the frigate contract D332

Audit of cost, schedule control system for frigate D333 Frigate assessment criteria D334

Evaluation of frigate purchase in terms of White Paper D335 Operation of Seahawks from frigate D337

Briefing of Minister on frigate tender D338

183

Ministerial visits to NZ re frigate contract D338

- whether accompanied by Mr Hickman D339

Minister, Mr Hickman meetings with AMECON, AWS D340

Departmental lobbying by Arvin Consultancy for AMECON D341 Submarine contract - proportion of work by State D343

- audit procedures D344

- Auditor-General's criticisms D344

Disposal of empty, unutilised properties D345

Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls D346 SSRP - consultants' report on improving supply services D347 - Arthur Andersen report findings D349

- development of compatible software systems D349 DESINE - restriction on funds available for computing D350 - breakdown of each project by subcontractor D351

- SSRP and report of Public Accounts Committee D351 - FSRP equipment, service requirements incorporated D352 - determination of cost-effectiveness of acquisitions D353 - ANZ content D354

- UNIX working party study D357

- IBM or compatible equipment need, post-DESINE? D358 - Defence contracting organisation enhancements to existing system D359

- Desine exemptions D359

Defence Signals Directorate - reasons for move to Canberra D360

- predicted staff turnover D360

DSTO - manpower by classification D361

- DSTO Research News publication D361

Petro Fedorczenko trust fund D361

Defence affiliate organisations - security arrangements D362,D370

Fraud investigation by AFP officers D364

Fraud control plan D364

Fraud awareness campaign D365

Investigator training courses by DPP D366

McGurk report D366

- insignia manufacturers' and others' delivery delays D366 Allegations of fraud to AFP by Defence employee D366

Departmental credit cards - control of use D367

Director of Public Information - duties D368

Defence media advisory group - reponsibilities D368

Parliamentary Library fellowship for ADF member D369 Questions on notice from Senator Newman, on quality assurance D369

Questions on notice from Senator Puplick D370

184

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

1 8 5

1 8 6

THE SENATE

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 12.09 pm in the Main Committee Room. Senator Black took the Chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1989-90: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES. In attendance was Senator the Honorable Graham Richardson, Minister for the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and

Territories, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories -Mr A.S. Blunn, Secretary Mr P. Kennedy, Deputy Secretary Mr J . Ferguson, First Assistant Secretary, Sport and

Recreation Ms A. Fox, Acting Assistant Secretary, Sport and Recreation Mr S. Haynes, Chief Executive, Australian Sports Drug Agency Mr J. Ferguson, First Assistant Secretary, Sport and

Recreation Mr A. Thirwell, Managing Director, Australian Tourist Commission Mr D. Lalor, Head, Expositions and Special Events Mr R. Moncur, Acting Director, Antarctic Division

Mr R. Allen, Head, Financial Mr G. Dempster, First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management and External Territories Mr K. Fairbrother, Assistant Secretary, External

Territories Mr C. Cole, Director, Christmas Island Section Ms C. Santamaria, First Assistant Secretary, Arts, Film and Cultural Heritage

Ms K. Daniels Assistant Secretary, Arts Ms M. Hopkins, Acting Assistant Secretary, Film Mr Les Neilson, Assistant Secretary, Cultural Heritage

Mr N. Quinn, First Assistant Secretary, Conservation Mr J . Whitelaw, Assistant Secretary, Environment Quality Mr C. Griffiths, Assistant Secretary, Marine and Coordination

Mr J. Ashe, Assistant Secretary, Environment Assessment Ms J. Di Sano, First Assistant Secretary, Natural Environment Dr A. Turner, Assistant Secretary, Natural Heritage

ESTIM ATES COMMITTEE D

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 4

1 8 7

Dr B . Richardson, Director, Australian Biological Resources Study Mr R. Pegler, Assistant Secretary, Natural Resources Mr B . Zanetti, Assistant Secretary, Portfolio Coordination Mr N. Small, Assistant Secretary, Office of Government

Information and Advertising

Australian Sports Commission: Mr P. Crosswhite, Acting Executive Director Mr R. Hobson, Director, Corporate Services Mr R. Smith, Director, Australian Institute of Sport Mr J. Barker, Manager, Finance and Services Mr A. Smith, Finance Officer

National Capital Planning Authority: Mr Lyndsay Neilson, Chief Executive Mr P. Carmody, Secretary and Manager Mr A. Trafford, Director, Government and Community

Relations

Australian Film Commission: Ms C. Robinson, Acting Chief Executive Mr R. Noble, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Services Ms Y. Ryan, Administrator, Corporate Services

Australian Film, Television and Radio School: Mr J . O'Hara, Director Mr A. Morrison, Head, Management Services

Australian National Gallery: Mr J. Mollison, Director Mr G. Andrews, Administrator Mr A. Kelly, Financial Manager

Australian National Maritime Museum: Dr K. Fewster, Director Mr Q. Howarth, Manager, Resources

National Film and Sound Archive: Mr G. Gilmour, Director

National Library of Australia: Mr W. Horton, Director-General Mr E . Wainwright, Deputy Director-General Mr A. Cahill, Assistant Director-General, Corporate

Services

National Museum of Australia: Ms K. Dal Bon, Acting Director

National Science and Technology Centre: Dr M. Gore, Director Mr G. Bullivant, Business Manager

1 8 8

4 .

Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region and the Alligator Rivers Region Research Institute: Mr R.M. Fry, Supervising Scientist Dr G. Riley, Deputy Supervising Scientist

Mr D. Cottom, Head, Management Services

Australian Heritage Commission: Ms P. O'Neil, Director Dr R. Bruce, Assistant Director, Register

Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service: Professor J. Ovington, Director Mr J . Crennan, Principal Executive Officer

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: Mr G. Kelleher, Chairman

Australia Council: Mr M. Bourke, General Manager Ms D. Temby, Director, Corporate Services

Department of Finance:

Mr J . Anderson, Chief Finance Officer, Education and Employment Division

The Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration of the Committee:

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 Program 4 Program 5

Program 6

Sport and Recreation Tourism Antarctic Territories

Arts Film and Television

The Committee adjourned its hearing of the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories until 5 October 1989.

ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.03 pm.

ATTENDANCE: Senators Black (Chairman), Boswell, Cooney, Foreman, Puplick and Reid. Senators M. Baume, Calvert, Crichton-Browne, MacGibbon and Panizza also attended.

CONFIRMED:

John/ Black Chairman

189

THE SENATE

TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 4.20 pm in the Main Committee Room. Senator Black took the Chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1898-90: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES. The Committee resumed its consideration of the Proposed Expenditure of the Department of the Arts, Sport, the

Environment, Tourism and Territories from 28 September 1989 .

In attendance was Senator the Honorable Nick Bolkus, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister Assisting the Treasurer for Prices, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories -Mr A.S. Blunn, Secretary Mr P. Kennedy, Deputy Secretary Ms C. Santamaria, First Assistant Secretary, Arts, Film and

Cultural Heritage Mr Les Neilson, Assistant Secretary, Cultural Heritage Mr N. Quinn, First Assistant Secretary, Conservation Mr J. Whitelaw, Assistant Secretary, Environment Quality Mr C. Griffiths, Assistant Secretary, Marine and

Coordination Mr J . Ashe, Assistant Secretary, Environment Assessment Ms J. Di Sano, First Assistant Secretary, Natural

Environment Dr A. Turner, Assistant Secretary, Natural Heritage Dr B. Richardson, Director, Australian Biological Resources Study Mr R. Pegler, Assistant Secretary, Natural Resources Mr I. Carruthers, First Assistant Secretary, National

History Mr B. Zanetti, Assistant Secretary, Portfolio Coordination Mr N. Smail, Assistant Secretary, Office ofGovernment Information and Advertising

Australian National Gallery: Mr J . Mollison, Director Mr G. Andrews, Administrator Mr A. Kelly, Financial Manager

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 5

1 91

Australian National Maritime Museum: Dr K. Fewster, Director Mr Q. Howarth, Manager, Resources

National Film and Sound Archive: Mr G. Gilmour, Director

National Library of Australia: Mr W. Horton, Director-General Mr E. Wainwright, Deputy Director-General Mr A. Cahill, Assistant Director-General, Corporate

Services

National Museum of Australia: Ms K. Dal Bon, Acting Director

National Science and Technology Centre: Dr M. Gore, Director Mr G. Bullivant, Business Manager

Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region and the Alligator Rivers Region Research Institute Mr R.M. Fry, Supervising Scientist Dr G. Riley, Deputy Supervising Scientist

Mr D. Cottom, Head, Management Services

Australian Heritage Commission: Ms P. O'Neil, Director Dr R. Bruce, Assistance Director, Register

Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service: Professor J . Ovington, Director Mr J. Crennan, Principal Executive Officer

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: Mr G. Kelleher, Chairman

Australia Council: Mr M. Bourke, General Manager Ms D. Temby, Director, Corporate Services

National Media Liaison Service: Mr C . Parks, Director

Department of Finance

Mr J . Anderson, Chief Finance Officer, Education and Employment Division

192

The Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration of the Committee:

The Committee concluded its examination of the proposed expenditure for the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, 1989-90, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and the officers of the

Department to provide additional information to the Committee.

3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 3.32 am.

4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Black (Chairman), Boswell, Cooney, Foreman, Puplick and Reid. Senators Alston, M. Baume, Dunn, Jenkins and Short also attended.

CONFIRMED:

John Black Chairman

Program 7 Program 8 Program 9 Program 10

Cultural Heritage and Information Conservation Natural Heritage Corporate Services

1 9 3

154

THE SENATE

MONDAY 9 OCTOBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 5.02 pm in Committee Room 14. Senator Cooney took the Chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1989-90: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS. In attendance was Senator the Honorable Peter Cook, Minister for Resources, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Veterans' Affairs -Mr E. Attridge, National Program Director, Corporate Services

Mr A. Kerr, Deputy Secretary Mr A. Edgar, Assistant Secretary, Hospital Transfer Mr P. Hawker, National Program Director, Benefits Mr J. Dalton, Assistant Secretary, Benefits Planning and

Management Mr P . Callioni, Assistant Secretary, Compensation and Review Ms K. Grimsley, Assistant Secretary, Income Support Mr F. Woodhouse, Principal Registrar, Veterans' Review

Board

Mr R. Bernau, Director, Information Services and ADP, Defence Service Homes Mrs R. Harrison, Research Officer, Inquiry into the needs of Australian Mariners, Commonwealth and Allied Veterans

and Allied Mariners Mr A. Ashford, National Program Director, Health Mr M. Goldstein, Principal Adviser, Treatment Delivery Mr W. Maxwell, Assistant Secretary, Treatment -

Departmenta1 Ms A. Turner, Assistant Secretary, Treatment - Non-Departmental Mr A. Clarke, Director, Australian War Graves Mr R. Bear, Assistant Secretary, Budget Mr C. Harding, Director, Budget Mr W. Collins, Assistant Secretary, Corporate Development Mr B . Jackson, Assistant Secretary, Staff Planning and

Development Miss K. Rodda, Director, Equal Employment Opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety Mr J. Quinn, Director, Gallipoli Task Force Mrs K. Woodward, Project Officer, Program Budgets

ESTIM ATES COMMITTEE D

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 6

1 9 5

4 .

Mr K. Pearson, Director, Australian War Memorial Mr J. Pearson, Assistant Secretary, Administration Branch, Australian War Memorial

Department of Finance -Mr C. Sheedy, Acting Senior Finance Officer, Social Security Division

The Acting Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration of the Committee:

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 Program 4 Program 5

Benefits Health War Graves Corporate Services War Memorial

The Committee concluded its examination of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, 1989-90, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and the officers of the Department to provide additional

information to the Committee.

ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 7.11 pm.

ATTENDANCE: Senators Cooney (Acting Chairman), MacGibbon and Newman.

CONFIRMED:

BarrrOy Cooney Acting Chairman

1 9 6

THE SENATE

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in public session at 10.10 am in Committee Room 1. Senator Cooney took the Chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE 1989-90: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE. In attendance was Senator the Honorable Graham Richardson, Minister for the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and

Territories, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Defence

Mr R.N. McLeod, Deputy Secretary, Budget and Management Dr M.K. McIntosh, Deputy Secretary, Acquisition and Logistics Dr P. Dibb, Deputy Secretary, Strategic and Intelligence Mr H.A. d'Assumpcao, Chief Defence Scientist

Dr O.J. Raymond, Assistant Chief Defence Scientist, Operations Vice-Admiral A.L. Beaumont, Vice-Chief of the Defence Force Major-General J.C. Grey, Assistant Chief of the Defence

Force, Logistics Rear Admiral K.A. Doolan, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Major-General G.J. Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Air Commodore, F.D. Cox, Acting Deputy Chief of the Air

Staff

Air Vice-Marshal H.J.F. Roser, Assistant Chief of Defence Force Personnel Rear Admiral A.L. Hunt, Assistant Chief of Materiel, Navy Major-Genereal D.M.M. Francis, Assistant Chief of Material,

Army

Air Commodore J .B.Macnaughtan, Assistant Chief of Materiel, Air Force Major-General B.W. Howard, Director-General, Natural Disasters Organisation Mr R.B. Finnegan, First Assistant Secretary, Human Resource

Divisions Mr A.D. Powell, First Assistant Secretary, Facilities and Property Division Dr R.G. Brabin-Smith, First Assistant Secretary, Force

Development and Analysis Division Commodore A.H. Brecht, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Project Development and Communications

ESTIM ATES COMMITTEE D

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 7

197

Mr R.W. Cottrill, First Assistant Secretary, International Policy Mr D. Barrett Eyles, Assistant Secretary, Manpower Policy and Strategies Mr D. Wood, First Assistant Secretary, Industry Policy and

Operations Mr M.H. Ives, First Assistant Secretary, Resources and Financial Programs Division Mr A.G. Thompson, First Assistant Secretary, Strategic and

Policy Coordination Commodore D.S. Ferry, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Information Systems Policy Division Brigadier D.L.H. Buring, Director-General, Defence Force

Pay and Conditions Mr D. Hawke, Assistant Secretary, Financial Programs Mr G.J. Hansen, Assistant Secretary, Resources Planning, Navy Mr S. Merchant, Assistant Secretary, Pacific Mr M.F. Taylor, Acting Assistant Secretary, Resources

Planning, Army Mr K. Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary, Resources Planning, Air Force Mr C. Tolano, Acting Assistant Secretary, Resources

Planning, Capital Procurement Mr K. Moran, Acting Assistant Secretary, Resources Planning, Central Mr L. Hickey, Acting Director, Science Resources Planning

Defence Housing Authority: Mr W. Kirby-Jones, Managing Director Mr L. Milkovits, General Manager, Finance and Administration

Australian Defence Industries: Mr K. Harris, Managing Director

Aerospace Technologies of Australia: Mr G.W. Stuart, Managing Director

Department of Finance -Mr S. McLeod, Chief Finance Officer, Defence and Government Division Mr A. Pearson, Chief Finance Officer, Defence and

Government Division

1 98

The Acting Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration of the Committee:

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3

Current Defence Forces Defence Development Defence Force Retirement and Death

Program 4 Program 5

Benefits Defence Support Defence Corporate Services

The Committee concluded its examination of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Defence, 1989-90, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and the officers of the Department to provide additional information to the

Committee.

3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 12.03 am.

4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Cooney (Acting Chairman), Foreman, MacGibbon and Newman. Senator M. Baume also attended.

CONFIRMED:

â¢Barney CooTTSy Acting Chairman

1 9 9

' ^ f 5 . s * p - Â·?â Â· â -

2 0 0

THE SENATE

TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 1989

1. PRIVATE MEETING: The Committee met in deliberative session at 1.51 pm in the Opposition Advisers' Waiting Area. Senator Black took the Chair.

2. MINUTES: The Committee confirmed the minutes of meetings nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7 held on 28 September and 5, 9 and 10

October 1989.

3. REPORT: Subject to the amendments agreed upon, the report of the Committee was adopted.

4. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 1.56 pm.

5. ATTENDANCE: Senators Black (Chairman), Cooney, Foreman, Puplick and Reid.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE D

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 8

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

John Black Chairman

201

202

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

REPORT TO THE SENATE

November 1989

Membership of Estimates Committee E

Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator Senator

Aulich (Chairman) 18 Beahan 1-4,9,14 (Chairman) Bolkus 1 2 3 Foreman 2,5,13

Newman 9 Short 7 1 1 Tambling 20,22 Morris 6 7 - 5 14 ,16,19 Parer 8 Durack 10-15,20,23 Maguire 10,11,13,17,18 Devlin 12 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 Michael Baume 15,18,24 Faulkner 19 Bishop 20, 22 Calvert 20,21

2 5

1 Discharged on 28 October 1987. 2 Appointed on 28 October 1987. 3 Discharged on 18 March 1988. 4 Reappointed on 18 March 1988. 5 Discharged for the period 18 March 1988 to 17 May 1988.

6 Appointed for the period 18 March 1988 to 17 May 1988. 7 Discharged for 27 April 1988 only. 8 Appointed for 27 April 1988 only. 9 Discharged on 29 September 1988. 10 Appointed on 29 September 1988. 11 Discharged for 21 October 1988 only. 12 Appointed for 21 October 1988 only. 13 Discharged on 9 March 1989. 14 Appointed on 9 March 1989. 15 Senator Michael Baume replaced Senator Durack during the

consideration of the estimates of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs after the motion was put on 11 April 1989. 16 Discharged on 8 May 1989. 17 Appointed on 8 May 1989. 18 Discharged on 6 September 1989. 19 Appointed on 6 September 1989. 20 Senators Bishop and Calvert appointed on 6 September 1989 to

replace Senators Durack and Tambling for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs. 21 Discharged on 7 September 1989. 22 Appointed on 7 September 1989 to replace Senator Tambling for the consideration of the estimates of the Department of

Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs. 23 Discharged for 10 October 1989 only. 24 Appointed for 10 October 1989 only. 25 Elected Chairman 6 September 1989.

204

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

REPORT TO THE SENATE

Estimates Committee E has the honour to present its Report to the Senate.

IN TR O D U C TIO N

On 18 August 1989 the Senate referred to the Committee Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1990, Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 1990 and expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance

for the year ended 30 June 1989 relating to the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, the Department of Administrative Services, the Attorney-Generalâs Department and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

The Committee has considered the Estimates of the Departments together with the Departmental Explanatory Notes, and has received explanations from the Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs (Senator the Honourable Robert Ray), the Minister for Justice (Senator the Honourable

Michael Tate), the Minister for Local Government (Senator the Honourable Margaret Reynolds) and officers of the Departments. A copy of the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee is appended to this Report. In addition, H a n s a r d reports of the evidence taken by the Committee are tabled for the information of the Senate in connection with its consideration of Appropriation Bill (No. 1)

1989-90 and Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 1989-90. An index to issues raised in the Committeeâs hearings is likewise appended to this Report. Written answers to questions taken on notice will be tabled separately for .the information of the Senate.

The Committee draws the attention of the Senate to the following matters arising from its consideration of the Estimates:

GENERAL COMM ENTS

E x p la n a to ry N otes

The quality of the information provided by Departments in their Explanatory Notes has been a constant source of concern to Estimates Committees. Of the four Departments coming before this Committee, only the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs provided performance

indicators for most of its programs. The adequacy of the material provided by the other Departments varied from program to program. Parts of the Explanatory Notes of the Attorney-Generalâs Department - for example pages 101-3 relating to Sub-program 4.1, the Federal Court of Australia, and pages

190 and 191 relating to Sub-program 6.6, the Special Investigations Unit - provided almost no details relating to performance (see pages E150 and E152

2C5

of H a n s a r d ). This is clearly unsatisfactory. Ministers must take responsibility for the failure of Departments to provide to the Parliament the information necessary to make sensible judgments about items of proposed expenditure.

The Department of Finance also deserves some criticism in that it has failed to communicate clearly enough to Departments what is required. In addition the Department is responsible for the format of the Explanatory Notes. This format results in the account of a particular program element being divided

into a âDescriptionâ, an account of the Outcome for 1988-89â and a forecast of the Outlook for 1989-90â, the last of these usually containing the performance indicators or targets against which performance is to be measured in the forthcoming year. This format is particularly confusing where a number of components are grouped under one sub-program but must each be examined separately under the three headings, as with Sub-program 2.1 in the

Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs. A better approach might be for all of this explanatory material to be gathered under one heading, âProgram Performanceâ, and for the account to address in turn the performance measures identified for the program element, the performance in the preceding year and the outlook for the new year.

P erform an ce in d ic a to rs

Some Departments appear to believe th at only quantitative or statistical performance indicators are acceptable and use this as an excuse for their failure to have developed any performance measures as yet. In fact the performance of many programs can only be measured in subjective, qualitative terms. The Committee presumes that all program managers must have some notion of whether they are doing well or badly, some standard by which they can say they are doing the job they have set out to do as reflected in the objectives of their particular programs. All that the Parliament requires is that

these sorts of measures should be set down so that sensible judgments can be made about whether programs are meeting their objectives.

A n n u a l R eports

The Committee notes the comments made by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration with regard to the relationship between Departmental Explanatory Notes and Annual Reports in its report, T h e T im e lin e s s a n d Q u a lity o f A n n u a l R e p o r ts , presented on 27 June 1989.

Although this Committee was provided with the Annual Reports of a number of Departments and agencies in draft form these were generally provided only a matter of days before the relevant hearings and were therefore of

questionable value to the members of the Committee. The Committee agrees with the conclusion of the Finance and Public Administration Committee (at paragraphs 5.10-5.15 of its report) that, although Departments should make every effort to make Annual Reports available to Estimates Committees, there should not be a requirement that this occur.

206

C orporate P lan s

The Finance and Public Administration Committee also recommended (at paragraph 5.15 of its report) that copies of current Corporate Plans, where they exist, should be provided to Estimates Committees. Corporate Plans have generally not been provided in the past and this recommendation may create

problems where, as with the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs at these Estimates, the Corporate Plan is under review at the time the Estimates Committees are meeting (see pages E21-2 and E42-3 of

H a n s a r d ). However this Committee accepts th at it would be useful if Estimates Committees were to be provided with copies of current Corporate Plans where possible (together with notations of recent amendments or revisions), always providing th at this is not seen as a substitute for including details of the Departmentâs objectives and performance indicators in the

Explanatory Notes.

T ru st A ccounts

A number of the programs falling under the Department of Administrative Services which provide services to other Government Departments are undergoing a process of âcommercialisationâ. Instead of being directly funded from appropriations to the Department of Administrative Services, funds are being provided to other Departments so that they may in turn pay the service

providers. These payments are being placed in Trust Accounts under the Audit Act and the expenditure by the service providers is being met from these Trust Accounts. This development is in line with program budgeting in that Estimates Committees will now have a clearer idea of the real cost of programs

since Departments will be responsible for their own leasing costs and the like. However the Committee is concerned that the effect may be to diminish parliamentary scrutiny of the operations of the service providers since they will no longer be seeking funds directly from appropriations. The Committee was

informed (at page E275 of the H a n s a r d ) that the financial statements in respect of the Trust Accounts will include the same information as would be available for any business and that these statements will be included in the Departmentâs Annual Reports. If the level of scrutiny previously achieved

through the mechanism of the Estimates Committees is to be maintained, the Senate will need to ensure that these financial statements and the operations of the service providers are kept under review.

S p ecia l A p p ro p ria tio n s

The Estimates Committees are charged under Standing Order 36AB(2) with considering the annual Estimates as contained in the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure. Standing Order 36AB (15) provides that the Committees may ask for explanations ârelating to items of proposed expenditureâ. This would

appear to exclude consideration of Special Appropriations - that is, funds already appropriated by Parliament by Acts other than the annual

Appropriation Acts - except to the extent that such consideration is relevant to the annual Estimates. Questions have traditionally been allowed to be asked in

207

Estimates Committee hearings in respect of Special Appropriations, but this has presumably been on the basis that such questions were relevant to the Estimates being considered by those Committees.

Estimates Committee A has on two occasions, in October 1985 and May 1987, drawn attention to the question of the extent to which Estimates Committees should be examining Special Appropriations. The calls made by Estimates Committee A for the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Government Operations or for a Select Committee to consider this and other issues relating to the operations of the Estimates Committees came to nothing. The Senate Select Committee on Legislation Procedures suggested in its Report tabled on 1

December 1988 that Special Appropriations should be expressly referred to the Estimates Committees for examination. However the Senate still has to come to any conclusion on the matters dealt with in that Report. Moreover that

Committeeâs suggestion with regard to Special Appropriations should be read in conjunction with its suggestion (at page 21 of its Report) that:

âEstimates Committees [should] be confined to examining the expenditure of those departments and authorities for which appropriations are proposed. For example, the Australian Broadcasting Corporationâs expenditure is included in appropriation bills and therefore would be examined by an Estimates Committee. On the other hand, the expenditure of an agency such as QANTAS is not normally part of the proposed expenditure referred to the Estimates Committees and thus ought not to be examined by them. The legislative and general purpose standing committees are the appropriate committees to examine the expenditure of such self-funding bodies and already receive their annual reports. It is open to a Senator to move a motion or amendment to direct a committee to inquire into a particular report, and to attend the meetings at which the inquiry is conducted.â

One instance which came before this Committee, for example, was that of the Aboriginals Benefit Trust Account established under the A b o r ig in a l L a n d R ig h ts (N o r th e r n T e rrito ry ) A c t 1 9 7 6 . Amounts equivalent to certain royalties are paid into this account out of Consolidated Revenue pursuant to that Act

and both the costs of the administration of the Account and payments to the Northern Territory Land Councils for administration are met from the Account. The issue arises whether it is appropriate for questions to be asked in Estimates Committees in relation to the administration of the Account and the Land Councils, neither of which receive any funding through the annual Estimates. The Committee considers that it is desirable that the treatm ent of Special Appropriations by Estimates Committees should be clarified.

R ecom m en dation : The C om m ittee recom m ends th a t the follow in g m a tte rs be referred to the S en ate S ta n d in g C om m ittee on F in an ce a n d P u blic A d m in istra tio n for in q u iry a n d rep o rt on o r before the la s t s ittin g d a y in

M ay 1990, b ea rin g in m in d the fu n ctions a n d pu rposes o f the S en ate E stim a tes C om m ittees:

(a) th e a d eq u a cy o f the p r e se n t fo rm a t o f

D e p a rtm e n ta l E x p la n a to ry N otes a n d m o n ito rin g by the D e p a rtm e n t o f F in an ce to ensure th a t

D ep a rtm en ts com ply w ith th e fo rm a t s e t o u t in its

m em oran da;

(b) the need fo r a n y ch an ge to ex istin g p ro ced u res o f

th e S en ate to en su re th a t the a c tiv itie s o f

g o vern m en t service p ro v id e rs o p e ra tin g th rou gh T ru st A ccounts do n o t escape a d eq u a te scrutin y; a n d

the S en ate to en su re th a t S p ecia l A p p ro p ria tio n s a n d bodies fu n d ed th rou gh such a p p ro p ria tio n s do n o t escape a d e q u a te scru tin y.

R equ ests fo r a tte n d a n c e o f w itn esses

The Estimates Committees have not been given the power to send for persons, papers and records: that is, they have no power to require the attendance of particular witnesses before them. Odgersâ A u s tr a lia n S e n a te P ra ctice (5th edition, 1976) states at page 423 that it was accepted at the time the

Estimates Committees were established in 1970 that:

âcommittees should accept the Ministersâ nomination of departmental officers who would be available to answer questions, and that only in particular circumstances should they seek the attendance of persons not so nominated by the Ministers.â

In general this has been the practice of the Estimates Committees, although they have commented on the inability of the officers present to answer certain questions and the need for adequately briefed officers to be present. However if a Senator has wished th at particular officers should be available to answer

certain questions it has been the usual practice for th at Senator to

communicate the request that those officers attend to the Department through the Secretary of the relevant Estimates Committee. It still rests with the responsible Minister, of course, to determine whether any such requests should be acceded to.

At this Committeeâs hearings in relation to the Additional Estimates in April this year Senator Tambling requested the Minister representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Senator Tate, to arrange for Mrs Shirley McPherson, the Chairman of the Aboriginal Development Commission, to attend the

hearing of the Estimates in relation to the ADC. Senator Tate indicated that he expected such a request to come from the Committee (see the H a n s a r d for the hearing on 14 April 1989 at page E130) and after a brief private meeting the Committee made the request and Mrs McPhersonâs attendance was

arranged.

209

In September this year Senator Tambling indicated to the Secretary to this Committee that he wished to request the attendance of officers from the A -riginals Benefit Trust Account Secretariat and the Northern Territory Land Councils at the Committeeâs hearings in relation to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The Department indicated that it would prefer the request to come from the Committee and on 29 September 1989 Senator Tambling

wrote to the Chairman of the Committee asking that the Committee request the attendance of the officers on his behalf. Senator Tambling stated in his letter that his reason for proposing this course was that:

âThere are a number of significant questions directly relating to the ABTA, the administration and staffing of the Land Councils and the operation of various trust monies by the Land Councils which must be given full parliamentary scrutiny.â

At a meeting on 3 October 1989 the Committee rejected Senator Tamblingâs motion that the attendance of these officers be requested. Senator Tambling subsequently approached Senator Tate who wrote to the Chairman of the Committee on 4 October 1989 in the following terms:

âAs you will know the Minister at the Table takes responsibility in assisting the Committee in its examination of the Estimates. I believe I could be assisted in ABTA matters and therefore will attempt to arrange the attendance of appropriate officers (if possible, given the pilots dispute).

I do not intend to seek the assistance of officers of the Land Councils. I believe that such information as may be required could be conveyed through responses to questions on notice and such answers may be provided through me to the Committee.

I hope the Committee will be assisted in its examination of the Estimates in this way.â

The Committee believes that the course of events in this case was

unsatisfactory because the Committee when it considered Senator Tamblingâs motion was doubtful as to the attitude that the Minister would take to Senator Tamblingâs request. If, of course, Ministers indicate that they would prefer particular requests to come from a Committee, then the Committee will consider such requests. The Committee believes that it is important that procedures in this area be kept flexible to take account of all the situations which may arise. Nevertheless it is concerned that the difficulty which the Committee experienced in the present case arose from a lack of clarity about the appropriate procedures to be followed when Senators wish to request the attendance of particular officers at Estimates Committee hearings.

W ritten Q uestion s On N otice

The practice of Senators providing to Departments often very considerable numbers of written questions prior to the hearings of the Estimates

Committees was endorsed by the Senate Procedure Committee in its T h ir d R e p o r t o f the S ix ty - T h ir d S e s s io n , tabled on 2 May 1989. Senators generally provide such questions to Departments in the hope of receiving answers before the hearings begin. However in many cases answers are only made available

on the day on which the relevant Department is to be heard. This means that on occasion Senators ask questions at hearings which they have placed on notice and to which an answer has been made available which they have not had an opportunity to read. If Departments wish to avoid this situation, and

thus to save some of the time they spend at hearings, they should make greater efforts to have the answers to questions placed on notice available in advance of the hearings. It is also of course incumbent on Senators to submit their questions as early as possible.

Problems also arise where Senators pursue matters at hearings in relation to which they have received written answers to questions they placed on notice. Although other Senators who are members of the relevant Estimates Committee are provided with copies of such answers it can be very difficult for

them to follow the line of questioning. This Committee suggests that in future Estimates Committee Secretariats should allocate to each question on notice received prior to the hearings a number in order of receipt and that

Departments in answering such questions should include this number along with the other identifying material which they are required to include at the head of the page setting out the answer. This should enable the ready identification of questions when they are pursued at the subsequent hearing.

D EPARTM EN T OF IMMIGRATION, LOCAL GOVERNM ENT AN D ETH NIC AFFAIRS

As noted under General Comments, the Explanatory Notes of the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs were by far the best to come before this Committee. Only the Office of Local Government, Program 5, failed to provide performance indicators. The notes in relation to that program

merely indicated what the program managers hoped to do rather than setting out measures against which their performance might be assessed. Thus, for example, the notes in relation to Sub-program 5.1 stated at page 201 that:

âA key objective will be to ensure the appropriate level of Commonwealth general purpose funding for local government.â

It transpired at the hearing th at the Office considered that the appropriate level of funding was the level of funding determined in the Budget context in any given year (see pages E351-2 of H a n s a r d ). In those terms the Office would always achieve its objective since whatever level of funding was set would

211

always be the appropriate level. The Office did however undertake (at page E350) to take a look at its performance indicators prior to its next appearance before the Committee.

The Committee was informed that the performance indicators for the Department were under review in the context of the development of a new Corporate Plan (see pages E21-2 and E42-3 of H a n s a r d ). While the Committee accepts that it is desirable that performance indicators should always be kept under review, the Committee notes th a t it may create some problems of comparability if performance indicators change during the course of the year. It

may be desirable that Departments should identify any such changes in their Explanatory Notes.

D E P A R T M E N T O F A D M I N I S T R A T I V E S E R V I C E S

Use o f co n su lta n ts

Questions were asked about the use of consultants by Australian Construction Services arising out of the Auditor-Generalâs Audit Report No. 15 for 1989-90 which at paragraphs 5.2.1-49 identified a number of deficiencies in the procedures being followed by the Victorian office of ACS in respect of its selection of consultants and its assessment of their performance. The Committee notes that it received assurances from the Australian Construction Services that its instructions to its offices in relation to the selection and monitoring of consultancies were under review and that the Auditor-Generalâs Office would be consulted in the preparation of the new instructions (see H a n s a r d a t page E95).

U n d eru tilised p ro p e rty

In May 1987 Senator Michael Baume asked by way of a question placed on notice under Estimates Committee D whether any property leased, rented or owned by the Commonwealth had âremained unoccupied or significantly

underutilised for any length of timeâ in any financial year since 1982-83. The Australian Construction Services (ACS) responded that there were no properties âcurrently unoccupied or significantly underutilisedâ. The Auditor-General in his Audit Report No. 15 for 1989-90 drew attention at paragraphs 5.1.11-79 to the fact that the ACS facility at Kewdale in Western

Australia was underutilised and that this had been apparent since at least 1982.

When the Auditor-Generalâs findings were raised at this Committeeâs hearing, the Departmental officers attempted to defend the answer they gave on the basis that they had attached a particular meaning to the adverb âsignificantlyâ which somehow excluded the underutilisation that had taken place at Kewdale. As the Minister at the Table, Senator Ray, remarked (at pages E102 and E107 of H a n s a r d ), the important lesson for Departments to draw from this instance is that they should give the fullest answer possible to a Senatorâs question

112

rather than relying on a restrictive interpretation of the wording used in the question to deny the Senator the information which he or she may have been seeking.

P roject DESIN E

Some members of the Committee expressed concern at the Departmentâs role in advising other Departments on major computer purchases such as the Defence Departmentâs DESINE computer contract. Concerns focussed on the possibility th at the Department may be exposing the Government to a

disadvantage in rendering it dependent on one supplier, and that computer software is not regarded as an asset in the Departmentâs financial reporting.

The Committee notes that these matters are currently under consideration by the Public Accounts Committee.

ATTO RN EY-G EN ERALâS D EPARTM EN T

The Committee appreciates th at it is always difficult to forecast the areas in which questioning will take place at Estimates Committee hearings and that on this occasion the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Tate, attempted to ascertain in advance any particular areas members of the

Committee would like addressed (see his letter incorporated in H a n s a r d at page E159). The Committee welcomed the attendance of the heads of agencies coming within the Attorney-Generalâs portfolio such as Mr Hartnell of the Australian Securities Commission and Mr Greenwood of the Special

Investigations Unit. However the Committee believes that it should also be possible to arrange for the attendance of Departmental officers who are adequately briefed to answer questions directly arising from the Departmental Explanatory Notes. In the absence of such officers, questions had to be taken

on notice on such m atters as the proposed expenditure on family mediation centres, marriage counselling and marriage education (pages E322-3) which directly arose from an item at page 65 of the Departmentâs Explanatory Notes, and the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations (pages E324-6),

which received a grant of $237,000 for 1989-90. While the attem pt to keep the number of officers attending to a minimum is commendable, if only the Deputy Secretaries are to attend and not the Division Heads then they should ensure that they are adequately briefed.

DEPARTM EN T OF ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

A b o rig in a ls B en efit T ru st A ccou n t

As noted above under General Comments, the Aboriginals Benefit Trust Account is established pursuant to the A b o r ig in a l L a n d R ig h ts (N o r th e r n T e rrito ry ) A c t 197 6 . The funds in the Trust Account are derived from

payments out of Consolidated Revenue equivalent to certain royalty payments collected by the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments and interest on the investment of accumulated capital. A report to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs by Mr Greg Crough of the Economic and Social Policy

213

Research Unit at the University of Sydney dated July 1989 and tabled in the Senate by Senator Tambling on 6 October 1989 indicates that the revenue of the ABTA is largely unpredictable and unstable, dependent as it is on royalty payments from the mineral and petroleum industry in the Northern Territory. At the same time the ABTA has been eating into its capital base in order to meet the increasing demands of the two major Land Councils. Mr Crough argues at page 22 of his report that:

âunless full royalty equivalents are paid into the ABTA for the mining and petroleum projects on Aboriginal land, the ABTA will have no funds available for distribution by July 1992 at the latest. Even with full royalty equivalents, however, the inexorable decline in funds will continue, unless some action is undertaken to restrain expenditure.â

Mr Crough suggests three options by which expenditure might be restrained, namely a moratorium on grants for a period of two years, the imposition of requirements on the Land Councils to borrow part or all of their

supplementary funding requirements, or a shift to direct funding of the Land Councils out of Consolidated Revenue.

The Committee was informed (at page E l 79 of H a n s a r d ) that a group had been convened to undertake further work following upon the Crough report. The group includes Mr Crough himself, Dr John Altman, Land Council representatives and Departmental officers. It is expected that it will report by

November. Obviously the situation of the ABTA as revealed by Mr Croughâs report is serious and the Committee intends to keep this m atter under review at future hearings.

The Committee noted the comments in the Auditor-Generalâs Report No. 12 for 1989-90 concerning the ABTA. In particular, the Auditor-Generalâs review of the investment activities of the ABTA showed a lack of an investment strategy and formal review mechanisms for monitoring investment performance (paragraph 1.3.6). The Auditor-General noted that the Secretariat was seeking advice from the Department of Finance to rectify this m atter and this Committee was informed that investment arrangements had in fact been tightened up (at page E179 of H a n s a r d ). The Auditor-General also identified control weaknesses in the grants process and was advised by the Department

that many of these deficiencies were due to the lack of time available to staff to process the grant applications and that steps were being taken to streamline these processes (paragraphs 1.3.10-12). The Committee was informed that new forms for applications had been developed and that reporting for audit purposes had been upgraded to the Audit Officeâs satisfaction (at page E l 79 of H a n s a r d ) .

214

L an d C ouncils

The Committee also noted with concern reports th at the Northern and Central Land Councils were running substantial overdrafts. The Department was unable to give the Committee precise figures because the audited accounts for 1988-89 were not yet available but the Committee was informed that the accounting firm Touche Ross had been appointed as consultants to assist the

Northern Land Council in identifying where economies might be made and what functions might be dropped (at pages E184 and E189 of H a n s a r d ). Once again, this Committee intends to keep this m atter under review.

The Committee also notes that a number of questions placed on notice in relation to the administration of the Land Councils had not been answered at the time the Committee met to consider its draft report. The Committee considers that it is not acceptable for questions taken on notice to remain

unanswered at the time when the Committee is required to consider its report to the Senate.

A b o rig in a l D evelopm en t C om m ission -

E x p la n a to ry N otes

The Committee notes that it was necessary for the Aboriginal Development Commission to amend its Explanatory Notes after the Australian Audit Office took the highly unusual step of writing to the President of the Senate indicating that it considered that part of the Notes concerning the Special

Audit Report by the Audit Office tabled on 9 March 1989 contained significant errors and misleading statements. The Committee notes that the relevant part of the ADCâs Explanatory Notes was subsequently rewritten in a form which satisfied the concerns raised by the Audit Office and that the Auditor-General

wrote to the President of the Senate on 15 September 1989 attaching a copy of the agreed text for the information of the Senate. A copy of the revised Explanatory Notes for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs incorporating the agreed changes was tabled in the Senate on 26 September 1989.

P erform an ce o f officers

The performance at the Committeeâs hearing of certain officers of the Aboriginal Development Commission, both from the Commissionâs headquarters and from the regions, was most unsatisfactory. If there is any purpose in the Regional Managers from the various States attending then they

should be in a position to answer general questions in relation to the funding provided for projects in their States. It should not be necessary, for example, for an officer to take on notice a question relating to the composition, in grants or loans, of funding provided to a project to the tune of $1.8 million (see

H a n s a r d at page E231). Equally, although the Acting General Manager of the ADC described Tranby as âa credible organisation providing a range of services to Aborigines throughout New South Walesâ (at page E250), the ADC s

215

Regional Manager, New South Wales, was unable or unwilling to provide even the most basic information about Tranbyâs activities until pressed, question by question (see pages E251-3 of H a n s a r d ).

Similarly, although the grants made to the Island Co-ordinating Council for treaty consultations in the Torres Strait were the subject of comments in the Auditor-Generalâs Final Report of the Special Audit of the Aboriginal Development Commission and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, tabled in

Parliament on 5 October 1989, the officers were not able to answer questions in relation to the number and location of the meetings, the breakup of the funds allocated and whether they had in fact been expended, the provision of the ADC Act under which funds were granted and whether the funds provided had been properly acquitted (see H a n s a r d at pages E244-6). The officers also had to take on notice questions relating to legal expenses arising out of the Auditor-Generalâs Report which, once again, could reasonably have been anticipated (see H a n s a r d at page E258). The Committee suggests that the Commission or any body which may replace it should attem pt to ensure that the officers representing it before Estimates Committees are more adequately briefed.

U se o f s h e lf com pan ies

The Committee was informed at pages E238-9 of H a n s a r d that the

Commission had on occasion used shelf companies in the purchase of land on behalf of Aboriginal traditional owners where it was feared that an escalated purchase price might result if the vendor and other buyers in the market were aware that a Government-backed Aboriginal interest was involved. The Committee would have no objection to such arrangements provided that in all cases appropriate trust arrangements were entered into with the directors of the shelf companies so that the interests of the Commission and the traditional owners were adequately protected. The Committee was informed in answer to a question taken on notice, however, that this has not always been the case in the past and the Committee notes its concern that the interests of the Commission and the traditional owners on whose behalf land was being purchased may not have been adequately protected in such cases. The Committee also notes th at the general question of Government companies and their reporting requirements is presently the subject of an inquiry by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration.

T ra n sitio n to ATSIC

The Committee has in the past and at these Estimates noted a number of concerns in relation to the Aboriginal Development Commission, including the adequacy of its Corporate Plan, the suitability of some of its senior staff, its forward financial commitments and its level of bad debts. The Committee is concerned that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission may

inherit many of these problems when it takes over the operations of the Aboriginal Development Commission and it identifies this matter as one meriting attention at future Estimates hearings.

216

ACKNO WLEDGMENTS

The Committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance given by the Ministers and officers of the Departments and agencies who appeared before it.

(Michael Beahan) C h a ir m a n

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

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ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 28

WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 4.55pm in Committee Room 13. Senator Beahan assumed the Chair.

2. RESOLUTIONS: The Secretary reported the Resolution of the Senate of 18 August 1989 referring Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the service of the year ending on 30 June 1990, Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in

respect of the year ending 30 June 1990 and expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 to Estimates Committees. The Secretary also reported the Resolutions of the Senate of 6 September

1989 relating to membership of Estimates Committees.

3. ESTIMATES: The Committee considered the order in which the expenditure of Departments referred to the Committee should be examined. Senator Tambling suggested that a clear day should be set aside for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The Committee agreed that Senator Beahan should

consult with Senator Ray before circulating a revised order of Departments to the Committee for agreement.

4. LETTER FROM ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT: The Committee noted a letter to the Secretary dated 17 August 1989 concerning the estimates relating to the Australian Institute of Family Studies. The Committee agreed with the proposal put forward in the letter that the AIFS estimates

be considered in the context of the Department of Social Security Portfolio.

5. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 5.15pm.

6. ATTENDANCE: Senators Beahan, Durack, Short and Tambling.

7. APOLOGIES: Senators Faulkner and Morris.

Confirmed:

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(Michael Beahan) Chairman

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AUSTRALIAN SENATE CANBERRA. A C T

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 29

THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met at 12.01pm in Senate Committee Room No. 14. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AND EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1988-89 - DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ETHNIC AFFAIRS

3. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Honourable Robert Ray, Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs

Mr A. Harris Deputy Secretary

Dr J . Nieuwenhuysen

Mr M. Lynch

Mr W. Gibbons

Mr M. Sullivan

Mr D. Wheen

Director, Bureau of Immigration Research

First Assistant Secretary, Migration and Ethnic Affairs Policy Division

First Assistant Secretary, Development and Systems Division

First Assistant Secretary, Operations Management Division

First Assistant Secretary, Office of Local Government

Mr I . Simington

Mr A. Struik

Mr R. Inder

Principal Adviser

Deputy Director, Bureau of Immigration Research

Acting First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management Division

223

Mr A. Blake

Mr B. Strangle

Mr J . Norman

Dr 0. Lukomsky

Mr T. Rogers

Acting Assistant Secretary, Resource Management Branch

Director, Resources Section

Director, Corporate Planning Policy Section

Manager, Population, Research and Information Systems Section, Bureau of Immigration Research

Registrar, Immigration Review Tribunal

Department of Finance

Mr A. Rizvi Chief Finance Officer,

Education and Employment Division

Ms A. Tiernan Finance Officer, Education and

Employment Division

The Chairman called on for consideration the following programs:

1. Migration and Visitor Entry 2. Settlement and Ethnic Affairs 3. Corporate Services 4. Citizenship

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 .

The Committee formally received the following documents:

. Answers to questions taken on notice from Senators Faulkner and Short for the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs.

. Two papers from the Analysis Section of the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, titled 'Estimate of the Number of Overstayers in Australia as at 31 January 1989' and 'Visitor Overstay Rates 1989', respectively.

The Committee suspended its consideration of the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs and agreed to resume its consideration of the Department's programs on a date to be arranged.

224

4. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AND

EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1988-89 - DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

5. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Honourable Robert Ray, Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, representing the Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Administrative Services

Mr R. Divett Acting Deputy Secretary

Mr S.J. Palywoda First Assistant Secretary,

Business Development Group

Australian Property Group

Mr W. Peel

Mr R. Williams

Mr R. Bauer

Mr P . Ferrari

Overseas Property Group

Mr B.D.B. Smith

Acting General Manager

Assistant General Manager, Estate Services Branch

Acting Assistant General Manager, Client Services

Acting Assistant General Manager, Estate Services

General Manager

Australian Construction Services

Mr H. Jacka General Manager

Mr G. Martin State Manager, Western

Australia

Mr R. Pascoe-Webbe Assistant General Manager, Business Management

Mr P. Rake Business Operations Manager,

Asset Services

Transport and Storage Group

Mr G. Semmens Assistant General Manager

Mr D. Rome Assistant General Manager

225

Australian Survey and Land Information Group

Mr G. Lindsay General Manager

Mr J. Sheaves Acting General Manager,

Operations and Resource Management

Australian Protective Service

Mr P. Dawson General Manager

Australian Valuation Office

Mr M. Coleman General Manager

Australian Government Publishing Service

Mr R. Rubie Government Printer

Mr D . Drew Special Projects

Mr F. Thompson Acting Business Manager

Mr R. Hargreaves

Purchasing and Sales

Director, Printing and Supply

Mr P. Grills Acting General Manager

Mr V. Shevchenko

Purchasing Reform

Assistant General Manager

Mr A. Butler

Bureau of Meteorology

General Manager

Dr J. Ziliman Director

Australian Government Analytical Laboratories

Dr C. Dahl

Australian Archives

Government Analyst

Mr B. Cox Director General

Parliamentary Services

Mr J . Lleonart General Manager

Mr P. O'Neill Assistant General Manager,

Parliamentary and Ministerial Services Branch

226

Corporate Management Group

Mr P. Taylor General Manager

Mr J . Gavin Secretary, Royal Commission of

Inquiry into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Australian Electoral Commission

Dr C.A. Hughes Electoral Commissioner

Mr J . Mahoney Assistant Commissioner,

Corporate Services

Mr P . Dacey Acting Assistant Commissioner,

Development and Research

Mr T. Willson Acting Assistant Commissioner,

Information and Education

Mr A. Ray Director, Financial and General

Services

Commonwealth Grants Commission

Mr R. Searle Acting Secretary

Parliament House Construction Authority

Ms H . Dent Acting Chief Executive

Mr G. Saldais Acting Senior Executive,

Technical Services Branch

Mr R. Sipes Acting Senior Executive,

Management Branch

Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee Secretariat

Mr I. Mason Director

Department of Finance

Mr A. Singer Senior Finance Officer, Defence

and Government Division

The Chairman called programs: on for consideration the following

1. Australian Property Services 2. Overseas Property Services

227

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 .

The Committee formally received the following documents:

. Answers to questions taken on notice from Senators Boswell and Short for the Department of Administrative Services.

. A replacement page 247 for the Department of

Administrative Services' explanatory notes.

The Committee suspended its consideration of the programs of the Department of Administrative Services and agreed to resume its consideration of the Department's programs on Thursday 5 October 1989.

4. ADJOURNMENT

The Committee adjourned at 10.43pm.

5. ATTENDANCE: Senators Beahan, Bishop, Durack, Faulkner, Morris, Short, Tambling.

Senators M. Baume and Panizza also attended.

Confirmed:

(Michael Beahan) Chairman

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AUSTRALIAN SENATE CANBERRA, A C T.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 30

TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met at 3.00pm in Senate Committee Room No. 13. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair.

2. CONSIDERATION OF LETTER FROM SENATOR TAMBLING: The

Committee considered a letter to the Chairman from Senator Tambling dated 29 September 1989 formally requesting that officers of the Aboriginals Benefit Trust Account (Secretariat) and the Northern Territory Land Councils be

'required' to attend the Committee's hearings concerning the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Development Commission.

Senator Tambling moved that the Chairman write to Senator Tate as Minister representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs requesting that officers of the Aboriginals Benefit Trust Account Secretariat and the Nothern Territory Land

Councils attend the Committee's hearing on 10 October 1989. After discussion the motion was put and the Committee divided, Senators Durack, Short and Tambling voting for the motion and Senators Beahan, Faulkner and Morris voting

against the motion. The votes being equal, the Chairman exercised his casting vote and the question was therefore resolved in the negative.

3. TIMETABLE FOR HEARINGS: Senator Tambling suggested that the Committee would require additional time for its hearings. Senator Short suggested that Monday, 23 October 1989 should be considered as a possible date if an additional day of hearings were to be required.

4. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 3.23pm.

5. ATTENDANCE: Senators Beahan, Durack, Faulkner, Morris, Short and Tambling.

Confirmed:

229

(Michael Beahan) Chairman

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AUSTRALIAN SENATE Ca n b e r r a , a .c .T-

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 31

THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1989

MEETING: The Committee met at 4.10pm in Senate Committee Room No. 14. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair.

PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AND EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1988-89 - DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: The Committee resumed its consideration of the Department of Administrative Services.

IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Honourable Robert Ray, Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, representing the Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Administrative Services

Mr R. Divett Acting Deputy Secretary

Mr S.J. Palywoda First Assistant Secretary,

Business Development Group

Overseas Property Group

Mr B.D.B. Smith General Manager

Australian Construction Services

Mr H . Jacka General Manager

Mr G. Martin State Manager, Western

Australia

Mr R. Pascoe-Webbe Assistant General Manager, Business Management

Mr P. Rake Business Operations Manager,

Asset Services

Transport and Storage Group

Mr G. Semmens Assistant General Manager

Mr D . Rome Assistant General Manager

Australian Survey and Land Information Group

Mr J. Sheaves Assistant General Manager,

Operations and Resource Management

Australian Protective Service

Mr P. Dawson General Manager

Australian Valuation Office

Mr M. Coleman General Manager

Australian Government Publishing Service

Mr R. Rubie Government Printer

Mr D . Drew Special Projects

Mr F. Thompson Acting Business Manager

Mr R. Hargreaves

Purchasing and Sales

Director, Printing and Supply

Mr P. Grills Acting General Manager

Mr B. Wright Acting Assistant General

Manager

Mr V. Shevchenko Assistant General Manager

Mr P. Pearson

Purchasing Reform

Acting Assistant General Manager, Sales

Mr A. Butler General Manager

Bureau of Meteorology

Dr D. Gauntlett Deputy Director

Australian Government Analytical Laboratories

Dr C. Dahl

Australian Archives

Government Analyst

Mr B . Cox Director General

232

Parliamentary Services

Mr J. Lleonart General Manager

Mr P. O'Neill

Corporate Management Group

Assistant General Manager, Parliamentary and Ministerial Services Branch

Mr P. Taylor General Manager

Mr J . Gavin Secretary, Royal Commission of

Inquiry into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Australian Electoral Commission

Dr C.A. Hughes Electoral Commissioner

Mr J . Mahoney Assistant Commissioner,

Corporate Services

Mr P . Dacey Acting Assistant Commissioner,

Development and Research

Mr T . Willson Acting Assistant Commissioner,

Information and Education

Mr A. Ray Director, Financial and General

Services

Commonwealth Grants Commission

Mr R. Searle Acting Secretary

Parliament House Construction Authority

Ms H. Dent Acting Chief Executive

Mr B . Harrison Senior Executive,

Technical Services Branch

Mr R. Sipes Acting Senior Executive,

Management Branch

Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee Secretariat

Mr I . Mason

Department of Finance

Director

Mr D. Yarra Chief Finance Officer, Defence

and Government Division

233

Mr R. Foster Senior Finance Officer, Defence

and Government Division

Mr N. Williams Finance Officer, Defence and

Government Division

Mr S. Lawty Finance Officer, Defence and

Government Division

The Chairman call-ed on for consideration the following programs:

2. Australian Property Services 3. Overseas Property Services 4. Transport and Storage 21. Transport and Storage Group Property Rationalisation

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 .

The Committee formally received the following documents;

. Answers to questions taken on notice from Senators Bishop and Short for the Department of Administrative Services.

The Committee suspended its consideration of the programs of the Department of Administrative Services and agreed to resume its consideration of the Department's programs after dealing with those elements of the Attorney-General's Department in respect of which officers had travelled from interstate to attend the Committee's hearing.

4. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AND EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1988-89 - ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT

5. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Honourable Michael Tate, Minister for Justice, representing the Attorney-General, accompanied by the following officers:

Attorney-General's Department

Mr A. Rose Secretary

Mr S. Skehill Deputy Secretary

Mr N.S . Reaburn Deputy Secretary

Mr D . Rose Chief General Counsel

234

Mr P. McDonald Acting Australian Government

Solicitor

Mr R. Smeaton Senior Assistant Secretary,

Resource Management Branch

Mr T. Meredith Acting General Manager,

Commonwealth Reporting Service

Mr J . Dickie Director, Office of Film and

Literature Classification

Miss J . Barnard Acting Dirctor, Budget

Management Section

Ms H . Penfold Second Parliamentary Counsel,

Office of Parliamentary Counsel

Mr W. Chapman Senior Secretary (Management),

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Mr S. Mason Secretary and Director of

Research, Law Reform Commission

Mr M. Dickens Acting Executive Director,

National Companies and Securities Commission

Mr H. Spier First Assistant Commissioner,

Restrictive Trade Practices Division, Trade Practices Commission

Mr R. Rose Clerk, High Court of Australia

Mr J .T . Howard Registrar, Federal Court of

Australia

Mr C. Spink Acting Principal Registrar,

Family Court of Australia

Mr P. Dingwall Registrar, Supreme Court of the

ACT

Mr P . Thompson Clerk, ACT Magistrates Court

Mr D . Shultz Registrar, Administrative

Appeals Tribunal

Mr J.C. Johnson Deputy Commissioner

(Administration), Australian Federal Police

235

Mr G.R. Mills Acting Deputy Commissioner,

Australian Federal Police

Mr D. Lenihan Chief Executive Officer,

National Crime Authority

Mr R. Chalker Director, Australian Bureau of

Criminal Intelligence

Prof. D. Chappell Director, Australian Institute of Criminology

Mr W. Coad Director, Cash Transactions

Reports Agency

Mr I . Birmingham Senior Assistant Director,

Director of Public Prosecutions

Mr T. McKnight Senior Assistant Director,

Director of Public Prosecutions

Mr R. Greenwood Director, Special

Investigations Unit

Mr A. Hartnell Chairman, Australian Securities

Commission

Department of Finance

Mr N. McGladrigan Senior Finance Officer, Defence and Government Division

Mr M. Admans Finance Officer, Defence and

Government Division

The Chairman called on for consideration the following components and sub-programss

2.1.3 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 2.2.1 Law Reform Commission 2.4.1 National Companies and Securities Commission 2.4.4 Australian Securities Commission 2.5 Censorship 4.1 Federal Court of Australia 4.2 Family Court of Australia 4.5 Administrative Appeals Tribunal 6.2 National Crime Authority 6.6 Special Investigations Unit 6.7 Cash Transactions Reports Agency

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 .

236

The Committee formally received the following documents:

. Answers to questions taken on notice from Senator Puplick for the Attorney-General's Department.

The following document was, by leave, incorporated in Hansard:

. A letter dated 1 September 1989 from Senator the Hon. M.C. Tate to the former Chairman of Estimates Committee E, Senator T . Aulich.

The Committee suspended its consideration of the programs of the Attorney-General's Department and agreed to resume its consideration of the Department's programs on Monday 23 October 1989.

6. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AND EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1988-89 - DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: The Committee resumed its consideration of the Department of Administrative Services.

7. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Honourable Robert Ray, Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, representing the Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Administrative Services

Mr R. Divett Acting Deputy Secretary

Mr S.J. Palywoda First Assistant Secretary,

Business Development Group

Bureau of Meteorology

Dr D. Gauntlett Deputy Director

Australian Archives

Mr B. Cox Director General

Australian Electoral Commission

Dr C.A. Hughes Electoral Commissioner

Mr J . Mahoney Assistant Commissioner

Corporate Services

Mr P. Dacey Acting Assistant Commissioner,

Development and Research

237

Mr T. Willson Acting Assistant Commissioner

Information and Education

Mr A. Ray- Director, Financial and General

Services

Mr D. Farrell Director, Roll Maintenance

Department of Finance

Mr R. Foster Senior Finance Officer, Defence

and Government Division

The Chairman called on for consideration the following programs:

10. Meteorology 13. Management of Government Records 16. Electoral Services

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 .

The Committee suspended its consideration of the programs of the Department of Administrative Services and agreed to resume its consideration of the Department's programs on Monday 23 October 1989.

5. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 1.37pm.

6. ATTENDANCE: Senators Beahan, Durack, Faulkner, Morris, Short, Tambling.

Senators M. Baume, Harradine and Panizza also attended.

Confirmed:

(Michael Beahan) Chairman

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ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 32

THURSDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met at 10.02am in Senate Committee Room No. 14. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair.

2. CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP: The Chairman reported the Resolution of the Senate of 6 October 1989 discharging Senator Durack from Estimates Committee E for 10 October 1989 and

appointing Senator Michael Baume to be a member of the Committee for that day.

3. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AND

EXPENDITURE UNDER THE ADVANCE TO THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE 1988-89 - DEPARTMENT OF ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

4 . IN ATTENDANCE; Senator the Honourable Michael Tate, Minister for Justice, representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Aboriginal Affairs

Mr W. J . Gray

Ms P .A . Turner

Mr D. J . O'Rourke

Mr J.G . Menham

Mr R. J . Beadman

Mr G. Bissaker

Mr R. Morony

Mr R. Christopher

Secretary

Deputy Secretary

First Assistant Secretary Corporate Development Division

First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division

First Assistant Secretary, Heritage and Legal Division

Acting Assistant Secretary, Budget Branch

Acting Assistant Secretary, Employment Development Policy Branch

Acting Assistant Secretary, Public Affairs Branch

239

Ms G. Humes Acting Assistant Secretary,

Community Development Branch

Mr M. White Assistant Secretary, Management

Services Branch

Mr T. Feltham Acting Assistant Secretary,

Housing and Infrastructure Branch

Ms H. McLaughlin Acting Director, Office of

Aboriginal Women

Mr P. Mackin Director, Budget Co-ordination

Mr G. Castine State Director, Northern

Territory

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Task Force

Mr G. Jones Chairman

Mr M. Dillon Member

Mr B . Kimmings Member

Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies

Mr W. Dix Principal

Mr T. Varga Finance Officer

Aboriginal Hostels Limited

Mr R.C. Clarke General Manager

Mr J.C. Rooks Assistant General Manager,

Company Secretary

Ms E. Barolits Assistant General Manager,

Operations

Ms P. Gilmour Manager, Finance

Mr R. Lane Manager, Research and Planning

Aboriginal Development Commission

Mr M. Stewart Acting General Manager

Mr P. Fitzwarryne Assistant General Manager,

Strategic Planning Evaluation and Audit Division

240

Mr K. Turner

Mr P. Goggin

Mr M. O'Ryan

Mr L. Sadlo

Mr C. Plowman

Mr S Hoffman

Mr C . Black

Acting Assistant General Manager, Administration

Assistant General Manager, Programs

Acting Assistant General Manager, Information and Human Resources

Manager, Business Development and Land Branch

Regional Manager, N.S.W.

Regional Manager, Queensland

Regional Manager, N.T. (Northern)

Department of Finance

Mr Q.W. Perks Chief Finance Officer,

Education and Employment Division

Ms K. Woods Senior Finance Officer,

Education and Employment Division

Senator Tate made an opening statement to the Committee on behalf of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and by leave incorporated in Hansard a paper entitled 'Progress in Program Budgeting'.

The Chairman called on for consideration the following programs:

1. Land and Economic Development 2. Social Advancement 3. Heritage and Culture 4. Corporate Services 5. Aboriginal Development Commission

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989.

The Committee formally received the following documents:

. Answers to questions taken on notice from Senators Short and Tambling for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

241

. Answers to questions taken on notice from Senators Short and Tambling for the Aboriginal Development Commission.

. Replacement pages 6-13 for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs' explanatory notes.

The following documents were, by leave, incorporated in Hansard:

A status report on exploration licence applications under the new provision of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, as at 31 August 1989.

A table containing Aboriginal Benefits Trust Account data.

A question taken on notice from Senator Short for the Aboriginal Development Commission.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the

Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1989-90 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1988-89 for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers of the Department to provide additional information to the Committee.

5. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 10.40pm.

6. ATTENDANCE: Senators Beahan, M. Baume, Faulkner, Morris, Short, Tambling.

Confirmed:

(Michael Beahan) Chairman

242

> * ,

ÎÎ8Î¹Â« AUSTRALIAN SENATE CANBERRA. A.C.T.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 33

MONDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1989

1. MEETING: The Committee met at 10.06am in Senate Committee Room No. 14. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair.

2. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 -

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: The Committee resumed its consideration of the Department of

Administrative Services.

3. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Honourable Robert Ray, Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, representing the Minister for Administrative Services, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Administrative Services

Mr C. McAlister Acting Secretary

Mr S.J. Palywoda First Assistant Secretary,

Business Development Group

Australian Survey and Land Information Group

Mr G. Lindsay General Manager

Mr J . Sheaves Assistant General Manager,

Operations and Resource Management

Australian Protective Service

Mr P . Dawson General Manager

Australian Valuation Office

Mr M. Coleman General Manager

Australian Government Publishing Service

Mr R . Rubie Government Printer

Mr D. Drew Special Projects

243

Mr F. Thompson Acting Business Manager

Mr R. Hargreaves

Purchasing and Sales

Director, Printing and Supply

Mr R. Pitt General Manager

Mr P. Grills Assistant General Manager

Mr V. Shevchenko Assistant General Manager

Mr P . Pearson

Purchasing Reform

Acting Assistant General Manager

Mr A. Butler General Manager

Australian Government Analytical Laboratories

Dr C. Dahl

Parliamentary Services

Government Analyst

Mr J . Lleonart General Manager

Mr P. O'Neill

Corporate Management Group

Assistant General Manager

Mr P. Taylor General Manager

Mr J . Gavin Secretary, Royal Commission of

Inquiry into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Commonwealth Grants Commission

Mr A. Glasson Secretary

Parliament House Construction Authority

Mr J . Fowler Chief Executive

Mr B. Harrison Senior Executive,

Technical Services Branch

Mr S . Meredith Senior Finance Officer

Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee Secretariat

Mr I . Mason Director

244

Department of Finance

Mr R . Foster Senior Finance Officer, Defence

and Government Division

Mr N. Williams Finance Officer, Defence and

Government Division

Mr S . Lawty Finance Officer, Defence and

Government Division

The Chairman called on for consideration the following programs:

5. Australian Surveying and Land Information 6. Australian Protective Service 7. Australian Valuation Office 8. Publishing and Printing 9. Purchasing and Sales

11. Ionospheric Prediction Service 1 2 . Australian Government Analytical Laboratories 14. Parliamentary and Ministerial Services 15. Corporate Management 17. Commonwealth/State Revenue Sharing

18. Parliament House Construction Authority 19. Genetic Manipulation Advisory Secretariat 20. Purchasing Reform

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 .

The Committee formally received the following document:

. An answer to a question taken on notice from Senator M. Baume for the Department of Administrative Services.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the

Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1989-90 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1988-89 for the Department of Administrative Services, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers of the Department to provide additional information to the Committee.

4. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 - ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S â DEPARTMENT: The Committee resumed its consideration of the Attorney-General's Department.

5. IN ATTENDANCE: Senator the Honourable Michael Tate, Minister for Justice, representing the Attorney-General, accompanied by the following officers:

245

Attorney-General's Department

Mr A. Rose Secretary

Mr S. Skehill Deputy Secretary

Mr N.S. Reaburn Deputy Secretary

Mr D. Rose Chief General Counsel

Mr P . McDonald Acting Australian Government

Solicitor

Mr R . Smeaton Senior Assistant Secretary,

Resource Management Branch

Mr T. Meredith Acting General Manager,

Commonwealth Reporting Service

Mr M. Fish Director, Finance Section

Ms H. Penfold Second Parliamentary Counsel,

Office of Parliamentary Counsel

Mr H. Spier First Assistant Commissioner,

Restrictive Trade Practices Division, Trade Practices Commission

Mr R. Rose Clerk, High Court of Australia

Mr P. Dingwall Registrar, Supreme Court of the

ACT

Mr P. Thompson Clerk, ACT Magistrates Court

Mr J.C. Johnson Deputy Commissioner

(Administration), Australian Federal Police

Mr S . Gavin Secretary, Australian Federal

Police

Mr R. Chalker Director, Australian Bureau of

Criminal Intelligence

Prof. D. Chappell Director, Australian Institute of Criminology

Mr G . Delaney First Assistant Director,

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

246

Mr I . Birmingham Senior Assistant Director

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Mr T. McKnight Senior Assistant Director

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Department of Finance

Mr N. McGladrigan Senior Finance Officer,

Defence and Government Division

The Chairman called on for consideration the following programs, excluding those sub-programs and components already considered on Thursday 5 October 1989:

1. Legal Services to the Commonwealth 2. Law Related Services to the Community 3. Provision of Legal Aid 4. Administration of Justice

5. High Court of Australia 6. Maintenance of Law, Order and Security 7. Corporate Services

The Committee also considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ended 30 June 1989 .

The Committee formally received the following documents:

. Answers to questions taken on notice from Senators Harradine, M. Baume, Durack and Short. . A copy of a media release from the Trade Practices

Commission relating to mortgage rate arrangements by banks. . A copy of a media release by the Attorney-General

concerning court fees. . A copy of the Accommodation Plan for Commonwealth Courts and Tribunals.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1989-90 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1988-89 for the Attorney-General's Department, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers of the Department to provide additional information to the Committee.

PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ETHNIC AFFAIRS: The Committee resumed its consideration of the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs.

247

7. IN ATTENDANCES Senator the Honourable Margaret Reynolds, Minister for Local Government, accompanied by the following officers:

Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs

Mr D. Wheen

Mr R. Calvert

Mr B. Strangio

Department of Finance

Mr A. Rizvi

The Chairman called program:

5. Office of Local Government

The following documents were, by leave, incorporated in Hansard;

. Questions taken on notice from Senator Calvert for the Office of Local Government.

. Questions taken on notice from Senator Bishop for the Office of Local Government.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the

Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1989-90 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1988-89 for the Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, subject to an undertaking by the Minister and officers of the Department to provide additional information to the Committee.

9. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 10.58pm.

First Assistant Secretary, Office of Local Government Division

Assistant Secretary, Government Relations Branch

Director, Resources Section

Chief Finance Officer

on for consideration the following

248

ATTENDANCES Senators Beahan, Durack, Faulkner, Morris, Short and Tambling.

Senators M. Baume, Bishop and Chapman also attended.

Confirmed;

(Michael Beahan) Chairman

250

irow AUSTRALIAN SENATE CANBERRA, A.C.T.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

NO. 34

MONDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1989

MEETING: The Committee met in deliberative session at 10.32am in Senate Committee Room No. 17. The Chairman, Senator Beahan, took the Chair.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES: The Minutes of Meetings Nos. 28 (6 September 1989), 29 (28 September 1989), 30 (3 October 1989), 31 (5 October 1989), 32 (10 October 1989) and 33 (23 October 1989 ) were confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: In regard to the Minutes of Meeting No. 30, Senator Tambling noted that, as

reflected in the draft Report, Senator Tate acceded to his reguest that officers from the Aboriginals Benefit Trust Account attend the Committee's hearings in relation to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs but did not accede to his

request that officers from the Northern Territory Land Councils attend the hearings.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE: The Committee considered the Chairman's draft Report to the Senate.

The Committee resolved that the draft Report be agreed to, subject to the inclusion of a number of amendments.

ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 12.05pm.

ATTENDANCE: Senators Beahan, Durack, Faulkner, Morris, Short and Tambling. An apology was received from Senator Bishop.

Certified Correct:

(Michael Beahan) Chairman

252

ESTIM ATES COMMITTEE E

INDEX TO ISSUES RAISED BY THE COMMITTEE

253

254

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E

TABLE OF CONTENTS - HANSARD

Subject Page

Chairman's Opening Statement El

DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ETHNIC AFFAIRS

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 1989

Minister's Opening Statement E2

- Visitor Overstays E2

- Officers present E2

- CAAIP E2

Program 1 - Migration and Visitor Entry

Government response to CAAIP E2,E3

Impact of implementation of CAAIP on staffing and expenditure E2-4

Balance of family policy E3,E5

Pass marks E3,E6,E7

Allocation of number of number of immigrants E3 Skill level of immigrants E3

Bogus marriages E3

New Migration Act and regulations E3,E4-5

Financial offsets for increased expenditure E3-4 Cost recovery E4

Administration of new immigration system E4

New right of residence status E4

Powers and discretions under the existing Migration Act E5

Corrigenda to the Explanatory Notes E5

Capping of migrant numbers E6

Review process and capping E6

Immigration applicant pools E6-7

Lodgement of appeals E6,E7

Lapsing of applications E7

Overseas reaction to new immigration system E7 Pool entry marks E7

Priority pass marks E7

Philippines' office of the Department E7-9

255

Bureau of Immigration Research - Research - Staffing - Economic consequences of migration per

CAAIP

- Impact of CEDA report Fast tracking of immigrants Employer nomination scheme Overseas pilots Temporary entry permits Over-issue of Medicare cards Liaison with other Departments in relation to

non-residents Migration from New Zealand in 1989-90 Migration from Vietnam Migration from the Lebanon Migration from the People's Republic of China Migration from Hong Kong Migration policy concerning skilled workers Lack of diplomatic presence in the Lebanon

Students in Australia from the People's Republic of China Applications for refugee status by Chinese students Applications for change of status by Chinese

students Overstaying by Chinese students Dissemination of information by the Bureau of Immigration Research Campaign on citizenship Use of direct mail by the Department

Identification of key performance indicators Corporate plan Failure of assurances of support Job creation by business migrants Migrant Labour Market Experience and

Sponsorship Pattern Study Citizenship status of certain persons National Committee on Health Screening of Migrants Health testing of migrants

Blueprint of immigration policies to the year 2000 and beyond Relationship between Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Department Department's access and equity plan Responsibilities of the Ethnic Affairs section

of the portfolio Difference between 'multicultural affairs' and 'ethnic affairs' Transfer of function for recognition of overseas

qualifications Processing of migration and visitor applications from South Africa

E9-12 E10,Ell,E12 E10-11

Ell Ell-12 E12-13 E13 E13-14 E13-14 E14

E14 E14-15 E15-16 E16-17,E18 E17 E17-18 E18 E18

E18-19

E19-20

E20 E20

E20-21 E21,E60-61 E21 E21-22 E21-22,E42-43 E22 E22-23

E22 E23

E23 E23-24

E24

E24,E54-55 E24-25

E25

E25-26

E26

256

Special humanitarian program relating to South Africa Indpendent retiree migrants Overseas students - permission to work 20 hours

per week Working holiday maker scheme Migration from Libya Screening of immigration applicants

Sunni Muslims and Islamic organisations Imam al Hilaly Submissions to the Minister Significance of word 'mufti' Concurrent applications by spouses Hilaly family Takeovers by other countries of ethnic

organisations in Australia Leaking of report on Hilaly Alleged funding of political activity by Yugoslav Government

Disputes among the Yugoslav community in Australia Disputes between ethnic groups Business migration program

- transfer of funds - monitoring systems - accredited agents - independent migration category

- State instrumentalities as accredited agents - Auditor-General's Report Performance indicators for processing time for

applications Special eligibility stream of migrants Immigration Review Tribunal establishment Revenue and refunds relating to applications

for review Staffing costs for review system Processing time for review cases Application for review rates

Print media advertising for refund of review fee Use of review fees not refunded Performance indicators for visitor visas Visitor overstays Compliance resources and measures undertaken Cost of illegal immigrants to the economy

Efforts to monitor and improve counter service and telephone inquiry performance Regional!sation progress

E26 E26

E26-27 E27-28 E28 E28

E28-29,E33 E28-29,E32-35 E29-31,E33-35 E31 E31-33 E32-33,E35

E34 E35

E35

E35 E35-36 E36-42 E36-37,E40-41 E36-39,E40-41 E39-40 E39

E40 E42

E42 E43 E43-44

E44-45,E47 E45 E45-46 E46

E46-47 E47 E47 E47-48

E48 E48

E48 E48-49

257

Program 2 - Settlement and Ethnic Affairs

Review of cost-sharing arrangements for Commonwealth/State interpreting and translating services E49,E54

Non-English speaking migrants E49-50

English language training E50

Cost recovery for adult migrant education E50-51 Adult Migrant Education Program - Auditor- General 's Report on payments to States E51

Asset register E51

Property operating expenses E51-2

Grants in aid and grants to ethnic communities councils E52

Funding under the pilot access and equity projects E53

Grants to agencies to service Chinese students E53 Migrant Access Project funding E53

Appropriation for maintenance of unattached refugee children E53

Appropriation for translator and interpreter services E53-54

Office of Multicultural Affairs - monitoring of access and equity programs E54

Relationship between Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Department E54-55

Multiculturalism E55

Statistical profiles of ethnic communities E55

Program 3 - Corporate Services

Interaction with the States - notification to health authorities of arrival of migrants and refugees E55-57

Medical screening of migrants and refugees E56,E57 Migrant settlement in Sydney and Melbourne E56 Medical records of refugees and migrants E57

Publication of incidence of tuberculosis figures E57-58

Program 4 - Citizenship

Loophole in Citizenship Act concerning children E58

Computer error relating to approval for and conferral of citizenship E58-59

Funding arrangements for citizenship ceremonies E59 Cost of processinq citizenship applications E59,E60 Enhancement of citizenship ceremonies E59

Attendance of members of parliament at citizenship ceremonies E59-60

Number of eligible residents not applying for citizenship E60

Rejection rate of applications for citizenship E60

258

Cost of prime Minister's letter encouraging citizenship Spying on migrants by foreign security agencies Involvement of a member of parliament in

alleged spying activities

MONDAY 23 OCTOBER 1989

Program 5 - Office of Local Government

Increase in staff Performance indicators Australian Mayoral Aviation Committee Research study commissioned from Mr R. G. Eastoe Grants to Aboriginal Councils

Objective of ensuring 'the appropriate national level of Commonwealth general purpose funding for local government' Community development activities directed to

social goals Local Government, Immigration and Ethnic Communities Workshop Assessment of applications under the Local

Government Development Program Linking of Office of Local Government initiatives to initiatives of other Departments Acquittal of grants under LGDP

Local councils involved in development of commercial ventures Community initiatives element of North Queensland Wet Tropics World Heritage Listing Adjustment

Package Projects under land and building regulation reform programme Objectives of assessment project Participation in IDC on the greenhouse effect

E60-61 E61-62

E62

E348-9 E349-50 E350 E350

E351

E351-2

E352-3

E353-4

E354-5

E356 E356-7

E357-8

E358-9

E360 E360-1 E361-2

2 5 9

260

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 1989

E63-64 E63 E64

Minister's Opening Statement - Reforms adopted - Devolution of responsibility

Program - Non-specific

Changes to departmental administrative arrangements E64

- National Media Liaison Service E64

Program 1 - Australian Property Services

Dead rent situation

Commonwealth property concessionally rented out Performance indicators and objectives New asset register and accounting system Heritage safety provisos

Target revenue return on government investment in owned office facilities Cost of acquisitions Maintenance and depreciation Acquisition program

Morgan Grenfell building Property disposal revenue New construction approvals Net reduction in Commonwealth-owned assets

Need for increase in Commonwealth-owned assets Disposal program Commercialisation of the Australian Property Group

Stimulation of building industry and conflict with Government policy of slowing down the economy Badgerys Creek compulsory land acquisition and

compensation Third airport runway in Sydney Compensation under Lands Acquisition Act Assessment of market values

Establishment of members' and senators' electorate offices Auditor-General's Report on leasing expenditure

Measures undertaken to improve effectiveness of the Australian Property Group Leasing system in the ACT Investigations into allegations concerning

Mr Michael Ross

E64-65,E77, E78 E65-66 E66 E66,E67-68

E66-67

E67 E67 E67-68 E68 E68 E69

E69 E69 E69 E70

E70

E71-76 E72 E7 3,E7 5 E74

E76

E77-78

E77-78 E78

E79-81

261

E79-81

Penalties attaching to public servants in such situations Failure to sell off land at Malabar for sewage treatment works E81-82

Program 2 - Overseas Property Services

Tokyo Embassy complex project costs E82

Beijing Embassy complex project slippage and costs E82-83,E84

Security design of Port Moresby project E82

People's Republic of China embassy project in Australia E83-84

Refurbishment of London head of mission residence E84

Washington Embassy project E85

Consultants' costs for 1988-89 E85

Appropriation of funds for consultants for 1989-90 E85

Selection of consultants E85

Queues at Australia House E85-86

Appropriations for property services and capital works in the United Kingdom E86-87

Recurrent expenditure in the USA E87

Administrative costs of the Overseas Property Group E87

Breakdown of total expenditure in relation to overseas property services and capital works E87 Jakarta project E87

Lack of comprehensive explanations in the Explanatory Notes E87-88

Expenditure on the Port Moresby project E88

Hanoi project E88

Thailand project E88

THURSDAY 5 OCTOBER 1989

Program 3 - Australian Construction Services

Redundancy and enlivenment packages E90-91

Effect of packages on operations and activities E91-92 Loss of clients due to freedom of choice E92

Change in productivity E92

Use of ACS for repairs and maintenance E92

Work in the private sector E92-93

Corporate plan E92

Cost structure for private sector work E93

Joint venture arrangements with private contractors/consultants E93-94

Duplication of use of resources E93-94

Conflict of interest/ethics E94

Auditor-General's Report on use of consultants E94-95 Formulation of new guidelines on the handling of consultants E95

262

Use of staff resources for firefighting protection of Commonwealth assets Changes to Northern Territory operations Use of private contractors or build up of staff Tendering for firefighting services of other

agencies and possible conflict Special agreements with unions with regard to firefighting protection Establishment of members' and senators'

electorate offices Auditor-General's Report on underutilisation of Kewdale facility Commercialisation of the Department

Space utilisation in trust store Cost advantages of bulk purchases Use of private sector resources Auditor-General's Report on ACS involvement in

fitout of premises in Brisbane

Program 4 - Transport and Storage

Assessment of cost-effectiveness of Transport and Storage Division in Darwin Property rationalisation study Superannuation entitlements as a factor in

determining timetable for rationalisation Staff rationalisation Options for the future in Darwin Consultation with Northern Territory Government Redundancies Changes to program operations

Productivity Results from increased marketing efforts Impact of pilots' dispute on operations

Program 21 - Transport and Storage Group Property

Influence of prevailing market conditions on disposal of property Facility at Dudley Street, Melbourne Interest paid by the TSG Total value of assets Break-up of valuation for properties being

transferred and details of sales and purchases Provision of net outlay figure only Trust account revenue from property

rationalisation Consideration by Public Works Committee Under-utilised properties to be disposed of Consultations with unions Membership of unions

Access by Mr Michael Ross to valuations of properties

E95 E95 E95

E95-96

E96

E96-97

E97-107 E104-105, El 07 E105 E105-106

El 07

E107-108

E108 E108

E108 E108 E109 E109

E109-110 E110 E110 E110-111

El 11

Rationalisation

El 11 Elll-112 E112-113 E112-113

E113-114 E114

E114-115 E115 El 15 El 15 E115-116

El 16

263

Program 10 - Meteorology

Greenhouse effect research

Climate research Liaison with other groups involved in similar fields Ozone research Cape Grim baseline air pollution station El Nino and southern oscillation research Periods of high rainfall

E159, E160-161,E162 E159,E161-162

E159-160 E160,E161-162 E160 E161 E162

Program 16 - Electoral Services

Printing of hard copy of electoral rolls Provision of roll to senators on tape Habitation reviews Interstate transfers of electors

Collocation of Divisional offices Exchange of data between departments and agencies Electoral fines Referenda as an achievements

Advertisements concerning the referenda 'Special' electors Political advertising Boundary problems between the ACT and NSW Double voting Efforts to keep electoral rolls 'clean' Fraudulent enrolments Provision of labels to members of parliament Failure rate of letters from members of

parliament Unauthorised publication of an election poster Union electoral fraud

E162,E163 E162-163 E163,E167-168 E163-164 E164

E164-166 E166 E166 El 6 6 E166 E167 E167 E167 E167 E168 E168

E168 E16 8 E169

MONDAY 23 OCTOBER 1989

Program 5 - Australian Surveying and Land Information

Input into environmental impact studies E264

Program 6 - Australian Protective Service

Transfer of staff out of remote locations E265

Transition to Trust Account situation E266

Program 7 - Australian Valuation Office

Transition to Trust Account E267-8

Loss of experienced valuers to the private sector E268 Departments tied to use of AVO E268-9

Valuation of property at Wirlinga E269-71

264

Program 8 - Australian Government Publishing Service

Basis for determination of full cost recovery E271-2 Work in relation to which Departments are not tied to AGPS E272

Work for other governments E272

Rationalisation and reduction in staff E273

Brochure 'Our Country, Our Future' E273-4

Document 'Workplace Change N o .3' E274

Use of trust accounts E275-6

Repayment of working capital E277

Utilisation of web-fed offset press E277-8

Overdue accounts E278

Computerised inventory system for AGPS bookshops E278-9 ADP system for production control E279

Sale of Budget papers E279

Program 9 - Purchasing and Sales

DAS input into contract specifications E280

Project DESINE E280-97

Monitoring of required level of ANZ content E285

Development of draft government OSI profile E286 Change from 'due economy' to 'value for money' in purchasing guidelines E288

Whether Defence locked into proprietary architecture by adopting SAA E289-91

Departments using IBM equipment E291-2

Increase in charges for IBM software E293-4

Whether DAS advises clients of the long term effect of being dependent on one supplier E295 Government commitment to OSI E296

Sale of Old Parliament House Senators' desks E297 Sale of Hercules aircraft E297-8

Program 12 - Australian Government Analytical Laboratories

Increase in recoverable charges E298

Accreditation of Australian facility testing for use of drugs in sport E298-9

Program 14 - Parliamentary and Ministerial Services

Criteria for selection of premises for Members' and Senators' electorate offices E299-301

Postage entitlement E301-4

Stationery entitlement E304-5

Installation of second work stations in electorate offices E305

Special equipment in Ministers' offices E306

Impact of pilots' dispute E306-8

Payment of salaries of NMLS staff E308

Payment of staff in electorate offices engaged as part of national price watch network E308-9

265

Program 15 - Corporate Management

E309-10

Funding of H.V. Evatt Foundation E310

Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody - Cost of Commissioner Dodson's office E310-14

- Qualifications of Mr Peter Yu E313-14

Program 18 - Parliament House Construction Authority

Availability of material to researchers Report on project Rectification of defects Legal expenses Form of contracts

E314 E314-15 E315, E317-18 E316 E316-7

266

ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT

THURSDAY 5 OCTOBER 1989

(Interstate elements of the Department)

Program 2 - Law Related Services to the Community Component 2.1.3 - Human Rights Commission

Toomelah inguiry Policy in regard to timing of inquiries Reallocation of resources after end of inquiries Cost of homeless children inquiry Staffing of homeless children inquiry Allocation of resources for inquiries Racial violence inquiry

Role of Mr Gaston Race Discrimination Commissioner Staffing of racial violence inquiry Volume of submissions to racial violence inquiry

45th session of the Commission on Human Rights relating to the Convention on the Rights of the Child Non-attendance by officers able to answer policy

questions Budget for racial violence inquiry

Component 2.2.1 - Law Reform Commission

Current references Reference on impact of multiculturalism on law

Product liability report Class actions report Increase in administrative expenses

Cost/funding of multiculturalism reference

Use of consultants

Revenue retention Customs and excise legislation reference Rewriting of corporations legislation Relationship between OMA and LRC

Advertisement for members for multiculturalism reference Terms of reference for multiculturalism reference

Examination of reports of the Scrutiny of Bills Committee Location of headquarters of the LRC

El 17 E117 El 18 E118-119

E118 E118-119 El 19 E119

E119 E119-120 E120

E120-121

E121-122 E122

E122-123 E122,E123, E127-128 E123,E126 E123,E126 E123-125 E123-124,

E126,E127-128 E124,E128, E129 E124-125

E125-127 E126 E127

E128

El 28

E129 E129

267

Component 2.4.1 - National Companies and Securities Commission

Transitional arrangements - staffing Basis of budget Role of NCSC for 1989-90 Terms and conditions applying to staff Staff recruitment State corporate affairs commissions' staff

Transitional arrangements - investigations and prosecutions Staff morale Concerns expressed by regional trading and

commercial communities Rothwells investigation Ariadne investigation Funding for new investigations

Spedley investigation Recruitment of 40 additional staff funded by new fees High Court challenge Role of ASC Western Australian companies under

investigation by NCSC

E129-130,E131 E129 E129 E129-130,E131 E130 E130 E130-131, E132,E135-136 E131

E132 E132-133,E136 El 33 E133-134 E133-134

E134-135,E136 E135 E135-136

E136

Component 2.4.4 - Australian Securities Commission

Appointment of Commissioners Advisory committees' funding Expenditure items Staff establishment Anticipated annual operational cost

1990-91 full year capital cost 40 additional staff funded by new fees Significance of increase in funding National database Use of existing computer hardware and software Staff allocation around Australia Location of Chairman and Deputy Chairman

Costing basis Agreements with the States Lodgement fees Market constraints on costs

Need for effective enforcement Dislocation costs Appointment of Mr Vrisakis to advisory committee Rothwells directors Reading of Rothwells report by the Attorney-

General

E136 E137 El 3 7 E137 E137 E137 E138 E138 E138 E138-139 E139 E139-141, E143-144 E140,E142-143 E141-142,E143 E142 E142-143 E143 E143 E144 E144

E144

Component 2.5.1 - Office of Film and Literature Classification

Increase in salaries E145

Public education awareness program E145,E147-149

268

Lodgement of complaints or suggestions Tightening of guidelines Display of R-rated material Discussions between the Board and Caucus

Committee Description of X category Production of hard-core pornography in Australia

E145-146,E148 E146,E147 E146-147

E147 E147-149 E149-150

Sub-program 4.1 - Federal Court of Australia

Lack of information in Explanatory Notes Increased running costs Review of resource needs

Sub-program 4.2 - Family Court of Australia

Forward Estimates review Review of the Family Court Location of principal registry Advertising for staff

Sub-program 4.5 - Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Cost of transfer of principal registry Forecast of outstanding matters

Sub-program 6.6 - Special Investigations Unit

Increase in appropriation Additional allegations since October 1988 End of Director's contract

Cut-off date for investigations Completion of work of the Unit Number of active investigations Referrals to the Attorney-General or the DPP

Likelihood of prosecutions Prosecution costs Reduction of number of active cases Possibility of finalisation of cases by the DPP

after the end of the Director's contract Discretion of the DPP to prosecute Suspension of cases Overseas trips Overseas investigations Unit investigators

Investigative plans Reactions from persons investigated Increase in staff years Continuation of Unit until 30 June 1990

E150 E150-151 E151

E151 E151 E151-152

E152

E152 E152

E152-153 E153,E156 E153,E155, E158

E153 E155 E153,E155 E154-155

E154-155 E155 E155

E155-156 E156 E156 E157

E157 E157 E157 E157-158

E158 E158

269

Program - Non-specific

Incorporation of letter from Senator the Hon. M.C. Tate to the Committee concerning particular lines of inquiry for the hearings E158-159

MONDAY 23 OCTOBER 1989

Program 2 - Law Related Services to the Community

Agreement with Victoria in relation to Australian Securities Commission E319-20

Allocation of staff for members of Administrative Appeals Tribunal E321

Appropriation for 'marriage counselling and related grants' E321-2

Family conciliation centres E322-3

Marriage education programmes E323

Youth homelessness programme E323-4

Grants to AFCO (the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations) and AFCCRA (the Australian Financial Counselling and Credit Reform Association) E324-6

National Consumer Affairs Advisory Council E326 Trade Practices Commission - Additional funding E327

- Investigation of possible breaches of the Trade Practices Act on the waterfront E327-8

- Staff turnover E329

- Work on breast milk substitutes E329

- Work on industry codes manual E329-30

- Investigation of agreement between the Government, the Reserve Bank and the major banks in relation to housing interest rates E330-1 - Action in relation to threatened abandonment

of discounted fares by airlines E331

- Responsibilities of Commissioners E332

Program 3 - Provision of Legal Aid

Reduction in financial assistance payments E332 Grant for advice under child support arrangements E332 Grants to voluntary community legal centres E332-3 Increase in payments to States stemming from

impact of child support scheme E333

Continued existence of ALAO in Northern Territory and Tasmania E333-4

New legal aid agreements with the States E334-5

Program 4 - Administration of Justice

Policy in relation to court fees E335-6

Effect of supression orders made in a single jurisdiction E336-7

270

E337

Commonwealth Reporting Service - Cost recovery - Implementation of recommendation of Bannerman report relating to contracting out E337-41 Amendments to Federal courts legislation E341

Commonwealth courts construction programme E342 Program 6 - Maintenance of Law, Order and Security

Australian Federal Police - Move to fixed term employment E342

- Difficulties in having adequate policing exchange agreements with Taiwan E343

Department's responsibility in relation to security matters E343-5

Building of new regional office for AS10 in an Australian State E345-6

Item for receipts by AS10 E346

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions - Midford-Paramount customs case E346-7

271

272

DEPARTMENT OF ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 1989

Program - Non-specific

Minister's opening statement - Reports on administration of Department - Revised Explanatory Notes - Progress in program budgeting - Promotion of Ms Pat Turner Number of answers received to guestions on notice No representatives from the Northern Territory

Land Councils Directions in relation to reporting to Minister and devolution of responsibility Commonwealth expenditure on special programs for

Aboriginals Social security entitlements Co-ordination responsibility of non-portfolio expenditure Running costs of DEBT programs for Aboriginals Training programs in relation to rights and

responsibilities under Government programs

Program 1 - Land and Economic Development

Exploration licence applications Review of operations of mining regime of the Land Rights Act Applications in conservation zone or Kakuda

stage 3 Meaning of 'look around money' Crough report on ABTA Auditor-General's Report on the Aboriginal

Affairs portfolio Efforts to overcome defects identified by Auditor-General Financial accounting systems of ABTA

Interest earned by ABTA Investment by ABTA Current assets of ABTA ABTA funding and expenditure

Finances of land councils

Advice to land councils on administration

Capacity to act for excision claimants Excision negotiations Prioritisation of work of land councils Ministerial approval of estimates for land

councils' administrative costs Role of ABTA officers in approving estimates

E172 E172 E172 El 7 2 E173 E173

E174

El 75

El 7 6 E17 6

E17 6 E177

E177

E177-E178

E17 8 E17 8-E179, E17 9 ;

E187 E179- E187 E179-

E180 E180 El 81 E181

E185 E183 E188 El 84

E189 E185 E186 E186

E186 E186

173

175

177

17 8,E183

179 E184 E180 ,

180,

180

181

-183, -186 -184, , E189 ,E188,

-186

, E187 -187

273

Original budget estimates for 1987-89 E187

Efficiency of land councils E187-188

Internal NLC review team E188

Land councils' staffing E188-189

Accounting procedures for land councils and ABTA E189-190 Administration of trust accounts of land councils E190 Amendments to legislation E190-191

Establishment of breakaway land councils E191

Impact on tourist developments of proposed scheduling E191-192

CDEP scheme E192-193

ATSIC Development Corporation E193

Program 2 - Social Advancement

Implementation of National Aboriginal Health Strategy report Ear health programs New Aboriginal nursing home in Darwin Funding for program against substance abuse Provision of sporting and social facilities at

Ceduna Sports Advisory Committee Recreational and sporting facilities at Galiwinku Funding for Boominalla Oval Structural engineer for Malabugilmah Legal assistance to Aboriginal organisations

opposing liguor licences Report on operations of North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service Operation of NAALAS Kintore community Yuendumu and Papunya communities Outstation movement

Incidence of violence in Kintore area Deaths in custody Financial grants to community groups Exim properties

Discrepancy in unexpended funds Provision of infrastructure facilities Definition of 'Exim property' Title of pastoral leases Priority communities development strategy Funding for Elliot township Elliot Council Merger of Aboriginal Hostels Ltd and ATSIC Audit reports on AHL

E193 E193-194 E194 E194

E194-195 E195

E195 E195 E196

E196

E196 E196-197 E197-199, El 9 7 E197-198 E199

E199 E199 E199-202, E204-205 E200 E200-202 E200-201 E200-201 E202-203 E203-204 E204 E205 E205

Program 3 - Heritage and Culture

Barunga Bark painting E205

Aboriginal Cultural Foundation E205-206

E203

274

Funding of Middar Pty Ltd Telecommunications services to remote communities Imparja Television Operations of CAAMA Financial implications of ATSIC legislation for

Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies

Program 4 - Corporate Services

Turnover of SES staff Appointment of Aboriginal people to Public Service positions Draft Annual Report

DAS advice on accommodation requirements Continuation of ATSIC task force Engagement of Chief Executive Officer of ATSIC Commencement of ATSIC

Location of regional offices of ATSIC Instruments of delegation Staffing numbers Recruitment for ATSIC Legal costs of Mr Perkins

Program 5 - Aboriginal Development Commission

Business Funding Scheme Exercise of delegation GDI to amend Explanatory- Notes Preparation of answers to questions on notice

Changes to draft answers First special audit report Statements in 'Overview of the need for assistance' in the Explanatory Notes Retirement of Mr Bailey

Level of forward commitment Information concerning distribution of commercial funds Basis for allocation of commercial funds Ministerial directions issued 11 April 1989 Corporate plan

Format of reporting on Business Funding Scheme Loan accounts in arrears Woden Town Club Oasis Hotel and Barwon Community Ltd Murrie Mura pro'ject Torres Strait Islands Co-ordinating Council Warmun Roadhouse

Exim leases

Cape Leveque development Middar Pty Ltd Scrap Metal Pty Ltd

E206 E206-207 E207-208 E208-209

E209

E209-210

E210-211 E210-211 E211 E211

E211 E211-212 E212 E212

E212-213 E213 E213

E216-217

E217-218 E218-219, E220-222 EE218-219 E219-220

E223 E223 E223-224

E223-224 E224-225 E225-226,E227 E226-228, E241,E248

E228 E228 E228-229 E229-230 E230-231 E232-233 E233-234 E234-236, E240-241 E236

E236 E236-237

275

Bad debt write-offs Loan clients and aftercare Loan funding Aboriginal Enterprise Incentive Scheme Atula Station Use of shelf companies Advice of principal legal officer to Board

Bohemia Station Accuracy of Explanatory Notes Home Purchase Scheme Housing policy of the ADC Housing in Elliot Renovation and maintenance of AHO housing Collection of rent by AHO

Borroloola Contracting Services Aboriginal building companies Staff housing Management Advisory Services program

Funds for treaty consultations Recommendations arising from treaty consultations Auditor-General's Report on funding of treaty consultations Community conferences

Board decision-making process Tranby College Financial statements by recipients of grants Housing conferences Changes to financial arrangements Rent for Bonner House Kintore and Yuendumu communities Rent for staff accommodation Turnover in ADC SES Rewrite of element 5.7.6 Legal expenses Use of professional services and consultants Vacant position of principal legal officer Vacant positions at ADC

Baruwei Enterprises Final Special Report of the Auditor-General

E237 E237 E237 E237-238 E238 E238-239 E239-240 E240-241 E240 E241 E241-242 E242 E242 E242 E242-243 E243 E243 E243-244 E244-247 E245

E245,E247 E247-249 E248-249 E249,E250-253 E249-250 E253-254 E254 E255 E255-256 E256 E256-257 E257-258 E257-258 E258 E259 E259 E259-260 E259-260

276

277

278

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

REPORT TO THE SENATE

NOVEMBER 1989

Membership of Estimates Committee F

Senator Black (Chairman) 1 Senator Coates 1 Senator Cooney 1 Senator Puplick 1 Senator Reid 1 Senator Vanstone 1 Senator Peter Baume 2 Senator Colston (Chairman) 2 Senator Giles 2 Senator Sheil 2 Senator Walters 2 Senator Zakharov 2

1 Discharged on 29 September 1988. 2 Appointed on 29 September 1988.

280

ESTIMATES F

REPORT TO THE SENATE

Estimates Committee F presents its report to the Senate.

INTRODUCTION

On 18 August 1989 the Senate referred to the Committee the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for 1989-90 and Expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance for 1988-89 for the following Departments:

â¢ Department of Primary Industries and Energy

â¢ Department of Social Security

â¢ Department of Community Services and Health

The Committee has considered the estimates of the Departments. In doing so it has taken account of explanatory notes, draft annual reports and other documents provided by these portfolios and sought clarification and advice at hearings held on 28 September, 5 October and 10 October 1989.

The Committee is grateful for the assistance given by the Minister for Resources, the Minister for Local Government, and officers from the Departments examined. Appreciation is also expressed that the Secretary of the Department of Social Security appeared with his Department.

This Report contains the Committeeâs Minutes of Proceedings and a subject list of matters explored during the Committeeâs hearing with page references to the transcripts of evidence.

The transcripts of evidence, Senate Hansards, dated Thursday 28 September, Thursday 5 October, and Tuesday 10 October are tabled with this Report for the information of the Senate in connection with its consideration of Appropriation Bills (Nos 1 and 2) 1989-90 and the Expenditure under the

Advance to the Minister for Finance for the year ending 30 June 1989.

Written answers to questions taken on notice will also be tabled in the Senate in a volume entitled âA d d itio n a l In fo r m a tio n R e c e iv e d by E stim a te s

C o m m itte e F D u r in g th e E x a m in a tio n o f P r o p o s e d E x p e n d itu r e

1989-90â.

Mai Colston Chairman

281

282

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

283

284

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS NO. 17

Thursday, 28 September 1989 at 11.45 am in Senate Committee Room 16 Parliament House

1. MEETING: The Committee met in private session at 11.45 am.

2. MANNER OF EXAMINING THE ESTIMATES: The Committee agreed to examine Departments in the following order:

Department of Primary Industries and Energy; Department of Community Services and Health; Department of Social Security;

and to call on proposed expenditure by programs.

3. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 11.50 am.

4. ATTENDANCE: Senators Colston (Chairman), Giles and Walters.

Apologies were received from Senators Peter Baume, Shell and Zakharov.

CONFIRMED:

Mai Colston Chairman

285

286

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS NO. 18

Thursday, 28 September 1989

5. M E E T IN G : The Committee met in public session at 11.58 am in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairman, Senator Colston, took the Chair.

6. S T A T E M E N T B Y C H A IR M A N : The Chairman made a statement relating to the procedure to be followed by the Committee in its examination of the Estimates.

7. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 AND E X P E N D IT U R E U N D E R T H E A D V A N C E TO T H E M IN IST E R FO R F IN A N C E 1988-89 - D E P A R T M E N T O F P R IM A R Y IN D U S T R IE S AND EN ER G Y :

In attendance: Senator Cook, representing the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, accompanied by the following officers:

D ep a rtm en t o f P rim a ry In d u strie s a n d Energy Mr P T Core Mr W G McGregor

Mr P Hunt Mr G L Lawless Mr A B Newton

Mr A J Glenn Dr A G Christie Mr J H Jenkins

Executive Director, Minerals and Fisheries Group Acting Executive Director, Agriculture and Forestry Group Acting Executive Director, Headquarters Group

First Assistant Secretary, Coal and Minerals Division Acting First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Policy Division Acting First Assistant Secretary, Crops Division

First Assistant Secretary, Energy Programs Division Acting First Assistant Secretary, Livestock and Pastoral

Mr A C Smart Mr R A C alder Mr P H Sutton Mr T B Roberts

Mr L B Devin Mr G N Hooper Mr J L Willis

Division First Assistant Secretary, Petroleum Division Assistant Secretary, Agriculture and Forestry Secretariat Assistant Secretary, Forestry Branch

Assistant Secretary, Water Branch Assistant Secretary, Soil Conservation Branch Director, Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Section Acting Assistant Secretary, Test Site Management

A u stra lia n B u rea u o f A g r ic u ltu ra l a n d R esource Econom ics Dr B Fisher Executive Director

287

A u s tr a lia n F ish eries S ervice Mr G C Gorrie Director

A u str a lia n Q u a ra n tin e a n d In spection S ervice Mr D F Gascoine Executive Director Mr B Page Acting Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Services

A u s tr a lia n S a feg u a rd s Office Mr J Carlson Director

B u reau o f M in era l R esources, G eology a n d G eophysics Prof R W R Rutland Executive Director Mr J A Cahill Assistant Director, Business Management

B u reau o f R u r a l R esources Mr J G Murray Executive Director

Dr N L Blackman Director, National Residue Survey Dr M J Williams Assistant Director, Fisheries Resources Branch Mr T G Blackie Acting Principal Executive Officer, Administration

D e p a rtm e n t o f F in an ce Mr S Bartos Chief Finance Officer, Rural Section, Transport and Industry Division Mr R Martin Assistant Secretary, Primary Industries and Energy

Branch

The Minister made an introductory statement.

The Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee. The expenditures proposed for these programs are contained in the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure documents:

Program 1 - Industries Development Program 2 - Infrastructure and Support Program 3 - Research and Assessment Program 4 - Departmental Policy and Management Services.

The Committee considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Primary Industries and Energy, subject to undertakings to provide additional information to the Committee.

The following documents were provided to the Committee by officers of the Department:

Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC) - Property Status Statistics - Tuberculosis Predicted Eradication Progress to 1992, one page, undated.

288

Department of Primary Industries and Energy - Draft Annual Report 1988-89.

Equal Opportunity Management Program, dated March 1989.

Policy On Sexual Harassment, dated May 1989.

8. ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 10.55 pm.

9. ATTENDANCE: Senators Colston (Chairman), Peter Baume, Giles, Shell, Walters and Zakharov.

Senators Archer, Brownhill, Harradine, Jenkins and Panizza also participated in the Committeeâs proceedings.

CONFIRMED:

Mai Colston Chairman

289

290

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

Minutes of Proceedings No. 19

Thursday, 5 October 1989

10. M E E T IN G : The Committee met in public session at 4.15 pm in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairman, Senator Colston, took the Chair.

11. S T A T E M E N T B Y C H A IR M A N : The Chairman made a statement relating to the procedure to be followed by the Committee in its examination of the Estimates.

12. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 A N D E X P E N D IT U R E U N D E R T H E A D V A N C E TO T H E M IN IST E R FO R F IN A N C E 1988-89 - D E P A R T M E N T O F SO C IA L SECUR ITY :

In attendance: Senator Reynolds, representing the Minister for Social Security, accompanied by the following officers:

D e p a rtm en t o f S o cia l S ecu rity Mr D Volker Mr J Rowdier Mr J Humphreys

Mr V Rogers Mr C Butel Dr M Edwards Mr B Godfrey

Mr M Douglas Mr D Kalisch Ms E Ninham Mr A Herscovitch

Ms M Kilpatrick Mr C Foster Mr T Murphy Ms M OâLoughlin

Dr K Ogborn Ms K Blackburn Mr J Moore M rP Conn

Ms H Fleming Ms J Jacobson Mr H Jongen

Secretary Deputy Secretary National Manager, Systems First Assistant Secretary, Performance & Control

First Assistant Secretary, Benefits Delivery First Assistant Secretary, Social Policy First Assistant Secretary, Resource Management First Assistant Secretary, Legislation & Review

A/g Assistant Secretary, Labour Market & Research AJg Assistant Secretary, Ministerial & Public Relations Assistant Secretary, Performance Monitoring Assistant Secretary, Families

Assistant Secretary, Retirement & Family Policy Assistant Secretary, Benefits Control Assistant Secretary, Budget Policy Co-ordination Assistant Secretary, Benefits

National JET Co-ordinator Assistant Secretary, Resources Director, Resource Estimates & Planning Adviser, Child Support

Child Support Director, Public Relations

291

A u s tra lia n In stitu te o f F a m ily S tu d ies Dr D Edgar Director

Ms D Charters Wood

S o cia l S ecu rity A ppeals T rib u n a l Ms A Coghlan National Convenor

D e p a rtm e n t o f F inance Mr B Lennon Senior Finance Officer, Social Welfare Branch, Social Security Division

The Minister made an introductory statement.

The Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee. The expenditures for these programs are contained in the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure documents:

Program 1 - Income Security for the Retired Program 2 - Income Security for People with Disabilities Program 3 - Income Security for the Unemployed and Sick Program 4 - Income Security for Families with Children Program 5 - Provisions for Special Circumstances Program 6 - Corporate and other Services

The Committee considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Social Security, subject to undertakings to provide additional information to the Committee.

The following documents were provided to the Committee by the Minister and officers of the Department and are to be incorporated in the volume of Additional Information to be tabled in the Senate:

Social Security - Better opportunities - 1989-90 Budget information - Package containing -Minister for Social Security - News Releases, dated 15 August 1989 -No. BLH 47/89 â$100 Million Social Justice package for young

Australians

No. BLH 48/89 - New opportunities for people with disabilities

No. BLH 49/89 - Improved assistance for the older employed

No. BLH 50/89 - Further reform of the Unemployment Benefit System

No. BLH 51/89 - Better incomes for older Australians.

292

Social Security - Better opportunities - 1989-90 Budget information - Overview

Better incomes: Retirement income policy into the next century

Towards a fairer Australia - Social justice Budget Statement 1989-90

Reform of Social Security policies and administration 1983-1990, dated August 1989

Towards social justice for young Australians - 1989-90 Budget Statement.

1989-90 Budget quick reference card

Department of Social Security - Annual Report 1989-90 (Interim).

Social Policy Division - Listing of Research Papers series

Social Security Review - Issues Papers -No. 1 - Income Support for Families with Children

No. 2 - Too Old for a Job Too Young for a Pension? Income Support for Older People Out of Work

No. 3 - Bringing Up Children Alone: Policies for Sole Parents

No. 4 - Income Support for the Unemployed in Australia: Towards a More Active System

No. 5 - Towards Enabling Policies: Income Support for People with Disabilities

No. 6 - Towards a National Retirement Incomes Policy.

13. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 AND E X P E N D IT U R E U N D E R T H E A D V A N C E TO T H E M IN IST E R FOR F IN A N C E 1988-89 - D E P A R T M E N T O F C O M M U N IT Y SE R V IC E S AND H EA L TH :

In attendance: Senator Reynolds, representing the Minister for Community Services and Health, accompanied by the following officers:

D e p a rtm en t o f C om m u n ity S ervices a n d H ealth Mr I Campbell Mr A Bansemer Dr A Adams

Ms M Murnane Mr T Slater Mr I McNeil M rP Read

Acting Deputy Secretary Deputy Secretary Chief Medical Advisor First Assistant Secretary, Community Programs Division

First Assistant Secretary, Health Advancement Division First Assistant Secretary, Health Care Access Division Assistant Secretary, Financial Strategies Branch, Health Care Access Division

293

Mr D Sinclair

Ms M Ford

Mr I Bigg

Mr B Macdonald

Mr P Lean

Dr J Loy

Assistant Secretary, Hospitals and Insurance Branch, Health Care Access Division Acting First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division Acting Assistant Secretary, Budgets and Planning Branch, Corporate Services Division Assistant Secretary, Resource Management Branch, Corporate Services Division

Budgets and Planning Branch, Corporate Services Division First Assistant Secretary, Health Research and Services Division

H ealth In su ran ce C om m ission Mr C R Wilcox General Manager

Mr K J Hazel Assistant General Manager, Medicare Mr D A Lapsley Acting Assistant General Manager, Finance and Planning

A u s tra lia n In stitu te o f H ealth Dr D Hailey Acting Director

Mr A Greville Head of Corporate Services

D ep a rtm en t o f F in an ce Mr C Maskell Health and General Branch, Social Security Division Mr R Cobcroft Health and General Branch, Social Security Division.

The Minister made an introductory statement.

The Chairman called on consideration of general portfolio issues. The expenditures proposed for the portfolio are contained in the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure documents.

The following documents were provided to the Committee by the Minister and officers of the Department and are to be incorporated in the volume of Additional Information to be tabled in the Senate:

Responses to Questions on Notice asked by -Senator Harradine, dated 22 and 25 September 1989. Senator Short, dated 25 September 1989.

The following documents were also provided to the Committee:

Department of Community Services and Health -Annual Report 1988-89 (Interim) Management Plan 1989-90 to 1991-92 (Draft).

294

14. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 10.30pm.

15. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Colston (Chairman), Peter Baume, Giles, Shell, Walters and Zakharov.

Senators Harradine and Patterson also participated in the Committeeâs proceedings.

CONFIRMED:

Mai Colston Chairman

295

2 9 6

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

Minutes of Proceedings No. 20

Tuesday, 10 October 1989

16. M EE TIN G : The Committee met in public session at 10.00 am in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairman, Senator Colston, took the Chair.

17. S T A T E M E N T B Y C H A IR M A N : The Chairman made a statement relating to the procedure to be followed by the Committee in its examination of the Estimates.

18. P A R T IC U L A R S O F P R O P O S E D E X P E N D IT U R E 1989-90 A N D E X P E N D IT U R E U N D E R T H E A D V A N C E T O T H E M IN IS T E R FO R F IN A N C E 1988-89 - D E P A R T M E N T O F C O M M U N IT Y S E R V IC E S A N D H EALTH :

In attendance: Senator Cook, representing the Minister for Community Services and Health, accompanied by the following officers:

D ep a rtm en t o f C om m u n ity Services a n d H ealth Mr M Roche Dr A Adams Ms M Murnane

Mr I Wingett

Mr T Slater Ms F Howarth Mr I Lindenmayer Mr I Fletcher

Mr P Moyle

Ms M Hammerton

Mr P Pflaum Dr B Ashley

Mr I McNeil Mr P Read

Mr D Sinclair

Mr R Egan Dr C Thame

Deputy Secretary Chief Medical Advisor First Assistant Secretary, Community Programs Division Assistant Secretary, Community Health and Workforce

Branch, Community Programs Division First Assistant Secretary, Health Advancement Division Principal Advisor, Health Advancement Division First Assistant Secretary, Residential Aged Care Division

First Assistant Secretary, Disability Programs Division Assistant Secretary, Employment and Community Participation Branch, Disability Programs Division Acting Assistant Secretary, Accommodation and

Management Branch, Disability Programs Division National Manager, Therapeutic Goods Administration Director, Drug Evaluation Branch, Therapeutic Goods Administration

First Assistant Secretary, Health Care Access Division Assistant Secretary, Financial Strategies Branch, Health Care Access Division Assistant Secretary, Hospitals and Insurance Branch,

Health Care Access Division First Assistant Secretary, Housing Services Division Senior Advisor, Portfolio Analysis Unit

297

Mr I Campbell Ms M Ford

Mr I Bigg

Mr B Macdonald

M rP Lean

Mr B Corcoran Dr J Loy

First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division Assistant Secretary, Budgets and Planning Branch, Corporate Services Division Director, Budget Management Section, Budgets and Planning Branch, Corporate Services Division Assistant Secretary, Resource Management Branch, Corporate Services Division

Budgets and Planning Branch, Corporate Services Division First Assistant Secretary, Information Services Division First Assistant Secretary, Health Research and Services Division

H ealth In su ran ce C om m ission Mr C R Wilcox General Manager

Mr K J Hazel Assistant General Manager, Medicare Mr D A Lapsley Acting Assistant General Manager, Finance and Planning

A u s tr a lia n In stitu te o f H ealth Dr D Hailey Acting Director .

Mr A Greville Head of Corporate Services

D e p a rtm en t o f F inance Mr C Maskell Chief Finance Officer, Health and General Branch, Social Security Division.

The Committee resumed its examination of the Departmentâs Estimates. The Chairman called on the following programs of proposed expenditure for consideration by the Committee. The expenditures proposed for these programs are contained in the Particulars of Proposed Expenditure documents:

Program 1 - Health Advancement Program 2 - Home and Community Care Program 3 - Residential Care for Older People Program 4 - Assistance for People with Disabilities Program 5 - Therapeutic Goods Program 6 - Health Care Access Program 7 - Housing Program 8 - Services for Families with Children Program 9 - Corporate Management.

The Committee considered expenditure under the Advance to the Minister for Finance.

The Committee concluded its consideration of the proposed expenditure for the Department of Community Services and Health, subject to undertakings to provide additional information to the Committee.

298

The following documents were provided to the Committee by the Minister and officers of the Department and are to be incorporated in the volume of Additional Information to be tabled in the Senate:

Department of Community Services and Health -Evaluation Plan Management Plan.

The following documents were also provided:

Life Education Centre - Evaluation brief, 1 page Consumer Health Forum grants made in 1988-89, 1 page Estimates of drug caused deaths - Background paper, 1 page Department of Community Services and Health - Information folder, with

28 inserts - Programs for people with disabilities - Real choices for people with disabilities.

19. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 10.44 pm.

20. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Colston (Chairman), Peter Baume, Sheil and Zakharov. Apologies were received from Senators Giles and Walters.

CONFIRMED:

Mai Colston Chairman

299

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS NO. 21

Tuesday, 10 October 1989

21. M E E T IN G : The Committee met in private session at 10.50 pm in Senate Committee Room No. 16. The Chairman, Senator Colston, took the Chair.

22. C O M M IT T E E R E PO R T : The Committee considered matters which could be included in its Report, but agreed that no special items were required to be reported.

23. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 10.58 pm.

24. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Colston (Chairman), Peter Baume, Sheil and Zakharov. Apologies were received from Senators Giles and Walters.

CONFIRMED:

Mai Colston Chairman

301

302

THE SENATE

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS NO. 22

Friday, 27 October 1989

25. M E E T IN G : The Committee met in deliberative session at 11.45 am in the Senate Suite S I.40. The Chairman, Senator Colston, took the Chair.

26. C O N F IR M A T IO N O F M IN U T E S: The Minutes of meetings held on 28 September 1989 (Nos 17 and 18), 5 October 1989 (No. 19) and 10 October 1989 (Nos 20 and 21) were confirmed.

27. R E P O R T O F T H E CO M M ITTEE: The Committee considered the Chairmanâs draft Report to the Senate.

The Committee resolved that the draft Report be agreed to.

28. A D JO U R N M E N T : The Committee adjourned at 11.55 am.

29. A T T E N D A N C E : Senators Colston (Chairman), Peter Baume, Giles, Shell and Zakharov. Apologies: Senator Walters (on leave).

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

Mai Colston Chairman

303

Â»

304

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

INDEX OF ISSUES RAISED IN PUBLIC HEARINGS

THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1989

THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1989

TUESDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1989

305

306

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

Issues raised during Committee hearings held on 28 September 1989. (page references, Hansard, Estimates Committee F)

DEPARTM ENT OF PRIM ARY IN D U STRIES AN D EN ERG Y Page No.

PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW Chairmanâs Opening Statement 2

Ministerâs Opening Statement 2-3

PROGRAM 1: IN D U ST R IE S DEVELOPM ENT Performance indicators 3

Corporate plan 3

Program evaluation and review 3-4

Promotion costs 4

Portfolio general expenditure 5

Shearer and shed hand training allocations 5

Consultants 5

Staffing allocations within Portfolio 5

Exchange rate fluctuations - Impact on general productivity, profitability and exports 6

Staff salaries 6

Waterfront work practices and reform - impact on Portfolio objectives 7-8

1.1 L ivestock a n d P a sto ra l Subprogram objectives and outcomes 8-9

Live sheep exports 9-13,20

Meat residue testing and CALM Program 13-14

Meat exports to Korea and Taiwan 1 â

Foreign investment 1

Brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication program - Administration TB evidence in wild animals 17

Importation of sperm carrying exotic diseases ^ 1 '

Wool Research and Development Council - Research 17-18

Bovine sheep embryos Australian Wool Corporation - Market support fund 1 s

Merino exports ^9

Merino semen exports Î¹Ï-ÏÏ

Wool outlook 1989-90 ^

Sheep breeding assistance to China 20-21

307

1.2 Crops Dried vine fruits export - Tariff reductions 21

Wheat industry fund levy 21-22

Australian Wheat Board borrowings 22

Subsidised wheat freights costs - Tasmania 22

Barley sale to New Zealand 23

Horticultural Research and Development Corporation and Horticultural Policy Council - staff establishment costs 23-24

- results 24

- overseas representation 24

- membership 24

Plan variety rights list 24

Plan variety journal 24-25

Wheat Industry Fund 25

GATT commitments and agreement 25

Animal Welfare Committee 25-26,51

Capital gains treatment of non-cash and cash farm-outs 51

National Consultative Council on Animal Welfare 51

1.3 F ish eries Off shore constitutional settlement 26-27

Resource rent 27

Subprogram objectives and performance indicators 27-28

- Consultants report 27-29

Current fish resources 28

Southern bluefin tuna 28,39

Staff resources 29

Future strategies 29

Apprehension of foreign vessels 30

Administration costs 30

Fishing Industry Research and Development Council and Australian Fishery Service funding 30-31

Program deferrals or delays 31

A u s tr a lia n F is h e r ie s Magazine 31,41

Management levies - Industry contribution 31

- Management Advisory Committees 31-32

Surveillance and enforcement expenditure 32

Levy exempt fisheries 32

Guidelines to foreign fishing 32-33

Australian fishing zone - Japanese fishing - Gold Coast region 33-34

- Log book monitoring 34-35

Convention on Law of the Sea 35

Coastal fishing zone boundary extension 35

North West Shelf - Fishing applications 35

TAG comparison - 1987-88 and 1988-89 35-36

Orange roughy research 36

308

Tasmanian fisheries Large catch wastage rates Tasmanian-Victorian scallop waters Aquaculture

Fisheries surveillance costs Gold Coast office Southern bluefin tuna - quotas, funding and research

1.4 P etroleu m a n d E nergy Oil excise review Exploration - Impact on excise costs Platform removal

Cash bidding Timor Gap Treaty Technical Assessment Group (TAG)

1.5 C oal Negative effects of coal, including greenhouse Coal burning Occupational problems for miners

1.6 N u c lea r TAG Commonwealth Northern Territory coordination program - Environmental health monitoring

Rum Jungle Uranium Mine - Rehabilitation Uranium marketing Abandoned uranium mines - Rehabilitation Coronation Hill

Subprogram strategy effectiveness Environmental prescription compliance

1.7 O th er M in erals Crude oil excise review

PROGRAM 2: IN FR ASTRU CTU RE AND S U P P O R T

2.1 N a tu r a l R esource M a n a g em en t Murray-Darling Basin - Soil conservation Expenditure on Awareness Programs Year and Decade of Landcare

Murray-Darling Basin agreement Forresters - Shortage Greening Australia - Fund allocations Payments to Tasmania - Helsham Inquiry

Billion Trees Program Wood-turning trees grown in Tasmania

36- 37

37- 38

38- 39

39,58 39- 41

41 42 42

42-43 43 43

43-44 44 44

43,44 45

45-46,47 46- 47

47- 48

48 49

49-50

50-51

52.53 52.53 53 54

55 55

55-56 56

3 0 9

2.2 R u ra l A d ju stm e n t a n d S ervices Rural Book 56-57

Rural Counselling program 57

Farm financial management skills program 57

2.3 Q u a ra n tin e a n d In spection Abattoirs - Retraining of meat inspectors 58-59

Gosford and Wyong abattoirs 59

Meat inspectors - employment rate 59

Review of meat inspection activity 59-60

Production quality arrangements 60

Consultants 60,66-67

Occupational health and safety 61

Staff utilisation 61-62

AQIS and Bureau of Rural Research relationship 62

Canadian pigmeat importation 62-63,65

Quarantine controls 64

Review of pigment importation 64-65

Meat inspectors - RSI incidence 67

Cheese -Listeria contamination 67-69

Nitrates in imported cheeses 69-70

Toxic ballast water 70-71

Tasmanian edible seaweed - Sale to Japan 71

Overseas arrivals - Quarantine inspections 71-72

Organically grown food - Standards 72-73

Coastal Plains Research Station - Blue-tongue outbreak 73

Saudi-Arabia sheep imports 73

Senior veterinarians - Overseas visits in 1988-89 73-74

2.4 E nergy In fra stru ctu re Pipeline trunk-sale 74-75

2.5 P la g u e L ocu st C ontrol Seasonal prospects 75-76

PROGRAM 3: RESEARCH A N D A SSE SSM E N T

3.3 R u ra l R esearch Rural Research Councils - Restructure 76-77

Research and development funds 77

Conservation and water resources 77

Bureau of Rural Resources 78-79

310

PROGRAM 4: DEPARTM ENTAL PO LIC Y AN D M ANAGEMENT SERVICES Equal employment opportunity 79

Grievance resolution 7 9

Sexual harassment 79-80

Average salary costs 80

Staffing levels 80

Travel expenditure 80-81

Incentive budgeting 81

311

312

ESTIM ATES COMMITTEE F

Issues raised during Committee hearings held on 5 October 1989 (page references, Hansard, Estimates Committee F)

D EPARTM EN T OF SOCIAL S E C U R IT Y

Page No.

PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW Program Structure 84-5

Reprint of Explanatory Notes 85

Service delivery objectives 85

Addressing of letters to pensioners 86-9

Pension after death of spouse 86

Bereavement package 86

Questionnaire 87

Overseas pension review 87,100-2

Communication techniques - telephone 89

- written 89-90

Tax rates 90,93

Effectiveness indicators - Adequacy 90-3

Cash needs of individuals 90

FAS program 90

Benchmarks for the pension 91

âSocial Security Reviewâ âSocial Security Review Issues Paper No. 6â 93

Tables and graphs Survey of invalid pensioners 93

Carers Sheltered workshops Unattached staff 94

PROGRAM 1: INCOM E SE C U R IT Y FOR THE RETIRED Objective 95

Meaning o f âadequateâ 95

Flexibility retirement age 95-7

1995 tax system âBetter Opportunities: Social Securityâ

313

1.1 A ge P ension Increase in numbers 97

Assets test 97

Basis of calculation of estimates 98

âAge Pension Newsâ - Purpose, cost, mailing list, advertising, wrappers 98-100

O ur Voiceâ 100

Alleged over-payment 102

Rent assistance 102,133

1.3 C a re râs P ension AIDS 103

PROGRAM 2: INCOME SE C U R IT Y FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Income support for people with psychiatric disabilities 103-4

Word âdisabledâ 103

Studies Assistance errata 104

Pension eligibility for the blind 104

2.1 I n v a lid P ension Number of claims and grants 104-5

Legislation 105

Determining for invalid pension on basis of disability 105

Modified invalid pension assessment 105

Infant eligibility 106

2.3 C a r e r âs P ension AIDS 106-7

Mobility allowance - Sales tax on wheelchairs 107

PROGRAM 3: INCOM E SE C U R ITY FOR THE UNEMPLOYED AN D SIC K

3.1 U nem ploym en t ben efit Tax file number 107-9

Extra appropriation/overall decline 109-10

Staffing figures 110-111

Newstart 110

Mobile review teams 110-114,122

Commonwealth Employment Service 111

Requirement of 12-monthly interview 113-4

314

3.2 N ew sta rt Cancellation of unemployment benefits 114

Interview 115

High unemployment areas 115

Targets 115

Training re-location programs 115

Jobsearch 116

Skillshare 116

JET 117,120

3.3 Job S earch A llow an ce Young homeless allowance 117,127

Job search allowance 117

Provision of information on entitlements and training to schools 117 Liaison program with schools 117

3.4 S ickn ess B en efit Expected decline in recipients 118

Movement between benefits 118

PROGRAM 4: INCOM E SE C U R IT Y FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

4.1 F am ily A llow an ce Family Allowance awareness campaign Family configurations Families resident outside Australia

4.3 Sole P a r e n t P ension Reasons for termination of pension Percentages of types of beneficiaries Definition of âde facto relationshipâ

Overpayments New legislation

4.5 C h ild S u p p o rt Schem e Lack of awareness Child Support Act Child Support Secretariat

Child Support Agency Lag in first maintenance payments Australian Taxation Office Guaranteed maintenance payment

Level of maintenance payments

4.6 O th er C h ild P aym en ts Numbers on Child Disability Allowance Community Affairs Committee

118-20 120 121-2

120 120 121 122

122-3

123- 5

123 124

124- 5

124

125- 6

126

126- 7

123 123

315

PROGRAM 5: PRO VISIO N S FOR SPECIAL CIRCUM STANCES

5.1 S p ecia l B en efit a n d o th e r S p ecia l P aym en ts Take-up rate for under-18-year-olds 127

5.2 C lass B W idow sâ P ension Diminishing numbers 127

Transfer to other programs 127-8

Class A widowsâ pension 128

Sole parents pension 128

5.3 W idow ed p e r s o n âs allow an ce Means test 128

5.5 F u n eral ben efit

PROGRAM 6: CORPORATE AN D OTHER SERVICES Expenditure increase 128

Property functions 128

6.1 E xecutive a n d C orporate M a n a g em en t Misuse of income security system 128-9

Direct crediting 129

6.6 A u stra lia n In stitu te o f F am ily S tu d ies Implications of Departmental change 130-1

Social Policy Research Centre 131

Access to employment 131

Examination of unemployment regional figures 131

Elimination of child poverty 131-2

Assessment of tax package 131

Disadvantaged schools program 132

Westrek program 132

Poverty line 132

316

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F

Issues raised during Committee hearings held on 5 and 10 October 1989 (page references, Hansard, Estimates Committee F)

DEPARTM ENT OF CO M M U NITY SERVICES AN D HEALTH Page No.

DEPARTM ENTAL OVERVIEW Mission Program structure Unattached staff

Program evaluation

PROGRAM 1: HEALTH AD VAN CEM EN T Public awareness programs Life education centres National Campaign Against Drug Abuse

1.1 D ru g A bu se R edu ction Mortality from drug use National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Outcome evaluation

Young women smoking Treatment programs âQuitâ programs

1.2 E n viro n m en ta l H ealth S ta n d a r d s Nutrient composition data âTables of Composition of Australian Foodâ Evaluation of food additives

Australian Radiation Laboratory Toxicology - Maximum residue levels - Applications Market basket survey of contaminants

1.3 H ealth P rom otion a n d D isease P revention âTalking about AIDSâ âNational HIV/AIDS Strategyâ AIDS consultants

Threat of widespread AIDS infection NACAIDS survey Breaches of confidentiality in hospital Legal aid for haemophilia patients

Better health program Questions on notice National womenâs health program

133-5 134 134

135-6,139-140 138-9

140

141-3,193-4 141

143- 4,195 144- 5,150 145-152,155 148-50

152-4 155

155-6 155 156 156

157-8,196-7 158-9

159

159-161 159-60 160-1 160-1

161-2 162-4 164 164

164

317

Outcomes in health promotion and disease prevention 164

AIDS infection 165-7

Consultation program for AIDS 166

National program for better health 166

Outcome data 166-7

Single-shot syringe 167

Aboriginal Health - Outcome evaluation 167-8

Australian Medical Council registration 168

Fluoridation of water 169

1.4 R esearch Hobart Womenâs Health Centre Cardiovascular disease in Tasmanian women Australian Institute of Health Consumersâ Health Forum NHMRC Funding Smith Committee

PROGRAM 2: HOME A N D COM M UNITY CARE Assessment of HACC services User rights HACC review Post-acute and palliative care

Residential services Frail aged DNCB

2.1 H om e a n d C om m u n ity C are S ervices Proportion of HACC Services to elderly Residential care costs HACC growth level and budget Geriatrics assessment team

Home nursing charges

PROGRAM 3: RESIDEN TIAL CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE Aged care residential places 186-7

Reduction in nursing home fees 187

Dementia grants 187-9,191

Resident classification instrument 188-9

3.1 A ssessm en t Assessment services and criteria 189

3.2 F in a n cia l S u p p o rt Closures of nursing homes 189

Reduction of State government nursing home beds 189-90

George Forbes House 190

183- 6

184 184 184 184- 6

177-183,199 177-8,182-3 179 179-80,182

181 181

181-2

169-70 169-70 170-3

174-5,195-6 175-6 177

318

3.3 Q u a lity o f R e sid e n tia l C are Residentsâ rights 191-4

User rights consultancy 191-2

Complaints service 193

Loadings for nursing homes 194

Details of SAM component 194-5

PROGRAM 4: ASSISTA N C E FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Disability Services Act 197-8,202

Allocation of funds for psychiatric disability 197-8

DISCUS program 199-200,203

Dismantling of sheltered workshops 200-1

Endeavour Foundation 201

User rights 202

âReal Choices for Peopleâ 202

4.1 A ccom m odation Indexation 203

Units of cluster housing 203-4

Nursing home care 204,212

Accommodation options 205

Pilot program - Access to new care 205-6

Attendant care scheme 206

4.6 P ro g ra m M a n a g em en t Report of consultants on mental health policy Health Advancement Division Discharge of psychiatric persons from hospital - relative

responsibility of Commonwealth and States Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service Health Ministersâ Council Constitution - Residual powers

Social Welfare Research Centre Consequences of de-hospitalisation Disability Advisory Council of Australia Training allowance eligibility

Segregation

PROGRAM 5: TH ERAPEUTIC GOODS Lack of pharmaceuticals due to pilot strike Silent Partner condoms Changes to therapeutic goods program

Grandfather products Alcusal Bronchostat Dermacaps Tonolift

206 206

206-11 207-8 208 208,210

209 209 209 210

212

212- 3

213,220 213- 7

215-7 216 217 217

217

319

PROGRAM 6: HEALTH CARE A CCESS Medicare rebates on hepatitis B vaccinations 217-8

Aboriginal communities 217

6.1 F in a n cia l su p p o rt to in d iv id u a ls Medicare eligibility 218-20,222-4

Pathology Services Advisory Committee 220

New pathology services table 220-1,225-30

Changes in Medicare benefits schedule 221

Vocational register - General practitioners 221-2

Descriptor Utilisation Review Committee 222

Dr Chittenden 224-5

Medicare errors 230-1

Quality control 231-3

Diagnosis related groups 231

Hearing aids - Eligibility criteria 232

6.2 P h a rm a ce u tica l B en efits Schem e Products removed from scheme 232-3

Generic pricing policy 232

Conflict between pharmacists and government 234

Pharmacy Guild of Australia - Appeal 234-5

Newspaper advertisement 235

Prescribing arrangements 235-7

Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee 237

Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority 237

Factor F Grants 237

Cost of Scheme 238-40

Pharmaceutical Benefits Remuneration Tribunal - Surcharge 240

6.3 F in a n cia l su p p o rt fo r service p ro v id e rs Medicare rebate for hospital cost of day surgery 238

Waiting lists in State hospitals 240

Complaints 240

6.4 H ealth S ervices P rovision 240

Aids and appliances 240

PROGRAM 7: HOUSING

7.1 H om e O w n ersh ip Revolving fund 241-2

Fanmac 242

PROGRAM 8: SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN Childrenâs Services Program - Cost 242-3

Family day care 242

National child-care strategy 243

Location of child-care centres 244

Cost discipline on child-care centres 244

320

Counselling to child-care centres 244

New occasional-care services 245

Industry initiatives 245-6

Access and equity principles 246

Computer program assistance 246

Fee relief claims 246

Misuse of child-care places 246-7

Survey of day-care centres 247-8

Unpaid staff 248

Financial loss in NSW child-care centres 248

Academic qualifications 248

Aboriginal childrenâs services 248-9

Members of Childrenâs Services Program 249-250

National Advisory Committee on Outside School Hours Care 250 National demand 250

Employer participation 250

Review of outside school hours care and vacation care 250-1

Fee relief program 251

321

Title	Estimates - Senate Committees - Reports - Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of year ending 30 June - 1990 - Committees B, C, E, and F - Reports
Source	Senate
Date	01-11-1989
Parliament No.	35
Tabled in Senate	01-11-1989
Parliamentary Paper Year	1989
Parliamentary Paper No.	476
House of Reps Misc. Paper No.
Senate Misc. Paper No.
Paper Type
Deemed Paper Type
Disallowable
Journals Page No.	0
Votes Page No.	0
House of Reps DPL No.	0
Number of Deemed Papers	0
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Federal Register of Legislative Instruments No.
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System Id	publications/tabledpapers/HPP032016005298b