The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members ' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 2 February 2016.
2. The committee determined the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members' business on Monday, 8 February 2016, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Statements
1 Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs:
Statement on the progress of the Parliamentary inquiry into surrogacy.
The Committee determined that statements may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.20 am.
Speech time limits—
Mr Christensen — 5 minutes.
Next Member speaking—5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to provide for the regulation of renewable fuel content in motor vehicle fuel, and for related purposes. ( Renewable Fuel Bill 2016 )(Notice given 3 December 2015. )
Time allotted—10 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Katter — 10 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins]
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41.
2 MR CHRISTENSEN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the importance of a robust and clear legal system that allows for timely judicial review and certainty for investors and the community alike;
(b) the latest legal challenge brought by the Melbourne based Australian Conservation Foundation to the development of the Galilee Basin is another cynical attempt to abuse due process;
(c) ongoing 'green' lawfare is holding Queensland families to ransom and jeopardising Australia's reputation as a place to do business; and
(d) that rather than protecting the environment, the replacement of the Galilee Basin's lower emission coal by higher emission coal from other countries could instead cause an increase in global emissions; and
(2) calls on the Australian Labor Party to support legislative amendments to close legal loopholes being exploited by 'green' groups.
( Notice given 10 November 2015. )
Time allotted—50 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Christensen — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 + 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 MS CHESTERS: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the ongoing media reports and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) findings into the exploitation of Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) holders, Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) holders and international students;
(b) nationwide monitoring by the FWO has uncovered suspected exploitation in 20 per cent of 560 migrant Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) worker cases examined between October 2014 and January 2015;
(c) the FWO said 'migrant workers complaints of mistreatment had soared in recent years, and sponsorship breaches were often deliberate acts of exploitation by unscrupulous employers';
(d) exploitation by employers has been identified in various industries including but not limited to construction, hospitality, cleaning, food processing, agriculture, the marketing and promotions sector, privately owned childcare centres and kindergartens, shopping trolley collectors and postal service contractors;
(e) many of these workers are low paid and low skilled, and are on Temporary Work (Skilled) visas (subclass 457), Working Holiday visas (subclass 417) or student visas; and
(f) this unconscionable conduct is widespread and is creating a sub class of workers that does not just hurt the employees; it puts at risk the pay and working conditions of all Australians;
(2) acknowledges the:
(a) recent hard work of the FWO to monitor, investigate, and expose potential breaches of the work visa program and Australian workplace laws; and
(b) proactive role the Australian union movement has played to highlight and expose unconscionable conduct by some employers and industries exploiting temporary visa workers;
(3) condemns the Government's:
(a) inaction to immediately address and implement the findings of recent FWO reports in relation to this matter; and
(b) recent moves to relax regulations for bringing in temporary visa workers, instead of toughening the rules; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) immediately strengthen the work visa safeguards it has deliberately relaxed to make it easier for companies to hire overseas workers; and
(b) ensure that Australia's work visa program has robust safeguards in place to protect all workers and is not being used as a back door avenue to source cheap labour.
( Notice given 15 September 2015. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits—
Ms Chesters—5 minutes .
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR BILLSON: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the importance of changing the national culture to make disrespecting women un‑Australian;
(2) welcomes the Government's $100 million Women's Safety Package to combat domestic violence;
(3) supports efforts at the upcoming COAG meeting to engage all levels of government and the broader community on this shared national endeavour;
(4) places on record its deep concern about the use of new technology and in particular smart phone tracking applications by family violence perpetrators to obtain and monitor the location of their victims; and
(5) calls on all governments to consider this as part of their strategy to combat domestic violence and technology facilitated abuse.
( Notice given 25 November 2015. )
Time allotted—40 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Billson — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 MR CHAMPION: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) people with dyslexia have difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters and other symbols;
(b) dyslexia does not affect general intelligence; and
(c) the primary symptoms of dyslexia are:
(i) problems learning the letter sounds for reading and spelling;
(ii) difficulty in reading single words, such as on flash cards and in lists (decoding);
(iii) lack of fluency;
(iv) reading slowly with many mistakes;
(v) poor spelling; and
(vi) poor visual gestalt/coding (orthographic coding);
(2) acknowledges:
(a) the hard work of support groups, educators and families in raising awareness of dyslexia;
(b) the many programs and services helping students to achieve their best every day; and
(c) dyslexia as a disability through the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ; and
(3) calls upon the Government to consider:
(a) continuing to work with the states and territories to complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability program and implement the disability loading recommended in the Gonski report;
(b) developing a national program which encompasses accreditation and development of schools which specialise in dyslexia, including early identification, teacher training, school autonomy, assessment and examination;
(c) adopting models such as the United Kingdom model for dyslexia, the Education, Health and Care Plan; and
(d) Dyslexia Aware School accreditation education programs in South Australian schools.
( Notice given 17 September 2015. )
Time allotted—40 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Champion — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 MRS PRENTICE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that Vietnam Veterans Day:
(a) is held on 18 August every year;
(b) commemorates the service and sacrifice of the almost 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War, including the 521 who were killed, and the 3,000 wounded; and
(c) was, until 1987, known as Long Tan Day, which commemorated the service of the 108 personnel of D Company 6RAR, who on 18 August 1966, with limited supplies and in torrential rain, successfully fought off 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops near the village of Long Tan;
(2) reiterates its sincere appreciation for the service of all veterans of the Vietnam War; and
(3) expresses its regret that many veterans of the Vietnam War did not receive appropriate recognition of their service upon their return to Australia.
( Notice given 13 October 2015. )
Time allotted—40 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mrs Prentice — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 MS PARKE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes continuing concerns in relation to the practice of harvesting organs from prisoners in the People's Republic of China, in addition to allegations of an illegal organ harvesting trade in other parts of Asia and in Europe; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) acknowledge the illegal trade of organs as a significant health policy and human rights issue in the international community and publicly condemn organ transplant abuses;
(b) engage in international dialogue, in a human rights context, relating to the harvesting of organs, ensuring cooperation to protect the poorest and most vulnerable groups from organ transplant tourism and the illegal sale of tissues and organs through the development of tools to ensure traceability of organs;
(c) consider federal measures and encourage Australian states and territories to consider measures to ensure that trafficking of human organs is addressed;
(d) urge the Chinese Government to immediately cease the practice of harvesting organs from prisoners;
(e) support and encourage universal adoption and implementation of the WHO Guiding Principles on Human Organ Transplantation regarding protection of donors, transparency and the implementation of quality systems including vigilance and traceability; and
(f) urge the Chinese Government to increase efforts to set up an organised and efficient national register of organ donation and distribution, and to cooperate with requests from the United Nations Special Rapporteurs and other international bodies and governments for investigations into the system.
( Notice given 10 November 2015. )
Time allotted—20 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Ms Parke — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day
1 MARRIAGE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2015 (Mr Entsch): Second reading—Resumption of debate ( from 23 November 2015 ).
Time allotted—remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits—
All Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
3 February 2016
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation waste management facilities extension and upgrade.
Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2]
Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No. 2]
The ABCC is based on flawed—and often ridiculed—modelling. Its proposed powers are extreme, unnecessary and undemocratic and they compromise civil liberties.
… the ABC Commissioner's investigatory powers have the potential to severely restrict basic democratic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, the privilege against self-incrimination and the right to silence.
It found consistent evidence that building sites and construction projects in Australia were hotbeds of intimidation, lawlessness, thuggery and violence.
The definition of building work also includes the transporting or supplying of goods to be used in building work.
The manner in which the BLF conducted themselves is now rife within branches of the CFMEU. The CFMEU should be brought to heel and required to conduct themselves in a fair and reasonable way.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person has been given an examination notice; and
(b) the person fails:
(i) to give information or produce a document in accordance with the notice; or
(ii) to attend to answer questions in accordance with the notice; or
(iii) to take an oath or make an affirmation, when required to do so under subsection 61(5); or
(iv) to answer questions relevant to the investigation while attending as required by the examination notice.
… that the privilege is important in preventing abuses of power by the executive in the exercise of its coercive powers. The privilege also assists by protecting the quality of evidence and by maintaining an accusatorial system of justice in which the burden of proof rests on the prosecution.
… the privilege 'protects the innocent as well as the guilty from the indignity and invasion of privacy which occurs in compulsory self-incrimination; it is society’s acceptance of the inviolability of the human personality'.
It is clear that in many parts of the world constituted by Australian trade union officials, there is room for louts, thugs, bullies, thieves, perjurers, those who threaten violence, errant fiduciaries and organisers of boycotts.
Mr Cole said the abolition of the ABCC by the Gillard government meant that 'unlawful and inappropriate conduct was again prevalent' in the construction industry.
That all the words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“the House declines to give the bill a second reading because the objective of dealing with alleged wrongdoing in Australian society would be better achieved by establishing a broad-based national anti-corruption watchdog.”
A total of 45 people, unions and companies were referred to police or other authorities for investigation by the commission, including Cesar Melhem and Katherine Jackson.
… also alleges “adverse recommendations” about executives from large private companies including, Cbus, the Thiess Group, the John Holland Group, the ACI Group, Downer EDI Engineering Power Pty Ltd, Winslow Constructors Pty Ltd and the Mirvac Group.
The title of this Bill includes the words 'improving productivity' and the Government has several times asserted that the operation of the ABCC led to an improvement in productivity.
For the original 2007 Econtech Report, some data was inadvertently juxtaposed in extracting it from … hard copy publications.
This made a big difference to the findings, virtually obviating the change that had been found.
… the ABC Commissioner's investigatory powers have the potential to severely restrict basic democratic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, the privilege against self-incrimination and the right to silence.
The Bill not only repeals the FWBI Act and re-establishes the ABCC, it enlarges both its jurisdictional and industry sector application. It also provides new coercive powers (with retrospective operation), re-introduces a number of criminal and civil penalty offences previously contained in the BCII Act, and introduces a new civil penalty offence of unlawful picketing. It provides for penalties for building industry participants which are considerably higher than those available under the Fair Work Act.
In effect, the Bill creates (in relation to industrial action and picketing) a new and different set of industrial relations rules that apply only to persons associated with the building and construction industry.
The culture of the ABCC is not and has never been impartial. It has concerned itself almost exclusively with transgressions by unions, or by employers who have facilitated or acquiesced to transgressions by unions.
If it is going to haul before the courts a union member who refuses to tell them about what happened at a meeting to discuss safety breaches by the employer, it must also haul before the courts the employers who breached the safety laws in the first place.
There were 36 fatalities in the construction industry in 2007-08, twice as many as in 2004-05, immediately before the ABCC commenced operations in late 2005. Under the ABCC, construction became the industry with the highest number of deaths. As observance with occupational safety tends to be lower where unions are weaker, this trend is not surprising.
It ignores the fact that a lot of the criminal conduct for which unions and union officials are responsible arises in the context of breaches of industrial laws (either because it occurs in the course of contravening industrial laws, or because it constitutes a criminal contempt of orders of a court restraining contraventions of industrial laws) and out of a culture of defiance of all laws. It also ignores the ability of a dedicated industrial regulator to assist police, through referrals and information sharing, in combatting criminal activity within the industry.
It is fair to describe the CFMEU record as dismal. … The record indicates an attitude of indifference by the CFMEU to compliance with the requirements of the legislation regarding the exercise of rights of entry.
The world has trimmed us down. We now have to trim ourselves down, trim our spending and not accommodate more of it by ever more taxation.
The GST is just a flat, bang you over the head, tax. It changes nothing; no behaviour, other than to put the tax weight onto the wrong people.
The sustained and entrenched disregard for both industrial and criminal laws shown by the country’s largest construction union further supports the need—
Given the high level of unlawful activity within the building and construction sector, it is desirable to have a regulator tasked solely with enforcing the law within that sector.
The formula that we've put into the trajectory beyond 2018 is ... the number that is currently reflected in the budget and that reflects the Government's policy position.
The Turnbull Government's failure to properly invest in education to ensure Australians are ready for the jobs of the future.
Technological progress is going to leave behind some people … as it races ahead. … there's never been a better time to be a worker with special skills or the right education, because these people can use technology to create and capture value. However, there's never been a worse time to be a worker with 'ordinary' skills and abilities to offer, because computers, robots and other digital technologies are acquiring these skills and abilities at an extraordinary rate.
Software innovation, together with 3D printing technologies, will open the door to those workers who are educated enough to participate; for everyone else, however, it may feel as though the revolution is happening elsewhere.
… the quality of schooling in a country is a powerful predictor of the wealth that countries will produce in the long run.
Tobacco excise is a structurally declining tax base.
It is not going to keep pace with inflation because tobacco use is falling.
If the number of packets sold falls at a faster rate than the price increases, you won't quite get the revenue effect you were hoping for.
At some point it's going to reduce and not fund a growing area like education.
We want to tax tobacco so heavily that its consumption in this country will fall," he said. "Therefore this revenue should not then be relied upon to fund longer-term spending commitments."
Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Amendment (Inter-State Voyages) Bill 2015
Aged Care Amendment (Red Tape Reduction in Places Management) Bill 2015
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment (Exit Arrangements) Bill 2015
Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2]
Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No. 2]
… the ABC Commissioner's investigatory powers have the potential to severely restrict basic democratic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, the privilege against self-incrimination and the right to silence.
On 10 July 2012, a Cabinet Submission, number 4033: 'The future of the Stella Maris site—Lot 5260 Town of Darwin (1 McMinn Street)', went to the Northern Territory Cabinet for consideration. The submission was considered by only four of the eight Cabinet ministers … A decision was made to offer a Crown lease term over the site to Unions NT without an expression of interest process. This decision was against the strong and considered advice of the broader public sector not to grant the site to any community group without following an expression of interest process. Despite the fact he was sponsoring the submission, the Minister for Lands and Planning, Gerald McCarthy, was absent from the meeting.
Following the meeting, the department was advised of the Cabinet decision and began drafting the lease conditions and letter of offer for Minister G McCarthy to sign and send to Unions NT to meet his ministerial responsibilities under the Crown Lands Act. It is clear that, prior to and immediately following the Cabinet meeting, the department had little to no information about what Unions NT intended to do with the site.
The department believed there was an expectation to make the lease offer before the pre-election government caretaker period commenced on 6 August 2012 and, given the official Cabinet direction, acted with undue haste in processing Unions NT’s flawed community land grant application. This led to the department breaching its own processes for dealing with community land grants. The grant application the department processed was inaccurate, three years out of date and did not document Unions NT’s true intentions for the site. The department should have made the minister aware of exactly what parts of the community land grant process had not been followed.
The lease conditions and letter of offer were prepared and stamped with Minister G McCarthy’s signature on 3 August 2012, the last working day before the caretaker period.
No public information was provided during the process, causing a public information ‘blackout’.
It is difficult to understand how the Cabinet ministers could have reasonably rejected the advice in the Cabinet Submission to have an open and transparent expression of interest process, and proceed to approve the proposal to grant a Crown lease exclusively to Unions NT based on one paragraph in the submission which included a warning about potential criticism in pursuing that option.
… the starting point should have been a process that called for more transparency, not less, and complete adherence to the long-standing community land grant process. Unfortunately, the opposite occurred.
Minister G McCarthy’s decision was arguably unreasonable and, if challenged in a court, would be susceptible to being overturned. It was unreasonable because he did not have the necessary information to justify selectively choosing Unions NT over any other group.
did not act with accountability, responsibility or with proper consideration of those likely to be affected by his decision, namely the numerous community groups that had expressed interest in the site over a long period of time.
There was no public advertisement, no media release and no way for the public to know of his decision until a notice was published in the Government Gazette on 26 September 2012. This public information ‘blackout’ deprived members of the public of their entitlement to know that Minister G McCarthy had made a decision and the reasons why that decision was made.
Having considered all the factors in relation to the decision to propose the grant of the lease to Unions NT for the site, Minister G McCarthy’s conduct was not accountable, responsible, or in the public interest.
Minister Lawrie acted with bias over many years, forming a view in 2009 that Unions NT should be exclusively granted a lease over the site without an expression of interest process.
Minister Lawrie should have made it clear to the department that it was her intention to grant the site to Unions NT without an expression of interest process. Minister Lawrie may have genuinely believed that granting the site exclusively to Unions NT was in the public interest, the way she involved herself in the process was not proper and was unfair to the public and other community groups.
The application submitted to both Minister Lawrie and Minister G McCarthy on behalf of Unions NT did not have a proper factual basis, was misleading and exaggerated the history between Unions NT and the site.
The Unions NT Executive failed in its responsibility to ensure the application submitted on its behalf to the ministers was of a high standard and reflected its true intentions for the site.
… the ABC Commissioner's investigatory powers have the potential to severely restrict basic democratic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, the privilege against self-incrimination and the right to silence.
… found consistent evidence that building sites and construction projects in Australia were hotbeds of intimidation, lawlessness, thuggery and violence.
The definition of building work also includes the transporting or supplying of goods to be used in building work.
I was roadkill. We were simply a bystander who happened to be in the way. When we didn't agree we had to be punished as a lesson to other suppliers … This type of behaviour is the essence of the criminal conspiracy we are talking about.
Together, these reports are a comprehensive catalogue of rampant union abuses of the Australian legal system by serial recidivists.
On construction sites in Melbourne the law does not apply, the law is determined by the CFMEU.
Our union has given us a mandate, They want us to remain a militant union.
Mr Hanna: No you can't. But um got all that done, there was f***ing mountains and mountains of ... (indistinct) ... seven tonnes' worth.
Mr Skourdoumbis: Really?
Mr Hanna: Yep, it was weighed, the truck was weighed when it got dumped that's how much f***ing paper, paper is heavy. Paper is heavy. It all got taken down to my f****ing joint where he stores his f****ing car trailer and he stores his caravan.
Evidence suggests that its absence—
has increased costs.
"Without the ABCC acting as the strong cop on the beat," says MBA's Wilhelm Harnisch, "the building unions will continue to cheat the community out of more schools, hospitals and child care centres by driving up the cost of construction …
Surely it is incumbent upon those who oppose the reintroduction of the ABCC to explain how it is to the advantage of the Australian economy, and to the Australian people who bear the great costs of unlawful action, to have an increased level of unlawfulness in the building and construction industry which the ABCC has demonstrated it can suppress, but which existing arrangements do not.
Ordinarily, under our laws, you have certain rights not to answer questions … You have privileges against self-incrimination. But these rights do not exist when you are being interviewed by the ABCC. That an innocent member of the public can get caught up in these powers simply increases the concerns.
History shows us that if work is to be dignified workers need advocates, because workers rights did not fall from the sky. History shows that, without unions, workers were broken in what William Blake called dark satanic mills. He understood that change would not come without a fight, and the best weapon in the fight for workers rights is the trade union. This is why I am proud that the Labor Party was born in the fires of the union movement and fashioned on its anvils. It is something we should never seek to hide and something we should be proud of.
The Union has attracted to its ranks in large numbers men who have been convicted of, and who continue to commit, serious crimes. … Violence is the means by which they control the members of their group. They do not hesitate to kill.
… taxation fraud, social security fraud, ghosting, compensation fraud, theft on a grand scale, extortion, the handling of massive importations of drugs, the shipments of armaments, all manner of violence and murder.
… the ABC Commissioner's investigatory powers have the potential to severely restrict basic democratic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, the privilege against self-incrimination and the right to silence.
The main recommendation of the 2001 royal commission into the building and construction industry was the introduction of the Australian Building and Construction Commission. Its purpose was to reintroduce the rule of law in the industry. That was necessary because of widespread unlawful conduct. The commission established that such conduct was detrimental to the economy, and thus to the Australian people, as the increased costs of such conduct were passed on to the community.
In 2007, after the introduction of the ABCC, savings due to the reduction in unlawful action were assessed at $3.1 billion per annum. In 2012, savings due to reduction in unlawful action was assessed by the Master Builders Association at $6.3 billion per annum. On any view, benefits to the economy due to the effectiveness of the ABCC in diminishing unlawful conduct, were very great.
In 2012, the then government, whilst recognising the need for strong measures to maintain the reduced level of unlawfulness in the industry, altered the arrangements and abolished the ABCC.
In 2015, the Heydon royal commission report established that unlawful conduct was again prevalent in the industry. Such conduct carries deleterious costs to Australians.
Surely it is incumbent upon those who oppose the reintroduction of the ABCC to explain how it is to the advantage of the economy, and to the Australian people who bear the great costs of unlawful action, to have an increased level of unlawfulness in the building and construction industry which the ABCC has demonstrated it can supress, but which existing arrangements do not.
An industrial organisation, be it an employer organisation or an employee organisation, which persistently abuses the privilege by engaging in unlawful conduct cannot expect to remain registered.
The court must visit the defiance of the CFMEU with a penalty which will not only adequately respond to the scale of the defiance but also act as a general and specific deterrent. No fines of the level previously imposed could do that.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Dr Southcott ) took the chair at 09:30.
Our future growth relies on competitiveness and innovation, skills and productivity ... and these in turn rely on the education of our people.
His Christian faith carried him through the storms of his life and, rather than destroy him, it strengthened him. He hated religion and the religious spirit that comes with it, but loved God and loved people.
On 21st November 2015 our lives changed in the most unimaginable way when our son, Adam Coleman was killed in Mexico.
Adam was 33 years old and had spent half of his life traveling the world and surfing. He, along with his childhood friend, Dean Lucas, was murdered by robbers on a highway in Sinaloa. Their murders were brutal and that is something we will struggle with for the rest of our lives. The section of road where they died is notorious for crime but is a toll road and they probably felt safe enough. They were fluent in Spanish and were experienced travellers who felt comfortable in almost any surroundings. They were killed by men posing as police officers. I can only imagine they felt they were targets for bribery. They have paid bribes to police in several countries and they quite often expect it. We became aware of their disappearance and through the assistance of the boys girlfriends, the car with the boys remains were found. We were informed of this on 28th November.
We were visited by the Australian Federal Police on 1st December and the investigation into the boys deaths started. DNA samples were taken for comparison. The Australian Federal Police came back twice more on the 2nd and 3rd. Both sets of parents then travelled to the USA on the night of the 3rd December and then onto Mexico.
Whilst in the USA we were under the care of the AFP in Los Angeles and Australian Consular Officials. When we were in Los Angeles we were informed that individuals had been arrested in relation to the boys deaths.
We tried to contact our families in Australia but it was already in news stories there and some family members had already seen it.
We flew the next day to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico and were under the guidance of DFAT officials in Mexico City. We were determined not to leave Mexico without knowing that our sons were on their way back to Australia. This was problematic due to the identification being hard to establish due to the brutality of the assault.
After five days we moved to Sayulita which is a surfing community and more in keeping with what our sons enjoyed.
After two weeks the identification of the boys was complete and the suspects were charged with murder.
The repatriation process of the boys bodies was started and we could plan our trip home. We arrived home on the 29th December and Adam arrived on the 1st January 2016.
Throughout this ordeal we have been treated with the utmost respect and kindness by almost everyone we have come into contact with. We would like to thank the Australian Federal Police and the forensic team that came to our house. They are such a professional group and we always felt we were in good hands. Special thanks to Zoe Kyte of the Australian Federal Police who was constantly on the case and took great care of us.
We would like to thank the WA coroners office for taking carriage of the case and putting our minds at ease.
We would like to thank all Australian Consular Officials in Canberra, Los Angeles and Mexico City. They were always available to talk to us and were very professional in all aspects of the job.
We would like to thank Virgin Airlines for the care and privacy they afforded us at the worst time of our lives. The staff were beautiful and very sincere.
We would like to thank the Mexican government who helped to resolve this dreadful situation and aided us to get our children home.
They were very cooperative and never shied away from the horror of this incident. We understand that they are trying hard to make Mexico safe and although we were gutted by this incident we have an affection for Mexico and it's people. We were constantly asked for forgiveness by individuals who had nothing to do with this crime. We know it was five people who were responsible for Adam's death and we bear no grudge against anybody else. We will visit Mexico in the future as tourists and not grieving parents.
We would like to thank Storm and Courtney Richardson for their help and especially the Hasburgh family of Patrick, Cheri, Jensen and Wheeler. They took us under their wings and made us part of their family. They would not let us be alone on Christmas Day and we are forever thankful for their friendship.
Lastly we would like to thank over a thousand people who gave their money so we could travel to Mexico and bring our sons home. The boys employer in Canada, GS Holdings gave us $8000. It is very humbling when people help you in this circumstance. It shows us that the world is overwhelmingly good.
We don't want people to remember Adam as a victim of crime, but as a World citizen who loved life and everyone he met.
Sincerely
Zena and Andrew Cattermole
Overall, I believe it is necessary for us to have an absolutely creative approach to the new structure of our economy over the next 20 or 30 years—
and not to assume that we must necessarily be a totally tributary economy of overseas economies. It is necessary for us to look at our own skills. We have in Australia the necessary skills to look at the problem with creativity and imagination. I certainly do not accept that overseas is best. I have worked in places overseas where people did not have anywhere overseas to look and they had to sit down and do things themselves. This is something that some of our best people have done. It is something that nationally more of us should do. Certainly in what is a world problem of youth unemployment and unemployment on a general scale we should have an Australianmade solution which may well lead the world.
Since I have been in parliament, I have had to become more concerned with the shift that needed to be brought about in Australia from an essentially inward looking and somewhat protectionist society into a liberal market economy—
that was capable of standing in the world as an equal with anybody else.
Over this period it has worried me that I have been characterised as being solely concerned with economic issues, but I have only ever regarded these economic issues as a means to achieving social outcomes.
When I first came into parliament both parties were essentially protectionist, both supporting the classic, original Deakin labour movement compact of the early 1900s—which was a great social compact but it had become outdated. To us it was a question of how soon that would be understood and how soon the parties would be shifted away from that. Both parties have now moved away from it—both major political groupings—in quite a dramatic way. This change has been tremendous. We did not get much understanding or support from the Labor Party in those early days. I think Peter Walsh, John Kerin and John Button were three who were very sympathetic but, fortunately, when the Labor government came into office a band of people seemed to become converted to the necessity of moving Australia into a more competitive mode. A lot has been done.
It has been very frustrating to be in opposition during this period. It has been good to welcome changes as they have occurred. The big single change that still has to occur is in the labour market. Until we have freedom of contract in the labour market, until we break the monopoly position of the unions with coverage assured by somebody else on their behalf, we have not got to the heart of the matter.
That further proceedings be conducted in the House.
Even now when I'm grinding out the kilometres in Canberra, I often rely on something John Bannon once confided about distance training. He said when your body wants to stop, you can always go a bit further, and you will be glad you made that choice.
We failed because we looked in the wrong places and we didn't look high enough. The search involved one of the largest deployments of volunteer and professional rescue staff that Australia has ever known.
By 2030—
the number of professional firefighters in WA will need to more than double to meet the increasing risk of bushfires.
Some of Western Australia’s most fire-prone regions may become unlivable as the risks to lives and property caused by bushfires continue to increase.
That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.
What sum did the Minister's department spend in 2014-15 on:
(a) office refurbishment, and when and where did this occur; and
(b) the purchase and/or lease of office furniture.
(a) The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) refurbished the Derby Regional Office, 37 Rowan Street, Derby to the value of $542,065.
(b) PM&C purchased 129 ergonomic sit-to-stand desks at an approximate cost of $800 per desk.
How many doctors currently hold a Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa or other temporary work visa.
On 30 September 2015, there were 4,436 doctors in Australia and holding Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visas or other temporary work visas. See table below for breakdown of visa classes.
Temporary work primary visa holders in Australia at 30 September 2015 where the nominated occupation was Medical Practitioner (ANZSCO Minor Group 253) - by length of time the person held temporary work primary visa
Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection, 2015 (BE9004.02)
Note 1: The length of time (days) is based on the period between the visa grant and the snapshot (30/09/2015). The length of time Includes where the person was in Australia or outside Australia. Where a person held more than one temporary work primary visa previously, the total length of time the person held on each visa is included.
Note 2: For subclass 457, the nominated occupation has been used. For other visa subclasses nominated occupation has been used where recorded otherwise the visa holders normal occupation.
Note 3: Subclass 400 visa was introduced on 23 March 2013. Subclass 403 visa was introduced on 25 November 2012.
In 2014-15, how many Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa or other temporary work visas were granted to doctors.
In 2014-15 there were 2,610 Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visas or other temporary work visas granted to doctors. See table below for breakdown across visa subclasses.
Temporary work primary applications granted in 2014-15 where the nominated occupation was Medical Practitioner (ANZSCO Minor Group 253) - comparison with previous years
Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection, 2015 (BE9004.01)
Note 1: For subclass 457, the nominated occupation has been used. For other visa subclasses nominated occupation has been used where recorded otherwise the visa holders normal occupation.
Note 2: Subclass 400 visa was introduced on 23 March 2013. Subclass 401 visa and 403 visa was introduced on 25 November 2012.
How many nurses and midwives currently hold a Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa or other temporary work visa, and how many are from each of the top three source countries.
As at 30 September 2015 there were 2,433 nurses and midwives in Australia holding Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visas or other temporary work visas. The top three source countries were United Kingdom with 705 visa holders, India with 522 visa holders and the Philippines with 449 visa holders. Please see the tables below for further detail.
Temporary work primary visa holders in Australia at 30 September 2015 where the nominated occupation was Midwifery and Nursing Professionals (ANZSCO Minor Group 254) - comparison with same date in previous years
Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection, 2015 (BE9004.03)
Note 1: For subclass 457, the nominated occupation has been used. For other visa subclasses nominated occupation has been used where recorded otherwise the visa holders normal occupation.
Temporary work primary visa holders in Australia at 30 September 2015 where the nominated occupation was Midwifery and Nursing Professionals (ANZSCO Minor Group 254) - top 3 citizenship countries
Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection, 2015 (BE8855.06)
Note 1: For subclass 457, the nominated occupation has been used. For other visa subclasses nominated occupation has been used where recorded otherwise the visa holders normal occupation.
In respect of the answer to (a) question in writing No. 1433 (House Hansard, 21 October 2015, pages 157 to 158), and (b) Senate question on notice No. 869 (8 October 2015), can the Minister explain the difference in cost of catering and hospitality for the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Welcome Function at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria.
The response to question in writing No. 1433 did not include all items of expenditure for the 2014 G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting's welcome function due to an administrative error. When completing the answer, the search was limited to expenditure entered into the Departments financial system under the code for hospitality costs and did not include expenditure entered under the code for catering.
The total expenditure on catering, hospitality and other associated costs at the welcome function was $26,074.88 (excluding GST). This includes payments made to multiple suppliers. A revised response to question in writing No. 1433 has been provided.
The Department has revised the preparation and clearance processes for queries relating to specific categories of expenditure.
Were there any instances of fraud or theft detected by the department from
(a) internal sources, or
(b) external sources, that resulted in a cost to the department in 2014-15; if so,
(i) what fraud or theft took place,
(ii) when did the fraud or theft take place,
(iii) what was the cost to the department of this fraud or theft, and
(iv) what is being done to prevent the fraud or theft occurring again.
(A) Alleged Internal Incidents 2014-15
(i) There were 166 alleged internal incidents in 2014-15. Please note that a single case may be recorded across more than one category.
Alleged Internal Incidents 2014-15
Items which were unable to be determined were allegations in which gaining a benefit was recorded; however, the details of the actual benefit are unclear.
(ii) Providing that level of detail would be an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
(iii) The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) does not currently record the cost of internal fraud losses.
(iv) DIBP has strong internal reporting and investigation capacity. All staff are required to participate in compulsory anti-fraud training and are subject to a mandatory reporting framework. The DIBP Integrity, Security and Assurance Division is responsible for fraud prevention and investigation, internal audit and education.
The Department has recently enhanced its Fraud and Corruption Risk Assessment process, taking a detailed and nuanced approach to examining risks across its operations. The Department has also commenced the implementation of its Fraud Control and Anti-Corruption Plan 2015-17 which includes a range of strategies to further enhance and codify its mature approach to managing fraud and corruption risk.
(B) Alleged External Incidents 2014-15
(i ) There are 55,201 alleged external fraud incidents in 2014-15. Please note that a single case may be recorded across more than one category.
(ii) Providing that level of detail would be an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources
(iii) DIBP does not currently record external fraud losses. However, external cost recovery was $49,476.88 in 2014-15
(iv) DIBP has extensive investigative capacity through a specialised division. A dob-in line is available for external parties to report fraud and all incidents are assessed and investigated where possible/appropriate. Education campaigns and the role of registered migration agents also assist to reduce the risks of external fraud.
Were there any instances of fraud or theft detected by the department from (a) internal sources, or (b) external sources, that resulted in a cost to the department in 2014-15; if so, (i) what fraud or theft took place, (ii) when did the fraud or theft take place, (iii) what was the cost to the department of this fraud or theft, and (iv) what is being done to prevent the fraud or theft occurring again.
During 2014–15 the Department of Employment had 10 matters relating to allegations associated with the Employment programs and five matters of allegations associated with Workplace Relations programs, either in the process of investigation or before court. Over this period there were also two matters of allegations against parties internal to the department either in the process of investigation or before court.
Due to the legal nature of investigation processes, the Department of Employment is unable to disclose details of active fraud and/or theft investigations during 2014–15 beyond the aggregate numbers list above.
The department routinely updates its fraud control framework to adapt to actual fraud events.
Were there any instances of fraud or theft detected by the department from (a) internal sources, or (b) external sources, that resulted in a cost to the department in 2014-15; if so,
(i) what fraud or theft took place, (ii) when did the fraud or theft take place, (iii) what was the cost to the department of this fraud or theft, and (iv) what is being done to prevent the fraud or theft occurring again.
(a) and (b) The Department of Social Services created incident reports for a total of 93 referrals, alleging fraud or non-compliance over the 2014-2015 financial year. Of these,
six related to allegations of an internal nature, while the remaining 87 related to external allegations.
(i), (ii), and (iii) After assessment one internal investigation case and 32 external cases were created and a number of these investigations remain ongoing. To date the following matters have been substantiated as fraud and have resulted in briefs of evidence being referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP):
Note: The above does not include ongoing matters that transferred from DSS as part of recent Machinery of Government changes.
(iv) In accordance with the DSS Fraud and Anti-Corruption Plan, the department has a number of fraud control strategies in place.
Fraud Awareness Training sessions are delivered to staff across the department and DSS intelligence and investigation staff are appropriately qualified.
DSS maintains a fraud reporting hotline that is published on the DSS internet site. An internal and external departmental email address is available on both the external DSS internet site and the internal DSS intranet site. Matters may also be referred through the Department's Public Interest Disclosures procedure. Upon receipt, all allegations undergo a process of assessment and prioritisation to determine appropriate future action.
Were there any instances of fraud or theft detected by the department from (a) internal sources, or (b) external sources, that resulted in a cost to the department in 2014-15; if so, (i) what fraud or theft took place, (ii) when did the fraud or theft take place, (iii) what was the cost to the department of this fraud or theft, and (iv) what is being done to prevent the fraud or theft occurring again.
During the 2014-15 financial year, the Department of Human Services (the department) commenced 3,967 investigations into potential fraud matters. Of these:
a) 477 related to potential unauthorised access to information by staff members of the department;
b) 123 related to potential internal fraud committed by current or former staff members of the department; and
c) 3,367 relate to potential external fraud.
The collection of information needed to answer parts (i), (ii) and (iii) of this question would require an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
However, the department reports annually to the Australian Institute of Criminology on the types of fraud offences investigated. This report is divided into four fraud categories:
The below table details the number of internal investigations commenced during the 2014-15 financial year against each category, and the estimated dollar value involved.
* a dollar value is unable to be placed on the misuse of information.
The below table details the number of external fraud investigations commenced during the 2014-15 financial year against each category, and the estimated dollar value involved.
The department actively pursues the recovery of any money, property or information lost through fraud. When appropriate, fraud incidents may be referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution for prosecution consideration.
The department's fraud control strategy involves prevention, detection, and response measures.
The department conducts fraud risk assessments annually, to identify, analyse and evaluate fraud risks. This process enables the department to identify emerging risks, and develop treatments to mitigate them.
Were there any instances of fraud or theft detected by the department from (a) internal sources, or (b) external sources, that resulted in a cost to the department in 2014-15; if so, (i) what fraud or theft took place, (ii) when did the fraud or theft take place, (iii) what was the cost to the department of this fraud or theft, and (iv) what is being done to prevent the fraud or theft occurring again.
The department does not discuss matters that may be the subject of an investigation, as to do so may prejudice any investigations or subsequent legal proceedings, or unfairly affect the commercial or personal reputation of an organisation or individual.
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
The Department does not record travel data in a way that would readily allow figures to be obtained for taxis. Charges for taxis, Comcar and parking are currently charged to one account. To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
10 November 2015:
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
The total cost of taxi services in 2014-15 was $362,982. This cost related to staff utilising taxi services for official business. To attempt to provide an itemised account of these costs, would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
Information on DFAT expenditure on taxis is not separately recorded. It would entail significant diversion of resources to collate this expenditure and to break it down into business groups. In the circumstances, I do not consider that additional work can be justified.
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
Taxi service expenditure for 2014-15 is as follows:
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
The department and agencies are unable to provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014–15 as the provision of this information would entail a substantial diversion of resources.
Total expenditure for taxi services by the department and agencies in 2014–15 was:
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
Taxi costs for portfolio officials including ongoing and non-ongoing staff, consultants and contractors for financial year 2014-15, are as follows:
Portfolio staff taxi costs
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
The table below compares taxi service expenditure (GST inclusive) for relevant portfolio entities from 2012-13 through to and including 2014-15.
Travel by taxi was undertaken by officials to conduct official business. It is not possible to itemise taxi expenditure as information on each trip is not collected by corporate credit card providers used within the Portfolio.
Taxi Expenditure by Portfolio Entity 2012/13 to 2014/15
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15:
The table below provides a summary of each department/agency's spend on taxi services in 2014-15. Providing a more detailed report on taxi services expenditure would involve an unreasonable diversion of resources which the Department of Health is not currently in a position to undertake.
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
The spend on taxis, for 2014-2015, by the department and agency is shown in the following tables. The figures provided do not include expenditure on taxis for veterans under the repatriation transport program or for health services for veterans.
The breakdown by business group for the Department of Veterans ' Affairs was:
The breakdown by business group for the Australian War Memorial was:
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15
For the financial year 2014–15, the Department of Employment and portfolio agencies expended $843,274.69 on taxi services inclusive of GST. This excludes Comcare and Safe Work Australia which cannot separately identify taxi service costs from other related costs.
To provide an itemised account of taxi service expenditure would require an unreasonable diversion of resources.
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
The Department's expenditure on taxis was $722,801 (GST exclusive) in the
2014-15 financial year.
It is not possible to provide an itemised account of taxi service expenditure without significant diversion of Departmental resources.
Can the Minister provide an itemised account of departmental and agency taxi service expenditure for 2014-15.
The Department of Human Services spent $2.75 million on taxi services in 2014-15. Further disaggregation would require an unreasonable diversion of resources.
For the financial year 2014-15, the Department of Education and Training expended $247,170.13
To provide an itemised account would require an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
Detailed information related to official hospitality for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 has been provided in responses to previous Questions on Notice from the October 2014 Supplementary Budget Estimates Question No. 141, from the February 2015 Additional Estimates Question No. 166, and from the House of Representatives question in writing 1430. In the rare case that entertainment costs are incurred by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the costs may not be recorded separately from official hospitality.
The Department is unable to provide details on the cost breakdown for meals, drinks and other costs without an unreasonable diversion of Departmental resources.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
The department does not record data in a way that is possible to extract this information without an unreasonable diversion of resources.
Airservices Australia
Under the Airservices drug and alcohol management policy (DAMP), employees are not permitted to purchase or consume alcohol prior to or while working. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased at sponsored after-work dinners and functions with prior approval from a one over one delegate. Airservices does not record data in a way that would readily allow answers to be provided to this question. To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of resources.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority does not record data in a way that it is possible to extrapolate the information to answer the question.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau does not record data in a way that is possible to extract this information without an unreasonable diversion of resources.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
For 2014-2015 CASA spent $5,920 on the supply of alcoholic beverages for networking functions with staff and industry.
National Capital Authority
The NCA spent a total of $218 on alcoholic beverages in the financial year 2014-2015. The alcohol was purchased at associated business lunches.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
Given that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consists of a headquarters in Canberra, State and Territory Offices and an extensive network of overseas posts, determining how much was spent on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
Department of Agriculture
The spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014–15 was approximately $23,819. In addition there were three events at which alcohol was included in the total cost of the event package.
The purpose of the spend was for workshops, conferences, formal dinners and lunches.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)
Specific details of alcohol purchases are not recorded in AFMA's finance system.
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
The spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014–15 was $537 for an advisory board dinner and forum.
Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA)
The wines used at AGWA's marketing events are normally provided by the brand owners or distributors. Sometimes AGWA purchases wine for public relations purposes. Examples include: Masterclasses attached to major events when wines not available in the market are required; provision of wine samples to journalists; provision of wine for events that AGWA is participating in (for example, promotional events run by Tourism Australia in various markets). Wine is also purchased for staff education sessions run regularly by AGWA, given that knowledge of the wine industry is a requirement for a majority of its staff.
Cotton Research and Development Corporation
The spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014–15 was $1,534 for board and panel meeting dinners, project steering meetings and official functions.
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
FRDC is unable to provide this level of detail and it would require an unreasonable allocation of resources to answer. FRDC charge this type of item to various codes applicable to the event or project and not specifically listing alcohol.
Grains Research and Development Corporation
The spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014–15 was $3 138 for a Christmas function and planning meetings.
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
The spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014–15 was $13,195 (includes some soft drink) for board meetings, lunches, dinners, workshops, meeting and official functions.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister’s portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
1. The portfolio's financial systems do not capture detail down to this level.
2. Within the portfolio, the provision of alcohol was permitted at official hospitality events hosted by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) or the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS).
Where alcohol was purchased for the purpose of official hospitality, approval was required from:
At each agency, approval was subject to the requirements outlined in the respective Drug and Alcohol Policies and Accountable Authority Instructions.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Australian War Memorial's financial management information systems do not separately record the modest spend on alcohol for some official functions. To retrieve and review source documentation would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
Department of Social Services
The Department's finance records reported $13,072 expenditure for official hospitality where alcohol was included for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015.
This expenditure includes alcohol, non-alcohol beverages, food and other costs. The level of detailed information requested is not readily available in the Department's finance system.
With respect to expenditure on the supply of alcoholic beverages by portfolio agencies for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reported $5,957 spent on its annual conference 30 July—1 August 2014. This amount includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The breakdown of expenditure of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is not available.
There was no supply of alcoholic beverages by other agencies.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
The Department of Human Services (the department) does not maintain a central database of this information. It would require an unreasonable diversion of resources to provide information regarding the spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages and the purpose for which it was purchased in 2014-15.
The purchase of alcoholic beverages is not permitted under the department's financial rules unless written approval has been provided by a Deputy Secretary or the Secretary.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014–15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
For the financial year 2014–15, the department and agencies within the Education and Training portfolio spent the following amount on alcoholic beverages.
*Includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The purposes included hosting functions, meetings, workshops, conferences and other events.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
No expenditure was incurred on replenishing a drinks cabinet in 2014-15. The Minister for Indigenous Affairs does not have a drinks cabinet. Any hospitality provided by the Minister is in accordance with the Ministers of State Entitlements Handbook .
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
There was no expenditure on replenishing a drinks cabinet in 2014-15. The Minister for Women does not have a drinks cabinet. Any hospitality provided by the Minister is in accordance with the Ministers of State Entitlements Handbook .
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
In 2014-15 the Department of Finance, through home department support for its portfolio Ministers, did not spend any money to replenish the Minister's drinks cabinet.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister’s drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
The Department spent no money replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
No departmental resources have been used as the Minister does not maintain a drinks cabinet.
10 November 2015:
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
The Minister for Cities and the Built Environment was appointed on 21 September 2015 and therefore the question is not applicable for the 2014-15 financial year.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
10 November 2015.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil.
What sum was spent on replenishing the Minister's drinks cabinet in 2014-15, on what date were such purchases made, and what was purchased.
Nil
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to:
(a) date of use;
(b) call or data type;
(c) location of use;
(d) length or size of the call or download; and
(e) cost per call or data download.
The Department does not record telephony data in a way that enables such data to be identified for international travel. To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to:
(a) date of use;
(b) call or data type;
(c) location of use;
(d) length or size of the call or download; and
(e) cost per call or data download.
The Department does not record telephony data in a way that enables such data to be identified for international travel. To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use; (b) call or data type; (c) location of use; (d) length or size of the call or download; and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department does not record telephony data in a way that enables such data to be identified for international travel. To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department only has hardcopy user reports for the subject period. Manually compiling the requested information would require unreasonable diversion of resources. The Department is currently moving to an electronic system that will enable the Department to answer future (non-retrospective) requests of this nature.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
Ministerial staff are instructed to minimise global roaming costs by connecting their mobile devices to secure Wifi networks. There are situations, however, where such an option is not available and staff may incur global roaming costs. Providing a detailed itemized costs incurred by all ministerial staff would require a significant and unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
Departmental staff use telecommunication devices extensively to prosecute Australia's interests overseas. To provide the requested level of detail would entail a significant and unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The ministerial appointment of Minister for Tourism and International Education was created on 21 September 2015.
The Department of Education and Training has not tracked global roaming costs for ministerial staff, as to do so would be considered an unreasonable diversion of resources and costs.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
(a) to (e) The Department does not keep records associated with these costs incurred to the level of detail outlined in the question. To provide this information would be an unreasonable diversion of the department's resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
To provide this level of detail would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to
(a) date of use,
(b) call or data type,
(c) location of use,
(d) length or size of the call or download, and
(e) cost per call or data download.
The structure of the Department's telecommunications plan does not provide for itemised billing of individual services. As such, providing the level of detail requested would be an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
To respond to this question would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
To respond to this question would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department of Health is unable to provide this level of detail as the considerable work involved would require a significant diversion of resources.
I can advise that the Department has two mobile services providers. Optus and Telstra and the current global roaming billing information is provided as follows:
Global Roaming Costs for Ministerial Staff
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
DVA telecommunication services were recently transitioned to DHS through a contractual arrangement with Telstra and the Department only has access to six months' worth of data. This is not readily available, and would be an unreasonable diversion of resources to extract the information.
10 November 2015.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department does not maintain records relating to international mobile roaming in a way that would readily allow the identification of costs, date of use, location of use, length of calls or data download size.
To attempt to provide this level of detail from 8 September 2013 would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department does not maintain records relating to international mobile roaming in a way that would readily allow the identification of costs, date of use, location of use, length of calls or data download size.
To attempt to provide this level of detail from 8 September 2013 would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The answer to this question would require an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department of Education and Training has not tracked global roaming costs for ministerial staff, as to do so would be considered an unreasonable diversion of resources and costs.
In respect of global roaming costs for Ministerial staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The ministerial appointment of Minister for Vocational Education and Skills was created on 21 September 2015.
The Department of Education and Training has not tracked global roaming costs for ministerial staff, as to do so would be considered an unreasonable diversion of resources and costs.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to:
(a) date of use;
(b) call or data type;
(c) location of use;
(d) length or size of the call or download; and
(e) cost per call or data download.
The Department does not record telephony data in a way that enables such data to be identified for international travel. To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
10 November 2015:
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department only has hardcopy user reports for the subject period. Manually compiling the requested information would require unreasonable diversion of resources. The Department is currently moving to an electronic system that will enable the Department to answer future (non-retrospective) requests of this nature.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
All departmental and agency staff are given a guide sheet on how to minimise global roaming costs by connecting their mobile devices to secure Wifi networks. Providing a list of detailed itemised costs incurred by all departmental and agency staff would require a significant and unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to
(a) date of use,
(b) call or data type,
(c) location of use,
(d) length or size of the call or download, and
(e) cost per call or data download.
Based on a preliminary analysis the Immigration and Border Protection portfolio estimates that a response to this question would involve the analysis of approximately 720,000 transactions. This would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
To respond to this question would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department of Health is unable to provide this level of detail as the considerable work involved would require a significant diversion of resources.
I can advise that the Department has two mobile services providers. Optus and Telstra and the current global roaming billing information is provided as follows:
Global Roaming Costs for Departmental and Agency Staff
Please note that the Department of Health does not administer mobile services for all agencies within the Health portfolio. As a result, the above table only includes billing information for the following:
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
DVA telecommunication services were recently transitioned to DHS through a contractual arrangement with Telstra and the Department only has access to six months' worth of data. This is not readily available, and would be an unreasonable diversion of resources to extract the information.
The Australian War Memorial's financial system does not separately record international roaming costs associated with official international travel, and to extract the information from original source documentation would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department does not maintain records relating to international mobile roaming in a way that would readily allow the identification of: costs; date of use; location of use; length of calls or data download size.
To attempt to provide this level of detail since 8 September 2013 would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but no limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The answer to this question would require an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of global roaming costs for departmental and agency staff on information and communications technology devices since 8 September 2013, and can the Minister provide an itemised list of costs incurred, including but not limited to (a) date of use, (b) call or data type, (c) location of use, (d) length or size of the call or download, and (e) cost per call or data download.
The Department of Education and Training and portfolio agencies do not track global roaming costs for departmental or agency staff, as to do so would be considered an unreasonable diversion of resources and costs.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15:
(a) what total sum was spent;
(b) what functions were these hires for; and
(c) on what dates were these functions held.
The Department only separately records costs associated with major venue hire. Costs associated with hosting other routine events are not disaggregated between cost categories (for example - venue hire, audio visual equipment, business catering and etc.) nor recorded separately in the finance system.
For the 2014-15 financial year, all major venue hire was in relation to the G20 Summit. Detailed information related to G20 Summit venue hire costs has been provided in response to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Additional Estimates 23-27 February 2015 - Question on Notice PM218.
For all other events, the total amount spent, details of the function and the dates of these functions cannot be provided without an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15:
(a) what total sum was spent;
(b) what functions were these hires for; and
(c) on what dates were these functions held.
The Department has provided a response for the agency's venue hire costs under question in writing No. 1940.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
Departmental venue hire in 2014-15:
a) For 2014-15, the total amount spent by the Department on venue hire was $1,758,668 for conferences and meetings, functions and training. Comparatively, under the previous Labor government, $1,927,164 was spent for conferences and meetings, functions and training in 2012-2013.
b) Details of specific events are maintained on individual files across the Department's domestic and overseas network. To provide these details would entail a significant diversion of resources and, in these circumstances, I do not consider the additional work can be justified.
c) Refer to (b)
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
Departmental venue hire in 2014-15:
a) For 2014-15, the total amount spent by the Department on venue hire was $1,758,668 for conferences and meetings, functions and training.
b) Details of specific events are maintained on individual files across the Department's domestic and overseas network. To provide these details would entail a significant diversion of resources and, in these circumstances, I do not consider the additional work can be justified.
c) Refer to (b)
Agency venue hire in 2014-15:
a) Austrade's accounting systems do not record individual venue hires, and to collect this level of detail would entail a significant diversion of resources and, in these circumstances, it is not considered that this work can be justified. In 2014–15, Austrade spent $1.546 million in total on training, seminars, workshops and conferences (including any associated venue hire costs) and $1.001 million on rental of showroom space and premises for trade promotion activities.
b) Refer (a) above.
c) Refer (a) above.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014 –15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
In response to part (a) of the question, the total amount spent by the portfolio in 2014–15 was $1,003,156.19 (GST exclusive). The details are shown in the table below:
In response to part (b) and (c) of the question, to provide itemised details of each function held across the portfolio in 2014–15 would require an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
The department's and each portfolio agency's venue hire spend, the functions and dates the functions were held is at Attachment A.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1956 – VENUE HIRE BY THE DEPARTMENT AND PORFOLIO AGENCIES
Department of Agriculture:
The department had a number of functions which were quoted to include venue hire, catering and other expenses. The total cost of the venue hire component is not able to be specifically identified.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority Total - $17,412.65
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority - Total - $11,783
Cotton Research and Development Corporation - Total $13,986.44
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
FRDC is unable to provide this level of detail and it would require an unreasonable allocation of resources to answer. FRDC charge these types of items to various codes applicable for the event or project and not specifically listing them as 'food' or 'venue hire' etc.
The FRDC works within board approved budgets.
Australian Grape and Wine Authority – Total $450,857
Grains Research and Development Corporation - Total - $1,063.64
Murray Darling Basin Authority – Total $50,467
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority is unable to provide a detailed list of each instance of venue hire and the provision of this information would entail a substantial diversion of resources. However, there were 110 instances of venue hire for committee meetings, community and stakeholder engagement activities across the Murray-Darling Basin, workshops, conferences, planning days and MDBA staff training. The total spend on venue hire in 2014–15 was $50,467.
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation - Total $4,491
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
Expenditure on venue hire is included in the total cost of hospitality/entertainment expenditure and there is no reporting split between meals, drinks, hospitality staff and other costs. Please refer to Parliamentary Question on notice 1440 for the total hospitality/entertainment costs for the department for the 2014-15 financial year.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15,
(a) what total sum was spent,
(b) what functions were these hires for, and
(c) on what dates were these functions held.
The Immigration and Border Protection portfolio does not readily identify venue hire within the Financial Management Information System (FMIS). To identify these transactions would require a manual examination of a vast number of invoices that could potentially include venue hire costs. This would be an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
Department of the Environment
(a) Venue hire procurements of $10,000 or more are published on AusTender, including a description of the functions, dates and value.
(b) and ( c) The Department does not maintain a register specifically for the recording of venue hire arrangements. To collate this data would be an unreasonable reallocation of departmental resources.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency
(a) $8,364.29 (GST inclusive).
(b) and (c) The purpose and date(s) of functions is detailed in the following table.
Bureau of Meteorology
(a) $12,398.75 (GST inclusive).
(b) and (c) The purpose and date(s) of functions is detailed in the following table.
Clean Energy Finance Corporation
(a) Nil.
(b) and (c) Not applicable
Clean Energy Regulator
(a) $102,405 (GST inclusive).
(b) and (c) The purpose and date(s) of functions is detailed in the following table.
Climate Change Authority
(a) $2,439.66 (GST inclusive).
(b) and (c) The purpose and date(s) of functions is detailed in the following table.
Director of National Parks
(a) $27,663.16 (GST inclusive).
(b) and (c) The purpose and date(s) of functions is detailed in the following table.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
(a) 10,877.68 (GST inclusive).
(b) and (c) The purpose and date(s) of functions is detailed in the following table.
National Water Commission
(a) Nil.
(b) and (c) Not applicable.
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (the Trust)
(a) Nil.
(b) and (c) Not applicable.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
This question was also asked of the Minister for the Environment: House of Representatives Question Number 1960. In respect of the Department of the Environment and agency venue hire in 2014-15, please refer to that response.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
During 2014-15, the Department of Veterans' Affairs spent $84,535 on venue hire. Venues are hired for a range of functions. These are generally in relation to forums and events involving Ex-service Organisations and forums involving staff learning and development.
Detailed information relating to the purpose of hire and dates of functions is not readily available. The time and effort to accurately provide this information would be too resource intensive and an unreasonable diversion of resources.
During 2014-15 the Australian War Memorial hired two venues:
(1) function room required to meet the Roll of Honour (ROH) family members prior to the ROH ceremony. Date of function—10 November 2014; cost—$177.27.
(2) meeting room required for business planning and staff development purposes. Date of function—28 November 2014; cost – $124.36.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
The details sought about venue hire are not captured as a separate item within the Department's financial management system. As such, the Department is not in a position to readily provide the information requested.
To attempt to provide this level of detail would be an unreasonable diversion of Department resources.
10 November 2015.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
The details sought about venue hire are not captured as a separate item within the Department's financial management system. As such, the Department is not in a position to readily provide the information requested.
To attempt to provide this level of detail would be an unreasonable diversion of Department resources.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
The Department of Employment expended $820,705 on venue hire in over 200 transactions, which would exclude instances of venue hire in a broader package of services and recorded in the financial system under another other service description. The details of each function are not held in the financial system, and so to provide the purpose and date for each function would require manual examination of individual invoices and be an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources.
The portfolio agencies provided the following information:
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency expended $761 in venue hire in 2014–15 for a Strategic Planning Workshop held on 17 June 2015.
Safe Work Australia expended $4,217 in venue hire in 2014–15. The expenditure relates to the following events and dates:
The Fair Work Building and Construction had no expenditure on venue hire in 2014–15.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency spent $146,130.91 on venue hire in 2014–15. The expenditure relates to the following events and dates:
Comcare and the Fair Work Commission advised to identify and calculate these costs for 2014–15 would be an unreasonable diversion of agency resources.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
Department of Social Services
In respect of the Department's venue hire expenditure for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, the total sum spent was $425,841.
The venues were hired for various reasons including stakeholder forums, conferences and training seminars.
The level of detailed venue hire information requested is not readily available in the Department's finance system. to collect this information would require a significant diversion of resources.
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
The total sum spent by the AIFS on venue hire in 2014-15 was $57,270. The expenditure was largely for the 13th annual AIFS Conference, 30 July- 1 August 2014.
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
The total sum spent by the NDIA on venue hire in 2014-15 was $128,341.
The venues were hired for various NDIA functions such as forums, expos and industry briefings.
The compilation of specific venue hire details would be an unreasonable diversion of resources due to the number of events that occurred during 2014-15 to support the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
In respect of the departmental and agency venue hire in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) what functions were these hires for, and (c) on what dates were these functions held.
(a) The Department of Human Services (the department) spent $0.64 million on venue hire in 2014-15. This includes the cost of delivering financial information seminars to the public and CRS Australia customer meetings in a range of locations around the country. This figure includes catering costs in some situations, for example where venue hire and catering is part of a package. Further disaggregation of expenditure for venue hire would require an unreasonable diversion of resources.
(b) It would require an unreasonable diversion of resources to provide information on each function for which venue hire was required.
(c) It would require an unreasonable diversion of resources to provide information on what dates these functions were held.
In respect of the $15,100 tender to Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa (CN3297772) for Conference Venue Hire,
(a) which conference was this for,
(b) how many delegates attended, including
(i) Ministerial staff, and
(ii) departmental staff,
(c) what sum was allocated for
(i) accommodation,
(ii) meals, and
(iii) other allowances, and
(d) did delegates attend
(i) team building workshops, and
(ii) social events; if so, what is the total cost budgeted for these events, and what is their aim.
(a) The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) will be hosting the 12th annual meeting of the Five Country Conference (FCC), Immigration Refugee Health Working Group (IRHWG). As the current IRHWG chair, the Department will host the 2016 conference, as it is customary, at the conclusion of our chairmanship.
The IRHWG annual conference is a key forum to develop multilateral solutions to prevent the importation of diseases of public health significance, and contribute to health security more broadly. The main objective is to build better networks and enhance the efficiency, management and quality control of immigration medical processing by way of cooperation and collaboration between a consortium of government immigration and public health agencies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America.
IRHWG has made solid progress in 2015 with many key achievements including the finalisation of a tuberculosis (TB) strategy and approach to management, expanding eMedical partnership arrangements to include other FCC countries and the development of a communication and contingency plan for future global health outbreaks, which will be further discussed at the conference. The sharing of resources and collaborative biosecurity response will deliver further savings for all countries by enabling the costs of ongoing support to be shared.
(b) It is anticipated that 30 international and departmental delegates will be attending the conference.
(i) No ministerial staff will be attending the conference.
(ii) 10 departmental staff in the capacity of IRHWG members and conference organisers will be participating in various sessions.
(c) In compliance with the requirements of Division 1 of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, Lilianfels was chosen as the best value supplier, in comparison to others approached in a range of Sydney and greater Sydney locations.
The cost of $15,100 comprises a conference delegate package, room hire, data projector and associated catering costs.
(i) This cost does not include accommodation, as delegates are responsible for selecting and booking their own accommodation, as per their government procurement requirements.
(ii) This cost includes catering costs for the conference, which consists of lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
(iii) This cost does not include the travel and travel allowance costs of departmental staff who will be attending the conference or any additional unforeseen requirements that may present themselves on the day.
(d) The conference traditionally occurs at the beginning of the calendar year, marking the conclusion of chairmanship and transition to the new chair, which will be the UK in 2016.
(i) There are no team building workshops scheduled for this event.
(ii) It is customary for an informal social activity to be organised for international delegates and this traditionally occurs at the end of the conference. The social activity presents significant opportunity for developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to better facilitate future work. A free, self-guided tour will be organised to highlight the unique world heritage area of the Blue Mountains.
In respect of the $10,807.50 tender to Phillip Antonio Guajardo (CN3300237) for Iranian Delegation Transport 13 to 17 September 2015,
(a) where were delegates travelling to and from, and
(b) what is the reason for this delegation's visit.
(a) During their stay in Australia, the delegates travelled in two vehicles to and from their hotel accommodation, official site visits, and briefings in both Melbourne and Canberra, and
(b) The reason for the visit was to further strengthen practical cooperation with the Iranian Police, who are responsible for immigration and border control matters in Iran.
In respect of the $70,000.00 tender to Rydges Hotels Ltd (CN3294703) for venue hire and catering for EL1 conference,
(a) who attended the event, including
(i) Ministerial staff, and
(ii) departmental staff,
(b) what outcomes were achieved, and
(c) can the department provide an itemised budget for
(i) meals,
(ii) travel, and
(iii) other allowances.
a) Who attended the event, including
(i) Ministerial staff: No Ministerial staff attended.
(ii) departmental staff: 174 Departmental staff attended the conference: 137 EL1s and 37 EL2s.
b) What outcomes were achieved:
o National Security from a global perspective and the changes to the domestic national security architecture.
o the Department's People Strategy 2020 and the role of Executive Level leaders in achieving this transformation.
o the impact of leaders on organisational performance, team effectiveness, and increased employee motivation.
o the role of Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity and the Department's focus on integrity in shaping workplace norms, culture, expectation and performance.
o key messages from the Secretary, Commissioner and other Senior Executive Staff from the department.
c) Can the department provide an itemised budget for (i) meals, (ii) travel, and (iii) other allowances:
(i) Meals:
$34,400.00 (incl GST) Daily catering for two days: morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and soft drink
$14,400.00 (incl GST) Dinner on the first night: entrée, main meal and dessert (no drinks)
(ii) Travel: There was no travel component in the tender to Rydges Hotels Ltd.
(iii) Other allowances: There was no other allowances component in the tender to Rydges Hotel Ltd.
In respect of the $38,478.00 tender to Ethan Group (CN3300211) for 12 x Panasonic Toughpads, for what purpose was this purchase.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection provide Panasonic Toughpads as the standard tablet where a ruggedized unit is required. These units support operational activities both on vessels and in harsh environments.
A pool of Panasonic Toughpads is held to ensure that urgent requests for the provision of such devices are fulfilled in a timely manner.
In respect of the $188,938.75 tender to Staples Australia (CN3300212) for 100 x MS Surface Pro 3, for what purpose was this purchase.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection provides Microsoft Surface Pro tablets to executive and operational staff that require a mobile IT solution. The purpose of tender CN3300212 was to procure MS Surface Pro 3 tablets to prepare and have available for business requirements. The Department holds a pool of these assets in order to reduce the risk of supply issues affecting our ability to support the Departments urgent operational requirements.
In respect of social policy research conducted since 1 July 2015, will he provide an itemised account of all associated costs and the policy initiatives these are for.
Details of Department of Social Services social policy research projects initiated since 1 July 2015, including costs and the policy initiatives they are linked to are provided in the table below.
Due to recent machinery of government changes, some social policy research projects initiated in the Department of Social Services have been transferred to the Department of Health or the Department of Education and Training. These are not included in the above table.
The table is based on data publicly available in AusTender and the Department's internal Research and Evaluation database.
In respect of the $135,315.96 tender to Schiavello (CN3298470) for the provision of office furniture, (a) how many units were purchased, and (b) can her department provide an itemised account of which (i) departmental offices, and (ii) Ministerial offices, these were purchased for.
The furniture purchased was for the new Australian Consulate-General office in Phuket, Thailand.
Items purchased were:
In respect of the $34,842.50 tender to Workspace Commercial Furniture (CN2825592) for office equipment:
(a) what type of equipment was purchased;
(b) how many units were procured; and
(c) for which departmental offices was this equipment purchased.
(a) Delivery and installation of office workstations, mobile pedestal units and power and data outlets.
(b) Sixteen workstations consisting of eight stand/sit style workstations & eight hot desk workstations along with a mobile pedestal for each work station (16).
(c) PM&C premises at O'Connell Street, Sydney.
In respect of the $22,000.00 tender to Peck Von Hartel Group (CN3292388) for a prototype of a flexible workspace fit out, (a) what is the aim of this prototype, (b) what does the prototype consist of including the costs of (i) furniture, and office fixtures, and (ii) design, and (c) has his department budgeted for the final product; if so, what sum.
(a) The purpose of the work was to develop concept plans to increase workspace density, introduce a more flexible way of working while utilising the adoption of modern technology with a view to reducing the department's commercial property holdings in the longer term.
(b) (i) The department is in the concept development phase, therefore costings have not been developed.
(ii) The design cost for the initial concept was $22 000.
(c) No. The project is in the concept development phase and funding arrangements have not yet been considered.
In respect of the $15,750.00 tender to Pullman Melbourne Albert Park (CN3298634) for provision of hotel rooms, (a) what was the purpose of hire, and (b) who attended the event, (c) what outcomes were achieved, and (d) can her department provide an itemised budget for (i) meals, (ii) travel, and (iii) other allowances.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade hosted a delegation of Indonesian officials in Melbourne and Sydney from 25 October to 7 November.
The delegation consisted of officials from the Indonesian National Police, National Counter-Terrorism Agency and the Directorate General of Corrections. The overarching objective of the visit was to improve the management of terrorist prisoners in Indonesia. The delegation was accompanied by an officer from the Australian Federal Police posted to Jakarta.
The delegation participated in the International Corrections and Prison Association (ICPA) conference in Melbourne from 25-30 October. Members of the delegation attended the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) Detention and Reintegration Working Group (DRWG) plenary meeting in Sydney on 2-3 November and participated in a tailored program provided by Corrective Services NSW from 4-6 November.
With that background, answers to the specific questions posed are:
a) What was the purpose of hire?
To accommodate the Indonesian delegation to stay at the Pullman hotel during the ICPA conference.
b) Who attended the event?
Indonesian officials from the Directorate General of Corrections, Indonesian National Police and National Counter-Terrorism Agency.
c) What outcomes were achieved?
The visit strengthened our existing good cooperation with Indonesian agencies on counter-terrorism. Delegates were provided with an opportunity to interact and build relationships with colleagues from across the region and more widely. Delegates were exposed to a range of approaches to managing risk and the use of technology, particularly for use in parole and non-custodial situations. AFP arranged several demonstrations by private companies offering a range of products and systems, including intelligence coordination, products to tackle mobile telephones in prisons and monitoring bracelets for non-custodial options.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how Australia can provide ongoing support to Indonesian agencies to improve the management of terrorist prisoners.
During the visit AFP identified several principles for ongoing Australian engagement in the prisons sector, which is a key area for counter-terrorism cooperation with Indonesia.
d) Can her department provide an itemised budget?
(i) meals, per diem, incidentals and other allowances: $11,626
(ii) travel – economy return airfares: $24,000
(iii) other allowances: see (i) above.
In respect of the $4,400,000.00 tender to Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia Pty Ltd (CN3294754) for Media Buying Services, (a) what is the aim of this service, (b) to what policy area(s) does it relate, and (c) if available, can she provide an itemised list of media services procured.
As the Australian Government's master media buying and placement agency, Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia provided media placement services for the Ice Destroys Lives National Drugs Campaign.
a) The Campaign aims to raise awareness of the harms associated with ice use.
b) The National Drugs Campaign is a key education and prevention element of the National Drug Strategy 2010-15.
c) The media services included :
- Television (all networks including metropolitan, regional and subscription)
- Digital (digital display, online video, mobile, social i.e. Facebook, twitter and YouTube)
- Cinema (regional and metropolitan)
In respect of the $3,844,500.00 tender to Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia Pty Ltd (CN3292937-A1) for media services, (a) what services have been contracted, (b) to which policy(s) and/or initiative(s) do they relate, (c) what are the aims of these media services, and (d) has the Minister's department undertaken market research to complement these services; if so, can an itemised account of all costs for this research be provided.
In relation to the contract with Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia Pty Ltd for $3,844,500.00 (CN3292937-A1):
(a) The services contracted were for media planning and placement for the Parent Engagement advertising campaign.
(b) Campaign funding of $5 million (GST exclusive) was allocated for the Parent Engagement advertising campaign as announced in the 2015–16 Budget and cited in the Portfolio Budget Statement 2015–16 in Outcome 1.3: Early Learning and Schools Support — Quality Outcomes.
(c) The media placement aimed to inform parents and influencers, and ensure that they are aware of the benefits of parent engagement and the range of tools and resources available to support and assist their involvement.
(d) Developmental research undertaken by ORIMA Research informed Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia's media strategy for the Parent Engagement advertising campaign (contract amount $277,760 (incl GST) for developmental research and concept testing).
The research methodology for the developmental research included focus groups and an online survey. The total number of respondents involved was approximately 2,115 people.
Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia also utilised media consumption research data to inform the development of the strategy.
In respect of the $22,000.00 tender to the Christian Outreach Centre (CN3294657) for the provision of advertising, (a) what was the purpose of this advertising, and (b) can her department provide a digital copy of any promotional materials associated with this tender.
In respect to the funding for Christian Outreach Centre:
a) The purpose of the funding was to produce and distribute a package of materials containing safe travel messages through the Christian Outreach Centre's subsidiary 'Red Frogs Australia'.
The package of material is intended to reach:
a. School leavers ahead of overseas Schoolies celebrations, including presentation of the materials at schools across Australia and distribution at overseas Schoolies events (for example, Bali)
b. University students, including distribution of materials at orientation week events.
b) A digital copy of the schoolies material is attached. The university material has not yet been finalised.
Copies of Attachment A and B can be obtained from the House of Representatives Table Office
In respect of the $11,250.00 tender to Andrew Baker Art Dealer (CN3292341) for artwork acquisition, (a) how many artworks were purchased, (b) where will the artwork be kept, (c) what is the purpose of the purchase, (d) is it a one-off purchase, (e) is it for permanent display, and (f) can an image of the artwork be provided.
Artbank is a Federal Government program administered by the Ministry for the Arts. Artbank has two core objectives: to support living Australian artists through the acquisition of their artworks and to promote the value of Australian contemporary art to the broader community.
Three artworks by Karla Dickens were purchased: Dancing hounds (2013),Walking the dog (2013), andHowling comrade (2013). Karla Dickens is a contemporary Aboriginal artist who lives and works in Lismore, New South Wales. These three works were acquired from Dickens's highly successful solo exhibition held at Andrew Baker Art Dealer in Brisbane. These works represent high quality examples of her socially engaged and sophisticated approach to issues of contemporary Aboriginality, gender discrimination and mental health.
These artworks were purchased in the course of meeting Artbank's core objectives – supporting Australian artists through the acquisition of their artwork. The artworks acquired will be stored at one of Artbank's collection stores and will be made available for rent through Artbank's art leasing program.
This is a one off purchase.
Artbank does not display works permanently. Artbank increases broad community access to, and interest in, Australian contemporary art by renting artworks to workplaces, embassies, other public spaces and private homes. The leasing program plays an important role in promoting Australian culture and diplomacy both in Australia and in overseas embassies.
In respect of the $25,000.00 tender to Danks and Ward Pty Ltd trading as Outstation (CN3292339) for artwork acquisition, (a) how many artworks were purchased, (b) where will the artwork be kept, (c) what is the purpose of the purchase, (d) is it a one-off purchase, (e) is it for permanent display, and (f) can an image of the artwork be provided.
Artbank is a Federal Government program administered by the Ministry for the Arts. Artbank has two core objectives: to support living Australian artists through the acquisition of their artworks and to promote the value of Australian contemporary art to the broader community.
One artwork was purchased by Sonia Kurarra: Martuwarra (2015). Sonia Kurarra is a senior aboriginal painter from the river country at Yungngora (Noonkanbah). Sonia paints the sandy billabong country along the stretch of the Fitzroy River that runs directly behind the community where she lives. She is a highly regarded painter who has been exhibited extensively across Australia. This artwork was acquired from the Salon Des Refuse exhibition in Darwin - displayed alongside other artists not selected for the 2015 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prize.
This artwork was purchased in the course of meeting Artbank's core objectives – supporting Australian artists through the acquisition of their artwork. The artwork acquired will be stored at one of Artbank's collection facilities and will be made available for rent through Artbank's art leasing program.
This is a one off purchase.
Artbank does not display works permanently. Artbank increases broad community access to, and interest in, Australian contemporary art by renting artworks to workplaces, embassies, other public spaces and private homes. The leasing program plays an important role in promoting Australian culture and diplomacy both in Australia and in overseas embassies.
(1) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Government's biosecurity measures, including (a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and (b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.
(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can his department provide a copy of this research.
(3) Has his department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so, (a) when were they undertaken, and (b) what were the results.
(4) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including (a) what promotional material was procured, (b) where the material was distributed, and (c) the aim of the material.
(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
There have been no advertising and marketing campaigns for the Government's biosecurity measures however the department undertakes promotional activities to raise awareness of biosecurity requirements. Examples include signage at airports, publications and website information.
(1) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Agriculture White Paper, including (a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and (b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.
(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can his department provide a copy of this research.
(3) Has his department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so, (a) when were they undertaken, and (b) what were the results.
(4) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including (a) what promotional material was procured, (b) where was the material distributed, and (c) the aim of the material.
(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
There have been no advertising and marketing campaigns undertaken for the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. Two events were conducted to launch the White Paper, a website was developed, a brochure and a range of fact sheets were produced.
There has been $134,000 spent on developmental market research for the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper and the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia.
(1) Can your department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Primary Health Networks policy, including:
(a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and
(b) on which dates and at which times these were seen. (2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can the department provide a copy of this research. (3) Has your department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so:
(a) when were they undertaken, and
(b) what were the results. (4) Can your department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including:
(a) what promotional material was procured,
(b) where the material was distributed, and
(c) the aim of the material. (5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
(1) ( a) and (b)
A copy of the Media Booking Authority that details the costs, listed media outlets, dates and placement of the advertisements for the Primary Health Network Invitation to Apply (ITA) and associated industry briefings is attached. No marketing campaigns were undertaken in relation to the establishment of Primary Health Networks.
(2)
To reach the broadest audience and facilitate a competitive application process, the Department advertised in newspapers with high readership. No market research was undertaken to determine the audience. A Whole of Australian Government media booking agent provided advice about the proposed media outlets and advertisement placement within publications.
(3) No studies were undertaken to determine whether the advertising reached its intended audience. However, the ITA was well-subscribed, resulting in the selection and establishment of 31 PHNs.
(4) As identified in (1) and (2) above, no marketing or promotional material was developed.
(5) Sample proof copies of the advertisements for the ITA and industry briefings are attached.
Attachments A and B can be obtained from the House of Representatives Table Office.
(1) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for operations undertaken by the Australian Border Force such as Operation Sovereign Borders, including
(a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and
(b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.
(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can his department provide a copy of this research.
(3) Has his department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so,
(a) when were they undertaken, and
(b) what were the results.
(4) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including
(a) what promotional material was procured,
(b) where the material was distributed, and
(c) the aim of the material.
(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
DDP foster care program radio advertising campaign
(1) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for operations undertaken by the Australian Border Force such as Operation Sovereign Borders:
(a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and
(b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.
(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can his department provide a copy of this research.
The target audience for the DDP foster carer radio advertising campaign was Melbourne families. Market research was not commissioned prior to the campaign as target audience insights were derived from the makeup of the existing foster carer program cohort. The program is restricted to Melbourne residents as the DDP training facility is located in Melbourne.
(3) Has his department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so,
(a) when were they undertaken, and
(b) what were the results.
The Detector Dog Program reported a significant increase in foster carer family applications following the campaign.
(4) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including
(a) what promotional material was procured,
(b) where the material was distributed, and
(c) the aim of the material.
(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
One 15-second radio commercial was recorded for this campaign. The total production cost was $369.60 (GST incl). The final script is attached.
Operation Sovereign Borders – ' No Way. You will not make Australia home ' anti-people smuggling communication campaign
(1) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for operations undertaken by the Australian Border Force such as Operation Sovereign Borders:
*Note – campaign was previously managed by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service from 1 January 2014 – 30 June 2015.
(c) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and
(d) on which dates and at which times these were seen.
(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can his department provide a copy of this research.
The target audience for the anti-people smuggling communication campaign is potential illegal immigrants in key source and transit countries for people smuggling activity, and diaspora communities in Australia. The campaign is currently delivered in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia.
Determining the target audience for the campaign is based on advice from the intelligence community and overseas posts, as well current statistics and trend data from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.
(3) Has his department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so,
(a) when were they undertaken, and
(b) what were the results.
The following research has been undertaken since 1 July 2015 to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign in raising awareness among the target audience of Australian Government policies to manage maritime arrivals and to provide findings to guide the development of future campaign activity.
Anecdotal reporting from service providers, overseas posts and the intelligence community also indicates that the advertising delivered as part of the anti-people smuggling campaign is reaching its intended audience.
(4) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including
(a) what promotional material was procured,
(b) where the material was distributed, and
(c) the aim of the material.
(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
The aim of all promotional material used as part of this campaign is deter potential illegal immigrants considering illegal maritime travel as a method of arrival to Australia by raising awareness of the OSB policy.
Attachment A
Australian Border Force Detector Dog Program – foster carers
15 second advertisement
Love dogs? Enjoy getting out and about? Have a safe, secure yard? Why not apply to be a foster carer for an Australian Border Force detector dog. For up to 15 months experience the joy of raising a puppy, with all food and vet costs covered. For more information visit border dot gov dot au forward slash detector dogs.
(1) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Emissions Reduction Fund, including (a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and (b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can his department provide a copy of this research.(3) Has his department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so, (a) when were they undertaken, and (b) what were the results.(4) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including (a) what promotional material was procured, (b) where the material was distributed, and (c) the aim of the material.(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
As at 1 December 2015 there were no costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Emissions Reduction Fund.
(1) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Solar Towns policy, including (a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and (b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can his department provide a copy of this research.(3) Has his department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so, (a) when were they undertaken, and (b) what were the results.(4) Can his department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including (a) what promotional material was procured, (b) where the material was distributed, and (c) the aim of the material.(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
(1) The costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Solar Towns Programme were:
For the 2014-15 Solar Towns Programme:
The total advertising costs were $718.14 (GST inclusive)
The programme was advertised in local newspapers in the Surf Coast Shire, Victoria as follows:
For the 2015-16 Solar Towns Programme (Round 2):
The total advertising costs were $1,678.03 (GST inclusive)
The programme was advertised in local newspapers in the Cities of Playford, SA and Salisbury, South Australia as follows:
(2) The target audience for Solar Towns Programme is local Community Groups operating within one of the seven pre-selected regions in Australia. The Department advised Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia Pty Ltd that the programme was open to community organisations located in the Surf Coast Shire, VIC, the City of Playford, SA and the City of Salisbury, SA. Dentsu Mitchell Media Australia then arranged for the advertisements to be run in local newspapers within those areas.
Market research was not carried out to determine the target audience of the Solar Towns Programme.
(3) The Department has not undertaken any studies to determine whether the advertising has reached the intended audience.
(4) The Department did not incur any other costs associated with the marketing and promotional material apart from the advertisements placed in the newspapers (1).
The Department uses the Departmental website to promote and market the Solar Towns Programme. The Guidelines, Application Form and other related documents can all be viewed or downloaded from the website.
(5) Copies of the advertisements are attached at Appendix A and B.
Copies of Appendices A and B can be obtained from the House of Representatives Table Office
In respect of Clean Energy Future branded material, can he provide an itemised account of all costs associated with the disposal of this material since 8 September 2013, including but not limited to (a) uniforms, and (b) stationery, including (i) letterheads, (ii) envelopes, and (iii) stamps.
To attempt to answer this question, at even a low level of detail, would involve an unreasonable diversion of departmental resources owing to the passage of time and in particular machinery of government changes and staff movements and/or departures in that time.
In respect of Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency branded material, can he provide an itemised account of all costs associated with the disposal of this material since 8 September 2013, including but not limited to (a) uniforms, and (b) stationery, including (i) letterheads, (ii) envelopes, and (iii) stamps.
Responsibilities of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency were transferred to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism by Administrative Arrangement Order on 25 March 2013.
(1) Can the Minister's department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for higher education reforms, including (a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and (b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.(2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can the Minister's department provide a copy of this research.(3) Has the Minister's department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so, (a) when were they undertaken, and (b) what were the results.(4) Can the Minister's department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including (a) what promotional material was procured, (b) where the material was distributed, and (c) the aim of the material.(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
(1) Costs associated with the Higher Education Communication campaign were:
(a) Campaign advertising had a national footprint covering metropolitan and regional areas.
(b) The first phase of communication ran from 7 December 2014 to 20 December 2014, with a small number of press and other advertisements appearing until 31 December 2014. The second phase of communication ran from 28 January 2015 to 14 February 2015.
(2) The primary target audience for this campaign was prospective higher education students. The target audience was informed by formal market research.
The department is unable to provide a copy of the report at this time as it was tabled in a Cabinet committee and could constitute information relating to Cabinet consideration.
(3) Yes, formal market research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign.
(a) The research was undertaken progressively from 25 November 2014 to 2 March 2015.
(b) Topline findings show that:
(4) Campaign marketing and promotional material comprised a fact sheet and four online videos.
(a) The fact sheet creative costs were $5,800 (excl. GST). It is not possible to disaggregate the cost of procuring the online videos as they were part of the overall creative package of work.
(b) The materials were published online at www.highered.gov.au.
(c) The aim of the material was to inform people about the current higher education system and the Government's proposed changes. This included information about financial support through HECS, the personal benefits of a university education, new scholarships and planned improvements to the higher education system.
(5) The fact sheet and online videos are available on the highered.gov.au website.
In respect of his recent joint media release "Anti-dumping reforms to help Australian industry" (2 November 2015), what are the specifics of the 'bolstered' resources for the Anti-Dumping Commission.
The Anti- Dumping Commission within the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science was provided with additional funding of $1.0 million for an additional anti-dumping investigation team to meet increased demand for anti-dumping remedies in 2015-16. This complements the $0.6 million provided to the Commission in 2014-15 to establish the
Anti-Dumping Information Service, a market research function to provide targeted economic analysis of trends and trading behaviours across markets to provide better information earlier in the investigations process.
The Anti-Dumping Commission has used these additional resources to recruit nine additional staff to establish a fifth investigation team. In addition, three staff have been appointed to the Anti-Dumping Information Service. As a result of recruitment activity average staffing levels in the Commission have increased from 62 full time equivalents (FTE) to 75 FTE.
In respect of Australia's application to join the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, is the Agreement a public document; if not, will it be made public prior to being signed.
The WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, an existing agreement, is publicly available on the WTO website. The GPA text can be found at: https://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/rev-gpr-94_01_e.htm
Australia presented its accession offer to join the Agreement to the WTO Committee on Government Procurement on 16 September 2015. Once parties agree to Australia's accession offer, consistent with long-standing treaty-making process, Parliament will consider the agreement before it comes into force.
With women comprising around 10 per cent of the Australian population living with HIV, will the Government recognise them as a priority population in their own right in the Eighth National HIV Strategy; if not, why not.
All people living with HIV or at risk of contracting HIV are a priority for this Government.
Priority populations in the National HIV Strategies reflect Australia's epidemiological data and social context. The current National HIV Strategy 2014-2017 identifies people living with HIV, which includes both men and women, as a priority population.
Priority populations in future National Strategies will continue to be determined on the basis of epidemiological data at the time. For example, additional efforts are currently being invested into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations where the prevalence of HIV in women and its transmission through heterosexual contact requires targeted efforts in communication and education.
In respect of the SBS Annual Report 2015 (page 14), (a) will the Minister provide the specific details of Chairman, Mr Nihal Gupta's 'extensive experience', and (b) can the Minister explain Mr Gupta's 'extensive experience' given that the company he leads has no employees, premises, warehouses or distribution assets.
The Minister has no role in preparing the content of the SBS Annual Report. Any questions regarding the content contained within the SBS Annual Report should be directed to the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).
Mr Nihal Gupta was appointed by the Governor-General to the SBS Board as Chairperson in accordance with the statutory merit-based appointment process Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 and theSpecial Broadcasting Service Act 1991 . The independent Nomination Panel for ABC and SBS Appointments (the Panel) conducted a selection process in 2014 and provided a report to the former Minister for Communications. Mr Nihal Gupta was one of the candidates nominated by the Panel as being suitable for appointment as SBS Chairperson.
After his appointment in October 2014, the following information about Mr Nihal Gupta ' s experience was provided in a media release by the former Minister for Communications:
Mr Nihal Gupta is currently the Managing Director of Digital Electronics Corporation Australia and has a strong background in business and commercial sectors, particularly in relation to technology and consumer electronics. He has over three decades of experience in the consumer electronics business of Australia.
Mr Nihal Gupta has extensive experience in international business management throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Mr Nihal Gupta currently holds a number of board positions including Trustee of the Board of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, appointee of the Judicial Commission of NSW, chairman of the NSW Multicultural Business Advisory Panel, board member of Asia Society of Australia, board member of the Naisda Foundation Limited and board member of Parramasala. He is a former Chairman of Jcurve Solutions Limited.