George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Arts and Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, in writing, on 3 March 2011:

(1) How many personal staff are employed by the Minister.

(2) What is the (a) total cost, and (b) breakdown of costs, of all capital works and acquisitions in the Minister's private office since 3 December 2007.

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The employment of staff under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 is administered by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. On 22 February 2011, the Department tabled with the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee a list of Government Personal Staff Positions as at 1 February 2011.

(2) The cost of capital works and acquisitions for Ministers' offices is shared by the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS), Department of Finance and Deregulation (DoFD) and home departments in line with Appendix 2 of the Supporting Ministers, Upholding the Values. The Special Minister of State will accordingly respond on behalf of all Ministers in respect of costs incurred by the DPS and DoFD.

I am advised that the costs incurred by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government are as follows:

laminated maps of Australia—$100;

refrigerator—$890;

crockery for office kitchen—$250; and

1 x 4 draw B class safe—$3,511.

All costs quoted are shared between the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, in accordance with my dual role as Minister for the Arts and Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.

I was appointed Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts on 14 September 2010. As such, no data is provided for the period prior to this date.