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

asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, in writing, on 26 May 2011:

(1) What was the total cost (including the pro-rata rate of Commissioners' wages, employees' wages, hall hire, equipment, advertising, etc.) of staging the Climate Commission's recent forum in Mackay.

(2) Is he able to indicate what total amount of carbon dioxide emissions was created as a result of this forum, including those produced by Commissioners, staff and contractors, as well as the energy sources used to stage it.

(3) Were the carbon dioxide emissions created as a result of the forum offset; if so, at what cost, to whom, and for what.

(4) Is the Climate Commission funded to support the Government's carbon tax policy; if so, how can it operate independently; if not, why did Commissioners at the forum

(a) indicate there is no bipartisan support for climate change, and

(b) refer to 'carbon pricing'.

Greg Combet (Charlton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

(1) I am informed that the cost of the Climate Commission's (the Commission) two-day visit to Mackay and community forum held on 20 May 2011 was $59,222.

This includes costs of event management services (including venue and equipment hire, technical staff, filming and onsite editing, security and host fees), forum catering, travel costs for Commissioners and GST.

(2-3) I understand that the Commission is monitoring emissions generated by its airline travel and will review its total emissions at the end of 2011 to consider options for purchasing appropriate offsets.

(4) The Commission is an independent body and, as stated in the Commission's Terms of Reference, will not comment on policy matters nor provide policy advice or recommendations.