Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 15 June 2011:

(1) What contingency planning has been undertaken by the department to deal with the reduction in funding for heritage core tasks such as identifying heritage places and providing statutory protection advice.

(2) What full-time equivalent staff numbers are being considered in contingency planning by the department to deal with the reduction in funding for heritage.

(3) What number of National Heritage assessments is being considered for the 2011-12 financial year, given cuts in the department's human and economic resources.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The department has undertaken an extensive planning and transition process in order to ensure the maintenance of its core heritage responsibilities.

(2) The projected average staffing level in the heritage area under the restructure is 78. The new structure will be reviewed after six months to identify and address any emergent issues not already identified during planning.

(3) Five assessments in the Australian Heritage Council work plan will be considered.