Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 8 September 2011:

(1) Can details be provided on how much the Blue and White 'No Alcohol, No Pornography' signs posted at prescribed area communities in the Northern Territory cost in relation to: (a) production; (b) transportation and installation; and (c) maintenance.

(2) How many signs were installed in total.

(3) How were signs maintained and by whom.

(4) How many signs were vandalized, and how many of those vandalized signs were replaced.

(5) In regard to signs that were removed or repainted by the department: (a) how many signs were removed or repainted; and (b) what was the cost of removing or repainting these signs.

Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) (a) and (b) The production and installation of the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Alcohol and Prohibited Materials signs cost the Australian Government $1,351,074.42 (GST exclusive). This figure includes transportation costs of $113,972.64 (GST exclusive). (c) Maintenance costs are not included in this figure. Please refer to the answer to Question (3) below.

(2) A total of 405 signs were installed.

(3) Through the Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory National Partnership Agreement (NPA), the Australian Government provides funding to the Northern Territory Department of Justice (NT DoJ) to maintain the signs. The signs are inspected by the Licensing Inspectors engaged by NT DoJ.

(4) NT DoJ is responsible for replacing or repairing signs that have been damaged, defaced or vandalised. Records show that 47 signs were repaired or replaced in 2010-11.

(5) (a) Seven signs were removed by the Licensing Commission. The number of signs that were repainted is inclusive of the figure in the answer to Question (4) above. (b) The specific costs incurred by the NT DoJ is not known by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs as financial reporting under the NPA is not yet due.