Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 15 September 2011:

Given that the answer to question on notice no. 846 refers to the 'assignment of particular duties to individual staff members' and not 'direction or advice', can the following information as originally requested now be provided:

(1) Has the Caucus Communications Team or anyone in the Caucus Communications Team offered any direction or advice to Ministers on how to structure their media staff: (a) if so, who offered direction or advice and to which Ministers; and (b) what advice was given.

(2) Is the Caucus Committee Team or anyone in the Caucus Committee Team aware of any direction or advice to Ministers on how to structure their media staff: (a) if so, who offered direction or advice and to which Ministers; and (b) what advice was given.

(3) Can job descriptions be provided for all staff in the Caucus Committee Team.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Special Minister of State has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) (a) and (b) Direction and advice surrounding the employment of media staff are matters for the employing Ministers and their Chiefs of Staff.

(2) (a) and (b) Individual staff responsibilities are a matter for the employing Ministers, their Chiefs of staff and the relevant staff member.

(3) The allocation of ministerial staff positions is based on the requirements of portfolios. The assignment of particular duties to individual staff is a matter for Ministers and their Chiefs of Staff.