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

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 1 November 2011:

(1) What discussions were held by the Ministers and/or the Prime Minister, their offices or Departments with the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) involving the appointment of Mr Andrew Stark as its Communications Manager.

(2) What funding has the AMSA received from the Government in the 2010-11 financial year and how much will it receive in the 2011-12 financial year.

(3) Was any of the funding provided to the AMSA on the basis that it would appoint a Communications Manager; if so, what were the reasons and proposed job description for the position; and was the department involved in the selection process.

(4) Has the Minister or Prime Minister provided a reference to Mr Stark; if so, can copies be provided of any written reference or notes from a call.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Health has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The Minister for Health and the Minister for Indigenous Health have not had any discussions with the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) about the appointment of Mr Andrew Stark. The Department of Health and Ageing did not hold any discussions with AMSA in relation to the appointment of Mr Andrew Stark prior to Mr Stark's appointment.

(2) Under the Funding Agreement with the Department of Health and Ageing, AMSA received $1,000,000 (GST Exclusive) for the 2010-11 financial year and will receive $1,000,000 (GST Exclusive) in the 2011-12 financial year. One quarter of total funding to AMSA is allocated to practical support for sheds through the Australian Government Shed Development Program.

(3) One of the requirements of the Funding Agreement was the recruitment of a National Marketing/Fundraising Manager to assist in securing future sustainability of AMSA to support men's sheds. The Department of Health and Ageing was not involved in the development of a job description or the selection process. Mr Stark was employed by AMSA as National Marketing, Fundraising and Communications Manager.

(4) The Minister for Health and the Minister for Indigenous Health have not provided any reference for Mr Stark.