Gary Humphries (ACT, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Materiel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 10 September 2012:

In regard to each department and agency within the Minister’s responsibility:

(1) Has there been a reduction in the number of plants in departmental and agency offices; if so:

(a) by what percentage;

(b) on what date did it come into effect;

(c) what was the reason for the reduction; and

(d) how much will each department and agency save as a result?

(2)    What is the budget for the facilities management branch (or equivalent) in the:

(a) 2011-12; and

(b) 2012-13 financial years?

(3)    What is the name of the organisation contracted to supply plants to departmental and agency offices?

(4)    If a reduction in the number of office plants has taken place, when was the contracted organisation first made aware of the decision?

(5)    Were staff consulted regarding a possible reduction in plants prior to it taking place?

(6)    Have any complaints been registered from staff in relation to reductions in office plants?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1) (a), (b), (c) and (d)

  The information sought is not readily available, and an unreasonable amount of departmental resources would be required to develop a response.

(2) (a) and (b)

Defence has 72 major bases, and the budget to run and maintain them was approximately

$1.3 billion in 2011-12 (this does not include provision of office plants which are provided under local arrangement in some locations). In 2012-13, the budget allocated to running and maintaining Defence bases is around $1.0 billion.

The budget to run and maintain Defence facilities includes utilities (power, water etc), estate maintenance (repairs and minor upgrades but not major capital facilities projects), and garrison support such as cleaning, grounds maintenance, waste management, and pest and vermin inspection/advisory services.

(3) There is not one single organisation contracted to supply plants to Departmental and agency offices.

(4,5,6) The information sought is not readily available, and an unreasonable amount of Departmental resources would be required to develop a response.