No. 33 TUESDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 2009

Notices of Question

8 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Minister representing the Treasurer—In relation to the sale of Government assets—

(1) Which buildings, if any has the State Government—

(a) identified for sale;

(b) in what locations; and

(2) What surplus and non-strategic office accommodation does the State Government intend to dispose of in the following financial years—

(a) 2007–08; and

(b) 2008–09?

(3) What is the estimated revenue from the sale of each surplus and non-strategic office accommodation identified above?

(4) What process does the Department of Treasury and Finance undertake to select external real estate specialists and/or consultants to assist in the sale process?

(5) In which budget years will this proposed revenue be realised, and what is the gross estimated yield per budget year?

(6) For each building that is to be listed for sale, what is the current occupancy of each of those buildings, including State Service agencies?

(7) Of the buildings that provide office accommodation for Government agencies, what are the specific details of how many are going to be leased back to the Government?

(8) What was the cost to the State Government associated with the selling and then leasing back of Government office accommodation in the financial years—

(a) 2004–05;

(b) 2005–06; and

9 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Minister representing the Treasurer—In relation to the financial rate of return of cash equivalent assets—

(1) What is the breakdown of projected interest revenue on its cash equivalent assets as at the end of the 2006–07 financial year shown in a table format?

(2) Has the Treasurer instructed the Department of Treasury and Finance to investigate any methods to improve the rate of return on its investments?

(3) If so—

(a) what are the details of how the investigation was undertaken; and

(b) what were the findings of the investigation? (11 March 2008)

12 Mr Morris to ask the Minister for Primary Industries and Water in relation to the four native duck game species:—

(1) Were any native ducks of the four game species shot in the 2007 season?

(2) If so:—

(a) how many; and

(b) how many of each duck species?

(3) Were any protected water species also discovered to be shot, and if so how many of which species?

(4) Were any native ducks shot during each season over the last ten years preceding the 2007 season and if so, how many?

(5) Were any native duck shooting licences issued in the 2007 season?

(6) If so:—

(a) how many;

(b) what was the cost of printing and issuing such licences; and

(7) Were any bag limits from the 2006 season submitted to the Department of Primary Industries and Water at the close of that season and if so, how many?

(8) What is the breakdown of costs associated with compliance and enforcement of duck licences during the financial year 2006–07 for:—

(a) Tasmania Police;

(b) Service Tasmania; and

(9) Were any Wildlife Rangers made available to monitor the 2007 recreational duck-shooting season and if so, how many?

(10) Were any tests undertaken by Wildlife Rangers to check that lead shot was not being used by recreational shooters?

(11) If so:—

(a) how many; and

(b) what were the results of any such tests?

(12) Have any Waterfowl Identification Tests been undertaken and if so, how many?

(13) Is the successful completion of the Waterfowl Identification Test a compulsory requirement before obtaining a recreational duck shooting licence? (1 April 2008)

41 Ms O'Connor to ask the Minister Energy and Resources—With respect to the proposed $23 million 'North West Tourist Road' promoted by Forestry Tasmania and funded in the 2008-09 State Budget—

(1) What are the details of the amount of public money spent by Forestry Tasmania on the promotion of the proposed road from 1 January 2007 to 31 October 2008, including funds spent on associated activities such as helicopter flights and other associated political and public lobbying activities?

(2) What are the details of this funding allocation including specific projects, activities and investments, their value and on how many occasions they occurred? (12 November 2008)

42 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Minister representing the Minister for Planning and Workplace Relations—

(1) What was the total amount spent by the Resource Planning and Development Commission on the Inquiry into the Establishment of Marine Protected Areas within the Bruny Bioregion from the date of 6 June 2005 when the matter was referred to the Commission by the Minister, and 28 February 2008 when the final report was issued?

(2) What is the breakdown of the amount, for each financial year, into—

(a) administrative costs; and

(b) details of other costs? (12 November 2008)

52 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to ask the Premier representing the Treasurer—

For each department and statutory body within the Minister’s current ministerial responsibilities under the Administrative Arrangements Order—

(1) What was the cost of legal work contracted to private legal firms or practitioners for the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 where—

(a) the private legal firm or practitioner was based in Tasmania; and

(b) the private legal firm or practitioner was based interstate?

(2) For the engagement of private legal firms or practitioners what procedure is followed by each department and statutory body—

(a) open tender;

(b) limited tender;

(d) details of any other means? (18 November 2008)

61 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier representing the Treasurer—

(1) How many officers of the Department of Treasury and Finance and statutory bodies in your portfolio have been seconded since 1 January 2007 to—

(a) the Australian Government;

(b) another State or Territory Government;

(d) a not-for-profit organisation?

(2) What is the substantive level of each of these officers, and for what period is, or was, each officer seconded?

(3) In the case of each seconded officer, is or was the salary and all other costs associated with the secondment, such as accommodation allowance, etc. paid by the Tasmanian Government or the entity to which the officer is or was seconded?

(4) Are any officers of the Department of Treasury and Finance or portfolio statutory bodies currently on a secondment which commenced before 1 January 2007 and, if so, what are the details in each case, as outlined above? (18 November 2008)

64 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts—

(1) How many officers of the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts and statutory bodies in your portfolio have been seconded since 1 January 2007 to—

(a) the Australian Government;

(b) another State or Territory Government;

(d) a not-for-profit organisation?

(2) What is the substantive level of each of these officers, and for what period is, or was, each officer seconded?

(4) Are any officers of the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts or portfolio statutory bodies currently on a secondment which commenced before 1 January 2007 and, if so, what are the details in each case, as outlined above? (18 November 2008.

69 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister for Energy and Resources—

Will the Minister provide information including maps at a scale no less than 250,000:1 that accurately represent the stated 79% of Tasmania’s old growth forests which are protected in the reserve system? (26 February 2009)

71 Mr Gutwein to ask the Premier representing the Treasurer—

(1) On how many occasions has the Budget Sub-Committee of Cabinet met since 1 July 2008?

(2) What was the date of each of the meetings? (26 February 2008)

83 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier representing the Treasurer—

(1) What was the total number of full-time or part-time staff employed by the Department of Treasury and Finance whose principal activities relate to public relations, media relations or liaison, marketing, promotion or communications—

(a) as at 30 June 1998; and

(b) as at 30 June 2008?

(2) What was the amount spent on contractors or any other external provider for these services in the Department of Treasury and Finance—

(a) for the 1997-1998 financial year; and

(b) for the 2007-2008 financial year? (10 March 2009)

84 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier representing the Minister for Economic Development—

(1) What was the total number of full-time or part-time staff employed by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism whose principal activities relate to public relations, media relations or liaison, marketing, promotion or communications—

(a) as at 30 June 1998; and

(b) as at 30 June 2008?

(2) What was the amount spent on contractors or any other external provider for these services in the Department of Economic Development and Tourism—

(a) for the 1997-1998 financial year; and

(b) for the 2007-2008 financial year? (10 March 2009)

86 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts—

(1) What was the total number of full-time or part-time staff employed by the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts whose principal activities relate to public relations, media relations or liaison, marketing, promotion or communications—

(a) as at 30 June 1998; and

(b) as at 30 June 2008?

(2) What was the amount spent on contractors or any other external provider for these services in the Department for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts—

(a) for the 1997-1998 financial year; and

(b) for the 2007-2008 financial year? (10 March 2009)

98 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts—For the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts and each portfolio entity—

(1) How many vehicles were—

(a) leased; or

(b) owned in

(i) 2003-04;

(ii) 2004-05;

(iii) 2005-06;

(iv) 2006-07; and

(v) 2007-08?

(2) How many such vehicles owned and leased are budgeted for in—

(a) 2008-09; and

(b) 2009-2010?

(3) What was the total cost for all such vehicles for fuel, maintenance and insurance?

(4) What is the projected budgeted cost for all such vehicles for fuel, maintenance and insurance for—

(a) 2008-09; and

(b) 2009-2010?

(5) What are the conditions of use required from staff using such vehicles?

(6) How many employees have as a condition of appointment—

(a) a private plated vehicle for official and private use; or

(b) use and home garaging of a Government plated vehicle? (24 March 2009)

102 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Minister for Tourism—For the Department of Economic

Development and Tourism and each portfolio entity—

(1) How many vehicles were—

(a) leased; or

(b) owned in

(i) 2003-04;

(ii) 2004-05;

(iii) 2005-06;

(iv) 2006-07; and

(v) 2007-08?

(2) How many such vehicles owned and leased are budgeted for in—

(a) 2008-09; and

(b) 2009-2010?

(3) What was the total cost for all such vehicles for fuel, maintenance and insurance?

(4) What is the projected budgeted cost for all such vehicles for fuel, maintenance and insurance for—

(a) 2008-09; and

(b) 2009-2010?

(5) What are the conditions of use required from staff using such vehicles?

(6) How many employees have as a condition of appointment—

(a) a private plated vehicle for official and private use; or

(b) use and home garaging of a Government plated vehicle? (24 March 2009)

105 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier representing the Treasurer—For the Department of Treasury and Finance and each portfolio entity—

(1) How many vehicles were—

(a) leased; or

(b) owned in

(i) 2003-04;

(ii) 2004-05;

(iii) 2005-06;

(iv) 2006-07; and

(v) 2007-08?

(2) How many such vehicles owned and leased are budgeted for in—

(a) 2008-09; and

(b) 2009-2010?

(3) What was the total cost for all such vehicles for fuel, maintenance and insurance?

(4) What is the projected budgeted cost for all such vehicles for fuel, maintenance and insurance for—

(a) 2008-09; and

(b) 2009-2010?

(5) What are the conditions of use required from staff using such vehicles?

(6) How many employees have as a condition of appointment—

(a) a private plated vehicle for official and private use; or

(b) use and home garaging of a Government plated vehicle? (24 March 2009)

108 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister for Tourism and the Arts—In relation to the Spirit of the Sea statute in Devonport—

(1) What are details of the process undertaken to determine State Government expenditure on the Spirit of the Sea statute?

(2) Has payment for this project been transferred to the artist, or has payment been transferred to another party under arrangement?

(3) If so, what are the details of the mechanism used to transfer the money and details of the transaction? (28 April 2009)

109 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister representing the Minister for Economic Development—In relation to funding decisions for film grants provided by Screen Tasmania—

(a) what are the details of the processes undertaken by Screen Tasmania in tracking the progress of funded film projects to provide a clear and transparent process of accountability for all funds acquitted;

(b) how are all funding decisions made to avoid claims or perceptions of favouritism;

(d) if so, what are the details of requirements;

(e) is there any limit for the amount of funding film companies are able to receive from Screen Tasmania; and

(f) if so what is the amount? (28 April 2009)

114 Mr Booth to ask the Premier representing the Treasurer—In relation to all poker machines located outside the two State casinos and for each financial year from 2002-2003 to 2007-2008—

(a) what was the location of all machines showing venue and suburb;

(b) what was the number of machines in each venue; and

118 Ms O’Connor to ask the Premier representing the Treasurer—

(1) What are the details of the implementation process of the Disability Action Plan in the Department of Treasury and Finance?

(2) What are the details of the funding for this implementation process? (19 May 2009)

120 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister for Primary Industries and Water—

(1) What are the details of the implementation process of the Disability Action Plan in the Department of Primary Industries and Water?

(2) What are the details of the funding for this implementation process? (19 May 2009)

123 Ms O’Connor to ask the Premier representing the Minister for Economic Development—

(1) What are the details of the implementation process of the Disability Action Plan in the Department of Economic Development and Tourism?

(2) What are the details of the funding for this implementation process? (19 May 2009)

128 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister for Primary Industries and Water—

(1) What, if any, research and field trials have been undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Water and the Parks and Wildlife Service into non lethal methods of macropod fertility control in the Maria Island National Park?

(2) How many reviews have been undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Water over the past 15 years of annual culls to investigate other strategies for population control for the Forester Kangaroo, Bennetts and Rufous (Tasmanian pademelon) wallabies?

(3) Does the culling of the three targeted populations of macropods on Maria Island have the direct result of increased reproductive rates immediately following the cull?

(4) How is the Tasmanian Government up to date with current non lethal research and programs in relation to captive kangaroo populations?

(5) Has the Department of Primary Industries and Water and the Parks and Wildlife Service received offers of research assistance into non lethal options of fertility control on Maria Island in past years and if so—

(a) has the Department refused offers of such assistance; and

(b) if so, why?

(6) Do pademelons (Rufous wallabies) continue to be killed each year on Maria Island as part of the culling program?

(7) Are independent veterinarians present during each cull on Maria Island particularly since serious animal welfare breaches occurred during the 2006 cull?

(8) What alternative strategies, including consideration of independent research, does the Department of Primary Industries and Water intend to implement in relation to the populations of Forester kangaroos, Bennetts wallabies and pademelons on Maria Island, other than annual culling?

(9) Would the Minister provide any documented evidence? (16 June 2009)

to fall, from 13.2% in 2007-08 to only 12.3% in 2008-09? (18 August 2009)

132 Mr Rockliff to ask the Minister for Infrastructure—In relation to Transport Inspector equipment—

(a) can the Minister confirm that in order to cut expenditure within the Department of Infrastructure, Energy, and Resources, two Mobile Vehicle Testing Units are for sale; and

(b) if so, why would such an effective roadside compliance tool be considered for sale in order to save a couple of thousand dollars per unit every 2 years? (18 August 2009)

146 Mr Rockliff to ask the Minister for Infrastructure—In relation to the age of the school bus fleet—

(a) has the previous performance indicator on the age of the bus fleet been abandoned;

(b) is the current age of the bus fleet now estimated at 16.64 years, whereas the previous estimate was 23 years;

(d) how is the new performance indicator on capital payments meaningful in tracking the improvement in bus ages? (18 August 2009)

153 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier – How many FTE equivalent staff were employed in the Department of Premier and Cabinet at –

(a) 30 June 2008; and

(b) 30 June 2009? (18 August 2009)

155 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier –

(1) How many staff, both by FTE and headcount, were employed in each Minister’s office at –

(a) 30 June 2008; and

(b) 30 June 2009?

(2) What were the names, positions and the salaries of all such employees at 30 June 2009? (18 August 2009)

156 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier—

(1) How many staff, both by FTE and headcount, were employed in each Government Member’s office at –

(a) 30 June 2008; and

(b) 30 June 2009?

(2) What were the names, positions and salary of all staff at 30 June 2009? (18 August 2009)

158 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to ask the Premier—

(1) What were the detailed accounts of expenditure for all Members of Parliament who have Electorate offices in –

(a) 2007-08; and

(b) 2008-09?

(2) For expenditure in the 2008-09 financial year, what were—

(a) the individual lease costs of those offices;

(b) the location of the office;

(d) operating costs, including, but not limited to, electricity, and costs associated with signage and altering signage at each office? (18 August 2009)

160 Mrs Napier to ask the Premier—

(1) What is the Government’s rationale in limiting the diverse range of course options available to Tasmanian Year 11 and 12 students, many of whom are not yet ready to lock into the style of the Australian Qualifications Framework packages?

(2) Which courses have been removed as at 30 June 2009?

(3) Why was each such course removed? (18 August 2009)

164 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage—In relation to the Mole Creek Karst National Park and Conservation Area—

(a) what measures are being undertaken to ensure that trips into restricted access caves, including all those undertaken by staff of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment comply with the Mole Creek Karst National Park and Conservation Area Management Plan;

(b) from 1 January 2004 to 30 October 2009 what are the details of all trips additional to Australian Speleological Federation (ASF) club permit trips and KarstCare work trips that have been undertaken to restricted access caves;

(d) if so—

(i) what are the details of any investigation(s) undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment; and

(ii) what works has the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment undertaken to ensure that the gate to the Kubla Khan cave is replaced;

(e) what are the details of all consultation undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment with caving clubs regarding restricted access caves conservation management actions as required under the Mole Creek Karst National Park and Conservation Area Management Plan;

(f) what measures are being undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment to ensure that Australian Speleological Federation club permit applications to visit restricted access caves will be processed in a timely and respectful manner under existing arrangements until and if the new draft protocols are formally adopted; and

(g) what details will the Minister give to ensure that, once adopted, new protocols for the Kubla Khan designated leader system are adequately resourced and implemented to enable the recognition of new leaders and are subject to consultative review as needed? (27 October 2009)

165 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage—

(1) What has been the impact of the 2009-10 Tasmanian Budget cuts to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment on the operation of the Fox Eradication Taskforce?

(2) Have staff numbers of the Taskforce been reduced?

(3) If so, what are the details of these reductions?

(4) How have the Budget cuts and the Commonwealth’s decision to allocate $1.8 million less to the Taskforce than last year, impacted on the Taskforce’s capacity to undertake its eradication role? (27 October 2009.

166 Ms O’Connor to ask the Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage—

In relation to the funding cuts to the Parks and Wildlife Service in the 2009-10 Budget, what are—

(a) the details of assets and infrastructure that have been closed and that are proposed to be closed;

(b) the details of assets that have been disposed of or cannot be used because of lack of funds (eg. Parks and Wildlife Service vehicles);

(d) the details of what positions are frozen, what positions have become vacant and not re-filled in the last 2 years (including contract positions);

(e) the details of the changes to staff duties within the Parks and Wildlife Service;

(f) the details of how many parks and reserves have periods with only one field staff, ranger or field officer on duty;

(g) the details of funding provided to each Parks and Wildlife Service district to run vehicles;

(h) the details of any independent assessment(s) undertaken on the impact of the 2009-10 Tasmanian State Budget on the ability of the Parks and Wildlife Service to adequately carry out its functions; and

(i) are Parks and Wildlife Service staff still provided with work mobile phones and is the cost of work-related calls covered by the Department. (27 October 2009)

P. R. ALCOCK, Clerk of the House.