Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

(1) There has been a reduction in the number of plants in the office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

(a) The number of plants has been reduced from 1 786 to 567 or by approximately 68% between April and August 2012.

(b) The reduction in the number of plants commenced in April 2012.

(c) Plants were removed from DIAC’s Belconnen offices as part of the office accommodation realignment exercise. Plants were also removed from DIAC’s Victorian office to reduce costs.

(d) As a result of the removal of plants, DIAC has reduced expenditure by approximately $6 565 per month or $78 780 per annum excluding GST.

(2) The DIAC budget for facilities management (includes lease management, rental costs, maintenance and associated staff costs):

(a) For 2011–12 was $89 476 303.

(b) For 2012–2013 is $93 502 652.

Please note: The annual budget for plants is managed at Branch or Division level and is not included in the budget for facilities management.

(3) DIAC manages indoor plants through our Office Services contract with Converga Pty Ltd.

(4) Converga was first notified of the decision to remove a number of indoor plants in the Belconnen precinct as part of the office accommodation realignment exercise on 22 February 2012.

(5) Staff in the Belconnen precinct were advised that plants would be removed as part of the office accommodation realignment exercise on 19 March 2012.

(6) A central register has not been maintained to specifically record complaints from staff regarding the removal of plants. A small number of staff comments have been received by the Property, Procurement and Contracts Branch and through the Secretary’s feedback inbox.

Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal (MRT/RRT)

(1) There has been no reduction in the number of plants in the MRT/RRT.

(a) n/a

(b) n/a

(c) n/a

(d) n/a

(2) The budget for facilities management in the Finance and Business Services Section for 2011-12 was $1.5 million. The budget for 2012—13 is $1.8 million.

(3) The name of the organisation contracted to supply plants to the MRT/RRT in Melbourne is Gerfran Pty Ltd trading as Green Design Indoor Plant Hire Pty Ltd.

(4) n/a

(5) n/a

(6) n/a