The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The employment of staff under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 is administered by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. On 22 February 2011, the Department tabled with the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee a list of Government Personal Staff Positions as at 1 February 2011.

(2) The Treasurer has held his position since 3 December 2007. Costs are provided for the period 3 December 2007 to 3 March 2011.

(a) $43,682

(b)