Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Chairman of the Scrutiny of Government Waste Committee) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Special Minister of State, in writing, on 3 March 2011:

(1) How many personal staff are employed by the Minister.

(2) What is the (a) total cost, and (b) breakdown of costs, of all capital works and acquisitions in the Minister's private office since 3 December 2007.

Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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 (Finance). On 22 February 2011, the Department tabled with the Senate Finance and Administration Committee, a list of Government Personal Staff Positions as at 1 February 2011.

(2) The cost of capital works and acquisitions for ministers' offices is shared by the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS), Finance and home departments in line with Appendix 2 of Supporting Ministers, Upholding the Values. Ministers will accordingly respond separately in respect of costs incurred by their home departments.

Attachment A provides details of the advice I have received regarding the costs incurred by DPS.

I am advised that the total cost incurred by Finance for acquisitions for minister's private offices was $490,446.38. Please note that this figure reflects the total value of furniture and fittings purchased for the period 3 December 2007 to 3 March 2011. When goods are purchased for offices within the Ministerial Wing, they are not necessarily purchased for specific suites but are stored and distributed on a replacement basis in line with ministers of state entitlements.

I am advised that the cost incurred by the Finance home department area is:

Please note that all figures quoted for the Special Minister of State are shared between the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Finance, in accordance with the SMOS' dual role as Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity and Special Minister of State.

The Special Minister of State was appointed on 14 September 2010. As such, no data is provided for the period prior to this date.

Cost of capital works provided by Department of Parliamentary Services for Ministers ' Private Offices for the period

3 December 2007 to 3 March 2011

Note: Carpet is replaced throughout Parliament House on an approximately 8-year cycle—replacement based on carpet condition.

Note: PH Locks and Master Cylinders replacement project carried out in period February–June 2009. Figures have been extracted to indicate amount ($86,207) that just related to the 30 Ministers ' suites = av. $2,874/suite