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

asked the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 25 November 2010:

(1) How many (a) mobile phones, (b) blackberries and (c) I-Pads are currently allocated to the (i) Minister, and (ii) the Minister's ministerial staff.

(2) In respect of mobile phone usage between (a) 3 December 2007 and 24 November 2010, and (b) 24 June 2010 and 24 November 2010, what was the total cost for (a) the Minister, and (b) the Minister's ministerial staff.

(3) For each month since December 2007, what was the cost of mobile phone usage for each mobile phone account allocated to the (a) Minister, and (b) Minister's ministerial staff.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows, noting that the ministerial portfolio of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities was established following the formation of the new government:

(1) (i) In relation to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Burke) –

(a) 1

(b) 0

(c) 0 (The Minister has access to Departmental i-Pad devices, used specifically for parliamentary purposes.)

(ii) In relation to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Burke) ministerial staff:

(a) 4

(b)

(c) 6

(2) (a) In relation to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Burke):

(a) $722.75 (GST Exc)

(b) $722.75 (GST Exc)

In relation to the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts (Garrett):

(a) $10,972.63 (GST Exc)

(b) $570.96 (GST Exc)

In relation to the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water (Wong):

(a) $20,262.30 (GST Exc)

(b) $0.00 (GST Exc)

(b) In relation to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Burke) ministerial staff:

(a) $3,205.02 (GST Exc)

(b)$3,205.02 (GST Exc)

In relation to the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts (Garrett) ministerial staff:

(a) $127,272.86 (GST Exc)

(b) $17,127.23 (GST Exc)

In relation to the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water (Wong) ministerial staff:

$77,408.08 (GST Exc)

(b) $191.50 (GST Exc)

(3) (a) A comprehensive answer to the cost of mobile phone usage for each mobile phone account allocated to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Burke) cannot be provided as such information is not readily available. What is readily available is mobile phone account invoices paid in each month. Accordingly, the data that follows is based on the payment of invoices in that month, noting also that invoices paid may cover mobile phone usage over more than one monthly period.

October 2010   $678.21 (GST Exc)

November 2010 $44.54 (GST Exc)

A comprehensive answer to the cost of mobile phone usage for each mobile phone account allocated to the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts (Garrett) cannot be provided as such information is not readily available. What is readily available is mobile phone account invoices paid in each month. Accordingly, the data that follows is based on the payment of invoices in that month, noting also that invoices paid may cover mobile phone usage over more than one monthly period.

*The total expense figure for June 2008 of $3,359.22 comprises charges that covered periods dating back to December 2007 to March 2008. Data to split the charges by month is not readily available.

A comprehensive answer to the cost of mobile phone usage for each mobile phone account allocated to the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water (Wong) cannot be provided as such information is not readily available. What is readily available is mobile phone account invoices paid in each month. Accordingly, the data that follows is based on the payment of invoices in that month, noting also that invoices paid may cover mobile phone usage over more than one monthly period.

* From July 2009 the former Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts transferred payment of mobile phone expenses to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency for the then Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water (Wong).

(b) A comprehensive answer to the cost of mobile phone usage for each mobile phone account allocated to Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Burke) ministerial staff cannot be provided as such information is not readily available. What is readily available is mobile phone account invoices paid in each month. Accordingly, the data that follows is based on the payment of invoices in that month, noting also that invoices paid may cover mobile phone usage over more than one monthly period.

October 2010   $2,862.72 (GST Exc)

November 2010   $342.30 (GST Exc)

A comprehensive answer to the cost of mobile phone usage for each mobile phone account allocated to Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts (Garrett) ministerial staff cannot be provided as such information is not readily available. What is readily available is mobile phone account invoices paid in each month. Accordingly, the data that follows is based on the payment of invoices in that month, noting also that invoices paid may cover mobile phone usage over more than one monthly period.

*The total expense figure for June 2008 of $14,931.34 comprises charges that covered periods dating back to December 2007 to March 2008. Data to split the charges by month is not readily available.

A comprehensive answer to the cost of mobile phone usage for each mobile phone account allocated to Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water (Wong) ministerial staffcannot be provided as such information is not readily available. What is readily available is mobile phone account invoices paid in each month. Accordingly, the data that follows is based on the payment of invoices in that month, noting also that invoices paid may cover mobile phone usage over more than one monthly period.

*From July 2009 the former Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts continued to process payment of mobile phone expenses for the Water responsibilities of Minister Wong's Office.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will provide a separate response relating to Minister Burke's time as their Minister.