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

(1)   The total cost of allowances for government employee's or contractors working at sea for 2010-11 financial year is $787748.

(2)   The daily allowance for working at sea is:

Land Based Officers

$114.64 per day At Sea Allowance.

$40.23 after 24 hours and $20.12 for every completed 12 hours thereafter.

Marine Travel Allowance (MTA) is non taxable

Fisheries Compliance Officers

$196.16 per day At Sea Allowance

$40.23 after 24 hours and $20.12 for every completed 12 hours thereafter.

Marine Travel Allowance (MTA) is non taxable

Observers

$172.80 per day At Sea Allowance

(3)   The total number of days that have been spent at sea 2010-11 financial year were 3424.