Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Sport, upon notice, on 17 March 2011:

(1) As part of Australia's bid to host the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, was a consulting company known as Square1 Consulting Limited (Square1) engaged by either the Australian Government or the Football Federation of Australia (FFA): if so, why was Square1 engaged and when.

(2) How much money was spent by either the FFA, the Australian Government or both on retaining Square1.

(3) Were the costs of retaining Square1 paid for by the FFA or by the Australian Government.

(4) What service did Square1 provide to the FFA and/or the Australian Government.

(5) Was Ms Bonita Mersiades, a former FFA public relations manager, involved in anyway in the decision to appoint Square1.

(6) Does the Minister know if Ms Mersiades was ever consulted about the appointment of Square1 by either the FFA or the Australian Government; if so, by whom and when.

(7) Did Mr Peter Hartigay or Mr Fedor Radmann lobby either the FFA or the Australian Government for Square1 to be engaged.

(8) Did any company in which Mr Hartigay or Mr Radmann were either employees or officers lobby either the FFA or the Australian Government for Square1 to be engaged.

(9) Did any other person or company lobby either the FFA or the Australian Government for Square1 to be engaged.

(10) Was Square1 appointed following a tender process.

(11) What relevant experience did Square1 have justifying its appointment as a consultant company in the FIFA World Cup bid.

(12) (a) How many staff did Square1 allocate to FFA's bid; and (b) what was each Square1 staff member's role.

(13) As part of Australia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup was Mr Hartigay engaged by either the Australian Government or the FFA.

(14) As part of Australia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup was any company or firm in which Mr Hartigay was either an officer or employee (Mr Hartigay's company) engaged by either the Australian Government or the FFA; if so, what was the name of the company.

(15) How much money was spent by either the FFA, the Australian Government or both on retaining Mr Hartigay and/or Mr Hartigay's company.

(16) Were the costs of retaining Mr Hartigay and/or Mr Hartigay's company paid for by the FFA or by the Australian Government.

(17) What service did Mr Hartigay and/or Mr Hartigay's company provide to the FFA and/or the Australian Government.

(18) Is the Minister aware if Mr Hartigay has ever been arrested or charged overseas for any criminal offences.

(19) Is the Minister aware if Mr Hartigay has ever been the subject of an international arrest warrant.

(20) Is the Minister aware if Mr Hartigay has ever been refused bail while awaiting trial in any overseas jurisdiction; if so, is the Minister aware of the reasons given by the court for such bail being refused.

(21) As part of Australia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup was Mr Radmann engaged by either the Australian Government or the FFA.

(22) As part of Australia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup was any company or firm in which Mr Radmann was either an officer or employee (Mr Radmann's company) engaged by either the Australian Government or the FFA; if so, what was the name of the company.

(23) How much money was spent by either the FFA, the Australian Government or both on retaining Mr Radmann and/or Mr Radmann's company.

(24) Were the costs of retaining Mr Radmann and/or Mr Radmann's company paid for by the FFA or by the Australian Government.

(25) What service did Mr Radmann and/or Mr Radmann's company provide to the FFA and/or the Australian Government.

(26) Is the Minister aware if Mr Radmann was ever involved in any capacity in Germany's bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

(27) Is the Minister aware of any allegations of improper conduct by Mr Radmann during Germany's bid for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

(28) Is the Minister aware of any recent litigation in Switzerland involving Mr Radmann and/or Mr Radmann's company.

(29) Were the engagements of Mr Hartigay, Mr Radmann or companies linked to them supported by the Minister.

Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

The Department of Health and Ageing entered into a funding agreement on behalf of the Government with Football Federation Australia (FFA) to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup on 4 June 2009 for an amount of $45,486,000 (GST exclusive) over three years.

FFA was soley responsible for the bid strategy and was at liberty to subcontract within the terms of the funding agreement with the Government. The funding agreement was drafted to ensure the appropriate controls were in place regarding the use of funds including a requirement that FFA staff and contractors adhere to appropriate standards of integrity and behaviour.

The Government was not involved in any decision-making over who was contracted by the FFA for the World Cup bid. It is understood that FFA selected contractors based on their expertise and experience in international football and major sporting events.

Information is being provided in response to Question on Notice PM 35 regarding expenditure acquitted to date under the funding agreement with FFA for the World Cup Bid, including details on funding to consultants. A copy of that information is attached.

Acquitted Expenditure on 2022 World Cup Bid