Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 25 July 2011:

(1) Has the Caucus Communications Team or anyone in the Caucus Communications Team offered any direction or advice to Ministers on how to structure their media staff:

  (a)   if so, who offered direction or advice and to which Ministers; and

  (b)   what advice was given.

(2)   Is the Caucus Committee Team or anyone in the Caucus Committee Team aware of any direction or advice to Ministers on how to structure their media staff:

  (a)   if so, who offered direction or advice and to which Ministers; and

  (b)   what advice was given.

(3)   Can job descriptions be provided for all staff in the Caucus Committee Team.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Special Minister of State has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)    (a) and (b) The structure of staff within an office is a matter for individual Members, Senators and their Chiefs of Staff.

(2) (a) and (b) Individual staff responsibilities are a matter for the employing Member or Senator, the Chief of Staff and the relevant staff member.

(3) The allocation of ministerial staff positions is based on the requirements of portfolios. The assignment of particular duties to individual staff is a matter for ministers and their Chiefs of Staff.