Senate debates

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Questions on Notice

Bureau of Meteorology (Question No. 1380)

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

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 2 November 2011:

(1) Who is responsible for the artwork associated with the front cover of the 2010-11 annual report for the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).

(2) If it is a committee, can the names of all the members be provided.

(3) Is the responsible representative/body presented with a choice for the cover of the BoM annual report; if so:

(a) on what basis is that choice made;

(b) under whose direction;

(c) when was the decision made; and

(d) was it made in consultation with any group outside government; if so, who.

(4) Who makes the final choice for all artwork and, in particular, the choice of photography for the cover, for the BoM 2010-11 annual report and is it signed off by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Prime Minister, departmental Secretary/s, the agency head, and/or responsible ministers; if so, can details be provided; if not, who does make the final decision.

(5) How much did: (a) the BoM 2010-11 annual report cost to publish; and (b) the photography used for the cover of the report, and throughout as chapter covers, cost in total.

(6) Was the photographer commissioned by the department, Minister and/or BoM.

Photo of Stephen ConroyStephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Final responsibility for all text and graphics in the Bureau's Annual Report, including the front cover, rests with the Director of Meteorology as agency head.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) No. The Director of Meteorology is presented with a proposal for the design of the front cover of the Annual Report as part of his approval of the layout and design of the complete report; he may request adjusted or alternative designs at his discretion.

(4) Final approval of the entire annual report including all graphics and cover design is given by the Director of Meteorology as the agency head.

(5) (a) $25,080 ex GST. (b) $148.50. (6) No.