Senate debates Questions on Notice
Foreign Affairs; and Trade and Competitiveness: Programs, Initiatives and Decisions (Question Nos 2412 and 2419)
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness, upon notice, on 31 October 2012:
Since 1 July 2010, have any electorate-by-electorate dissections for actual or potential Government programs, initiatives or decisions been prepared by departments, agencies or authorities within the Minister's portfolio; if so, for each dissection:
(a) what has been its purpose;
(b) what resources have been used;
(c) who requested it;
(d) to whom has it been circulated; and
(e) can a copy be provided.
Bob Carr NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness and myself, the answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:
No departments, agencies or authorities within the portfolio have undertaken any electorate-by-electorate dissection for actual or potential Government programs, decisions or initiatives.
Over many years, however, Austrade has maintained a database which can provide details of Export Market Development Grant payments by electorate. Details can be provided on request. As specified by the Australian Trade Commission Act 1985, details include the name and address of the recipient company, its industry and the amount of the grant paid.