Outcome:	3	Question No:	155	
Output:	3.1 and 3.2	
Division/Agency:	National Water Commission	
Topic:	NWC Administration	
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice 	

Senator Birmingham asked:
(a)	Did the Commission seek an exemption from the application of the one-off two per cent efficiency dividend?
(b)	If so, why did the Commission feel it needed to apply for this exemption, to whom did it apply and was the exemption granted?
(c)	If the efficiency dividend applies, how will the Commission manage the funding cut and what, if any, programs will be cut to accommodate it?  Can the Commission outline the source [e.g. the Minister, the Department of Finance and Deregulation] of any suggested savings measures? 
(d)	Is the Commission budgeting for an operating loss and, if so, is it because of the application of the efficiency dividend?
(e)	Has the Commission made in the last six months any request, in accordance with the Financial Management and Accountability Act, for Regulation 10 Authority from the Finance Minister?  If so, why was this authority sought?  
(f)	What is the total number of permanent staff employed on a:
(i)  full-time basis?
(ii) part-time basis?
(iii) part-time equivalent basis?
(g)	How many employees are employed on contract and what is the average length of their employment period?
(h)	What are the base and top level salaries of:
(i) APS level 1 to 6 officers?
(ii) Executive level officers?
(iii) Senior Executive Services officers?
(iv) Equivalent officers employed?
(i)	How many officers are employed at executive level and SES level?
(j)	How many permanent staff have been recruited since 26 November 2007?  What level are these staff?
(k)	How many temporary positions exist or have been created since 26 November?
(l)	Since 26 November, how many employees have been employed on contract and what is the average length of their employment period?
(m)	Does the Commission monitor the media?
(n)	How much has been spent on media monitoring to date this year?
(o)	Is any information provided to the Minister?
(p)	How many employees are engaged in positions responsible for public affairs, media management, liaison with the media and media monitoring?
(q)	What are the APS classifications of these positions?
(r)	What is the current operating budget for these media-related sections?
(s)	What appointments have been made by the Government (through Executive Council, Cabinet and Ministers) to Statutory Authorities, Executive Agencies and Advisory Boards?
(t)	What are the respective appointees’ credentials?
(u)	How many vacancies remain to be filled by Ministerial (including Cabinet and Executive Council) appointments?
(v)	How long have the positions been vacant?
(w)	What grants which have been approved by Ministers from within their portfolio?
(x)	Has the Commission received any advice on how to respond to freedom of information (FOI) requests?
(y)	How many FOI requests has the Commission received?
(z)	How many have been granted or denied?
(aa)	How many conclusive certificates have been issued in relation to FOI requests?

Answers:
(a)	No.
(b)	Not applicable.
(c)	The Commission will absorb the impact of the efficiency dividend on its current operations through a general reduction in funds allocated for supplier costs.  This will have no impact on program delivery as program costs are paid from the Commission’s special account.
(d)	No.
(e)	No.
(f)	As at 25 June 2008: (i) 39; (ii) Nil; (iii) Nil. 
(g)	As at 25 June 2008 there were 11 staff employed on non-ongoing contracts with an average duration of 8.2 months.
(h)	As at 25 June 2008:
(i) APS1 $35,114 and $38,592; APS2 $39,541 and $43,969; APS3 $45,236 and $48,715; APS4 $50,296 and $54,725; APS5 $55,990 and $60,736; APS 6 $63,899 and $71,807
(ii) Executive Level 1 $77,184 and $86,052; Executive Level 2 $89,837 and 106,919
(iii) Senior Executive Service Band 1 $124,860 and $137,231
(iv) Not applicable.
(i)	As at 25 June 2008 there were 27 staff employed at the Executive level and 3 staff employed at the SES level.
(j)	As at 25 June 2008 one Senior Executive Band 1 staff member and one Executive Level 2 staff member have been appointed on ongoing contracts.
(k)	As at 25 June 2008 there were 11 non-ongoing positions available within the Commission.
(l)	Since 26 November 2007 there have been 9 staff employed on non-ongoing contracts with an average duration of six-months.
(m)	Yes
(n)	The Commission spent $36,622 on media monitoring to 31 May this calendar year.
(o)	No.
(p)	Two staff members are involved in public affairs activities that include media and issues management. The staff also undertake a range of other duties. 
(q)	Executive Level 2 and Executive Level 1 (Public Affairs Officer 3).
(r)	$95,000 for media management and media monitoring activities
(s)	The Minister approved acting six month appointments to the roles of Chairman and four part-time Commissioners of the National Water Commission at the expiration of their existing three year terms to allow time for consultative processes required by the National Water Commission Act 2004 to be undertaken for long-term appointments.
(t)	The credentials for appointment as a commissioner are set out in clause 11(3) of the National Water Commission Act 2004; information on individual commissioners is available on the Commission’s website at www.nwc.gov.au
(u)	Long-term appointments to the Chairman and six part-time Commissioner roles need to be filled.
(v)	Two available part-time Commissioner positions are vacant, one since October 2007 following resignation and the other since March 2008 following the passing away of the Commissioner.
(w)	The grants approved by the Minister can be found on the Commission’s website at www.nwc.gov.au.
(x)	No.
(y)	One FOI request for the release of records was granted in part during the financial year.
(z)	One, see above.
(aa)	None