Outcome:	1. Environment		Question No:  32-33
Division/Agency:	Portfolio Coordination Division
Topic:	Annual Reports
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Ludwig asked:
With regard to each agencies (and the department itself) that fall inside the department’s portfolio, could the department indicate:

32. What date the agency’s 2005-06 Annual Report was tabled before parliament?
33. If the annual report was not tabled by 31 October 2006, could the department indicate:
a. When the report was tabled, or if it remains untabled what date the report is expected to be tabled by.
b. Whether the agency’s own legislation provides an alternative timeframe for its annual report. If so, could the department provide:
i. A description and reference to the relevant provision and legislation.
ii. An explanation of why the agency cannot meet the general timeframe set out in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Requirements for Annual Reports, and so requires an alternative timeframe?
c. Whether the agency was granted an extension under section subsections 34C(4) - (7) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901?  If so, could the department provide:
i. The date for finalizing the report as set out in the extension.
ii. The reason given for granting the extension.
iii. The date that the Minister tabled in Parliament a statement explaining why an extension was granted.
iv. A copy of the Minister’s statement.
d. Where the agency’s legislation doesn’t provide for an alternative timeframe (as per question b) nor was the agency granted an extension (as per question c) could the department provide:
i. Explanation for why the Annual Report was tabled outside the timeframe set by DPM&C despite there being no provision alternative timeframe set out in the agency's legislation nor there being any formal extension granted.
ii. Details of any other arrangement in place for the tabling the agency's Annual Report.

Answer/s:

All agencies in the Environment and Heritage portfolio that were required to lodge annual reports by 31 October 2006, did so. Please see attached table.

ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORTS 2006

REPORT	DATE TABLED	
Department of the Environment and Heritage 	23/10/2006	
Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator	11/10/2006	
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority	17/10/2006	
Bureau of Meteorology	23/10/2006	
Supervising Scientist	25/10/2006	
Director of National Parks	26/10/2006	
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust	27/10/2006	

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 34
Division/Agency:	Portfolio Coordination Division
Topic:	Possible Parliamentary Questions
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice
Senator Ludwig asked:
With regard to the preparation of Possible Parliamentary Questions briefs or other such documents intended to brief the Minister on an issue specifically for Question Time, could the department/agency provide:

1.	The number of such briefs prepared in each of the last three financial years (2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06).
2.	The number of staff who are responsible for coordinating such briefs and the salary level they are engaged at.
3.	The name of internal unit/team that those staff belong to and a description of its other responsibilities.
4.	The total budget associated with the unit/team referred to in response to part 3.

Answers:
1.	PPQs are recorded in calendar years not financial years. PPQs are updated as information on the subject changes.
2003: - 379
2004: - 437
2005: - 500
2006: - 388
2.	One member of staff within the Parliamentary Services Section is assigned to coordinate PPQs between the Minister’s office and the department/agencies. Salary is at the APS Level 5.
3.	The main responsibilities for Parliamentary Services Section include:
•	recording, tracking, quality checking and dispatching ministerial correspondence and briefings;
•	coordinating Possible Parliamentary Questions;
•	coordinating preparation, attendance and follow up for senate estimates hearings;
•	coordinating answers to parliamentary questions on notice:
•	non-legislative tabling (mainly annual reports);
•	liaison with Federal Executive Council Secretariat; and
•	Cabinet liaison.
4.	The budget for the Parliamentary Services Section in 2006-07 is $765,853.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 35
Division/Agency:	Portfolio Coordination Division	
Topic:	Legal Services Expenditures
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Ludwig asked:
What sum did the department spend during 2005-2006 on external
(a)	barristers; and
(b)	solicitors (including private firms, the Australian Government Solicitor and any others).

Answer/s:
During 2005-2006, the Department of the Environment and Heritage spent:
(a)	$ 245 965 (excl. GST) on external barristers; and
(b)	$ 1 943 042 (excl. GST) on external solicitors, including private firms, the Australian Government Solicitor and others.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 36
Division/Agency:	Portfolio Coordination Division	
Topic:	Legal Services Expenditures
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Ludwig asked:
What sum did the department spend on internal legal services (during 2005-2006).

Answer/s:
The Department of the Environment and Heritage spent $559 916 (excl. GST) on internal legal services during 2005-2006.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No:  37
Division/Agency:	Portfolio Coordination Division
Topic:	Legal Services Expenditures
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Ludwig asked:
What is the department’s projected expenditure on legal services for 2006-2007.

Answer/s:
The Department of the Environment and Heritage’s projected expenditure on legal services for 2006-2007 is $2 852 700 (excl. GST), which includes both internal and external legal services expenditure.