Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: #152
Topic: Community Cabinet
Senator Parry asked:
Do you know the total cost for your travel to Community Cabinet?
Answer:
The Minister attended Community Cabinet meetings at Perth, Narangba and South Penrith.
Costs associated with the Minister and his staff are paid by the Department of Finance and
Deregulation. The Minister was accompanied by one Advisor and one Department Official
for each of these meetings.
The total cost to the Department was $ 2727.06.
-1-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 181
Topic: Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisations Appointments
Senator Fierravanti-Wells asked:
What appointments have been made to boards, advisory committees, or any other quasiautonomous non-governmental organisations (quangos) within the following departments and
agencies within the responsibility of these departments since 24 November 2007.

Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Answer:
(Note: This reflects the situation as at 1 July 2008)
The Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio contains no QuasiAutonomous Non-Governmental Organisations.
The following appointments have been made since 24 November 2007.
Board
Netalert
Appointee
Mr Frank Nicholas
Position
Member
Netalert
Mr Lachlann Paterson
Member
Netalert
Dr Simon Pelling
Member
Panel of Experts, National
Broadband Network
Panel of Experts, National
Broadband Network
Panel of Experts, National
Broadband Network
Panel of Experts, National
Broadband Network
Panel of Experts, National
Broadband Network
Panel of Experts, National
Broadband
Panel of Experts, National
Broadband Network
Ms Patricia Scott
Chairperson
Duration
From 1 April 2008 to
30 December 2008
From 1 April 2008 to
30 December 2008
From 1 April 2008 to
30 December 2008
From 11 March 2008
Mr John Wylie
Member
From 11 March 2008
Tony Mitchell
Member
From 11 March 2008
Professor Rod Tucker
Member
From 11 March 2008
Professor Reg Coutts
Member
From 11 March 2008
Tony Shaw PSM
Member
From 11 March 2008
Dr Ken Henry AC
Member
From 11 March 2008
-2-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Board
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority (ACMA)
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority (ACMA)
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority (ACMA)
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority (ACMA)
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Digital Switchover
Industry Advisory Group
Appointee
Geoffrey William Luther
PSM
Position
Member
Duration
From 1 July 2008 to
30 June 2013
Jennifer Mary McNeil
Member
From 1 July 2008 to
30 June 2013
Johanna Joyce Plante
Member
From 1 July 2008 to
30 June 2013
Rodney (Rod) Francis
Shogren
Member
From 1 July 2008 to
30 June 2013
Andrew Brine
Member
From 18 March 2008
Shirley Brown
Member
From 18 March 2008
David Coleman
Member
From 18 March 2008
Kim Dalton
Member
From 18 March 2008
Annabelle Herd
Member
From 18 March 2008
Bruce Meagher
Member
From 18 March 2008
Clive Morton
Member
From 18 March 2008
Ross Henderson
Member
From 18 March 2008
Colin Doyle
Member
From 18 March 2008
Michael Lonie
Member
From 18 March 2008
Debra Richards
Member
From 18 March 2008
James Shaw
Member
From 18 March 2008
Jackie Zelinksy
Member
From 18 March 2008
-3-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 182
Topic: Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisations
Senator Fierravanti-Wells asked:
Please list all quangos within the following departments and agencies within the
responsibility of these departments:

Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Answer:
The Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio contains no QuasiAutonomous Non-Governmental Organisations.
-4-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 183 (written)
Topic: Funding to Labor Electorates NSW
Senator Fierravanti-Wells asked:
In relation to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and
agencies within its responsibility, please answer the following questions in relation to each of
the Federal seats of Banks, Lowe, Bennelong, Macquarie, Cunningham, Throsby, Barton,
Watson, Charlton and Werriwa:
a) What programs, initiatives, or other undertakings of the Howard Government will be
maintained under the Rudd Government?
b) What programs, initiatives, or other undertakings of the Howard Government will be
reversed under the Rudd Government?
c) What new programs, initiatives or other undertakings will be allocated to these seats
Answer:
The Government has made various decisions, including in the Budget context, about the
establishment of new programs and initiatives, and changes and terminations to existing
programs and initiatives. These are detailed in Portfolio Budget Statements, including for the
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. There are no
programs in the Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio that are
implemented or allocated differentially on the basis of Federal electorates.
-5-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 184
Topic: Election Commitments
Senator Fierravanti-Wells asked:
Please advise whether the list of items under the policy heading on the ALP website
constitutes the total sum election "promises" made by the Rudd Government within the
following portfolios:
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
If not, please provide a comprehensive list which includes all promises referred to on the
ALP website as well as those that were made but are not contained on the ALP website?
Answer:
As indicated in previous answers on this issue (answer to Questions on Notice 153 to 188 of
12 February 2008), the election commitments made by Federal Labor are on the public
record. Those measures implementing commitments that are funded through Budget
appropriations to the Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio are
detailed in Departments’ Portfolio Budget Statements
-6-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 185
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
What is the total number of permanent staff employed on a:
a)
full-time basis?
b)
Part-time basis?
c)
Part-time equivalent basis
Answer:
As at 28 May 2008 the Department employed:
a)
491 staff full time
b)
54 staff part time
-7-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 186
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
How many employees are employed on contract and what is the average length of their
employment period?
Answer:
46 staff are currently employed on contract and the average length of their employment is
45.0686 working days.
-8-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 187
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
What are the base and top level salaries of:
d)
APS level 1 to 6 officers?
e)
Executive level officers?
f)
Senior Executive Services officers?
g)
Equivalent officers employed?
Answer:
The Annual Report for the Department 2006-07 provides salary bands at page 171
(Appendix 5).
-9-
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 188
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
How many officers are employed at executive level and SES level?
Answer:
306 staff were employed at Executive and SES level by the Department as at 26 May 2008.
Classification
Executive Level 1 &
equivalent
Executive level 2 &
Equivalent
SES
Number of staff
176
93
37
- 10 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 189
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
How many permanent staff have been recruited since 26 November 2007? What level are
these staff?
Answer:
There have been 85 ongoing staff recruited since 26 November 2007. These are net figures
and do not take into account the number of ongoing separations from the Department. The
table below outlines the breakdown by classification level as requested.
APS1
APS2
APS3
APS4
APS5
APS6
EL1
EL2
LEG1
LEG2
SESB1
TOTAL
6
14
20
4
3
9
13
8
2
1
5
85
- 11 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 190
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
How many temporary positions exist or have been created since 26 November 2007?
Answer:
The Department has created 4 temporary positions since 26 November 2007.
- 12 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 191
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
Since 26 November, how many employees have been employed on contract and what is the
average length of their employment period.
Answer:
The Department has employed 62 non-ongoing staff since 26 November 2007 and the
average length of their employment period was 75.85 working days.
- 13 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 192
Topic: Workforce Statistics
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
How many staff at SES level or above have left DBCDE since the election? Under what
circumstances have they left? What termination payments have been made?
Answer:
Five SES staff have left since the election.
 One resigned from the APS;
 one permanent transfer to another APS Agency;
 two retirements; and
 one completion of non-ongoing engagement.
There were no termination payments made.
- 14 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 193
Topic: Appointments
Senator Birmingham asked:
What appointments have been made by the Government (through Executive Council, Cabinet
and Ministers) to Statutory Authorities, Executive Agencies and Advisory Boards?
What are the respective appointees’ credentials?
Answer:
(Note: information reflects appointments as at 1 July 2008)
Board
NetAlert
Appointee
Mr Frank Nicholas
NetAlert
Mr Lachlann Paterson
NetAlert
Dr Simon Pelling
Panel of Experts,
National Broadband
Network
Panel of Experts,
National Broadband
Network
Panel of Experts,
National Broadband
Network
Panel of Experts,
National Broadband
Network
Panel of Experts,
National Broadband
Network
Panel of Experts,
National Broadband
Ms Patricia Scott
Duration
From 1 April 2008 to
30 December 2008
Member
From 1 April 2008 to
30 December 2008
Member
From 1 April 2008 to
30 December 2008
Chairperson From 11 March 2008
Mr John Wylie
Member
From 11 March 2008
Tony Mitchell
Member
From 11 March 2008
Professor Rod Tucker
Member
From 11 March 2008
Professor Reg Coutts
Member
From 11 March 2008
Tony Shaw PSM
Member
From 11 March 2008
Panel of Experts,
National Broadband
Network
Dr Ken Henry AC
Member
From 11 March 2008
- 15 -
Position
Member
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority
(ACMA)
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority
(ACMA)
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority
(ACMA)
Australian
Communication and
Media Authority
(ACMA)
Geoffrey William Luther
PSM
Member
From 1 July 2008 to 30
June 2013
Jennifer Mary McNeil
Member
From 1 July 2008 to 30
June 2013
Johanna Joyce Plante
Member
From 1 July 2008 to 30
June 2013
Rodney (Rod) Francis
Shogren
Member
From 1 July 2008 to 30
June 2013
Details of appointees for the Panel of Experts, National Broadband Network were outlined in
the following media release:
Conroy, S (Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) 2008,
Government announces Panel of Experts to assess National Broadband Network proposal,
media release, Parliament House, Canberra, 13 March.
Details of appointees for the Australian Communications and Media Authority were outlined
in the following media release:
Conroy, S (Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) 2008, New
appointments for the Australian Communications and Media Authority, media release,
Parliament House, Canberra, 3 June.
The three appointees to the NetAlert Board, at the time of appointment, were senior
departmental employees.
- 16 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 194
Topic: Board Appointments
Senator Birmingham asked:
How many vacancies remain to be filled by Ministerial (including Cabinet and Executive
Council) appointments?
How long have the positions been vacant?
Answer:
Board
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
(ABC)
Vacancies
2
Australian Communications and Media
Authority (ACMA)
1
Australia Post
2
NetAlert
Regional Telecommunications
Independent Review Committee
0
Non
The relevant legislation does not
Applicable specify how many positions are
available for the committee.
Special Broadcasting Service (SBS)
2
National Broadband Network Panel of
Experts
Non
There is no mandatory minimum
Applicable number of members for the
National Broadband Network
Panel of Experts. On March 11
2008 the Minister announced 7
members of the Panel.
- 17 -
Vacancy Period
These appointments expired on 23
February 2008 and 30 April 2008
respectively.
Although the ACMA Act
provides for up to seven members
in addition to the Chair and
Deputy Chair, a seventh Member
has not been appointed since
ACMA’s creation in 2005.
Two positions have been vacant
since 1/3/07 and 31/5/08
respectively.
These positions expired on 19
December 2007 and 14 April
2008 respectively.
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 195-196
Topic: Ministerial Overseas Travel Costs (as at 27 May 2008)
Senator Birmingham asked:
Has the Minister travelled overseas on official business since appointment?
If so, where was the travel and what was the duration? What was the total cost of:
a) travel?
b) accommodation?
c) any other expenses?
How many Ministerial staff or family accompanied the Minister?
For these staff and/or family, what was the cost of:
a) travel?
b) accommodation?
c) any other expenses?
Answer:
As at 27 May 2008, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
had travelled to Bangkok, Thailand to attend the 7th APEC Telecommunications and
Information Working Group Ministerial Meeting. He was accompanied by his Adviser,
Broadband Telecommunications and Media, Dr Kate Cornick. The Minister and Dr Cornick
departed Australia on 22 April and arrived back in Australia on 26 April. The Department of
Finance and Deregulation (DoFD), is responsible for meeting the cost of Ministers’ official
overseas travel, including the travel costs for any accompanying ministerial staff member.
DoFD has provided the following acquitted travel costs for this visit:
Airfare
Minister
Adviser
$7413.38
$7413.38
Accommodation
(3 nights)
Nil (courtesy of Host Nation)
Nil (courtesy of Host Nation)
- 18 -
Travel
Allowance
$252.00
$467.66
Other
Nil
Nil
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 197
Topic: Ministerial Overseas Travel – Associated Departmental Travel Costs (as at 27
May 2008)
Senator Birmingham asked:
How many officers from the Department accompanied the Minister?
In relation to these Departmental officers, what was the total cost of:
a) travel?
b) accommodation?
c) any other expenses?
Answer:
Four delegates from the Department participated in the 7th APEC Telecommunications and
Information Working Group Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. The total cost to the
Department was $26,464.10. Breakdown is as follows:
Delegate
Airfare
Accommodation
Secretary
$6176.63
$1056.00
Travel
Allowance
$392.50
Other
Assistant
Secretary
(SES1)
Manager (EL2)
$4636.48
$1075.47
$600.00
$4636.48
$1094.89
$600.00
Assistant
Manager (EL1)
Totals
$4636.48
$1056.00
$475.00
$9.00
(currency
conversion)
$18.00
(currency
conversion)
$1.17 (phone
calls)
NIL
$20,086.07
$4282.36
$2067.50
$28.17
Grand Total: $26,464.10
The Ministerial Meeting was held from 23-25 April 2008. The Assistant Secretary, the
Manager and the Assistant Manager arrived in Thailand on 19 April to attend a series of
preparatory meetings ahead of the Ministerial Meeting. The Secretary arrived with the
Minister on 22 April. The delegation departed at the conclusion of the Ministerial Meeting
on 25 April and arrived back in Australia on 26 April.
- 19 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: 198
Topic: Departmental staffing
Senator Birmingham asked: Senator Conroy
How many Departmental Liaison Officers have been allocated to the Minister?
Answer:
Two Departmental Liaison Officers have been allocated to the Minister.
- 20 -
Senate Standing Committee on the
Environment, Communications and the Arts
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2008
Question: #199, 200, 201
Topic: Community Cabinet
Senator Birmingham asked:
What was the cost of the Minister’s travel and expenses for the three Community Cabinet
meetings that have been held?
How many ministerial staff and departmental officers travelled with the Minister for the
Cabinet meetings?
What was the total cost of this travel?
Answer:
The Minister attended Community Cabinet meetings at Perth, Narangba and South Penrith.
Costs associated with the Minister and his staff are paid by the Department of Finance and
Deregulation. The Minister was accompanied by one Advisor and one Department Official
for each of these meetings.
The total cost to the Department was $ 2727.06.
- 21 -