Parliament

Community Affairs 23 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—I have another one that you may say to do somewhere else. I am going to be asking this in several portfolio areas: how much does the department spend on managing contracts and grants with NGOs?

Ms Halton—We probably cannot do it by NGOs. We have done quite a bit of work as part of the strategic review on what we think we spend, in macro terms, on managing grants in toto. I cannot disaggregate it.

Senator SIEWERT—Between commercial and NGOs?
Ms Halton—No.

Environment and Communications - 22 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—I have some questions that I think might belong here rather than with the commission, so I will try them out. I am interested in the future role of the National Water Commission. I understand that the commission’s term is up fairly shortly; is that correct?

Mr Slatyer—Yes, under the National Water Commission Act that act terminates on 30 June 2012.

Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee - Monday 21 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—I understand you have started a project called drivers and barriers to the management of native vegetation on private land.

Mr Glyde—Correct.

Senator SIEWERT—I cannot find it very easily. Where would I find the details about that particular project?

Mr Morris—The project is still underway. It was one, I believe, contracted to us from the sustainable resource management area of the department. But if you would like a copy of the terms of reference—

Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee - Monday 21 February 2011

CHAIR—I welcome the officers from Sustainable Resource Management. We will go to Senator Siewert.

Senator SIEWERT—I understand your discussion document has been released for the review.

Mr Thompson—Yes.

Senator SIEWERT—When was it released?

Mr Thompson—Today.

Senator SIEWERT—That is what I thought. What time was it released?

Mr Thompson—I think it went on the web at about 3.30.

Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee - Monday 21 February 2011

Mr Noble—I can, if you wish. The program you refer to is called Beyond Farming. It is a program delivered by the WA Council of Social Service. They sought expressions of interest for people to become mentors, so former farmers to become mentors to current farmers. We can provide details about the selection process for those mentors, if you would like.

Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee - Monday 21 February 2011

Environment and Communications - Monday 21 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—Generally, I want to continue on the course of questioning I was asking about last estimates in terms of funding. In fact, I think over the last two estimates we have been talking about whether the cuts that were announced last year in terms of the funding for Caring for our Country actually moved to the NRS program. My understanding from the answers that we got was that it did. I am just wondering whether you have any more detail about where those cuts have been made to the program.

Environment and Communications Committee - Monday 21 February 2011

CHAIR—I now call officers from the department in relation to program 1.1, Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.

Senator SIEWERT—I would like to ask about the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Structural Adjustment Package and the report that was fairly recently released. How much was spent in total under the structural adjustment process?

Mr Oxley—The total amount spent under the package was $215 million.

Environment and Communications Committee - Monday 21 February 2011

CHAIR—I now call on officers from the department in relation to program 1.2, Environmental regulation, information and research.
Senator SIEWERT—Could I ask about the dieback threat abatement plan and where that is up to?

Mr Oxley—Yes. The department is still in the process of reviewing options for a renewal or an updating of the threat abatement plan that was disallowed by the Senate back in November 2009.

Environment and Communications Committee - Monday 21 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—Thanks. I want to move on to Christmas Island. I want to go to the expert working group and the release of the report and then the implementation of its recommendations and find where that is up to. Then I want to ask a few specific questions.