Additional estimates 2002-03
March
2003
© Commonwealth of Australia 2003
ISBN 0 642 71224 7
Download this report as a single file (PDF 252KB)
Contents
Membership of the Committee
Report to the Senate
Introduction
Hearings
Questions on notice - date for response
Portfolio specific issues
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio
Environment and Heritage portfolio
Acknowledgements
Appendix 1 - Public hearing agendas
Membership of the Legislation Committee
Members
Senator Alan Eggleston,
Chair (LP, WA)
Senator Sue Mackay,
Deputy Chair (ALP, TAS)
Senator Andrew
Bartlett (AD, QLD)
Senate Kate Lundy
(ALP, ACT)
Senator Santo
Santoro (LP, QLD)
Senator Tsebin
Tchen (LP, VIC)
Substitute Members
Senator Brian
Greig (AD, WA) to replace Senator
Bartlett for matters relating to the
Information Technology portfolio
Senator Aden Ridgeway (AD, NSW) to replace Senator
Bartlett for matters relating to the Arts
portfolio
Participating Members
Senator the Hon
Eric Abetz
(LP, TAS)
Senator the Hon
Nick Bolkus
(ALP, SA)
Senator the Hon
Ron Boswell
(NPA, QLD)
Senator Bob Brown
(AG, TAS)
Senator George
Campbell (ALP, NSW)
Senator Kim Carr
(ALP, VIC)
Senator Grant
Chapman (LP, SA)
Senator Stephen
Conroy (ALP, VIC)
Senator the Hon
Helen Coonan
(LP, NSW)
Senator Christopher
Evans (ALP, WA)
Senator the Hon
John Faulkner
(ALP, NSW)
Senator Alan Ferguson
(LP, SA)
Senator Jeannie
Ferris (LP, SA)
Senator Brian
Harradine (Ind,
TAS)
Senator Leonard
Harris (PHON, QLD)
Senator Susan
Knowles (LP, WA)
Senator Meg Lees
(Ind, SA)
Senator Ross
Lightfoot (LP, WA)
Senator Jan McLucas
(ALP, QLD)
Senator Brett
Mason (LP, QLD)
Senator Julian
McGauran (NPA, VIC)
Senator Shayne
Murphy (Ind,
TAS)
Senator Kerry
Nettle (AG, NSW)
Senator Robert
Ray (ALP, VIC)
Senator John Watson
(LP, TAS)
Senator Penny
Wong (ALP, SA)
Senator John Cherry
(AD, QLD) for matters relating to the Communications portfolio
Committee Secretariat
Mr
Michael McLean,
Secretary
Ms
Jacquie Hawkins,
Research Officer
Committee Address
Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the
Arts Legislation Committee
S1.57, Parliament House
Canberra ACT
2600
Tel: 02 6277 3526
Fax: 02 6277 5818
Email: ecita.sen@aph.gov.au
Internet: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/ecita_ctte/index.htm
Report to the Senate
Introduction
On 12 December
2002 the Senate referred the following documents to legislation
committees for examination and report:
-
Particulars of proposed additional expenditure
in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2003 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3)
2002-2003;
-
Particulars of certain proposed additional
expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2003 [Appropriation Bill
(No. 4) 2002-2003;
-
Statement of savings expected in annual
appropriations made by Act No. 43 of 2002 (Appropriation
Act (No. 1) 2002-2003) and Act No. 44 of 2002 (Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2002-2003);
-
Final budget outcome 2001-02 (tabled 16 October
2002).[1]
On 6 February 2003
the Senate also referred the Issues from
the Advance to the Finance Minister as a final charge for the year ended 30 June
2002 to legislation committees for examination and report in
conjunction with documents previously referred.[2]
The Committee was required to report to the Senate on 19 March 2003.[3]
Hearings
The Committee conducted public hearings on the
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio on 10 and 11 February 2003 and on the
Environment and Heritage portfolio on 11
February 2003. The evidence given is recorded in Hansard and is available on the Internet
at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/s-ecita.htm
Written responses and information provided to the Committee
on notice arising from the hearings are compiled as volumes of Additional
Information. These volumes are tabled in the Senate and the responses are
posted on the Committee’s web page at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/ecita_ctte/estimates/index.htm
Questions on notice - date for response
In accordance with Standing Order 26(9)(a), the Committee
agreed that the date for written answers or additional information in response
to questions placed on notice at the hearings be Thursday, 27 March 2003.
The Committee notes that in its previous two estimates
reports it has made comment about responses to questions on notice not being
provided in a timely manner. Again it must note that responses from the
November 2002 round of hearings on the 2002-2003 Budget Estimates were not
provided by the due date with, for example, the bulk of responses from the
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts not received
until late January and February. Responses from Telstra were still being
received during the course of the current round of hearings in February.
To emphasise its concerns about late responses, the
Committee raised the problem with the Minister during the hearings.
Once again, the Committee expresses its expectation that
responses to questions on notice should be provided to it by the due date.
Portfolio specific issues
During its examination of the 2002-2003 Additional
Estimates, the Committee raised a variety of issues which are noted below.
Communications, Information
Technology and the Arts portfolio
The Committee welcomed Senator the Hon
Richard Alston,
Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
Outcome 2 - Competitive and effective communications and information
technology industries and services and improved access to government
information
Communications
Telstra
-
Government’s current policy on further sale of
Telstra (pp. 3-5)[4]
-
Regulatory accounting framework - the accounting
separation of Telstra (p. 10)
-
Timetable for the return of responses to
questions on notice from the last round of estimates hearings (pp. 12-14)
-
Telstra relationship with Reach (pp. 17-20)
-
AEC electoral disclosure returns (pp. 20-21)
-
Outsourcing of consumer debt to private debt
collectors (pp. 22-24)
-
House of Representatives committee inquiry into
Telstra (pp. 24-29)
-
Pair gains systems (pp. 30-35)
-
Broadband services, ADSL, CMUX (pp. 34-38)
-
Telephone faults in the Brisbane area (p. 41)
-
Use of plastic bags in the network (pp. 42-43)
-
Use of sealant gel (p. 44)
-
Air pressure problems in the Illawarra and
Sydney districts (pp. 46-49)
-
Grading system for cables (pp. 49-51)
-
Use of gas bottles to maintain air pressure (p.
51)
-
NDC staff levels in Queensland (p. 54)
Australian Broadcasting
Corporation
-
Triennial funding submission (pp. 55-58)
-
Funding of the ABC National Interest Initiative
(pp. 59-60)
-
Complaint review process (p. 62)
-
Documentary Victims/Seasons
of Revenge (pp. 63-66)
-
Broadcasting of the Prime Minister’s statement
on Iraq (pp. 66-70, 71-72)
-
Retransmission of ABC signal over pay TV
networks agreements (p. 71, 72-73)
-
Loan of plasma screen by Telstra to the Minister
(pp. 74-75)
Australian Broadcasting
Authority
-
Role of the ABA in regard to the Interactive
Gambling Act (pp. 75-76)
-
Implications of the High Court decision in Dow
Jones v Gutnick (p. 76)
Australian
Communications Authority
-
Annual telecommunications performance report
2001-02 (pp. 77-78)
-
Telstra’s fault rectification standards for
urban Australia (pp. 79-80)
-
Annual consumer satisfaction survey (pp. 80-81)
-
Telstra’s service disruption notices (p. 82)
Australia Post
-
Returns of terrorism kits (pp. 82-83, 88)
-
Increase in basic postage rate (p. 84)
-
Increased regulatory oversight of Australia Post
by ACCC (p. 84)
-
Identity checks when posting packages over 500
grams (p. 86)
-
Postal industry ombudsman (p. 86)
-
Proposed legislation in relation to couriers
(pp. 86-87)
Department of
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
-
Departmental investment figures in PAES (p. 88)
-
Postal industry ombudsman paper (p. 89)
-
Cross media ownership legislation (pp. 90-91)
-
Digital set top boxes (p. 91)
-
ABA report into the antisyphoning lists (p. 95)
Information
Technology
Department of
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
-
Interactive Gambling Act review (p. 98)
-
Building Additional Regional Networks program
(pp. 104-105)
-
Integration of TES into Telstra (pp. 106-110)
-
Redevelopment of the department’s web site (pp.
111-113)
-
Cost of the Framework for the Future committee
(pp. 113-114)
-
Joint industry-government working party on
technology related issues (pp. 114-115)
-
Breaches of industry development clauses in IT
outsourcing contracts (pp. 117-122)
-
The ICT Centre of Excellence, NICTA (pp.
122-123)
National Office for the
Information Economy
-
Report of the Broadband Advisory Group (p. 124)
-
Department/agency compliance with required
standards for security of government systems (p. 126)
Cultural and Sport
The Committee welcomed Senator the Hon Rod Kemp, Minister
for the Arts and Sport.
Outcome 1 - A rich and stimulating cultural environment and a stronger,
sustainable and internationally competitive Australian sports sector
Cultural
National Science and
Technology Centre (Questacon)
-
Effect of the additional budget statements on
Questacon’s budget (pp. 131-132)
-
Impact on Questacon of the development of
Commonwealth Place (p. 132)
Department of
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
-
National cultural institutions review (pp.
133-135)
Australia Council
-
Appointment of new artistic director at Opera
Australia (p. 135)
-
Attendances at Opera Australia performances (p.
136)
-
Box office receipts (pp. 136-137)
-
Review of operations (p. 137)
Australian Film
Commission and Australian Film Finance Corporation
-
Production of locally produced material (p. 137)
-
Investment incentives (pp. 138-139)
-
Appointment of new CEO to Film Finance
Corporation (p. 140)
-
Commissioning of program Victims/Seasons of Revenge (pp. 140-141)
-
Australian Film Institute financial status (p.
141)
National Archives of Australia
-
Appointment of new director-general (p. 142)
National Gallery of Australia
-
Air conditioning system incident (pp. 143-151)
National Library of Australia
-
Staffing reductions (pp. 153-154)
National Museum of Australia
-
Staff secondments (p. 155)
-
Reappointment of current Director (pp. 155-156)
-
Reviews of the museum (pp. 157-165)
-
Review of exhibitions and public programs (pp.
160-169)
-
Cost of providing secretariat for the review of
exhibitions and programs (p. 165)
Sport
Australian Sports
Commission
-
Backing Australia’s Sporting Ability program (p.
170-171)
-
Participation at the Athens Paralympic Games (p.
173)
Environment and Heritage portfolio
The Committee welcomed Senator the Hon
Robert Hill,
Minister for Defence, representing the Hon
David Kemp,
Minister for the Environment and Heritage.
Outcome 1 - The environment, especially those aspects that are matters
of national environmental significance, is protected and conserved
Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
-
Visitation levels at Reef HQ (pp. 177-178)
-
Representative Areas Program (pp. 178-179)
-
Proposed extension of marine park boundaries
(pp. 181-183)
-
Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Shipping
Management Group (p. 183)
-
Upgrade of navigation charts (p. 183)
Department of the
Environment and Heritage
-
Summary of the changes in the department’s
appropriations (pp. 175-176
-
Seismic exploration in the Otway Basin and
sightings of blue whales (pp. 184-189)
-
Beached whales in Western Australia and South
Australia (p. 189)
-
Fox action plan in Tasmania (pp. 191-193)
-
EIS on the hazardous waste repository (pp.
193-205)
-
Natural Heritage Trust funding criteria (p. 207)
-
EA energy consumption - ANAO audit of Tenant
Light and Power energy use by agencies (pp. 217-218)
Australian Greenhouse
Office
-
Appointment of new CEO (pp. 208-209)
-
Greenhouse gas emissions (pp. 209-210)
-
Ratification of the Kyoto protocol (pp. 210-213)
-
Smith review (pp. 213-215)
-
Staffing numbers (p. 217)
-
MRET review panel (pp. 218-219, 223-224)
-
Review of the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP)
(pp. 224-226)
-
Long-term strategic energy policy and the
ministerial oversight committee (pp. 227-228)
-
Southern Pacific Petroleum, Stuart Oil Shale
project addendum report (pp. 228-230)
Acknowledgements
The Committee thanks the Minister for Communications,
Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Richard Alston; the
Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator the Hon Rod Kemp, and the Minister for
Defence, Senator the Hon Robert Hill representing the Minister for the
Environment and Heritage, along with officers from both portfolio departments
and agencies, for their assistance during this additional estimates process.
Senator Alan Eggleston
Chairman
Appendix 1
Additional
Estimates 2002-2003
Monday, 10 February 2003
Commencing 9:00am
Committee Room
2S3
(Waiting Room
Committee Room 2S2)
To be broadcast on
Channel 11, Radio 91.1
http://webcast.aph.gov.au
Lunch from 1.00-2.00pm
Dinner Break from 6.00-7.00pm
Communications,
Information Technology and the Arts Portfolio
9.00am - Communications
Telstra
Australian
Broadcasting Corporation
Australian
Broadcasting Authority
Australian
Communications Authority
Australia Post
Department
Outcome 2 - Competitive and effective communications and information technology
industries and services
Outcome 2.1 Telecommunications, Broadcasting and
Intellectual Property
Corporate Services
7.00pm -
Information Technology
Department
Outcome 2 - Competitive and effective communications and information technology industries
and services and improved access to Government information
Output 2.1 ID,
BITS, Government online
Corporate Services
National Office for the
Information Economy
Adjournment 11.00pm
Additional
Estimates 2002-2003
Tuesday, 11 February 2003
Commencing 9:00am
Committee Room
2S3
(Waiting Room
Committee Room 2S2)
To be broadcast on
Channel 11, Radio 91.1
http://webcast.aph.gov.au
Lunch from 1.00-2.00pm
Dinner Break from 6.00-7.00pm
Communications,
Information Technology and the Arts Portfolio cont
9.00 am - Cultural and Sport
Outcome
3 - Australians value science and technology’s contribution to our culture and
economic prosperity
Australia Council
Australian Film
Commission
Australian Film
Finance Corporation
National Archives of Australia
National Gallery of Australia
National Library of Australia
National Museum of Australia
Outcome 1 - A rich and stimulating cultural
environment and a stronger, sustainable and internationally competitive
Australian sports sector
Output 1.1 Support and awareness for the
cultural and sport sectors
Australian Sports
Commission
2.00 pm - Environment and Heritage Portfolio
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Department of the
Environment and Heritage (Environment Australia)
Policy
Coordination Division
Strategic
Development Division
Approvals
and Wildlife Division
Marine
and Water Division
Heritage
Division (including Australian Heritage Commission)
Natural
Heritage Division
Sustainable
Industries and Atmosphere Division
Parks Australia
Australian Greenhouse
Office
Adjournment 11.00pm
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