Parliamentary Departments
2.1
The committee took evidence from the parliamentary departments on Monday, 21 May 2007. The following issues of interest are discussed below:
- Parliamentary education;
- Ordinary Annual Services;
- Security checks for pass holders; and
- Refurbishments.
Department of the Senate
Parliamentary education
2.2
Following inquiries at previous hearings, the committee scrutinised the
Parliamentary Education Office's interaction with the newly established Parliamentary
and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program administered by the Department of
Education, Science and Training (DEST). The committee reiterated concerns
surrounding the decision to reallocate the Citizenship Visits Program from
Parliament to DEST. The committee requested the department correspond with DEST
to obtain statistics showing the number of students who have received payments
under the PACER program, and the number of those students who participated in
the PEO program at Parliament House.[1]
2.3
In response to correspondence from the Department of the Senate, DEST
supplied statistics for PACER, not statistics for students of the PACER program
who participated in the PEO program. DEST explained that schools only had to
attend the mandatory institutions as part of the PACER program 'wherever
possible', as stated in the guidelines. This measure is intended to ensure that
schools were not disadvantaged if certain institutions did not have the
capacity to host the increasing number of school visits under the PACER
program.[2]
Ordinary Annual Services
2.4
The committee also sought information on outcome budgeting and the
ordinary annual services of the government in relation to section 53 of the
Constitution with reference to the committee's report, Transparency and
accountability of Commonwealth public funding and expenditure. The
committee explored the Minister's delayed response to the Appropriations and
Staffing Committee's request for information on the adequacy of portfolio
budget statements in distinguishing between ordinary annual services and newly
established programs.[3]
Subsequent to the hearing, the Minister responded to the President of the
Senate in writing. [4] This matter was further discussed
during the examination of the Department of Finance and Administration (see
chapter 4).
2.5
During the examination of the department, members of the committee and
other senators in attendance also raised the following issues:
- The Dalai Lama's visit to Canberra;
- Rules on photography and broadcasting of Senate proceedings;
- Replacement of printers in Senators' offices; and
- Refurbishment of the chamber refreshment rooms.
Department of Parliamentary Services
Security checks for pass holders
2.6
The committee raised questions with the Department of Parliamentary
Services (DPS) in relation to the proposals to subject certain classes of pass
holders (press gallery, lobbyists, staff of non-ministerial parliamentarians
and departmental employees) to security checks prior to employment. Some
committee members expressed concern that the proposal could impede the freedom
of press, and suggested the proposal be examined by the staffing committee.[5]
2.7
Subsequent to the hearings, the Presiding Officers announced that they
would not accept the recommendation that members of the Press Gallery undergo
police background checks due to genuine concerns expressed by building
occupants.
Ms Karen Middleton, the press gallery president, responded:
The Press Gallery believes this proposal, had it proceeded,
would have given police and bureaucrats the power to determine who works as a
journalist. This would have fundamentally undermined basic democratic tenets
including free access to the legislature and an independent media. We
appreciate the Presiding Officers' willingness to hear the arguments and their
subsequent decision not to proceed.[6]
2.8
Other security issues relating to members of parliaments' staff are
discussed in the report's examination of the Department of Finance and
Administration in
chapter 4.
Refurbishments
2.9
There was prolonged examination of DPS regarding the cost of planned
refurbishments of the dining suite in the Prime Minister's
office.[7]
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister later indicated outside the hearing that 'there
was a proposal to increase the size of the area but the Government has decided
not to proceed.'[8]
2.10
In addition, the committee heard that $200 000 had been allocated to
replace the executive chairs in the Cabinet suite as the previous chairs had
been water damaged in a flood two years ago. The department noted that $94 315
of this expenditure would be reimbursed by Comcover.[9]
2.11
The committee was pleased to hear the positive report on the functioning
of the security bollards outside the entrances to Parliament House. The
committee heard that there had been no incidences since March 2007, and a 0.07
per cent failure rate.
2.12
The committee was also pleased to hear DPS had undertaken to follow up
various inquiries from previous hearings. DPS is requesting a Health Services
Australia review of the influenza vaccine administered on a voluntary basis to
building occupants.[10]
2.13
The committee also heard that indexes for the bound volumes of Hansard
had been improved and re-inserted into the volumes.[11]
2.14
Other matters of interest raised included:
- Improving energy efficiencies and use of water in Parliament
House;[12]
- Other building services and refurbishments; and
- Various activities of the Parliamentary Library.
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page