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Page 42 Senate Monday, 27 February 2017 Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Okay, can I press on. There has been a lot of discussion about the rent going up at Aussies this morning. I do not want to go over that ground. What I do want to know is whether any further rent increases are expected for other occupants of Parliament House. Ms Croke: For other licence holders we have in the past—probably over the past 18 months or two years— renewed all of the agreements in the press gallery. There were some increases there. We are still talking to the other licence holders—the physiotherapist and the hairdresser. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Is there any increase listed or being considered for the childcare centre? Ms Croke: The childcare centre's licence runs until the end of 2018, I think. I would need to take on notice what we are doing after that. But they have a current licence for that one. Yes, it is January 2018. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: When was the last time they had a rent increase? Ms Croke: I would need to check. A lot of the agreements do have an annual CPI increase in them. No, hang on, we do not actually charge them licence fees. They are the ones we do not charge a fee to. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: So they do not pay rent? Ms Croke: They do not pay rent. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Has there been an increase for media organisations in the press gallery lately? Ms Croke: Most of the agreements were settled early last year, and there were some increases to reflect increases in the cost of utilities. Since then, the variations have been where they have increased areas and decreased areas. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Is there a schedule of how much it costs to rent space in the press gallery? Ms Croke: It varies because each media licensee has a very different area. So it accounts for the space they have. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Sure, just like renting an office in a building. Ms Croke: Yes. I can take on notice whether there is a— Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Is it transparent in any way? Ms Croke: It is transparent to each of the licensees when we negotiate with them. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Yes, but does one occupant know the rent they are paying versus the rent the person next door is paying? Ms Croke: It is a commercial and confidential agreement with each individual licensee, so no, not unless they share it amongst themselves. We would not share that information. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Is there any public documentation for the taxpayer to know how much the various media organisations are paying to be housed in Parliament House, the people's house? Ms Croke: Rent for the press gallery in total for this current financial year to the end of January was slightly over $1 million. Senator McALLISTER: For the benefit of other senators, opposition senators have repeatedly ceded our time to allow the committee to progress in an orderly way. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: I am nearly finished. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: So $1 million overall, but there is no schedule that you can say the various different units in the press gallery are being charged this amount for rent? Ms Croke: No. As I said, we have an individual licence agreement with each licensee. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Could I ask you to take it on notice? I would like a schedule of how much people are paying in the press gallery and for what amount of space. Ms Croke: We will look at what we can provide to you. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: I do not see why there would be a problem and why that would be an issue of something that needs to be kept secret. Ms Croke: It is an individual commercial arrangement with each one, but we will look at what we can provide you in general terms and see what else we can do. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Could I also get you to take on notice what the time frame is for any other rent increases, either in the press gallery or amongst any of the other occupants? Ms Croke: We can certainly identify that in terms of the regular CPI increases and other arrangements. FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Monday, 27 February 2017 Senate Page 43 Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Or outside of that. Of course, we know Aussies is not CPI. Ms Croke: The only time it occurs outside the licence is when we get to the end of the licence and we are in the process of negotiating a new licence with the licensee. Senator HANSON-YOUNG: Thank you. Senator WONG: Can I just go through that again? The commercial-in-confidence claim which I think you have alluded to—there is a process. The committee would need to entertain that claim. I do not think it would be helpful to Senator Hanson-Young if she just gets commercial-in-confidence without any explanation, in accordance with the statement the chair reads out at the commencement of the hearing. Ms Croke: I am aware of that. We will look at that. CHAIR: Thank you. In the interests of time, there will be questions on notice. Do any other senators have questions of DPS? There being no further questions, I thank the department. [12:37] Parliamentary Service Commissioner CHAIR: I welcome the Parliamentary Service Commissioner, the Hon. John Lloyd. Mr Lloyd, do you wish to make an opening statement? Mr Lloyd: No, I do not. Senator McALLISTER: I have some very brief questions for you. We were discussing this morning with the Department of the Senate the way that their bargaining process is constrained by the enterprise bargaining policy more broadly across government. There was some indication that if they sought to deviate from the bargaining framework, in your Parliamentary Service Commissioner role you may have a role in approving such a deviation. Is that your understanding? Mr Lloyd: No, it is not, Senator. The role in relation to bargaining is clearly as the Public Service Commissioner. The Parliamentary Service Commissioner provides advice to the Presiding Officers on matters relating essentially to employment principles and values—things like that—and, of course, can provide advice if they are asked to do an inquiry. I do not see that it would be the role of the Parliamentary Service Commissioner to provide advice on that. I would do it as Public Service Commissioner, I would have thought. Senator McALLISTER: Thank you. As that is the case I will reserve my questions around that for when you appear in that capacity. I have no further questions, Chair. CHAIR: As there are no further questions, I thank the Parliamentary Service Commissioner. We will look forward to seeing you later today. I thank the President. The President: I am released as well. I am on parole too. CHAIR: You are. We will adjourn and resume with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Proceedings suspended from 12:38 to 13:32 FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
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