COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL

In reply to Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (27 June 2007). (Estimates Committee A).

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change): The Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade has provided the following information:

There are no costs associated with the establishment of the Competitiveness Council. The Economic Development Board members of the Competitiveness Council do not receive any remuneration for their work on the Council. A Competitiveness Council secretariat has been established within the Office of the Economic Development Board to support the Council and this comprises four FTEs. The positions were reallocated from within the Department of Trade and Economic Development and no new positions have been created to support the Council.