Wide Bay Electorate: Program Funding

Senator O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 10 July 2002:

1. What programs and/or grants administered by the department provide assistance to people living in the federal electorate of Wide Bay.
2. What was the level of funding provided through these programs and/or grants for the 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 financial years.
3. Where specific projects were funded: (a) what was the location of each project; (b) what was the nature of each project; and (c) what was the level of funding for each project.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. Defence establishments in and around the Wide Bay electorate that generate income and contribute to the community include the Wide Bay Training Area; the 7th Brigade depots at Maryborough and Gympie; and the 11th Brigade depot at Biloela. These bring a throughput of approximately 30,000 Australian Defence Force members to the Wide Bay area. Defence has not awarded grants in the Wide Bay electorate.
2. Out-sourcing to the local community in the Wide Bay electorate is estimated to be

   	1999-2000	2000-2001	2001-2002
   Wide Bay Training Area	$1,599,000	$1,984,000	$945,000
   Maryborough depot	$17,000	$10,000	$177,000
   Gympie depot	$1,300	$500	$800

3. Besides the information above, Defence Food Accounting Unit has indicated that it spends at least $150,000 per year on perishables supporting units in the Wide Bay Area and 11th Brigade maintains a depot at Biloela supporting approximately 62 cadets.

close