❓ Hon John Cowdell questions the Gascoyne, Kimberley, and Wheatbelt Development Commissions regarding their advertising expenditure disclosures for the 1997-98 and 1998-99 financial years. The Minister provides detailed breakdowns of advertising expenditure for each commission, revealing inconsistencies in reporting practices and interpretations of the Electoral Act.
AnsweredQoN 846Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(2) Have the - (a) Gascoyne; (b) Kimberley; and (c) Wheatbelt, Development Commissions disclosed their advertising expenditure for the - (i) 1997-98; and (ii) 1998-99, financial years? (3) If not, why not? (4) What was the advertising expenditure for each of the above-mentioned Regional Development Commissions in the - (a) 1997-98; and (b) 1998-99, financial years? Answered on 8 November 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 November 2000
Response time
55 days
Gascoyne Development Commission (1) Yes, the Regional Development Commissions are required to comply with section 175 ZE of the Electoral Act. (2) The Gascoyne Development Commission did not separately disclose advertising expenditure for 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 in the Annual Reports. (3) Not applicable (4) The advertising expenditure of the Gascoyne Development Commission for the period 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 is shown. 1997-1998 1998-1999 Media - Northern Guardian $1 368.50 $ 4 131.90 TV GWN $ 1 784.00 TV WIN Radio 6LN $ 626.00 Carnarvon Community News $ 385.00 Gascoyne Community Directory $ 490.00 Geraldton Newspaper $ 1 409.40 Kalgoorlie Miner $ 296.60 Marketforce Productions $3 412.56 $10 191.10 Media Decisions $ 8 147.57 Phoenix Communications $10 570.00 West Australian $ 69.30 TOTALS $4 781.06 $38 100.87 Kimberley Development Commission (1) Yes (2) The Kimberley Development Commission made no Electoral Act disclosure in its Annual Reports of 1997-1998 or 1998-1999. (3) The Kimberley Development Commission has interpreted the requirements of Section 175 ZE, of the Electoral Act 1907, within the context of the other provisions of the Electoral Act 1907, to highlight a requirement to disclose classes of expenditure incurred for electoral purposes and matters. The Commission incurred no expenditure in the listed categories, within its interpretation. The Commission's interpretation is guided by:- (a) No adverse report being made by the Office of the Auditor General in respect of the Commission's failure to report against Section 175 ZE in either of its 1997-1998 or 1998-1999 Annual Reports. (b) The Political Finance Report 1997, tabled 12 August 1998, wherein the Electoral Commissioner recommended: - "That section 175 ZE of the Electoral Act regarding reporting on electoral expenditure by public agencies be moved to a more appropriate piece of legislation such as the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985". Whilst the Commission has not received information which directly challenges its interpretation, it has complied in its 1999-2000 Annual Report with the requirements of Section 175 ZE as interpreted by other agencies. (4) Consistent with the interpretation of the reporting requirements of other portfolio agencies, the Commission's advertising expenditure for each of the preceding financial years were: 1997-1998 1998-1999 Advertising Market Force $4 292.00 $14 163.00 Market Research - Asset Research Nil $ 4 890.00 Polling Nil Nil Direct Mail Nil Nil Media Advertising: Kimberley Echo $ 120.00 Nil Broome Advertiser $ 98.00 Nil Boab Babbler $ 100.00 Nil NT News $ 294.00 Nil Pay Dirt Productions $ 285.00 Nil Prospect Magazine $ 149.00 Nil Trade Route Magazine Nil $ 350.00 TOTAL $5 338.00 $19 403.00 Wheatbelt Development Commission (1) Yes (2) No The Wheatbelt Development Commission complied with the interpretation of S175 ZE of the Electoral Act 1907 that is required the Commission to report on electoral expenditure only. In 1999 the Commission became aware of the interpretation that the Act required disclosure of all expenditure. The 1999-2000 Annual Report includes such disclosure. (3) Wheatbelt Development Commission expenditure or advertising to 1997-1998 was $4 262.74 and 1998-1999 was $11 053.90.
(b) Kimberley; and (c) Wheatbelt, Development Commissions disclosed their advertising expenditure for the - (i) 1997-98; and (ii) 1998-99, financial years?
(c) Wheatbelt, Development Commissions disclosed their advertising expenditure for the - (i) 1997-98; and (ii) 1998-99, financial years?
Development Commissions disclosed their advertising expenditure for the - (i) 1997-98; and (ii) 1998-99, financial years?
(ii) 1998-99, financial years?
financial years?
(4) What was the advertising expenditure for each of the above-mentioned Regional Development Commissions in the - (a) 1997-98; and (b) 1998-99, financial years? Answered on 8 November 2000 The Minister Replied: Gascoyne Development Commission (1) Yes, the Regional Development Commissions are required to comply with section 175 ZE of the Electoral Act. (2) The Gascoyne Development Commission did not separately disclose advertising expenditure for 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 in the Annual Reports. (3) Not applicable (4) The advertising expenditure of the Gascoyne Development Commission for the period 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 is shown. 1997-1998 1998-1999 Media - Northern Guardian $1 368.50 $ 4 131.90 TV GWN $ 1 784.00 TV WIN Radio 6LN $ 626.00 Carnarvon Community News $ 385.00 Gascoyne Community Directory $ 490.00 Geraldton Newspaper $ 1 409.40 Kalgoorlie Miner $ 296.60 Marketforce Productions $3 412.56 $10 191.10 Media Decisions $ 8 147.57 Phoenix Communications $10 570.00 West Australian $ 69.30 TOTALS $4 781.06 $38 100.87 Kimberley Development Commission (1) Yes (2) The Kimberley Development Commission made no Electoral Act disclosure in its Annual Reports of 1997-1998 or 1998-1999. (3) The Kimberley Development Commission has interpreted the requirements of Section 175 ZE, of the Electoral Act 1907, within the context of the other provisions of the Electoral Act 1907, to highlight a requirement to disclose classes of expenditure incurred for electoral purposes and matters. The Commission incurred no expenditure in the listed categories, within its interpretation. The Commission's interpretation is guided by:- (a) No adverse report being made by the Office of the Auditor General in respect of the Commission's failure to report against Section 175 ZE in either of its 1997-1998 or 1998-1999 Annual Reports. (b) The Political Finance Report 1997, tabled 12 August 1998, wherein the Electoral Commissioner recommended: - "That section 175 ZE of the Electoral Act regarding reporting on electoral expenditure by public agencies be moved to a more appropriate piece of legislation such as the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985". Whilst the Commission has not received information which directly challenges its interpretation, it has complied in its 1999-2000 Annual Report with the requirements of Section 175 ZE as interpreted by other agencies. (4) Consistent with the interpretation of the reporting requirements of other portfolio agencies, the Commission's advertising expenditure for each of the preceding financial years were: 1997-1998 1998-1999 Advertising Market Force $4 292.00 $14 163.00 Market Research - Asset Research Nil $ 4 890.00 Polling Nil Nil Direct Mail Nil Nil Media Advertising: Kimberley Echo $ 120.00 Nil Broome Advertiser $ 98.00 Nil Boab Babbler $ 100.00 Nil NT News $ 294.00 Nil Pay Dirt Productions $ 285.00 Nil Prospect Magazine $ 149.00 Nil Trade Route Magazine Nil $ 350.00 TOTAL $5 338.00 $19 403.00 Wheatbelt Development Commission (1) Yes (2) No The Wheatbelt Development Commission complied with the interpretation of S175 ZE of the Electoral Act 1907 that is required the Commission to report on electoral expenditure only. In 1999 the Commission became aware of the interpretation that the Act required disclosure of all expenditure. The 1999-2000 Annual Report includes such disclosure. (3) Wheatbelt Development Commission expenditure or advertising to 1997-1998 was $4 262.74 and 1998-1999 was $11 053.90.
(b) 1998-99, financial years?
financial years?
(b) Kimberley; and (c) Wheatbelt, Development Commissions disclosed their advertising expenditure for the - (i) 1997-98; and (ii) 1998-99, financial years?
(c) Wheatbelt, Development Commissions disclosed their advertising expenditure for the - (i) 1997-98; and (ii) 1998-99, financial years?
Development Commissions disclosed their advertising expenditure for the - (i) 1997-98; and (ii) 1998-99, financial years?
(ii) 1998-99, financial years?
financial years?
(4) What was the advertising expenditure for each of the above-mentioned Regional Development Commissions in the - (a) 1997-98; and (b) 1998-99, financial years? Answered on 8 November 2000 The Minister Replied: Gascoyne Development Commission (1) Yes, the Regional Development Commissions are required to comply with section 175 ZE of the Electoral Act. (2) The Gascoyne Development Commission did not separately disclose advertising expenditure for 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 in the Annual Reports. (3) Not applicable (4) The advertising expenditure of the Gascoyne Development Commission for the period 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 is shown. 1997-1998 1998-1999 Media - Northern Guardian $1 368.50 $ 4 131.90 TV GWN $ 1 784.00 TV WIN Radio 6LN $ 626.00 Carnarvon Community News $ 385.00 Gascoyne Community Directory $ 490.00 Geraldton Newspaper $ 1 409.40 Kalgoorlie Miner $ 296.60 Marketforce Productions $3 412.56 $10 191.10 Media Decisions $ 8 147.57 Phoenix Communications $10 570.00 West Australian $ 69.30 TOTALS $4 781.06 $38 100.87 Kimberley Development Commission (1) Yes (2) The Kimberley Development Commission made no Electoral Act disclosure in its Annual Reports of 1997-1998 or 1998-1999. (3) The Kimberley Development Commission has interpreted the requirements of Section 175 ZE, of the Electoral Act 1907, within the context of the other provisions of the Electoral Act 1907, to highlight a requirement to disclose classes of expenditure incurred for electoral purposes and matters. The Commission incurred no expenditure in the listed categories, within its interpretation. The Commission's interpretation is guided by:- (a) No adverse report being made by the Office of the Auditor General in respect of the Commission's failure to report against Section 175 ZE in either of its 1997-1998 or 1998-1999 Annual Reports. (b) The Political Finance Report 1997, tabled 12 August 1998, wherein the Electoral Commissioner recommended: - "That section 175 ZE of the Electoral Act regarding reporting on electoral expenditure by public agencies be moved to a more appropriate piece of legislation such as the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985". Whilst the Commission has not received information which directly challenges its interpretation, it has complied in its 1999-2000 Annual Report with the requirements of Section 175 ZE as interpreted by other agencies. (4) Consistent with the interpretation of the reporting requirements of other portfolio agencies, the Commission's advertising expenditure for each of the preceding financial years were: 1997-1998 1998-1999 Advertising Market Force $4 292.00 $14 163.00 Market Research - Asset Research Nil $ 4 890.00 Polling Nil Nil Direct Mail Nil Nil Media Advertising: Kimberley Echo $ 120.00 Nil Broome Advertiser $ 98.00 Nil Boab Babbler $ 100.00 Nil NT News $ 294.00 Nil Pay Dirt Productions $ 285.00 Nil Prospect Magazine $ 149.00 Nil Trade Route Magazine Nil $ 350.00 TOTAL $5 338.00 $19 403.00 Wheatbelt Development Commission (1) Yes (2) No The Wheatbelt Development Commission complied with the interpretation of S175 ZE of the Electoral Act 1907 that is required the Commission to report on electoral expenditure only. In 1999 the Commission became aware of the interpretation that the Act required disclosure of all expenditure. The 1999-2000 Annual Report includes such disclosure. (3) Wheatbelt Development Commission expenditure or advertising to 1997-1998 was $4 262.74 and 1998-1999 was $11 053.90.
(b) 1998-99, financial years?
financial years?
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