In relation to the response to Question on Notice number 270:

1. What criteria are utilised to determine whether the Department of Urban Services should sponsor any event.

2. On what basis did the Master Builder's Association (MBA) Awards meet any criteria for departmental sponsorship.

3. Are there any Public Service wide guidelines for sponsorships of events.

1. Urban Services has a comprehensive sponsorship policy, which incorporates public guidelines. This document is provided to organisations or individuals seeking sponsorship to assist them in meeting the department's requirements for sponsorship support. This document provides clear criteria for sponsorship and outlines Urban Services' objectives, ACT Government priorities, Urban Services commitments, target audiences for sponsorships, categories of sponsorships and obligations expected in return for sponsorships.

Sponsorships will be selected based on the following criteria:

� they must reach one or more of the department's target audiences;

� they must be one of the types of sponsorship the department supports;

� they must meet at least one of Urban Services' objectives for sponsorships;

� the benefits being offered must be worth the cost of the sponsorship;

� they must not impose or imply conditions that would limit or appear to limit the department's ability to carry out its functions fully and impartially;

� must not involve Urban Services in controversial issues or potentially expose the department to adverse criticism;

� must not create a conflict of interest, for example, an activity or organisation that the department has, or could have, regulatory or inspectorial responsibilities over.

The public guidelines are available from the Urban Services web site at http://www.act.gov.au/urbanservices/org,anisation.html