In relation to the Ministerial Council meetings:

(1) For the period 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000, how many meetings of Commonwealth and State and Territory Ministers were held relating to your portfolio responsibilities;

(2) When and where were each of these meetings held;

(3) Which of these meetings did you attend;

(4) If you did not attend:

(a) why not;

(b) was the ACT represented; and

(5) If so, by whom.

(1) (a) Three meetings were held during the period relating to my responsibilities as the ACT Treasurer; and

(b) two meetings were held relating to my responsibilities as Minister for Gambling and Racing.

(2) (a) The States only meeting of the Ministerial Council for Commonwealth-State Financial Relations was conducted at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra on 16 March 2000, the inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Council for Commonwealth-State Financial Relations was conducted at Parliament House, Canberra, on the 17 March 2000, and the Australian Loan Council meeting was conducted at the same venue following the Ministerial Council meeting; and

(b) the Ministerial Council on Gambling was held in Canberra on 19 April 2000 and a Racing Ministers' meeting was held in Brisbane on 26 May 2000.

(3) (a) I attended all three meetings and indeed, hosted and chaired the inaugural States and Territories only meeting of the Ministerial Council for Commonwealth-State Financial Relations; and

(b) I attended the Ministerial Council on Gambling.

(4) I did not attend the Racing Ministers' Meeting held in Brisbane on 26 May 2000 because:

(a) the ACT Budget was brought down on the 23 May 2000 and, as Treasurer, it was necessary for me to be in the ACT; and

(b) the ACT was appropriately represented.

(5) A senior officer within the portfolio, Mr Desmond McKee.