I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 27 together.
In the Civil Service, the established travel arrangements are that officers make their private cars available for use on official business, and are paid mileage allowances at rates, and subject to conditions, which are agreed with staff interests under the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the civil service. Given the voluntary nature of these arrangements, it would not be appropriate to attempt to impose a condition making the use of unleaded petrol mandatory for travelling officers. There is also the consideration that there are no practical means of ensuring that a condition of this kind, if imposed, would be complied with.
However I am sure that civil servants in common with motorists generally will appreciate the benefits of using unleaded petrol, in the interests of protecting our environment and the health of our community, and will do so whenever possible. To this end, promotional leaflets published by the Department of the Environment are being circulated throughout Government Departments and particular arrangements are being made to ensure that all travelling officers receive copies. Copies will also be sent to Deputies and Senators.
I am not directly responsible for the travelling arrangements in State companies and other bodies throughout the public sector. However I understand that the arrangements in operation in those bodies are on the same lines as the civil service system, so the same considerations would apply. However I have no doubt that the managements of State bodies will also co-operate fully with the promotional activities of the Department of the Environment concerning unleaded petrol, and that their travelling staff will use such petrol where practicable.
