The Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources was established in June 2007. From June 2007 to 17 October 2008, there has been 5,598 sick leave days taken by staff. Of that total, 3,143 were attributable to staff on long-term sick leave, some of whom no longer work in the Department. This leaves a remainder of 2,455 actual sick leave days taken by staff or an average of 7 days per staff member in the 17 month period. The average number of days if long-term sick leave is included is 16 days per staff member over the 17 month period, approximately 11 days per annum.