Ambassador for First Nations Peoples

Question

Senator SHARMA: What was this consultancy engaged for, though? I don't quite understand. You engaged this consultancy, and it cost $266,000. I thought it was to help develop a strategy, but I'm told the strategy doesn't actually exist, or it exists in the ether, or it's just understood by everyone. Ms Adams: What I said was that the strategy-the consultation, the process of setting up the office and the initial body of work that was done on broad community consultation-was about identifying the strategic priorities of the work of the ambassador. Those strategic priorities are reflected in what he has been doing, with the support of the office. That's my explanation to you as to what the strategy has resulted in. Senator SHARMA: What were the consultations that this consulting company undertook? Was that with the ambassador? Ms Adams: This was in the early days of setting up the office. Senator SHARMA: I think that only ended last year, on 31 December. Ms Adams: An early process of consultations was a few years back now. Senator SHARMA: It was less than six months ago that the contract ended. Dr Lee: Can I also take on notice the figure that you mentioned there of the cost of the contract? The figure that I have is $152,900. If I can, I will take on notice the figure for that assistance for those consultations. Senator SHARMA: Yes. The contract number is CN4105976. Senator SHARMA: Are those consultations going to be repeated? Is this part of a regular process? Who are the consultations with? Dr Lee: I'd have to take that on notice. Senator SHARMA: I'm just trying to understand what the office has done lately-in the last six months or since the last estimates. There's the trip to the Solomon Islands- Ms Adams: We'll give you some further information on notice. Senator SHARMA: Could I get key outcomes, travel and engagements, and the cost of those, over the last six months on notice? Ms Adams: Sure.

Answer

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