The Treasurer will deliver the 2009-10 Budget on Tuesday 12 May 2009, with his Budget Speech beginning in the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament at 7.30pm (AEST).
Prior to the Budget Speech, Budget material will be available to accredited and approved members of media organisations in a secure lock-up in Parliament House, Canberra. The lock-up will start at 1.30pm (AEST) and will finish when the Treasurer begins his Budget Speech at 7.30pm.
The lock-up will be conducted under the same conditions as applied to last year's Budget lock-up, set out below. However, new arrangements will be put in place for entering the lock-up so as to minimise delays.
Applying for Access to the Budget Lock-Up
As in previous years, media organisations are invited to apply to the Treasury for access to the Budget lock-up by submitting the names and positions of employees seeking access by 5pm on Friday 1 May 2009. Applications should be sent by email to Tony Murray (tony.murray@treasury.gov.au).
As space in the lock-up is limited, media organisations should restrict their applications to the minimum number of essential employees only.
As in previous years, participating media organisations will bear their own costs of participation and attendance.
Requirements for Access to the Budget Lock-Up
On Budget day, access to the lock-up area for the purposes of setting up equipment will be available until 11.30am. All attendees will be asked to vacate the lock-up area at 11.30am.
This year attendees will be able to sign in from 12.30pm. Attendees will need to provide proof of employment and sign, with a Treasury official as witness, a 'Form of Undertaking'. A sample copy of the Undertaking is attached.
This will allow access to a pre-lock-up area but not to the Budget papers. Once signed in, attendees will not be able to leave this area. When the lock-up commences at 1.30pm, those already signed in will be able to move immediately into the venue and collect their Budget papers.
Security in the Lock-Up
Lock-up arrangements are provided for members of media organisations in good faith, and attendees are requested to observe the following conditions.
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Secured Sub-Lock-Ups
Major print media organisations may also apply to the Treasury to establish and use secure landlines to secured sub-lock-ups located within group headquarters for sub-editorial purposes only.
As in previous years, entry to authorised sub-lock-ups is restricted to sub-editorial staff only. Journalists are not permitted inside sub-lock-ups.
Sub-lock-up arrangements will be supervised by a Treasury official or other designated Commonwealth official for the duration of the lock-up.
Any communication between the lock-up and a secured sub-lock-up requires security encryption by means of encryption equipment authorised by the Treasury.
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Print media organisations applying for a secured sub-lock-up should contact Mr Nestor Palma (Voice Communications) on (02) 6263 3863, fax (02) 6263 2869 or email nestor.palma@treasury.gov.au to arrange all secure encrypted data, voice or fax line requirements. |
Budget Documentation
The Budget documents, including the Treasurer's speech, will be available in hard-copy and electronic form inside the lock-up area from 1.30pm and in electronic form on the Budget website (www.budget.gov.au) from 7.30pm (AEST) on Budget day. The site also includes details of how to purchase budget documents interstate.
The Budget and associated documents can also be purchased in Canberra at CanPrint Communication Pty Ltd (16, Nyrang Street, Fyshwick) from 7.30 pm (AEST) on Budget day.
Any general questions about the lock-up should be directed to Tony Murray (02 6263 3736) at the Treasury.