❓ Mr. Zempilas questions the Premier regarding the Department of Premier and Cabinet's (DPC) policy on accepting and managing alcohol gifts, particularly concerning inconsistencies in retention and disposal practices. The Premier's response clarifies the policy framework and processes for handling such gifts.

I refer to the release of information on 29 January 2026 by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) in response to the Freedom of Information Application 20250036 which requested information on gifts declared on the 2024-25 DPC Gift Register and ask:(a) Are there specific guidelines for the acceptance of alcohol gifts:(i) If so, what are they and when were they developed; and(ii) If not, why not;(b) Why in some instances is a gift of alcohol from a foreign office or dignitary retained and in other instances it is surrendered;(c) Why in some instances is it noted that alcohol is retained, and in other instances it is noted that it is shared with colleagues;(d) Why in some instances is a gift of alcohol from a foreign office accepted because to refuse it would be culturally offensive, but in another instance, such as that with the Australia China Business Association it is surrendered;(e) With respect to the gift of alcohol from the Australian China Business Association on 3 October 2024, it seems appropriate that the gift was accepted so as not to cause cultural offence and then surrendered, so why is a similar position not adopted with other gifts of alcohol from foreign offices and or dignitaries;(f) To whom are gifts of alcohol not retained surrendered;(g) What happens to these gifts;(h) For example, what happened to the gift of Domaine Naturalist Rebus 2017 received on 22 January 2025 that was surrendered and the gift of two bottles of Lost Dogs Shiraz 2018 received on 3 October 2024 that was surrendered; and(i) The information contained in the gift register is sometimes very specific and identifies when one or two bottles of alcohol are provided, however on 11 December 2024 there is a reference to $129 of McHenry Hohen Wine and on 18 November 2024 there is a reference to $264 of Aravaina wine being retained, exactly what quantity of wine is being referred to in both these instances?

(a) Alcohol falls within the definition of a 'gift of a physical object' under section 6.2.2 of the Department’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy and is therefore covered by the policy. (b – e) All gifts must be registered in accordance with the Department's Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Procedures. In declaring a gift, an employee is responsible for deciding whether to retain or surrender the gift which is then subject to assessment by the delegated authority. (f – h) The Department's Corporate Information Branch stores surrendered gifts. (i) 3 bottles in each instance.