Andrew Robb (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Chairman of the Coalition Policy Development Committee) Share this | Hansard source

I think some others have too. I am nearly as mute as the parliamentary secretary opposite me. Mr Speaker, we have spent several hours here tonight asking a lot of legitimate and serious questions; none of which have been answered, because the Leader of the House came down here last night and said to the parliamentary secretary, 'This is not question time; you do not have to answer any questions.'

'The MOU offers options for recourse by the officer should the requested information not be provided.' In regard to this provision in the bill, if the Parliamentary Budget Office requires information and it is not covered by the memorandum of understanding, I would like to know from the parliamentary secretary, firstly, is there a requirement for the Parliamentary Budget Office to carry out an FOI? How will that apply when the period of grace is 28 days within a 33-day period of the caretaker provisions?

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