Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

As I understand it, today we have been able to table an answer to Senator Abetz's question which was raised yesterday. In addition to that, can I say that the number of questions asked of the department at Senate estimates hearings has increased significantly over recent years, but the department has put significant effort into ensuring that all questions on notice have been answered prior to the next committee hearing.

At the supplementary hearing in October last year, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship received 423 questions on notice, including those taken on notice during the hearing and additional questions provided subsequently in writing. The department remains fully committed to providing responses to the questions on notice as soon as possible. All endeavours will continue to be made in this regard. However, many of the questions do seek detailed information on a number of complex and sensitive issues. Providing responses to all of these questions is also extremely resource-intensive and places a significant burden on the department.

The department has already provided the committee with responses to most of the 423 questions, which does demonstrate the commitment of the department to answering all questions on notice as quickly as possible. I will also pass this information, again, back to the department from this issue being raised by Senator Cash today. I will indicate that Senator Cash has raised the question of the department providing all of the remain­der of the answers prior to supplementary estimates. However, I do reiterate what I said earlier, which is that these questions are complex, as I am advised, and the depart­ment says they also contain a range of sensitive issues, which you would not be sur­prised about given the portfolio. However, the department has continued to stand by the position that it will continue to work through all of those questions as soon as possible to provide the information to the Senate.