Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the last aspect of that multifaceted question, my department, at my request, has already commenced action in response to the audit report. The secretary of the department wrote to all portfolio secretaries in January, reminding them of their obligations under the guidelines and drawing their attention to any shortcomings in agency practices that the Audit Office had identified.

I also would just indicate to the senator that the information was audited in confidence and was provided to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit. The classification of this information is a matter for the Auditor-General. The information was provided to the JCPAA and I understand that the JCPAA will be considering how the information is dealt with. I think I have very thoroughly, if I may say, responded to Senator Sinodinos's question. But what is interesting, of course, is the reason they asked Senator Sinodinos to ask this question is that none of the former ministers over there could have asked it.