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

I do not have any information before me to confirm the notion of a freeze. As I understand our previous discussions, in the context of the senator's previous question, we have a new approach in terms of the provision of these services. There was a tender process. I refer the senator to my answer in the context of her previous questions, when I went through the nature of the tender and the way in which the tender operated. I also indicated to her that, in relation to IEP contracts, the department was continuing to discuss contracts prior to expiry with existing providers, as is the usual practice. And I have indicated to her that I will seek further information on the specific providers, if that is able to be provided. Obviously, there may well be commercial-in-confidence issues with the provision of some information.