Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Ludwig for the opportunity to address this issue and to provide some historical context by commenting on the answering of questions by the previous government. I think it is well known that Minister Turnbull is one of the most diligent and hardworking ministers in this building, and he works very hard to provide accurate information in answer to questions from colleagues in this place. I think all senators will recall that Senator Conroy spent some time as the minister for communications—six years, in fact. It felt longer but it was only six years. Senator Conroy was perhaps the most renowned minister for showing unbridled contempt for Senate estimates committees and for the questions asked. That is a tradition he has carried onto the other side of the table in terms of the respect that he affords witnesses not just in the communications committee but also in the defence committee. I remember one particular example. Senator Conroy often provided answers to questions from an estimates committee well after the subsequent round of estimates had been undertaken. I provide that by way of what I hope is helpful context for my colleagues.

I make it clear that the communications portfolio is working very hard to address the hundreds of questions placed on notice. As is the nature of the portfolio, many of them are quite technical in nature and I know that the communications portfolio and Minister Turnbull will not want to do other than provide very accurate information for the benefit of Senate estimates committees.