Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave is granted.

I'm advised that some of the information the senator has requested does not exist within a particular document or as information readily captured by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The power of the Senate to compel the creation of documents by the executive branch rather than just the production of existing documents remains a contested one. The alternative mechanisms by which the senator could request this information include questions on notice or the budget estimates process or a private briefing.

It is noted that the senator has already requested very similar information through the recent estimates, which is due to be tabled in the near future.

Question agreed to.