Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, upon notice, on 3 October 2012:

In regard to each department and agency under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and each Commonwealth authority under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 within the Minister's portfolio:

(1) Is information collected from stakeholders and the broader community; if so:

(a) what forms or other methods are used to collect information;

(b) how many of these forms are:

  (i) paper-based,

  (ii) electronic-based; and

  (iii) both;

(c) do these forms request an estimate of the time taken to complete; if not, why not; and

(d) is data collected on how long it takes to complete each form; if so, can this data be provided.

(2) For each proposed regulatory initiative since August 2010:

(a) how many stakeholder consultations have been conducted; and

(b) have there been any complaints from stakeholders about the consultation process; if so, from whom.

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The Annual Reports of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission set out the extensive consultation arrangements that are in place in relation to those to whom the Department provides benefits and the service providers who provide services to the Department's clients.

It is not possible to give a detailed answer given the very broad nature of the question and the diverse range of information collected by the Department. Attempting to answer this question in detail would cause an unreasonable diversion of resources.

(2) Not Applicable. Neither the Department of Veterans' Affairs nor the Australian War Memorial is a regulatory agency.