Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Collins, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Cormann), by no later than 3.30 pm on 14 February 2019, all outstanding answers to questions on notice as at 31January 2019 from the 2018-19 supplementary budget estimates hearings in the following portfolios:

(a) Health (210 answers);

(b) Human Services (91 answers);

(c) Industry, Innovation and Science (7 answers);

(d) Treasury (14 answers);

(e) Education and Training (22 answers);

(f) Jobs and Small Business (4 answers);

(g) Communications and the Arts (1 answer);

(h) Environment and Energy (2 answers);

(i) Prime Minister and Cabinet (including cross-portfolio Indigenous matters and agencies) (8 answers);

(j) Defence, including Veterans' Affairs (75 answers);

(k) Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 answer); and

(l) Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (1 answer).

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government receives a large number of questions on notice during each estimates hearing period. Sometimes, particularly with complex questions which involve departments and agencies assembling a large amount of information, the time limits are not able to be met. This has been case under the past government. Ministers, with the support of their departments, are seeking to answer remaining questions as soon as practicable.

Question agreed to.