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

At the request of Senators McAllister and Hanson-Young, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) any questions going to the operations or financial positions of the departments and agencies which are seeking funds in the estimates are relevant questions for the purpose of estimates hearings, and

  (ii) the Senate has resolved that there are no areas in connection with the expenditure of public funds where any person has a discretion to withhold details or explanations from the Parliament or its committees unless the Parliament has expressly provided otherwise; and

(b) expects that at the examination of the 2019-20 additional estimates, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will be prepared to provide information and answer questions with respect to the following matters:

  (i) the Environment Restoration Fund, including but not limited to a list of all commitments made under the fund, including details of the names of projects, amounts allocated and paid, dates commitments were announced, and associated electorates, and

  (ii) the Communities Environment Program, including but not limited to:

(A) the number of projects that required re-submission,

(B) the extent of written advice provided or received in relation to the eligibility of schools to be applicants,

(C) funds expended,

(D) training materials provided to departmental staff administering the program, and

(E) any correspondence relating to the award (or attempted award) of Communities Environment Program funds to community members or groups in the electorate of Dunkley, including between the ministerial offices, departments, and the former member Mr Chris Crewther.

Question agreed to.