House debates Questions in Writing

Foreign Affairs and Trade: Briefings (Question No. 347)

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 House of Representatives

Ms Julie Bishop

Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in writing, on 24 March 2011:

Has his department and/or AusAID provided any briefings to members of the Australian Greens party and/or Independent Members of Parliament; if so, how many and on what dates.

Kevin Rudd

Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

The department does not centrally maintain records of briefings provided to individual Members of Parliament. The department regularly provides assistance, including briefings, to Members of Parliament who travel overseas. To provide the information sought would entail a significant diversion of resources and I do not consider the additional work can be justified.