asked the Minister for Social Services, in writing, on 21 October 2014:

Since 7 September 2013 can the Minister provide details as to the use of all consultants within his/​her department, including reasons for engaging their services, and the costs involved.

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

Details of consultancies undertaken by the Department of Social Services valued at $10,000 or more since 7 September 2013 are publically available on the AusTender internet site (https://www.tenders.gov.au/)

Details of consultancies valued below $10,000 entered into between 07 September 2013 and 21 October 2014 are listed in Table 1.

The information published on AusTender and listed in Table 1 does not include consultancies transferred to other departments as a result of Machinery of Government changes.

Table 1 —DSS consultancies undertaken since 7 September 2013 valued at less than $10,000