House debates Notices
Pacific Labour Scheme (Question No. 240)
Pat Conroy Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific
asked the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, in writing, on 25 November 2019:
(1) Why did the Minister respond to the question, which asked for the assumptions underlying the Department of Home Affairs' revenue estimates for the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS), by saying this information was cabinet in confidence when the Treasurer responded to question in writing No. 123 (House Hansard, 14 October 2019, page 206), which asked for the assumptions underlying the Australian Taxation Office's revenue estimates for the PLS, by providing these assumptions.(2) Did the Treasurer breach cabinet in confidence requirements or did the Minister use cabinet in confidence as an excuse to avoid accountability to the parliament.
Alan Tudge Aston, Liberal Party, Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure
The answer to the honourable member's question is:
(1) The Department of Home Affairs from time to time receives Questions on Notice (QoNs) relating to the disclosure of revenue modelling and assumptions that support an agreed revenue measure. For these types of QoNs, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) have advised that any disclosure of the revenue model and associated assumptions could potentially reveal the deliberations of the Cabinet, which are confidential.
(2) The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs provided a response in line with PM&C advice. Questions relating to the actions of the Treasurer would be a matter for the Treasury.