Senate debates Answers to Questions on Notice

Question Nos 751, 885, 887, 903, 926, 949, 950, 978, 1012, 1013 and 1032


Michael Ronaldson

Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State

3:13 pm

I ask Senator Faulkner the same question, which is in relation to questions on notice Nos 751, 885, 887, 903, 926, 949, 950, 978, 1012, 1013 and 1032. I thank the minister for some late responses that I have received over the last couple of days.

John Faulkner

John Faulkner NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary

Let me say, first of all, in relation to the notice that was provided by Senator Ronaldson—and I appreciate him doing so—on Thursday, the last sitting day of last week: of those 22 questions requested by Senator Ronaldson, I make the point that six were not in my primary portfolios or portfolios that I represent. For example, I say—through you, Mr Deputy President—to Senator Ronaldson: question 887 is a question directed to the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Regardless of that point, which is nevertheless worth making, I can inform Senator Ronaldson that, by the end of today, 18 of the 22 questions that he has identified will in fact have answers tabled. I can in fact say to the Senate in relation to these 22 questions that answers for 14 have already been tabled. I indicate to the Senate that I am advised that an additional four questions are with the Senate Table Office awaiting some form of departmental documentation to complete that tabling today. I hope that is of assistance to Senator Ronaldson.