Senate debates Questions on Notice
Foreign Affairs (Question No. 560)
David Johnston WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence
asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 25 March 2011:
Has the department and/or AusAID provided any briefings to members of the Australian Greens and/or independent members of parliament; if so: (a) how many; and (b) on what dates.
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:
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.