Senate debates Questions on Notice
Foreign Affairs and Trade (Question No. 928)
David Johnston WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence
asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 18 August 2011:
What is the accumulated sum of outstanding and written off debt from consular assistance rendered since the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report, Helping Australians abroad: A review of the Australian Government's consular services was tabled in 1997.
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 current sum of outstanding debts from consular loans is $1,425,256 (as at 31 August 2011).
To provide information on all written-off debt would entail a significant diversion of resources and in these circumstances I do not consider the additional work can be justified.