Senate debates Questions on Notice

Prime Minister and Cabinet (Question No. 2399)


Eric Abetz

Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations

asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister in the Senate, upon notice, on 30 October 2012:

Since 1 July 2010, have any electorate-by-electorate dissections for actual or potential Government programs, initiatives or decisions been prepared by departments, agencies or authorities within the Minister's portfolio; if so, for each dissection: (a) what has been its purpose; (b) what resources have been used; (c) who requested it; (d) to whom has it been circulated; and (e) can a copy be provided.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans WA, Australian Labor Party

The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

To support the Prime Minister attending official events and functions across Australia, the Department routinely provides briefs that set out government expenditure in specific electorates.

The information provided in these briefs includes information on Commonwealth government programs, investment and expenditure.

Consistent with longstanding practice, departments provide a range of advice to relevant ministers. Consideration of these briefs is a matter for the Australian Government.