Senate debates Budget

Consideration by Estimates Committees


Anne McEwen

Anne McEwen SA, Australian Labor Party

3:45 pm

On behalf of Senator Wong, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Brandis), no later than 9.30 am on Wednesday, 4 May 2016, answers to all unanswered questions for all portfolios, that were placed on notice during the consideration of the 2015-16 additional estimates.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry

Stephen Parry President

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party

The government opposes the opposition's motion. In 2015-16 a total of 19,120 Senate estimates questions have been put on notice across all committees. This includes 9,330 Senate estimates questions put on notice across all committees at additional estimates. Government departments, agencies and offices are continuing to work through the responses to the 9,330 question put on notice. In most cases answers have already been provided. This is in stark contrast to Labor, who when last in government consistently failed to answer questions on notice by the due date or, indeed, at all.

Stephen Parry

Stephen Parry President

The question is that notice of motion No. 1161 moved by Senator McEwen be agreed to.