Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, by no later than midday on 5 December 2023:

(a) the current number of allocated and unallocated claims across all legislation under the Veterans' Affairs portfolio;

(b) the current number of claims allocated to staff that are not able to address the claims as they are on long term leave, on higher duties, working in another area or are otherwise unable to address the claims;

(c) the current number of claims that have been allocated but remain unaddressed or pending; and

(d) the number of claims since 1 February 2023 that have been rolled into, consolidated or merged with other claims.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave is granted.

I'm advised that some of the information the senator has requested does not exist within a particular document or as information readily captured by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The power of the Senate to compel the creation of documents by the executive branch rather than just the production of existing documents remains a contested one. The alternative mechanisms by which the senator could request this information include questions on notice or the budget estimates process or a private briefing.

It is noted that the senator has already requested very similar information through the recent estimates, which is due to be tabled in the near future.

Question agreed to.