Mr Mossfield asked the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, upon notice, on 25 March 1998:

(1) Did the Penrith office of the Child Support Agency issue a section 72A notice relating to the collection of child support debts to a bank on 5 February 1997 in respect of an account held by the ex-husband of Ms Lisa Greco.

(2) Is the Child Support Agency required to confirm the receipt of a section 72A notice by the relevant bank before the parent paying child support is advised that it has been issued.

(3) Did the Penrith office of the Child Support Agency send Ms Greco's ex-husband a copy of the notice referred to in part (1) on 7 February 1997.

(4) Did the bank referred to in part (1) advise the Penrith office of the Child Support Agency on 18 February 1997 that the notice could not be actioned because the account had been closed on 13 February 1997.

(5) Did the Penrith office of the Child Support Agency advise Ms Greco in a letter dated 10 April 1997 that (a) it was the Agency's policy to confirm receipt of a notice before the paying parent was advised it had been issued, (b) the policy had not been adhered to in the case of the notice issued on behalf of Ms Greco and (c) the failure to follow that policy and the absence of a bank officer on leave had resulted in the paying parent being made aware of the attempts to secure funds from his bank account before action to secure the funds could be completed.

(6) Did Ms Greco subsequently seek compensation from the Child Support Agency.

(7) Did the Assistant Treasurer advise Ms Greco in a letter dated 19 March 1998 that (a) the advice the Child Support Agency had provided her on 10 April 1997 was not correct and (b) there had not been any defective administration by the Agency.

(8) Is Ms Greco entitled to compensation; if not, why not.

Mr Costello (Treasurer) —The Assistant Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1), (4), (6), (7), and (8) In accordance with the secrecy provisions of section 16 of the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988, as well as the Information Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988, I am unable to answer this aspect of the Honourable Member's question.

(2) No.

(3) In accordance with the secrecy provisions of section 16 of the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988, as well as the Information Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988, I am unable to specifically answer this aspect of the Honourable Member's question. However, subsection 72A(5) of the Registration and Collection Act requires the Agency to serve a copy of the notice on the child support debtor.

(5) In accordance with the secrecy provisions of section 16 of the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988, as well as the Information Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988, I am unable to specifically answer this aspect of the Honourable Member's question. However, the Child Support Registrar advises me that the Agency does not have a policy of confirming receipt of a 72A notice with a bank before advising the paying parent of its issue.