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Title

QUESTIONS IN WRITING

Questions in Writing

Database

House Hansard

Date

09-08-2005

Source

House of Reps

Parl No.

41

Electorate

Banks

Interjector

 

Main Committee/Federation Chamber

 

Page

128

Party

ALP

Presenter

 

Status

Final

Question No.

521

Questioner

Melham, Daryl, MP

Responder

Costello, Peter, MP

Speaker

 

Stage

Questions in Writing

Type

 

Context

Questions in Writing

System Id

chamber/hansardr/2005-08-09/0146


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Tuesday, 9 August 2005
Page: 128


Mr Melham asked the Treasurer, in writing, on 8 February 2005:

(1)   Can he confirm that the average time he took to lodge answers to questions in writing asked in the House of Representatives during the 38th Parliament was 93.0 days.

(2)   Can he confirm that the average time he took to lodge answers to questions in writing asked in the House of Representatives during the 39th Parliament was 99.6 days.

(3)   Can he confirm that the average time he took to lodge answers to questions in writing asked in the House of Representatives during the 40th Parliament was 175.1 days.

(4)   Will he explain the progressively longer times it has taken him to respond to questions in writing asked of him in the House of Representatives, especially the average of 175.1 days during the 40th Parliament.

(5)   What specific measures has the Secretary of his department and the heads of other portfolio agencies implemented to improve performance and ensure more rapid responses to written questions asked in the 41st Parliament.

(6)   What specific measures has he implemented to improve performance and ensure more rapid responses to written questions asked in the 41st Parliament.


Mr Costello (Treasurer) —The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

(1)   to (3) The House of Representatives Table Office can provide this information.

(4)   The increase in the average days to answer questions is not due to any specific reason or area. However, there appears to be a trend towards multi-part questions involving complex issues; questions requiring consultation with other portfolios; and, questions requiring considerable research over many years going back to the mid 1990s. Questions are given appropriate priority but factors such as the nature of the question as outlined above, in addition to other priorities such as budget preparations, do increase the time taken to respond to a number of questions thus increasing the average response time for all questions.

(5)   The Secretary of my Department and heads of portfolio agencies will continue to closely monitor the handling of questions on notice.

(6)   My Chief of Staff will continue to closely monitor questions on notice in my office.