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Ch15 Questions / RULES GOVERNING QUESTIONS / Form and content of questions / Statutory authorities



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House of Representatives                                Ch 15                                                 p 539

 

Questions / RULES GOVERNING QUESTIONS / Form and content of questions

 

Statutory authorities

The nature and degree of ministerial responsibility for the policies and operations of statutory authorities or corporations varies. The practice of the House has been to allow questions about such bodies and substantive replies have usually been provided. However, a Minister may choose not to answer any question or may answer it as he or she sees fit. Ministers have exercised this discretion in relation to some questions on statutory authorities, particularly in instances where a large degree of autonomy exists or where an answer may be to the commercial disadvantage of an authority operating in a competitive commercial environment.

A Minister has answered that publication of information sought by a Member might be to the commercial disadvantage of an authority and asked that the information be provided direct to the Member on a confidential basis. 1



H.R. Deb. (22.11.79) 3425-6.