This was published 7 months ago
More than 900 parliamentary questions on health and aged care unanswered
More than 900 questions from the Senate about the health and aged care portfolio have been left unanswered since October, as crossbench and opposition members accuse the government of having “contempt for transparency”.
As of January 12, data collated from the Senate community affairs committee found only 62 questions on notice were answered for the health and aged care portfolio since the supplementary budget estimates on October 26, with 931 unanswered.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
In comparison, the social services portfolio has published 339 answers to questions on notice with 19 outstanding. Similarly, the Services Australia portfolio has answered all 362 questions with none outstanding.
While more than 900 questions on notice would be a lot for the department to get through, says former secretary of the Health Department Stephen Duckett, answering only 62 after months highlights possible management problems.
“Questions on notice are a really important part of the democratic process. Senate estimates should be about finding out what the facts are, they should be about looking at issues that might not yet be in the public domain,” he said.
“It is really important I think that there is this accountability, that when members of parliament and senators are seeking information, that we deal with that seriously and answer the questions as quickly as possible.”
‘It is disappointing that this government’s commitment to transparency is clearly only measured by what they think they can get away with.’
Liberal Senator Jane Hume
Previously, an answered question on notice in 2019 revealed the percentage of bulk billing attendances by electorate, which Duckett said was the first time the data had been conveyed in that way and gave important context on the distribution of health services.
In the lead up to parliament’s first sitting week in February, Liberal senator Jane Hume has submitted a notice of motion that asks the Senate to provide a statement on the number of total unanswered questions on notice and an explanation for why they have not been answered.
Hume, who asked 667 questions of the health and aged care portfolio during the last round of Senate estimates hearings, was unapologetic about the number, saying the Coalition would never apologise for holding the government to account.
“It is disappointing that this government’s commitment to transparency is clearly only measured by what they think they can get away with,” Hume said.
The department reporting to Health Minister Mark Butler has left hundreds of Senate estimates questions unanswered.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Questions put to departments that are not answered will be pursued, regardless of whether the government thinks it can hide this information.”
Examples of outstanding questions on notice range from updates to election commitments such as the $39 million pledge to expand the newborn bloodspot screening program to detect up to 50 conditions and whether an interim Australian Centre for Disease Control will begin on January 1.
Health Minister Mark Butler declined to comment, while the Department of Health and Aged care stated it was working to finalise outstanding responses as soon as possible.
Opposition health spokesperson Senator Anne Ruston, who has asked 96 questions to the committee, condemned the delay in answering the questions, arguing the responses were in the public interest.
Opposition health spokesperson Anne Ruston.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“These questions … pertain to important issues including the aged care taskforce, medicine listings, general practice grants and the prime minister’s broken election commitment of newborn blood spot screening,” she said.
“This government’s contempt for transparency is a concerning trend and reflects their attitude towards openness and honesty.”
ACT senator David Pocock was also critical on the delay, saying he recognised the work of the public service required time, but it was important it get adequate resources.
“Since entering parliament, I’ve found the estimates process a really important tool to help to hold the government accountable on behalf of our community,” he said.
“Transparency is key to a healthy democracy and providing timely responses to questions on notice is part of that. I am still waiting for answers to questions on notice from May last year.”
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