Health and Aged Care bombarded by Senate questions, over 900 unanswered since October

Federal opposition and crossbench members have criticised the Government for its poor response rate to questions from the Senate with over 900 left unanswered since October. Liberal Senator Jane Hume called it “disappointing” while the former secretary of the Health Department, Stephen Duckett, called for increased accountability within the Department. 

Key points

• Data collected from the Senate Community Affairs committee highlighted that 62 questions on notice were answered by the Health and Aged Care portfolio since October 26, 2023
• Conversely, over 900 questions remain unanswered, compared to 19 for Social Services and none for Services Australia
• Not all of the questions have been specifically addressed to the Department of Health and Aged Care, with Health and Aged Care portfolio questions also going to agencies such as the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme and National Sports Tribunal
• Question topics vary, ranging from queries over conflicts of interest, the increase to bulk-billing incentives, travel costs, paper usage, the Aged Care Taskforce, COVID-19 investigations and 60-day dispensing 

The sheer number of unanswered questions for the Health and Aged Care portfolio is concerning. Mr Duckett told The Sydney Morning Herald more than 900 questions are undoubtedly a challenge to resolve but 62 answers since October are unacceptable.

“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,” said Mr Duckett.

“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.”

Portfolios such as Social Services and Services Australia have addressed the questions raised to them – Social Services only has 19 outstanding – although both have received roughly one-third of the number of questions.

Ms Hume, responsible for 1,772 Questions on Notice to the Health and Aged Care portfolio since November 2022 – the most of any senator – submitted a notice of motion asking the Senate to provide a statement on the number of total unanswered questions on notice and an explanation for why they are unanswered. 

“It is disappointing that this government’s commitment to transparency is clearly only measured by what they think they can get away with,” said Ms Hume. 

“Questions put to departments that are not answered will be pursued, regardless of whether the Government thinks it can hide this information.”

Ms Hume’s questions cover a variety of topics, such as the total expenditure on promotional merchandise and advertising, a list of new or wound up entities, lists of memberships for Commonwealth taskforces and committees and significant fund movements.

Liberal colleague and Opposition Spokesperson, Anne Ruston, reinforced the need for timely responses as she said the queries are in the public interest. 

She said the Government is showing a contempt for transparency.

“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 told The Sydney Morning Herald

“This government’s contempt for transparency is a concerning trend and reflects their attitude towards openness and honesty.” 

Ms Ruston ranks third for senators who have asked the highest number of questions since November 2022 with 349, covering topics such as the Aged Care Taskforce (including membership selection, meeting location and payments for members), whether General Practitioners will be worse off under the new GP in Aged Care Incentive and if the Government will commit to a workforce strategy for the care sector. 

Liberal senator Gerard Rennick is second, having asked 397 questions.

The Minister for Health, Mark Butler, has not commented on the issue while the Department of Health and Aged Care responded to hello leaders, clarifying it is working on finalising responses.

“Since November 2022, the Health and Aged Care portfolio has received 3,129 Questions on Notice from the Community Affairs Legislation and Finance Public Administration Committees. To date, 2,175 responses have been provided. The department and portfolio agencies are working to finalise outstanding responses as soon as possible,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Aged Care.