Points of Order — Questions for Written Answer—Ministerial Responsibility for Operational Matters

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Before you get to question time, I want to raise with you a matter to do with requirements around the answering of written questions, and specifically refer you to written parliamentary question No. 2711 of this year, which was lodged on 19 March and answered by the Hon Peter Dunne on 22 March, in which he indicated that it was an operational matter. I raised this matter in this House with you on 26 March because of the inadequacy of the reply. At that stage you indicated you would get back to me. I wrote to you on 26 April to remind you of that matter, and I am yet to get a response. I am just wondering—because this is a representative case; there are a number of other written questions that have been inadequately answered—how long it will be before we get a response.

I thank the member. The issue has been raised with me now by the Clerk. She informs me that the matter has been worked on, and as we speak a draft response to the member Mr Mallard is being prepared. He will have it within the next day or so.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Could we please have the answer shared amongst other parties? It is a common problem—the Government not answering written questions, because it is an operational matter. It would be good to have a generalised response so we can all figure out what is going on.

I will look into the matter for the member.