Question probes the practice of the Premier's office providing generic answers to parliamentary questions, questioning its impact on ministerial accountability, staff competence perception, and commitment to open government. The answer defends the practice as efficient and ensuring ministerial accountability.

AnsweredQoN 2641Legislative Assembly
Asked
2 March 2004
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern

QuestionView source ↗

(b) does the office of Premier and Cabinet supply the Minister with a prepared answer; (c) if the generic response is different to the response prepared by your Ministerial office, what happens to the original answer; (d) are the original answers available on file, through freedom of information; (e) if so, which file and in which office; (f) by the office of Premier and Cabinet supplying generic answers for the Minister to use is it a reflection on the Premier’s trust in the ability of the Minister’s staff to answer questions; and (g) by using generic answers to questions on notice, supplied by the office of Premier and Cabinet is it a reflection of the Minister’s commitment to free and open Government?
(c) if the generic response is different to the response prepared by your Ministerial office, what happens to the original answer; (d) are the original answers available on file, through freedom of information; (e) if so, which file and in which office; (f) by the office of Premier and Cabinet supplying generic answers for the Minister to use is it a reflection on the Premier’s trust in the ability of the Minister’s staff to answer questions; and (g) by using generic answers to questions on notice, supplied by the office of Premier and Cabinet is it a reflection of the Minister’s commitment to free and open Government?
(d) are the original answers available on file, through freedom of information; (e) if so, which file and in which office; (f) by the office of Premier and Cabinet supplying generic answers for the Minister to use is it a reflection on the Premier’s trust in the ability of the Minister’s staff to answer questions; and (g) by using generic answers to questions on notice, supplied by the office of Premier and Cabinet is it a reflection of the Minister’s commitment to free and open Government?
(e) if so, which file and in which office; (f) by the office of Premier and Cabinet supplying generic answers for the Minister to use is it a reflection on the Premier’s trust in the ability of the Minister’s staff to answer questions; and (g) by using generic answers to questions on notice, supplied by the office of Premier and Cabinet is it a reflection of the Minister’s commitment to free and open Government?
(f) by the office of Premier and Cabinet supplying generic answers for the Minister to use is it a reflection on the Premier’s trust in the ability of the Minister’s staff to answer questions; and (g) by using generic answers to questions on notice, supplied by the office of Premier and Cabinet is it a reflection of the Minister’s commitment to free and open Government?
(g) by using generic answers to questions on notice, supplied by the office of Premier and Cabinet is it a reflection of the Minister’s commitment to free and open Government?
Where these circumstances arise the Department of Premier and Cabinet is best placed to prepare an accurate and timely response, which avoids wasteful duplication of Government resources. Ultimately all answers are signed off by the relevant Ministers ensuring Ministerial accountability is preserved consistent with responsible and open Government.
Ultimately all answers are signed off by the relevant Ministers ensuring Ministerial accountability is preserved consistent with responsible and open Government.

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
2 June 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern
Response time
92 days
(a) - (g)
There are times when questions require a whole of Government response.
Where these circumstances arise the Department of Premier and Cabinet is best placed to prepare an accurate and timely response, which avoids wasteful duplication of Government resources.
Ultimately all answers are signed off by the relevant Ministers ensuring Ministerial accountability is preserved consistent with responsible and open Government.

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