For many years, senators of all political persuasions have used the Senate estimates process to conduct audits of multiple Commonwealth departments and agencies, some of which have forced changes in government policy.
Last year, the Albanese government vowed to remove Chinese-made security cameras at Commonwealth buildings across Australia in response to an audit by Liberal senator James Paterson, which was based on answers to questions on notice out of Senate estimates.
But a document distributed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office to ministerial offices in recent weeks sets out how to avoid answering many questions of multiple departments in the future.
The document, seen by Capital Brief, suggests the Albanese government feels vulnerable over the performance of departments and agencies in Senate estimates. This publication revealed in February that the Department of Home Affairs blindsided its two ministers Clare O'Neil and Andrew Giles when it tabled new details about the High Court's NZYQ case.
