questions on notice

Senator Pocock questioned Defence over the movement of department staff from the public service to private sector consulting practices.

A government-issued document guides departments on how to answer questions in a manner that sidesteps providing extensive detail.

Brendan Murphy says upholding important principles of democracy left the door open for conspiracy theorists to take things to the Nth degree.

Katy Gallagher said the $3 billion APS reduction in consultancy spending was arrived at through questions on notice and senate estimates.