That would be most unusual. One of the Minister's secretary's responsibilities in ok-ing the reply is to ensure that the reply does not lose a vote. Politicians take the view that every vote counts.
Indeed that is a sad but accurate observation.
My post was in response to 'what do we think of our new PM ?'
My info is sadly my true thoughts.
It gets worse, if you want to delve deeper.
Briefly, a Federal Department of Transport meeting was held to ( in part ) discuss the topic of interest.
As a commercial stakeholder I was neither allowed to participate, nor make a written submission.
Only Feds and State seconded staff were permitted.
I was able through FOI to obtain the minutes of the meeting.
Outright falsehoods were presented.
I subsequently challenged the Chair of the meeting, in writing, as to whether he was happy for minutes of a meeting he chaired to include falsehoods.
His stunning response was 'the minutes truly reflect what was said, whether or not what was said is accurate is none of his business'.
Furthermore, submissions from external stakeholders ( commercial businesses ) were of no concern.
All this in the name of the then-Minister.
So my opinion remains what it is.
Again I ask, what would be said if the CEO of a large organisation ( say a bank ) acted in such a manner ( whether personally, or simply on his watch ) ?
Michael