Chairman:

Before I pass the witness on to Senator Devine, can I just pull him on what he has just said? He said he only had a couple of days notice. I have made four requests over the last year looking for a breakdown of the mental health budget.

I have in fact received an email from the Minister's assistant, dated 24 October and responding to my request for a breakdown. I will quote directly from this email: "[U]nfortunately there is no sub-speciality reporting available from the financial systems and therefore I cannot provide this information for any year until such systems are enhanced." Is Mr. Mulvany telling me that he does not know how each community healthcare organisation, CHO, is spending its money? Are they not accountable to Mr. Mulvany as chief financial officer? Do they not provide his office with a breakdown of every single penny that they spend each year? I think I am reflecting Deputy Catherine Martin here in saying that I find this to be absolutely extraordinary.