Labor has accused Social Services Minister Scott Morrison of gagging his department over revelations the agency took just two media inquiries since he took over.
The Department of Social Services's 50-strong media team answered two inquiries out of a total of 390 it was sent between January 1 and June 22.
They flicked everything else to Mr Morrison's staff or his parliamentary secretary Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
Mr Morrison, who took over the department in December 2014, says it is his responsibility to provide public comment on his portfolio.
"All media management for the minister is managed by his own ministerial office, not departmental staff," a spokesman said in a statement on Friday.
Labor accused the minister of transporting "secrecy tactics" from his previous immigration portfolio to social services.
"Scott Morrison is obsessed with control and secrecy no matter the portfolio," opposition early childhood spokeswoman Kate Ellis said.
Mr Morrison said his department provides a wide range of support, including research and media queries.
They also deal with media strategy, events management and content for the website, among others.
