Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Investment, Senator Payne. One of the biggest and most controversial issues in US politics at the moment is providing authority to President Obama to fast track the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement through Congress. Right now the US Congress is having a robust, democratic debate about the importance of parliamentary oversight in such agreements. Under Australia's treaty process, this same deal is automatically set up for fast track through our parliament after signing by cabinet.

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

Wait for it, Senator Macdonald; here it comes. When will the minister comply with this Senate's previous order for production of documents and release the final text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement so parliament and the Australian people can scrutinise this secret deregulation agenda prior to signing by cabinet?