Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Hansard source

I have a question for you, Speaker. I note you have, as other Speakers have in the past, allowed such questions to be asked of you, including by leaders of the House.

As you would be aware, on 29 September 2010, the House adopted a resolution concerning government responses to committee reports. For the information of members, this resolution is at page 131 of the Standing and Sessional Orders. The resolution states:

If a period of six months has elapsed from a report being presented and a response has not been presented, the relevant Minister (or Minister representing the Minister) shall:

(a) present to the House at the next available opportunity a signed statement stating the reasons for the delay in presentation of the response …

As you are probably aware, Mr Speaker, around 50 reports that have been delivered by Labor chaired committees remain unresponded to per the terms of this resolution. Some of these unanswered reports have inquired into financial abuse as a form of domestic violence, antisemitism on university campuses and the National Redress Scheme, which supports victims of child sexual abuse. In accordance with the resolution adopted by the House, relevant ministers who have not provided responses to committee reports within six months are required to 'present to the House at the next available opportunity a signed statement stating the reasons for the delay in presentation of the response'.

In terms of the operation of the House, can you please tell members how this resolution is given effect? Administratively, is procedural advice provided by departmental staff to committee chairs advising them of overdue committee responses? And can I take this opportunity to also ask what action you, as Speaker, will make to ensure compliance with clause 1 of the resolution in the future? The clause states:

Within a period of six months from the presentation in the House of a report by a House or Joint Committee, the Government shall present its response to the recommendations contained in the report to the House.

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