George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate. Paragraph 2 of the motion seeks to have the Senate direct a member of the Senate to appear before a Senate committee. That is unprecedented and a violation of a very fundamental parliamentary principle. Senate committees can call any individual, including members of the Senate, before them, but the Senate cannot direct a member of the Senate to appear before a committee. The consequence would be that in a chamber where the majority had control, the government could direct an opposition senator to appear before a government-controlled committee. It could direct the Leader of the Opposition or a shadow minister to appear before a government-controlled committee. It will be obvious to honourable senators what a shocking precedent that would be. (Time expired)