Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition believes the government should provide responses to the reports of Senate committee inquiries. Committee inquiries are a critical part of the work of the Senate. Government responses to committee reports are an important part of this process. Since 1978, successive governments have undertaken to respond to committee reports within a specified period, which is currently three months. It is not acceptable for any government to take over 18 months to respond to a Senate committee report. In supporting the important principle of governments providing responses to committee reports, the opposition is not making a judgement on the findings of the inquiry itself. Labor does not support Senator Hanson's view on halal food.