Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senators Cash, McKenzie and Davey, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) order for production of documents no. 33 (the order) agreed by the Senate on 8 September 2022, requiring the Minister representing the Prime Minister to table briefing notes, file notes and any written communication in relation to the Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, has not been complied with, and

(ii) the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, in his response to the order, made a claim of public interest immunity on the basis that it would damage relations between the Commonwealth and states, citing concerns that disclosure of the information would harm the Commonwealth's ongoing relationship with a state government on this and future disaster recovery funding arrangements;

(b) rejects the public interest immunity claim made by the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, noting that:

(i) when a claim of public interest immunity is made on the basis that it would damage relations between the Commonwealth and states, the agreement of the states to disclose the information should be sought and they should be invited to give reasons for any objection, and

(ii) no such agreement has been sought, nor has the Senate been advised of any objections from the New South Wales Government; and

(c) requires the Minister representing the Prime Minister to comply with the order by no later than midday on 28 November 2022.