Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting this motion. It is the longstanding practice of governments not to disclose advice that has been provided to the Governor-General out of respect for that office. Furthermore, the disclosure of advice of this nature would be contrary to Australia's national interests, not least of all because it may prejudice our international relations. A parliamentary committee is currently reviewing how Australia makes decisions to send service personnel into international armed conflict with the terms of reference referred by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles. The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will soon be reporting on its inquiry into international armed conflict decision-making.