Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you for that ruling, Deputy President. In fact, I revised the words of what I'd been provided to take note of your earlier ruling. But it is true that, in addition to Mr Taylor, Senator Cash and many other ministers, the now assistant shadow treasurer Mr Robert attracts more controversy by the day, sometimes by the hour. Let's not forget Mr Morrison's secret ministries. They were, in fact, so secret that he didn't even tell his co-portfolio ministers, let alone the parliament.

On behalf of the Attorney-General, I maintain my public interest immunity claim. I also note the misunderstanding present in the motion presented by Senator Shoebridge with the unflinching support of his new friends in transparency, the coalition. The order for production did not seek a resignation letter from the FOI Commissioner. Further, I refer the Senate to one of the documents tabled by the government, the FOI Commissioner's message to staff on 6 March 2023. That message begins:

Dear colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that I've written to the Governor-General to resign my appointment …

As I outlined in my letter to the President on 27 March this year, in the 2022-23 financial year the government provided the OAIC with $29.6 million in funding. The government will continue to work closely with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to understand resourcing requirements to ensure its effective operation. Unlike the former government, we will fill the position of FOI Commissioner, and it will be filled with a candidate selected through a merit based selection process.