Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

As was explained to the Senate when we voted on this attendance on Monday this week, the government has complied with the OPD. The documents relating to this motion were tabled last week on Wednesday 18 March, with a courtesy copy provided to Senator Smith at the same time that the documents were sent to be tabled. The government confirmed there were three documents in scope and tabled two. In responding to the OPD, we stated that one document is fully covered by public interest immunity and another is partially covered and therefore partially redacted.

As senators are aware, the distribution of the GST attracts vastly different positions across jurisdictions. Treasury's advice, which we agree with, is that disclosure of some material would or might reasonably be expected to damage relations between the Commonwealth and the states. Further, the Productivity Commission is currently undertaking a review into the GST. While this is a routine review legislated by the former government in 2018, the PC will do its job independently. We are conscious to not release material that could prejudice that inquiry, and the PC must be allowed to consult with the states and territories independently.