Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the 156th report of the Committee of Privileges, entitled Person referred to in the Senate—Mr Bernard Collaery. This report is the 66th in a series of reports recommending that a right of reply be afforded to persons who claim to have been adversely affected by being referred to in the Senate either by name or in such a way as to be readily identified. On 7 April this year, the President received a submission from Mr Bernard Collaery related to a speech made by Senator the Hon. George Brandis in the Senate on 4 December 2013. The President referred the submission to the committee under Privilege Resolution No. 5. The committee considered the submission at the meeting on 15 May and recommends that the proposed response be incorporated in Hansard. The committee reminds the Senate that, in matters of this nature, it does not judge the truth or otherwise of statements made by honourable senators or persons referred to; rather, it ensures that the person's submissions and, ultimately, the responses it recommends accord with the criteria set out in Privilege Resolution No. 5. I commend the motion to the Senate.

Ordered that the report be printed.

Ordered that the report be adopted.