At the request of Senator Rhiannon, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, no later than 8 July 2014, all correspondence, whether written or in email form, between the Department of Agriculture and the Minister's office relating to the cattle industry's compensation claim resulting from the 5 week suspension of live export trade to Indonesia in 2011, and all correspondence, whether written or in email form, between the Minister's office and the Department of Finance, the Australian Government Solicitor and the Attorney-General's office, relating to the same matter.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave is granted for one minute.

The government does not support this motion. A number of potential claimants have alleged financial losses due to the Commonwealth’s temporary suspension of live animal exports to Indonesia in June 2011. No court proceedings have been filed yet. Whether or not to file proceedings is a matter for the claimants. The internal correspondence referred to in the notice is, I am advised, subject to legal professional privilege.

Question negatived.