Senate debates Documents
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Electoral Commission; Order for the Production of Documents
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
11:55 am
by leave—Can the minister advise the Senate as to whether it is the government's intention to respond to the order regarding the CSIRO's Oceans and Atmosphere division, which was due at 9.30 this morning.
Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party
I will seek advice and I, or another representative of the government, will come back to the chamber on that. I have just come into the chamber for this particular session. I am not familiar with your query, off the top of my head, but I will seek advice.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
I asked the same question at 9.30 this morning, and I think it is pretty ordinary when there is still no response from the government 2½ hours later.
Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party
Not having been here when you asked the first question, I appreciate the point you make. I will endeavour to get you an answer as soon as I can.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
11:56 am
by leave—On a separate matter, there was a second order for the production of documents with regard to electoral law changes—communications and minutes—and that too appears not to have been complied with. Is it the government's intention to comply with that return to order?
Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party
Senator Carr, I have just received some advice on your first query, if I may turn to that. Your query has been passed to the minister representing, who I believe is Senator Sinodinos. It has been passed on. With regard to your second query, I will seek to get advice and come back to the chamber as soon as I can.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
11:57 am
If the inquiry has been passed on to Minister Sinodinos, when can we have a reply?
Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party
The message I just received was from the minister representing Senator Sinodinos. I am not sure if someone is representing him today, or if he, off the top of my head, represents that particular portfolio. I will endeavour to come back with further information on those queries as soon as I can.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
Senator Sinodinos represents Minister Pyne in this chamber. I would have thought we could have had a reply by now.
Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party
I will endeavour to get some advice and come back to the chamber as soon as I can—I will be here for the next hour. If not, I will make sure that the person coming in after me is aware of your query.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
11:58 am
by leave—I wish to make a further inquiry about the second issue that Senator Carr raised: the order for the production of documents relating to electoral law changes—communications and minutes. We are very keen to get hold of that particular set of documents and, if we do not get them, we will be raising further questions later in the day.
Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party
In response, as I said to Senator Carr, I will make inquiries as soon as I am able to. If I am not in the chamber, I will make my successors in the chamber aware of the inquiry, and I appreciate your heads up for later in the day.
Larissa Waters Queensland, Australian Greens
11:59 am
by leave—I might just chime in and add that, given that both orders for the production of documents stand in our name, we too are very keen to get them. They are quite a few hours overdue. I apologise, Minister, that I missed the first few seconds of your contribution, but I am flagging that we too will have much more to say about this should the documents not materialise.
Scott Ryan Victoria, Liberal Party
I understand the points made by senators in the chamber, and I appreciate the notice that you have also given, Senator Waters. I will progress and make the query, not having been aware of the earlier query.
Gavin Marshall Deputy-President
I think the points are now all well made.