Senate debates

Thursday, 17 March 2016

Committees

Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reporting Date

12:25 pm

Photo of Gavin MarshallGavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Does any senator wish the question to be put separately on any of those proposals?

Photo of Peter Whish-WilsonPeter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Just on a matter of procedure, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Gavin MarshallGavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Peter Whish-WilsonPeter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you. I just want to say that I am disappointed that the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee has extended the deadline for the report on the Joint Strike Fighter. We only need a day of hearings on this very important inquiry. A lot of work has gone into putting those hearings together. I have not had an explanation from the chair of the committee as to why this reporting date has to be extended for nearly two months. It smacks of politics to me, and I am very disappointed that we cannot get this reported on 1 May as was the original decision. There has been no evidence provided to me, and I want to express on the record my disappointment.