Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 24 standing in my name for today concerning an order for the production of documents by the Australian Statistician, before asking that it be taken as formal.

Leave granted.

I move the motion, as amended:

That—

(a)   the Senate notes that:

  (i)   on 3 August 2016, the Australian Statistician was interviewed on the ABC television program 7.30 in relation to the 2016 Census, and

  (ii)   during the interview the Australian Statistician referred to legal advice received from the Australian Government Solicitor; and

(b)   there be laid on the table no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, 14 September 2016 by the Minister representing the Minister for Small Business, the legal advice referred to by the Australian Statistician during his appearance on 7.30 on 3 August 2016.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The longstanding practice of successive governments has been not to disclose privileged legal advice.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion, as amended, moved by Senator Xenophon be agreed to.