Senate debates Committees
Intelligence and Security Committee; Membership
Scott Ryan President
12:02 pm
I have received a letter requesting changes in the membership of a committee.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts
Mr President, I seek leave to move a motion to vary the membership of a committee.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Mr President, by leave, can I just clarify a question here. We have changes to committee memberships as well, and the draft red had it listed for much later in the day. Is there some reason that we're not aware of that it's been brought forward to this stage?
A government senator interjecting—
Scott Ryan President
This, I understand, was mentioned at the cross-whips, referencing the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
My question is: will we be returning to it?
Scott Ryan President
Yes, we will take care of the other variations in committees. Senator Cormann?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
This is to deal with the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Bushby on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. Obviously that is an important committee of the parliament that has some business in front of it as we speak. This course of action, which was communicated to all parties, will facilitate a full membership of that important committee forthwith, should the Senate agree.
Scott Ryan President
We will return to other committee memberships at item 20 on the red. I'll take it that leave is granted for Senator Fifield to move the motion.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts
I move:
That Senator Stoker be appointed as a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, pursuant to the Intelligence Services Act 2001.
Question agreed to.