Senate debates Documents
Drought Interagency Taskforce, Coordinator-General For Drought, Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery; Order for the Production of Documents
Anne Urquhart Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
4:16 pm
At the request of Senator Sterle, I move:
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 3 pm on 18 September 2019, copies of the final reports by the Coordinator-General for Drought, Major General Stephen Day, the Drought Interagency Taskforce and Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
Major General Day has finished his mission to provide strategic coordination to the Commonwealth's efforts to tackle the drought. The Major General's final report suggests a number of approaches that government could take in future drought policy across portfolios and jurisdictions. Drawing on the Major General's final report, Minister Littleproud, as the minister responsible for drought, is now developing the government's long-term drought strategy. Given that the work being undertaken by Minister Littleproud is subject to cabinet consideration, it is not usual to release documents subject to cabinet. The government does not support this motion.
Scott Ryan President
The question is that general business notice of motion No. 135 be agreed to.