Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Keneally, I move:

That—

(1) There be laid on the table by the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, by no later than 12pm on 26 August 2020, the following documents:

  (a) the daily briefings prepared for the Government containing updates on COVID-19 cases in aged care, referred to by the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians in evidence to Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 on 21 August 2020 as 'Sit Rep', for each day from 1 July 2020;

  (b) any communications plan prepared by the Department of Health or other agency for use by the Government relating to the handling of COVID-19 cases in aged care; and

     (c) plans to develop the training modules produced by the Government for staff in aged care in the use of personal protective equipment and the plan to distribute those modules.

  (2) In the event that the Minister fails to table any of the documents, the Senate requires the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians to attend the Senate at the conclusion of question time on 26 August 2020 to provide an explanation, of no more than 10 minutes, of the Minister's failure to table the documents.

  (3) Any senator may move to take note of the explanation required by paragraph (2).

  (4) Any motion under paragraph (3) may be debated for no longer than 60 minutes, shall have precedence over all business until determined, and senators may speak to the motion for not more than 10 minutes each.

Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek to have the vote split on this motion. I intend to vote differently on item (1) as to (2), (3) and (4). I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just as a matter of good process, when we do OPDs we should allow the government to return the documents to the Senate or make a claim of public interest immunity. We should then examine that and then, if necessary, call the minister to the chamber to answer for any lack of compliance with the order. I indicate that if indeed the government doesn't return the documents properly, I would support the remainder of the motion.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that part (1) of motion No. 730 be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

The question is that clauses 2, 3 and 4 of motion No. 730 be agreed to.