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

I seek leave to amend notice of motion No. 1.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges for inquiry and report:

Having regard to the matters raised by Senator Patrick in correspondence tabled by the President on 12 May 2021:

(a) whether any conduct ofthe former Minister for Defence, Senator Reynolds, or any other person amounted to an improper interference with the Economics References Committee inquiry into Australia's sovereign naval shipbuilding capability; and

(b) if so, whether any contempt was committed in respect of those matters.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government does not support Senator Patrick's motion. This motion contains inappropriate imputations about a distinguished senior public servant which would be further compounded if it were carried. The amendment is nothing but a sleight of hand, and the intent and outcome of the motion remain unchanged. Secretary Moriarty has served the Australian people with distinction in a life of public service. He was the senior negotiator with the Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville and served as our ambassador to Iran, our ambassador to Indonesia and Australia's Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. The government is committed to working with senators where concerns are raised, but this motion is not an appropriate or constructive way to advance public debate or the public interest.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion as amended and moved by Senator Patrick on a matter of privilege be agreed to.