Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Waters, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, by no later than 9.30 am on 2 September 2021, any documents, including emails and correspondence, in relation to the appointment or secondment of employees of Energy Australia, Delta Electricity or Origin Australia to any group or process of the Energy Security Board.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Energy Security Board works in close collaboration with the energy ministers of all jurisdictions in the NEM, and the integrity of its processes underpin Commonwealth-state relations. The Energy Security Board is structurally independent of all governments. Under its terms of reference, the Energy Security Board only undertakes work at the direction of all ministers. The Energy Security Board's terms of reference prevent it from conducting work for or reporting to a specific minister or jurisdiction. The Australian government has no awareness of private staff engaged by the Energy Security Board to work on their tasked projects. Internal matters of that nature are handled by the Energy Security Board.

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

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Siewert at the request of Senator Waters be agreed to.