Senate debates

Wednesday, 3 September 2025

Documents

International Relations: Australia and Nauru; Order for the Production of Documents

5:22 pm

Photo of Nick McKimNick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

1. That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 9.30 am on 4 September 2025, the memorandum of understanding signed between the Australian and Nauruan governments, announced by the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Burke) on 29 August 2025.

2. That once received by the Clerk or the President, documents returned and any correspondence responding to the order shall be deemed to have been presented to the Senate and publication of the documents is authorised.

Photo of Paul ScarrPaul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Paul ScarrPaul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration) Share this | | Hansard source

The coalition will not be supporting this motion because we do not want to jeopardise the government's arrangement with Nauru, which has been negotiated in good faith. We note Labor's hypocrisy in opposing this motion, given they teamed up with the Greens in 2017 to vote for the production of a similar agreement between Australia and the United States regarding the resettlement of refugees. This is just another double standard when it comes to Labor and government transparency.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 151 standing in the name of Senator Shoebridge be agreed to.