Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing and the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, by no later than midday on 2 December 2025, all documents in the possession of the Minister for Health and Ageing and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, or their offices or departments, related to a hospital or other healthcare facility in Yanchep, Western Australia.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this motion. Minister Butler's office has offered Senator Smith a briefing on this issue. The scope of this OPD is so large that it amounts to nothing more than a fishing expedition. Minister Butler's office has encouraged Senator Smith to narrow the scope of the order.

The number of OPDs has doubled since the 2022 election, and the scope of these requests has also expanded significantly. The Senate has agreed to an average of four OPDs per sitting day in the 48th Parliament, which is double the average of two per sitting day in the 47th Parliament and almost four times the average in the last term of the coalition government. On 27 August 2025, the Senate agreed to 14 OPDs in a single day.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general notice of motion No. 266 standing in the name of Senator Dean Smith and moved by Senator Askew be agreed to.