Senate debates
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Business
Withdrawal
4:40 pm
Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I advise that Senators Lambie, Tyrrell, Thorpe and David Pocock are co-sponsoring this notice of motion. I move:
That the government business order of the day relating to the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 be discharged from the Notice Paper.
Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The government strongly opposes Senator Payman's motion to discharge the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 from the Notice Paper. This motion to discharge is not about whether you support the bill or oppose it. Senators can oppose the bill in its current form and want to see it amended and still oppose this motion.
This motion is about whether you're up for a debate on actually reforming a broken freedom-of-information system, not just complaining about it on social media for clicks. By supporting this motion to discharge the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill, senators will be shirking a debate on reform of the freedom-of-information system, including the aspects of this bill that those on the crossbench and stakeholders from across the political spectrum claim to support.
An effective freedom-of-information system is critical in fostering public trust in government decision-making through transparency and access to information. The government urges senators to oppose Senator Payman's motion and work with the government to reform a system in dire need of it.
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The question is that general business notice of motion No. 309 standing in the name of Senator Payman and other senators be agreed to.