Senate debates

Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Documents

Board of Peace; Order for the Production of Documents

5:18 pm

Photo of Fatima PaymanFatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Monday, 16 February 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of conversation, letters, briefing notes, meeting agendas, file notes, meeting invitations, meeting notes, meeting minutes, emails and instant/electronic messages between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and/or her office and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to the invitation of Australia and the Prime Minister to join the Board of Peace, as established under United Nations Security Council resolution 2803.

Photo of Anthony ChisholmAnthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | | Hansard source

by leave—I move an amendment to the motion:

Omit all words after 'That', substitute:

(a) orders for the production of documents is one of the Senate's most serious powers, and should be used only when other processes have been exhausted rather than for fishing expeditions; and

(b) senators seeking to order the production of documents should consider paragraph (a) and refine their orders accordingly.

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

The question is that the amendment as moved by Minister Chisholm to general business notice of motion No. 327, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.

5:26 pm

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

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 327, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.