Senate debates Documents
Discrimination; Order for the Production of Documents
Fatima Payman WA, Australia's Voice
5:28 pm
I move:
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, by no later than 5 pm on Monday, 16 February 2026:
(a) 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, created after 1 December 2025, between the Attorney-General and/or her office and the Attorney-General's Department in relation to consultation on proposed religious discrimination laws; and
(b) a document which lists all meetings held by the Attorney-General or the Attorney-General's Department since 1 December 2025 for the purpose of consultation on religious discrimination laws, identifying the dates of the meetings and the organisations/individuals who attended the meetings.
Anthony Chisholm Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development
by leave—I move:
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.
Sue Lines President
The question is that the amendment to general business notice of motion No. 328 as moved by Minister Chisholm be agreed to.
Sue Lines President
5:35 pm
The question is that general business notice of motion No. 328, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.