Jessica Collins (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Hume, I move general business notices of motion Nos 331, 332 and 333 together:

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 331

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Industry and Innovation, by no later than midday on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, the final versions of all hot issues/Senate estimates briefs (including any attachments) prepared by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and used by its officials for their appearance at the Economics Legislation Committee estimates hearing on 10 October 2025.

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 332

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Industry and Innovation, by no later than midday on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, the latest iteration of the minister's question time brief as sent to the minister by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources for Senate question time on Thursday, 27 November 2025.

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 333

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Industry and Innovation, by no later than midday on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, the final versions of all hot issues/Senate estimates briefs (including any attachments) prepared by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and used by its officials for their appearance at the Economics Legislation Committee estimates hearing on 4 December 2025.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that each of these motions be put separately, and I seek leave to move an amendment to general business notice of motion No. 331.

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

Leave is granted.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move an amendment to the motion:

Omit all words after "That", insert "the Senate notes that:

(a) complying with an order to produce all estimates briefs would irreparably damage the ability of Government departments and agencies to support the estimates committee process in the future;

(b) it is the collective nature of questioning at estimates that contributes to the Senate's scrutiny role; and

(c) the release of documents sought by orders to produce all estimates briefs would likely change the way that all Government departments and agencies prepare for estimates and, indeed, all committee processes in the future.

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

The government has asked for general business notices of motion Nos 331, 332 and 333 to be put separately. Senator Chisholm has indicated to the chamber that there are different amendments to each one. Senator McKim?

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to address that request through a point of order. Is the government intending to vote differently on all three, or is the fact that the government has flagged amendments for all three itself a rationale for having them put separately?

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

The government has different amendments to all three. Generally speaking, the Senate indulges anyone who wants matters put separately, as the Greens often do. It is completely in order to move them separately. As the amendments have been circulated, you will see that they are all different. Senator David Pocock, were you seeking the call?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was also going to ask whether the government were going to vote differently or whether they were just wasting time.

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

The Greens have already asked that question, and that's been clarified. The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Chisholm to general business notice of motion No. 331, standing in the name of Senator Hume, be agreed to.

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

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 331 standing in the name of Senator Hume and moved by Senator Collins be agreed to.

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

I'll now move to general business notice of motion No. 332, standing in the name of Senator Hume, which has already been moved by Senator Collins.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move an amendment to the motion:

Omit all words after "That", insert "the Senate notes that:

(a) complying with an order to produce all question time briefs would irreparably damage the ability of Ministers to answer questions without notice; and

(b) the release of documents sought by orders to produce all question time briefs would likely change the way that all Government departments and agencies assist Ministers to prepare for question time and, indeed, all future occurrences of question time.

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

The question is that the amendment as circulated to general business notice of motion No. 332 and as moved by Senator Chisholm be agreed to.

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

The question now is that general business notice of motion No. 332, standing in the name of Senator Hume and moved by Senator Collins, be agreed to.

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

I will now go to general business notice of motion No. 333, standing in the name of Senator Hume and moved by Senator Collins.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move an amendment to the motion:

Omit all words after 'That', insert 'the Senate notes that:

(a) complying with an order to produce all estimates briefs would irreparably damage the ability of Government departments and agencies to support the estimates committee process in the future;

(b) it is the collective nature of questioning at estimates that contributes to the Senate's scrutiny role; and

(c) the release of documents sought by orders to produce all estimates briefs would likely change the way that all Government departments and agencies prepare for estimates and, indeed, all committee processes in the future.

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

The question is that the amendment by Senator Chisholm, as circulated, to general business notion of motion No. 333, standing in the name of Senator Hume and moved by Senator Collins, be agreed to.

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

The question now is that general business notice of motion No. 333, standing in the name of Senator Hume and moved by Senator Collins, be agreed to.