Senate debates Documents

Victoria: Bushfires; Order for the Production of Documents


Wendy Askew

Wendy Askew Tasmania, Liberal Party

6:42 pm

At the request of Senator McKenzie, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, by no later than midday on 23 March 2026, all correspondence including briefing notes, meeting agendas, file notes, meeting notes and meeting minutes with dates for those requests between the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts and the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories in relation to assistance and relief available to fire affected areas in Victoria that occurred in January 2026.

Nita Green

Nita Green Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Tourism

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 when all 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

Sue Lines President

The question is that the amendment as moved by Senator Green to general business notice of motion No. 364, standing in the name of Senator McKenzie, be agreed to. A division is required. I will defer that.