Senate debates Documents

Australia Day; Order for the Production of Documents


Bridget McKenzie

Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development

6:43 pm

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Education by no later than midday on 23 March 2026, all correspondence including briefing notes, meeting agenda, file notes, meeting invitations, meeting notes and meeting minutes between the Department of Education and the Minister for Education in relation to the 'Changing the date? Australia Day, reconciliation and the politics of division' project.

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. 365, standing in the name of Senator McKenzie, be agreed to. A division is required. It's a deferred division.