Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 20 March 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, created since 1 July 2025, between the Minister for Defence and/or his office and the Department of Defence in relation to plans to cut back the number of senior officers in the Australian Defence Force.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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 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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the amendment moved by Minister Gallagher be agreed to.

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

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 393, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.