Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Women) | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Paterson, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) order for the production of documents no. 586, agreed to by the Senate on 13 August 2026, concerning correspondence from the Government of Japan and related matters, has not been complied with,

(ii) the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister stated in his response, dated 17 August 2026, that a matter has been referred to the Australian Federal Police, and as a result, it would be inappropriate to respond to the order at this time, and

(iii) the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister has not specified the harm to the public interest that could result from disclosure of the requested documents;

(b) rejects the grounds that the minister has provided for refusing to comply with the order; and

(c) requires the Minister representing the Prime Minister to comply with the order by no later than midday on Thursday, 20 August 2026, or specify the grounds on which the minister believes disclosure of the requested documents is not in the public interest.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

As Minister Wong and the Prime Minister have made clear, it is inappropriate for the opposition to seek to score political points on Australia's relationship with Japan. The Prime Minister of Japan is a friend of Australia and a friend of the Australian Prime Minister, and the relationship with Japan is closer than it has ever been. The government has responded to the order, indicating, as this motion says, that the matter has been referred to the AFP, and, as a result, it would be inappropriate to respond to the order. This remains the government's position, and we oppose the motion.

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

The question is that general business notice of motion 624 standing in the name of Senator Paterson be agreed to.