Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) on 23 November 2016, the Senate passed a motion known as Senate Order 20C ("the Order") requiring rolling disclosure of meetings between current ministers, senior officials and former ministers,

  (ii) the purpose of the Order is to ensure that the Prime Minister's Statement of Ministerial Standards is adhered to,

  (iii) only one minister has so far complied with the Order,

  (iv) during the estimates hearing on 28 February 2017, the Attorney-General could not confirm whether the Government will comply with the Order due to an alleged invalidity, and

  (v) the Acting Clerk has provided advice that the Order is valid in a letter dated 28 February 2017, and tabled with the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee on the same day; and

(b) calls on the Government to abide by the Order.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is considering this order. There is an issue about the extent to which the order imposes obligations on House of Representatives ministers. The Clerk of the House of Representatives has provided advice that an order of the Senate cannot bind House of Representatives ministers. In view of that, consideration is being given by the government to how or whether this order can or should be complied with.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Rhiannon be agreed to.