John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present the 128th report of the Committee of Privileges, entitled Person referred to in the Senate: Mr Karl J O’Callaghan APM, Commissioner of Police, Western Australia.

Ordered that the report be printed.

I move:

That the report be adopted.

This report is the 48th in a series of reports recommending that a right of reply be afforded to persons who claim to have been adversely affected by being referred to either by name or in such a way as to be readily identified in the Senate.

On 2 August 2006, the President received a submission from Mr Karl J O’Callaghan APM, Commissioner of Police, Western Australia, relating to comments made by Senator David Johnston in the Senate on 14 June 2006 during discussion of matters of public interest. The President referred the submission to the committee under privilege resolution (5). The committee considered the submission on 10 August 2006 and recommends that Mr O’Callaghan’s proposed response, as agreed by the committee and Mr O’Callaghan, be incorporated in Hansard.

The committee reminds the Senate that, in matters of this nature, it does not judge the truth or otherwise of statements made by honourable senators or the persons referred to. Rather, it ensures that these persons’ submissions and, ultimately, the responses it recommends accord with the criteria set out in privilege resolution (5). I commend the motion to the Senate.