Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a statement on a reference to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee concerning public interest claims.

Leave granted.

I refer to the Senate’s consideration on Monday, 16 November of the motion moved by Senator Ludlam, Senator Xenophon and Senator Fielding relating to a reference to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee in relation to a process for determining public interest immunity claims. I understand that during the last sitting week Senator Conroy, on behalf of the government, did reach agreement with the crossbench senators to support this inquiry. The government does support the reference and should not have opposed the motion when it was moved. I would like to correct the record on behalf of the government.