George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I present the 143rd report of the Senate Standing Committee of Privileges, entitled Persons referred to in the Senate—Vicki Dunstan on behalf of the Church of Scientology.

Ordered that the report be printed.

by leave—I move:

That the report be adopted.

This is the 58th in a series of reports of the Senate Privileges Committee 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 11 January 2010 the President received a submission from the Reverend Vicki Dunstan, President, Church of Scientology, Australia, relating to comments made by Senator Xenophon in the Senate on 17 November 2009 during the adjournment debate. The President referred the submission to the committee under Privilege Resolution 5. The committee considered the submission today and recommends that the Reverend Dunstan’s proposed response, as agreed by the committee, 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.

Question agreed to.