John Hogg (President) Share this | Hansard source

I present a letter from the President to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Ms Roxon, relating to Senate orders for the production of documents.

The correspondence contained the following advice about the application of standing order 164(3):

Paragraph (3) of standing order 164 provides a procedure for any senator to seek an explanation from the relevant minister for non-compliance with the order once 30 days have elapsed after the deadline set by the order. It does not limit any other remedy or sanction that a senator may choose to initiate under the procedures of the Senate. It is of no application to the person to whom the order is directed and, in particular, does not provide an implicit extension of time for a minister to respond to the order.