Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I seek an explanation as to why the minister has not provided the documents required by the Senate under the orders agreed to by the Senate on 24 February, 29 February and 2 March. I note, as Senator Ryan indicated, that Senator Carr previously made queries with respect to one or two of the matters listed on the Notice Paper at page 13. I am specifically enquiring in respect to item 111:

Senate—Electoral law changes—Communications and minutes—Order for production of documents

By the Minister for Finance and the Special Minister of State, by 9.30 am on Thursday, 3 March 2016, documents recording all communications, and 'round table' meeting minutes in relation to Senate electoral law changes.

In fact, that one is more of a summary I think of the full motion. I should, perhaps, for the benefit of Senator Ryan, read the full motion that was passed by the Senate where it was requested:

That that there be laid on the table by the Minister for Finance and the Special Minister of State, no later than 9.30 am on Thursday, 3 March 2016:

(a) documents recording all communications with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by:

(i) the Minister for Finance,

(ii) the Acting Special Minister of State,

(iii) the Special Minister of State, and

(iv) the Department of Finance;

relating to proposed changes to the Senate voting system, including the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016, since 1 September 2015; and

(b) the minutes of all 'round table' meetings that have taken place in which the AEC participated.