James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The government opposes the motion. The terms of the motion are extremely broad. It requires the production of several categories of documents from a number of different sources, including the Attorney-General, the Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Government Solicitor. The motion covers a period of time of some six months. Taken with the other issue, the scope of the motion can only be described as oppressive. The motion also covers documents which would undoubtedly be subject to legal professional privilege. It has long been the practice of governments of both political persuasions not to release legal advice or documents that are the subject of legal professional privilege. There are good reasons for that practice, and this motion proposes to disturb it.