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

The government opposes the motion. The government maintains that it is not in the public interest to depart from the established position which has been maintained over many years by successive governments—that being to not disclose privileged legal advice. It is integral that privileged legal advice provided to the Commonwealth remain confidential. Access by government to such confidential advice is, in practical terms, critical to the development of sound Commonwealth policy and robust lawmaking.