Rex Patrick (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

This is somewhat procedural in nature. I've just noticed that, with the change of arrangements we've got for the limitation on word counts and extraneous material, we may have placed ourselves in breach of Erskine May, back through section 49 of the Constitution. I just want to read from Erskine May—the 1893 version, which applies to us: 'but, however ample the power of each house to enforce production of papers, a sufficient cause must be shown for the exercise of that power and, if consideration of public policy can be urged against a motion for papers, it is either withdrawn or elsewise dealt with according to the judgement of the house'. We do not put any context around these orders for production, and I think that that is a breach of the obligations placed upon us by Erskine May through our Constitution and should be considered by the Senate.