Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That—

(1)

The Senate considers that, in addition to the existing resolutions in relation to the declaration by senators of interests and gifts, an accountability regime with the following elements should govern the declaration by senators of gifts and interests in the nature of sponsored travel, accommodation and hospitality:

(a)

that a written report of the sponsored travel undertaken by the senator be tabled within 60 days of the conclusion of the travel, detailing:

(i)

the cost or value of the sponsored travel, and

(ii)

the purpose of the sponsored travel and information gained;

(b)

that the written report be published on the Senate website within 14 days of the tabling of the report; and

(c)

that in the event of the sponsored travel not being disclosed and/or a written report not being provided within 60 days of the conclusion of the travel:

(i)

the senator be required to refund the actual cost of the sponsored travel (or if that cannot be ascertained the reasonable equivalent value thereof) within 30 days into general revenue, and

(ii)

that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee to determine whether any contempt was committed in that regard.

(2)

The following matter be referred to the Committee of Senators’ Interests, for inquiry and report:

The development of resolutions to give effect to an accountability regime for the declaration by senators of gifts and interests in the nature of sponsored travel, accommodation and hospitality, as outlined in paragraph (1).

(3)

For the purposes of the matter referred in paragraph (2):

(a)

standing order 22A(2), relating to membership of the committee, be modified to provide that the committee consist of 9 senators, including 2 nominated by any minority groups or independent senators; and

(b)

Senator Xenophon be appointed a member of the committee.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend the motion.

Leave granted.

I wish to amend the motion in the following terms:

Omit all words after “That”, substitute:

(1)

The following matter be referred to the Standing Committee of Senators’ Interests for inquiry and report:       The best mechanism to give effect to an accountability regime for the declaration by senators of gifts and interests in the nature of sponsored travel, accommodation and hospitality, including the development of resolutions, if appropriate, and consideration of how breaches will be dealt with.

(2)

For the purposes of the inquiry:

(a)

standing order 22A(2) relating to membership of the committee be modified to provide that the committee have 9 senators, 3 nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, 4 nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and 1 nominated by any minority groups or independent senators; and

(b)

Senator Xenophon be appointed to the committee.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any objection to the motion as amended?

Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the amendment to the motion been circulated?

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not aware of that.

Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could the vote be deferred until we can actually have a look at it and consider it—just for a couple of minutes?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ludwig interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understanding that that has been agreed to in the chamber, so we will defer the consideration of business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 until that has been circulated.