Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf Senator Xenophon and the Leader of Family First, Senator Fielding, move:

(1)

That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by the first day of sitting in 2010:       A process for determining public interest immunity claims made by the government in response to orders of the Senate or of Senate committees for the production of information and documents.

(2)

That the committee consider whether the following proposed order of the Senate would provide a suitable process:

Question agreed to.

Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—The government recognises that against the coalition, the Greens and the minors the government does not have the numbers on this. We will not be calling a division.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I would like to put on record that this reference was made by agreement with the government by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy, and with the crossbenches when last we sat. It was my understanding that the government had indicated not just its support but its full and unconditional support, the resourcing of that inquiry and a willingness to see it through and be open minded about the outcome, so I am extremely surprised and disturbed to hear Senator O’Brien stand up now and tell us that it is conditional on the opposition and the crossbenches having the numbers. That was certainly not the agreement that I believe we had reached with the minister late last session. If you wish to issue a clarifying statement at this time or down the track, I would greatly appreciate it.