Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, Senator Wong, by 13 May 2010, the following documents relating to the shortfin and longfin mako shark and the porbeagle shark during and since December 2008 when those species were listed on the United Nations Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the convention):

(a)

all briefings from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (the department) to the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts in relation to the listings on the convention and subsequently in relation to listing the species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; and

(b)

any briefings and advice received by the department or the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts from scientific experts or bodies or other government departments in relation to those three species.

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

by leave—The briefings being requested by Senator Siewert constitute advice to the minister with respect to his deliberations and the carrying out of his functions under the EPBC Act and, in accordance with the long-standing practice of all Australian governments, this should not be provided before tabling.

It is also appropriate to note that Senator Siewert was twice offered, as I understand it, a full departmental briefing on these matters by Minister Garrett’s office—verbally by her adviser on Monday 10 May and by email from Minister Garrett’s chief of staff yesterday. To date, I am advised she has declined to take up these offers.

Question agreed to.