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

I move:

(1) That the Senate:

(a) notes:

  (i) the failure of the Minister for Defence (Senator Johnston) to comply with the order of the Senate of 9 July 2014 for the production of the report of the review of the Air Warfare Destroyer project,

  (ii) the statement by the Minister claiming public interest immunity on the basis That the report was prepared for Cabinet and informed Cabinet deliberations, and

  (iii) the public comments by the Minister citing the report, thereby placing the report in the public arena and abrogating such claims to public interest immunity; and

(b) orders the Minister to comply with the order by 4 pm on Thursday 17 July 2014 or make a claim of public interest immunity which is in accordance with those accepted by the Senate; and

(2) That, in the event That the Minister fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(b), a senator may immediately move without notice a motion in relation to the Minister's failure to either comply or provide an acceptable claim of public interest immunity.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government again cannot support a motion that requires the production of documents which are covered by cabinet-in-confidence and commercial-in-confidence issues. The documents regarding the Hobart class air warfare destroyer are unable to be made public. The government complied with the former order to produce documents by tabling relevant information.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Xenophon be agreed to.