Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of Senator Collins, I present the 159th report of the Standing Committee of Privileges, entitled Persons referred to in the Senate: Mr Alan Manly and Ms Jennifer McCarthy, Group Colleges Australia. I move:

That the report be adopted.

This report is the 70th in a series of reports recommending that a right of reply be afforded to persons who claim to have been adversely affected by being referred to in the Senate either by name or in such a way as to be readily identified.

On 14 November 2014, the President received a submission from Mr Alan Manly and Ms Jennifer McCarthy relating to a speech made by Senator Lee Rhiannon during the adjournment debate in the Senate on 2 September 2014. The President referred the submission to the committee under privilege resolution 5. The committee considered the submission at its meeting today and recommends that the proposed response be incorporated in Hansard.

The committee reminds the Senate that, in matters of this nature, it does not judge the truth or otherwise of statements made by honourable senators or the persons referred to; rather, it ensures that these persons' submissions and, ultimately, the responses it recommends accord with the criteria set out in privilege resolution 5. I commend the motion to the Senate.

Question agreed to.