Senate debates

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Questions without Notice: Additional Answers

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation: Employment

3:03 pm

Photo of Arthur SinodinosArthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | | Hansard source

I want to add to an answer to a question from Senator Whish-Wilson about the CSIRO. As an independent agency, the board and the management are responsible for internal operational matters. In relation to CSIRO's record-keeping obligations, the Archives Act and the Freedom of Information Act apply to emails where personal email addresses are used. The CSIRO are ensuring that any emails falling within this scope are collected and incorporated appropriately into the CSIRO's record-keeping system so that they can be accessed by CSIRO. An initial assessment by CSIRO's legal function indicates use of personal emails would not breach the Crimes Act as no information was disclosed to any third parties.

Photo of Kim CarrKim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | | Hansard source

The Crimes Act? It is not the Crimes Act; it is another act. That is really quite shifty. That is a very shifty answer.

Photo of Gavin MarshallGavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Order!