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

I move:

That, in relation to the order of the Senate of 29 March 2017, the Senate—

(a) notes the failure of the Minister for Defence to provide either:

  (i) the documents relating to the Minister for Defence Industry's visit to Saudi Arabia and military exports to that country; or

  (ii) any acceptable public interest immunity claim;

(b) orders there be laid on the table by the Minister for Defence, by 6 pm on 10 May 2017, the itinerary for the Minister for Defence Industry's visit to Riyadh in December 2016, and any documents relating to approvals for the military exports to Saudi Arabia since January 2016; and

(c) requires, if the documents are not provided, the Minister for Defence be in the Senate at 6 pm on 10 May 2017, so that a senator may ask the Minister for Defence for an explanation, and at the conclusion of the explanation any senator may move a motion to take note of the explanation; or if the Minister for Defence fails to provide an explanation any senator may move to take note of her failure to do so.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) 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.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government reiterates its public interest immunity claim for the documents relating to military exports, as set out in the letter from the Minister for Defence to the President of the Senate dated Senate 7 May 2017. This claim is on the basis of commercial confidentiality, Australia's relations with foreign governments and national security. The Minister for Defence Industry has advised that he will not provide a copy of his itinerary as he is a member of the House of Representatives and is thus not bound by the Senate. In any case, the Minister for Defence currently has leave from the Senate as she is overseas on ministerial business and will not be in Australia at 6 pm on Wednesday, 10 May 2017.

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

The question is that motion No. 312, moved by Senator Ludlam, be agreed to.