Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Chisholm, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 10 am on 3 December 2018, all documents regarding contracts entered into by Tourism Australia between 1 January 2004 and 31 January 2006.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The motion is essentially a fishing expedition for, potentially, hundreds of documents from more than a decade ago, which is an unnecessary diversion of Tourism Australia's resources away from their core business of attracting tourists to Australia, which is a significant contributor to the Australian economy. The letters to the President of the Senate have responded fully to the questions asked by all senators.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Urquhart be agreed to. Those of that opinion say aye.

Honourable senators: Aye.

To the contrary, no.

Honourable senators: No.

A division is required. This is the last time I'll be doing a four-minute bell, after I specifically warned senators to remain in the chamber on Thursday. It is discourteous to colleagues. I defer to the whips, but this will be the last four-minute bell. I warn senators: this will be the last time. Stay in the chamber. To save time, colleagues, before I call 'lock the doors', all senators need to remain in the chamber. Any subsequent bell, until 12.45, will be for one minute. I remind senators that statements by leave were originally conceived to take place in lieu of divisions, as opposed to 'as well as'. This is only particularly acute on Thursdays when we cannot clear the Notice Paper and all senators can't get their motions dealt with. Lock the doors! The question is that motion No. 1260 be agreed to.