Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I report to the Senate in accordance with yesterday's Senate order 1322, moved by Senator Patrick, regarding Senate order 1108, order for the production of documents to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee. As the chair of that committee, I report that the committee has not received any documents pursuant to the order from the Commissioner of Taxation. I further note that a letter from the Leader of the Government in the Senate to the Senate President, copied to me as Chair of the Economics Legislation Committee and to Senator Patrick, has advised that the Commissioner of Taxation has undertaken to provide the documents sought in the order to the committee by 21 December 2018, on the basis that the committee treats the documents and information in question as confidential. The commissioner has also agreed to appear before the committee to provide in camera evidence in relation to the information.

Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Leave granted.

I think that's a really good outcome and I'm grateful that the tax commissioner has reconsidered his position. I just point out to the Senate that this is a good day from an oversight perspective. We cannot have officials not obeying orders of the Senate. Once again, I think this is a very good outcome. Thank you.