Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move

That there be laid on the table, by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, by no later than 10.30am on Monday, 22 February 2021:

(a) all documents and correspondence between the Attorney-General's Department and the Attorney-General and his office relating to the planning, drafting and introduction of legislation seeking to amend the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to extend confidentiality protections for people giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability; and

(b) all documents and correspondence between the Attorney-General's Department and the Attorney-General and his office relating to the letter sent by the Chair of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability, Ronald Sackville AO QC, on 14 February 2020 and the subsequent interim report commentary in October 2020 requesting the change to the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to assure confidentiality provisions for witnesses and people giving evidence to the commission.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is committed to ensuring that people with disability are fully engaged with this nationally significant inquiry. As part of this commitment, the government is committed to introducing comprehensive confidentiality protections in the Autumn 2020-21 parliamentary sittings. The government's focus is on progressing these important legislative amendments, and this motion will divert resources from this important work.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 997, standing in the name of Senator Steele-John, be agreed to.