Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That—

(1) The Senate requires the Attorney-General to attend the Senate at midday on Tuesday, 24 August 2021 to provide a detailed explanation as to why the ongoing prosecution of Mr Bernard Collaery is in the public interest.

(2) Any senator may move to take note of the explanation required by paragraph (1).

(3) Any motion under paragraph (2) may be debated for no longer than 60 minutes, shall have precedence over all business until determined, and senators may speak to the motion for not more than 10 minutes each.

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.

Scott Ryan (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

This matter is currently before the courts and it would not be appropriate for the government to comment. Likewise, debate on the terms of this motion would not be an appropriate use of one hour of the time set aside for government business in this chamber.

Rex Patrick (SA, Independent) 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.

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

Just in response to Senator Duniam, the decision to prosecute is an executive decision. It is not a matter that is before the court and as such it is quite appropriate to debate whether or not it is in the public interest to prosecute. We're not dealing with any of the issues that are before the court.

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

The question is that motion No. 1215, in the name of Senator Gallagher, be agreed to.

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

Senators, that concludes the discovery of formal businesses. I might say, senators might be aware of the developments in the ACT. I understand there will be some public announcements at 12.15 pm from the ACT authorities. We will hopefully have something to say with respect to this place following that. I thank senators.