Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of Senator Birmingham I move general business notice of motion No. 226:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) written questions on notice are an important transparency tool and it is the Government's responsibility to be accountable to the questions submitted by all senators, and to show respect to the Senate in the answers provided, and

(ii) answers provided by the Minister representing the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Farrell, to Senate questions on notice nos 1788, regarding lobbying activities, and 1856, regarding efficiency dividends, demonstrate a lack of respect to the Senate;

(b) requires the Minister representing the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to attend the chamber after the consideration of private senators' bills on Thursday, 11 May 2023, to provide a statement of no more than 5 minutes to explain why the answers to Senate questions on notice nos 1788 and 1856 are so disrespectful to the Senate and how this approach is consistent with the Government's commitment to transparency;

(c) any senator may move to take note of the explanation required by paragraph (b); and

(d) any motion under paragraph (c) 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 5 minutes each.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Instead of feigning hurt feelings because they didn't like the answer they received to a question on notice, the opposition should practice what they preach: stop wasting the time of the Senate and talk about the real issues that are impacting on Australians, rather than wasting our time.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 226 standing in the name of Senator Birmingham and moved by Senator Askew be agreed to.