Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Rennick, I move:

That—

(a) there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 31 August 2023, all documents, emails or other records held by the Therapeutic Goods Administration relating to communications between senior executive staff concerning Senator Rennick and COVID-19 vaccines between 1 August 2021 to 8 August 2023; and

(b) the Senate—

(i) notes that part of these documents was the subject of a freedom of information request (number 4363) and that the documents provided in response to that request were heavily redacted, and

(ii) requires the documents to be provided to the Senate in full and unredacted, and

(iii) requires any redactions to be accompanied by a public interest immunity claim.

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, Senator Chisholm.

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

The government does not support this motion. Senator Rennick is welcome to request this information under FOI from the TGA. The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives people the right to request access to government held information. This is the framework that the Australian parliament has agreed to for routine access to government held information.

As Senator Rennick's motion notes, part of the information he is requesting through this motion has already been released under FOI. The only reason some information was redacted from the released documents is that it was outside the scope of the journalist's FOI request. If the FOI applicant is not satisfied with the TGA's decision, they can seek internal review or can apply for a review of the decision. This motion ignores the rights that all Australians have under the FOI Act to access documents held by Australian government agencies and ministers. Rather than come to the chamber for this motion, Senator Rennick is welcome to utilise these laws.

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

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 293, standing in the name of Senator Rennick and moved by Senator Scarr, be agreed to.