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

At the request of Senator McKenzie, I move:

That—

(a) the Senate notes that:

(i) on 5 September 2023, order for production of documents no. 300 was agreed by the Senate requiring the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 5.30 pm on Monday, 11 September 2023, to table copies of all advice, briefings or submissions provided by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to the Prime Minister related to the application by Qatar Airways for additional international flight services to major Australian airports, and

(ii) as at adjournment on Monday, 11 September 2023 the order had not been complied with;

(b) the Minister representing the Prime Minister attend the chamber at the conclusion of formal business on Wednesday, 13 September 2023 to provide an explanation, of no more than five minutes, of the failure of the Prime Minister and the Minister representing the Prime Minister to comply with order for production of documents no. 300 as agreed on 5 September 2023;

(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 30 minutes, shall have precedence over all other business until determined, and senators may speak to the motion for not more than 10 minutes each.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) 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.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will be opposing the motion, but I advise the chamber that the response to the order for the production of documents in the question has been sent to the table office and will be tabled at the time for ministerial statements in accordance with usual practice. In light of Senator McKenzie's motion today, as a courtesy, Senator Wong has also provided a copy of the response to the order from the assistant minister to the Prime Minister to all party leaders and Independent senators in advance of ministerial statements and of this motion being dealt with. As the documents are being tabled, it is the government's view that this motion should not be supported.

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

The question is that general business notice of motion number 331 standing in the name of Senator McKenzie and moved by Senator Askew be agreed to.