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

I move:

That—

(a) the Senate notes that:

(i) orders for the production of documents nos 229, 253 and 315 relating to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Financial Sustainability Framework have not been complied with, and

(ii) it has twice rejected the public interest immunity claim made by the Government in relation to orders 229 and 253, noting the significant public interest in disclosing the documentation relating to the NDIS Financial Sustainability Framework; and

(b) until the Senate resolves that the orders have been satisfactorily complied with, the Minister representing the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme be required to attend the Senate at the start of proceedings on the first day of each sitting week to provide an explanation of the failure to comply with the orders, and that:

(i) any senator may move to take note of the explanation, and

(ii) any such motion 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 5 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.

The:

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

The government will not be supporting this motion. We've complied with all orders referred to in the motion to the greatest extent possible. This is a matter that is being actively negotiated and discussed with states and territories and the Commonwealth. This has been explained to Senator Steele-John. The government does not believe it's reasonable to divert time from the work of the Senate by requiring ministerial attendance, as would be the case if this motion passed. It does require ministerial attendance every Monday of every sitting week, as I understand. It would be highly unusual for that to be supported by this place. Ministers are available in question time every sitting day to provide an explanation of government action in connection with this matter, and there are a number of other ways in which we continue to discuss matters relating to the NDIS. The government will not be supporting this motion.

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

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 342 standing in the name of Senator Steele-John be agreed to.