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

At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Minister representing the Treasurer has failed to comply with order for the production of documents no. 377 relating to the Competition Taskforce expert advisory panel, agreed to on 8 November 2023,

(ii) on 16 November 2023 the Treasurer advised that he expects 'to be able to respond to the order as soon as practicable', however, a response to the order has not yet been provided; and

(b) requires that the Minister representing the Treasurer comply with the order by no later than midday on Monday, 4 December 2023.

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

We have been advised that, as stated by the Treasurer in his previous letter, Treasury officials have undertaken an initial review and identified documents relevant to the request made by Senator Smith. This request continues to be progressed, and work is being undertaken to review relevant documents to ensure that content is suitable for public disclosure. As this matter relates to an appointment process, the department is ensuring that the appropriate and reasonable levels of privacy for any individual named within the identified documents are respected. The department is consulting with affected individuals. The government anticipates being able to respond to the order as soon as practicable once these steps are complete.

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

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 418 standing in the name of Senator Dean Smith and moved by Senator Askew be agreed to.