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

At the request of Senator Henderson, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that order for the production of documents no. 750, relating to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, has not been complied with;

(b) notes that the Minister for Education has made a public interest immunity claim on the basis that complying with the order may prejudice relations between the Commonwealth and the states;

(c) rejects the public interest immunity claim made by the Minister, noting that:

(i) the minister has disclosed publicly several of the key terms of the bilateral agreements referred to in the order for the production of documents no. 750,

(ii) it is usual practice to publish bilateral agreements once announced,

(iii) when a claim of public interest immunity is made on the basis that it would adversely impact relations between the Commonwealth and states and territories, the agreement of the states to disclose the information should be sought and they should be invited to give reasons for any objection, and

(iv) no such agreement has been sought, nor has the Senate been advised of any objections from the states and territories; and

(d) requires the Minister representing the Minister for Education to comply with the order by no later than 4 pm on 12 February 2025.

Question agreed to.