| The power to require the production
of information is one of the most significant powers available to
a legislature to enable it to carry out its functions of scrutinising
legislation and the performance of the executive arm of government.
Orders for the production of documents most frequently require
the tabling of documents in the possession of ministers, government
departments and agencies, although occasionally an order may require
the creation of the document in question. The order will generally
describe the documents sought and specify a date for their tabling.
For more information, see Brief Guide to Procedure No. 11 —
Orders for Production of Documents.
Number of orders for the production
of documents agreed to: |
9 |
Defence—Procurement projects
Documents relating to defence procurement projects.
Order made: 15 May 2008 (moved by Senator Minchin)
For tabling: 19 June 2008
Document tabled: Letter from the Minister for Defence,
19 June 2008, claiming that the documents were commercial-in-confidence
and the Government would not provide the documents
Defence—Procurement projects
A statement of the commercial harm that would result from the
disclosure of the commercial-in-confidence information relating
to documents concerning defence procurement projects.
Order made: 25 June 2008 (moved by Senator Minchin)
For tabling: 26 June 2008
Document tabled: Letter from the Minister for Defence,
26 June 2008, confirming that the documents were commercial-in-confidence
and informing that the disclosure of the commercial-in-confidence
information would result in commercial harm via the release of
sensitive pricing data and intellectual property
Departmental and agency appointments
A list of all appointments made by the Government and existing
vacancies to statutory authorities, executive agencies, advisory
boards, government business enterprises and all other Commonwealth
bodies
Order made: 24 June 2008 (moved by Senator Minchin)
For tabling: By not later than 7 days before the commencement
of the budget estimates, supplementary budget estimates and additional
estimates hearings
Documents tabled: 13, 14, 15 and 16 October and 10 November
2008
Departmental and agency grants
A list of all grants approved in each portfolio or agency, including
the value of the grant, recipient of the grant and the program
from which the grant was made.
Order made: 24 June 2008 (moved by Senator Minchin)
For tabling: By not later than 7 days before the commencement
of the budget estimates, supplementary budget estimates and additional
estimates hearings
Documents tabled: 13, 14, 15 and 16 October and 10 November
2008
Environment—Coorong and Lower Lakes
Advice prepared for the Minister for Climate Change and Water
relating to the Coorong and Lower Lakes in South Australia.
Order made: 27 August 2008 (moved by Senator Minchin)
For tabling: 28 August 2008
Statements by leave:
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing
(Senator McLucas), 27 August 2008, indicating that advice to government
for deliberative processes would not be provided and informing
that extensive information had already been provided and that
further material may be released.
The Minister for Climate Change and Water (Senator Wong), 1 September
2008, indicating that advice to government for deliberative processes
would not be provided, informing that extensive information had
already been released and that a submission to the Rural and Regional
Affairs and Transport Committee inquiry will be provided
Environment—Strategic Review of Climate Change Policies
Report of the Strategic Review of Climate Change Policies.
Order made: 3 September 2008 (moved by Senator Milne)
For tabling: 4 September 2008
Statements by leave:
The Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law (Senator Sherry),
4 September 2008 indicating that the Government was considering
a response and would provide that response to the Senate on the
next day of sitting
The Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law (Senator Sherry),
15 September 2008, indicating that advice to government for deliberative
processes would not be provided and claiming that it would not
be in the public interest to table the document
Industry—Alternative Formula—Emissions-Intensive
Companies
The ‘alternative, more business-friendly formula for providing
assistance to trade-exposed, emissions-intensive companies’.
Order made: 3 September 2008 (moved by Senator Milne)
For tabling: 4 September 2008
Statements by leave:
The Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law (Senator Sherry),
4 September 2008 indicating that the Government was considering
a response and would provide that response to the Senate on the
next day of sitting
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Senator
Carr), 15 September 2008, indicating that the Government does
not propose to table documents on the basis that no document or
documents have been brought into existence in the form described
in the order
Sport—Sports and recreation facilities—Grants
A list of commitments made by the Government to provide grants
for sports and recreation facilities.
Order made: 17 June 2008 (moved by Senator Bernardi)
For tabling: 23 June 2008
Document tabled: Statement by the Leader of the Government
in the Senate, 23 June 2008, listing projects already announced
and indicating that the Government would continue to make announcements
as the facilities project goes ahead
Consideration of document: Motion moved by Senator Bernardi
to take note of document tabled on 23 June 2008
Water Act 2007—Critical
human water needs—Definitions and criteria
Document containing definitions of terms relating to critical
human water needs and criteria the Murray-Darling Basin Authority
will apply in determining whether the definitions are met.
Order made: 3 December 2008 (moved by Senator Fisher)
For tabling: 10 March 2009
Documents tabled pursuant to existing orders:
Departmental and agency contracts
List of departmental and agency contracts.
Order made: 20 June 2001 (Varied 27 September 2001,
18 and 26 June and 4 December 2003)
For tabling: not later than 30 September each year
Documents tabled: 12 and 14 February, 11, 13 and 19
March, 13 May, 26 and 28 August, 1, 2, 4, 15, 16 and 22 September,
13 October and 10 November 2008
Health Insurance—Anti-competitive health cover practices
Assessment reports by the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission on anti-competitive health cover practices.
Order made: 25 March 1999 (Varied 18 September 2002)
For tabling: at the end of each period of 12 months
ending on or after June 2003
Indexed lists of departmental and agency files
Indexed lists of files of government departments and agencies.
Order made: 30 May 1996 (Varied 3 December 1998)
For tabling: by the tenth day of the autumn and spring
sittings each year or statements of compliance that such indexed
lists of files have been placed on the Internet.
Documents tabled: 12 February, 11, 13, 18, 19 and 20
March, 13 May, 26 August, 1, 2, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 22 September,
13 October and 10 November 2008
Unproclaimed legislation—Document—Standing
Order 139(2)
Documents providing details of all provisions of Acts which come
into effect on proclamation and which have not yet been proclaimed,
including statements of reasons for their non-proclamation and
information relating to the timetable for their operation, as
at 31 July 2008.
Document tabled: 26 August 2008
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