1.1 On 25 September 2025, the President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Sue Lines, received a submission from Mr Burchell Wilson seeking redress under the resolution of the Senate of 25 February 1988 relating to the protection of persons referred to in the Senate (Privilege Resolution 5).

1.2 The submission referred to a speech made by Senator Whish‐Wilson in the Senate on 13 February 2025. The President accepted the submission and referred it to the Committee of Privileges. Pursuant to paragraph (3) of Privilege Resolution 5, the committee decided to consider the submission.

1.3 Privilege Resolution 5 requires that submissions be succinct, strictly relevant to the questions in issue and not contain anything offensive in character. In addition, standing order 193 (which establishes the rules of debate for the Senate) applies to submissions that are to be incorporated in Hansard. A submission cannot therefore contain language which a senator would not be permitted to use in debate. This committee, and its predecessors, have consistently required submissions that do not meet these requirements to be recast, while endeavouring to retain as much of the submitter’s original language as possible.

1.4 The committee provided two opportunities to Mr Wilson to recast the submission to conform with requirements of Privilege Resolution 5 and the standing orders. Mr Wilson declined these requests to revise his submission.

1.5 As the submission has not been revised to comply with the requirements of Privilege Resolution 5 and the standing orders, the committee has determined not to recommend the submission be incorporated in Hansard.

1.6 In accordance with Resolution 5(7)(a), the committee recommends: That no further action be taken by the Senate in relation to the submission by Mr Burchell Wilson.

Senator the Hon Jane Hume
Chair