Committee: Senate Standing Committee of Privileges
Date referred: 25 November 2025
Submissions close: 23 January 2026
Reporting date: 10 March 2026

Terms of reference

The following matters be referred to the Privileges Committee for inquiry and report by 10 March 2026:

1. the current processes and policies for handling and maintaining documents, communications and technology that may be subject to a claim or parliamentary privilege, with particular reference to:
   1. the Department of Parliamentary Services' policies and procedures relating to parliamentary privilege,
   2. the management of documents, communications and technology with respect to maintaining parliamentary privilege, and
   3. any arrangement, agreement or memorandum of understanding with a third party, agency or department in relation to the provision of documents that may be subject to a claim of parliamentary privilege,
2. the actions taken by the Department of Parliamentary Services in the provision of documents, communications or technology to any third party outside of a memorandum of understanding, or agreement that has been agreed to by the Commonwealth Houses of Parliament, and
3. any other related matter.