Orders for the production of documents—2002

Number of orders for the production of documents agreed to: 36

Animal WelfareCattle

  • Documents relating to the voyage of the Maysora, a Jordanian flagged vessel carrying live cattle.
  • Order made: 20 August 2002
  • For tabling: 21 August 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 21 August 2002, indicating that any livestock officers report was a private document and would not be provided by the Government, and claiming that the masters report included commercial information and therefore would not be tabled.
  • Order not complied with.

Animal WelfareLive Animal Export

  • Report of the Independent Reference Group on the options for improving the welfare record of Australias live animal export trade.
  • Order made: 11 November 2002
  • For tabling: 18 November 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 18 November 2002, indicating that the responsible minister was awaiting advice on the report and related documents and that the documents would be provided in the next sitting fortnight.
  • Documents tabled: 12 December 2002

Animal WelfareNational Health and Medical Research Council Primate Colonies

  • Reports relating to the visits by the Animal Welfare Committee to the National Health and Medical Research Council primate colonies.
  • Order made: 18 June 2002
  • For tabling: 24 June 2002
  • Document tabled: 24 June 2002

Economics Legislation CommitteeAustralian Office of Financial Management Advisory BoardForeign Currency

  • Instructing the Economics Legislation Committee to reconvene for the consideration of additional estimates, directing relevant officers of the Australian Office of Financial Management Advisory Board to appear and make available relevant documentation relating to foreign currency.
  • Order made: 12 March 2002
  • To provide documents to the committee: by 13 March 2002
  • Documents provided to the committee: During the hearing of the Economics Legislation Committee on 13 March 2002, certain documents were provided to the committee. During the hearing officers claimed it was inappropriate to provide documents in the nature of advice to the minister or on the development of policy.

EnvironmentGeoscience Australia

  • Documents held by Geoscience Australia relating to research or exploration proposals in the Queensland and Townsville troughs.
  • Order made: 26 June 2002
  • For tabling: 19 August 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 19 August 2002, indicating that certain documents were being provided, and that the final report would be subject to a rigorous acceptance process by Geoscience Australia and the Government would consider tabling it once it had taken advice on the matter.
  • Documents tabled: 19 August 2002

EnvironmentGreat Barrier ReefNelly Bay Harbour

  • Documents relating to the clearing of granite from the Nelly Bay Harbour project site.
  • Order made: 25 September 2002
  • For tabling: 24 October 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Minister for Justice and Customs, 14 November 2002, indicating that certain documents had been provided with personal information deleted and claiming legal professional privilege in relation to other documents concerning a matter under investigation.
  • Documents tabled: 14 November 2002

EnvironmentGreenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Documents relating to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Order made: 26 June 2002
  • For tabling: 27 June 2002
  • Documents presented out of session: 15 August 2002
  • Documents tabled: 19 August 2002

EnvironmentHoneymoon Trial Mine

  • Documents relating to the Honeymoon trial mine and uranium project.
  • Order made: 23 September 2002
  • For tabling: 25 September 2002
  • Documents tabled: 25 September 2002

EnvironmentLucas Heights Reactor

  • The study commissioned by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation of the preliminary evaluation of the construction site for the replacement research reactor at Lucas Heights.
  • Order made: 25 June 2002
  • For tabling: 26 June 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 26 June 2002, indicating that the study was still being conducted by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences and claiming the Government was unable to comply with the order at that time; and that the Government would consider tabling the report once it is completed.

EnvironmentOceans Policy

  • The Review of the Implementation of Oceans Policy: Final report by TFG International.
  • Order made: 18 November 2002
  • For tabling: 19 November 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Minister for Justice and Customs, 19 November 2002, indicating that the document has been prepared for cabinet and claiming it was not appropriate for the document to be released at this stage.
  • Order not complied with.

EnvironmentQueenslandNathan Dam

  • Documents relating to funding or other support for the Nathan Dam on the Fitzroy River in Queensland.
  • Order made: 11 November 2002
  • For tabling: 19 November 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 18 November 2002, indicating that it had not been possible to comply by the required date, but the documents would be provided as soon as possible.

EnvironmentQueenslandSeismic testing

  • Documents prepared by Geoscience Australia in response to the proposal by TGS-NOPEC to conduct seismic testing in the Townsville Trough.
  • Order made: 10 December 2002
  • For tabling: 12 December 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 12 December 2002, indicating that there are no documents from Geoscience Australia which would be relevant to the order.

EnvironmentTasmaniaLogging

  • All documents relating to the answers to question on notice no. 404.
  • Order made: 11 December 2002
  • For tabling: 12 December 2002
  • Statement tabled: The Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, 12 December 2002, indicating that the documents relating to the order were being sought from authorities in Tasmania.

EnvironmentWalla Weir Irrigation Project

  • Documents relating to the agreement by the Commonwealth for the Walla Weir Irrigation Project.
  • Order made: 10 December 2002
  • For tabling: 12 December 2002
  • Documents tabled: 12 December 2002

FinanceHigher Education

  • Documents relating to financial information and forward financial projections and actuals, routinely prepared by the Department of Education, Science and Training for higher education institutions.
  • Order made: 21 August 2002
  • For tabling: 26 August 2002
  • Documents tabled: 26 August 2002
  • Statements by leave:
  • The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 26 August 2002, claiming that certain documents were commercial-in-confidence.
  • The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 16 September 2002, indicating that the Government would not breach its confidentiality agreement with the universities but was prepared to seek permission from the vice-chancellors to provide the documents.
  • Contingent notice of motion: Senator Carr, 28 August 2002, referring the matter to the Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee; moved and agreed to 18 September 2002.

FinanceRetirement and Income Modelling

  • The modelling prepared for the draft Intergenerational Report by the Retirement and Income Modelling Unit, Treasury.
  • Order made: 25 June 2002
  • For tabling: last sitting day of the 2002 winter sittings
  • Statement by leave: The Minister for Defence, 28 June 2002 am, claiming that it would not be in the public interest to table the documents.
  • Order not complied with.

HealthNuclear Testing

  • Documents concerning health and nuclear testing.
  • Order made: 20 March 2002
  • For tabling: 20 March 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Special Minister of State, 20 March 2002, indicating that the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet was the approving authority for publication and that further time was required to comply with the order.
  • Documents tabled: 18 June 2002

HealthPharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

  • Documents relating to the inter-departmental committee examining the effectiveness of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
  • Order made: 3 December 2002
  • For tabling: 4 December 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 4 December 2002, indicating that it had not been possible to comply by the required date, but the documents would be provided as soon as possible.

HealthTobacco

  • Report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission relating to Australian tobacco companies.
  • Order made: 27 June 2002
  • For tabling: no tabling date specified

HealthTobacco

  • Advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on its progress in responding to the Senate order of 27 June 2002 and its expected date of reporting to the Senate.
  • Order made: 12 November 2002
  • Document tabled: 9 December 2002

Lucas Heights Reactor

  • Documents relating to a security review of the nuclear reactor carried out by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
  • Order made: 12 March 2002
  • For tabling: 19 March 2002
  • Documents tabled: 19 March 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 19 March 2002, claiming that certain documents sought were classified confidential or above and the release of the documents would prejudice Australias national security; or the documents were commercial-in-confidence.

Lucas Heights ReactorINVAP Contract

  • Documents provided by Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) officials based in Argentina to ANSTO or the Government relating to the financial condition of INVAP and financial arrangements for the Lucas Heights contract.
  • Order made: 14 March 2002
  • For tabling: 19 March 2002
  • Documents tabled: 19 March 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 19 March 2002, claiming that certain documents sought were not held by ANSTO; were classified confidential or above and the release of the documents would prejudice Australias national security; or the documents were commercial-in-confidence.

MiningChristmas Island

  • Documents relating to the current mine lease or leases on Christmas Island held by Phosphate Resource Ltd.
  • Order made: 19 June 2002
  • For tabling: 25 June 2002
  • Statements by leave:
  • The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 25 June 2002, indicating that due to the complexity of the request and the large number of documents involved, it would not be possible to comply with the order until the 2002 spring sittings.
  • The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 12 December 2002, indicating that it would not be possible to comply with the order before the end of the 2002 sittings, as indicated on 25 June 2002, but that a response would be provided as soon as possible.

Minister for Revenue and Assistant TreasurerMinisterial Responsibility

  • Documents relating to the inquiries undertaken by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet into the possible conflict of interest between the ministerial responsibilities of the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer (Senator Coonan) and the commercial activities of Endispute Pty Ltd.
  • Order made: 10 December 2002
  • For tabling: 12 December 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 12 December 2002, indicating that it had not been possible to comply by the required date, but the government would respond in due course.

Remuneration TribunalJudicial Remuneration-Review

  • The Commonwealth Government's submission to the Remuneration Tribunal's major review of judicial and related offices' remuneration.
  • Order made: 3 December 2002
  • For tabling: 5 December 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Minister for Defence, 5 December 2002.
  • Documents tabled: 5 December 2002

Science and TechnologyAllocation of Funding

  • Documents relating to funding or allocation of money or benefits to the Rio Tinto Foundation for a Sustainable Minerals Industry.
  • Order made: 12 December 2002
  • For tabling: 4 February 2003

Science and TechnologyCanola Trial

  • Documents held by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator relating to the risk assessment for the Canola trial licence application.
  • Order made: 17 October 2002
  • For tabling: 24 October 2002
  • Documents presented out of session: 24 October 2002
  • Documents tabled: 11 November 2002

Science and TechnologyGenetically-modified Food

  • Documents relating to genetically-modified food in the context of the current free trade agreement negotiations with the United States and of the labelling of genetically-modified and genetically-engineered food.
  • Order made:12 December 2002
  • For tabling: 4 February 2003

SuperannuationCommercial Nominees of Australia Ltd

  • Advice by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority relating to applications for financial assistance for superannuation funds where Commercial Nominees of Australia Ltd was trustee.
  • Order made: 28 August 2002
  • For tabling: on the next day of sitting
  • Statements by leave:
  • The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 29 August 2002, claiming that the documents raised the question of public interest and privacy and further consideration of the documents by the government was necessary.
  • The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 23 September 2002, informing that the government had further considered the documents and was providing them with certain information relating to specific individuals blanked out.
  • Documents tabled: 23 September 2002

SuperannuationEnhanced Cash Management Trust

  • Report to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority by the Inspector of KPMG into the Enhanced Cash Management Trust.
  • Order made: 16 May 2002
  • For tabling: on the next day of sitting (17 June 2002)
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 18 June 2002, relating to privacy aspects of certain information in the documents.
  • Documents tabled: 18 June 2002

SuperannuationInsurance and Superannuation Commission

  • Documents relating to the supervision by the Insurance and Superannuation Commission of certain insurance companies.
  • Order made: 19 November 2002
  • For tabling: 2 December 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Minister for the Arts and Sport, 2 December 2002, indicating that it had not been possible to comply by the required date, but the documents would be provided as soon as possible.

Superannuation System

  • Revised costings document of the Australian Labor Partys plan for a fairer superannuation system.
  • Order made: 24 June 2002
  • For tabling: on the last sitting day of the 2002 winter sittings
  • Statement by leave: The Minister for Defence, 28 June 2002 am, claiming that it would not be in the public interest to table the documents.
  • Order not complied with.

Superannuation Working Group

  • Report by the Superannuation Working Group.
  • Order made: 28 August 2002
  • For tabling: on the next day of sitting
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 29 August 2002, claiming that it would not be in the public interest to table the document, but that it would be publicly available after the deliberative processes of the government were complete.
  • Order not complied with.

TradeGeneral Agreement on Trade in Services

  • Documents relating to requests for increased access to Australian services markets by other nations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services.
  • Order made: 14 November 2002
  • For tabling: 18 November 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 18 November 2002, indicating that the government would not be complying as these documents are formal government to government communications and no other WTO member publishes such requests.
  • Order not complied with.

TradePharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

  • Documents relating to the possible inclusion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as an item for discussion in negotiations for an Australia-United States free trade agreement.
  • Order made: 3 December 2002
  • For tabling: 4 December 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 4 December 2002, indicating that neither the minister or the department hold any documents relating to the order.

TransportEthanol

  • Documents relating a proposed ethanol excise and production subsidy.
  • Order made: 16 October 2002
  • For tabling: 21 October 2002
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 21 October 2002, indicating that it had not been possible to comply by the required date, but the documents would be provided as soon as possible.
  • Motion moved: 11 December 2002, calling on the Government to comply with the order by 11 December 2002.
  • Statement by leave: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, 13 December 2002 am, indicating that the documents would be tabled out of session by 17 December 2002.
  • Documents not provided.

Documents tabled pursuant to existing order:

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

  • Report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on the prices paid to suppliers by Australian grocery retailers.
  • Order made: 8 February 2001
  • For tabling: as soon as practicable after 30 June 2001
  • Documents tabled: 15 October 2002

Departmental and Agency Contracts

  • List of departmental and agency contracts.
  • Order made: 20 June 2001
  • Order varied: 27 September 2001
  • For tabling: not later than the tenth day of the spring and autumn sittings each year, commencing 1 July 2001
  • Documents tabled: 12 February, 11, 13, 19, 20 and 21 March, 14 and 15 May, 16, 18, 19 and 24 September, 15 and 16 October and 11 November 2002.
  • Letter tabled: letter to the Clerk of the Senate from the Australian National Audit Office relating to the resolution of the Senate, 26 August 2002

HealthAnti-competitive health cover practices

  • Assessment reports by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on anti-competitive health cover practices.
  • Order made: 25 March 1999
  • For tabling: as soon as practicable after the end of each period of 6 months, commencing with the 6 months ending on 31 December 1999
  • Documents tabled: 25 June 2002
  • Order varied: 18 September 2002: reports to be tabled at the end of each period of 12 months ending on or after June 2003

HealthTobacco

  • Report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on the performance of its functions under the Trade Practices Act 1974 relating to the tobacco industry.
  • Order made: 24 September 2001
  • For tabling: 30 April 2002
  • Documents presented out of session: 30 April 2002
  • Documents tabled: 14 May 2002

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: 11, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 21 March, 14 May, 18 June, 19, 26 and 27 August, 16, 18, 19, 23 and 24 September and 15 October 2002

Unproclaimed legislationDocumentStanding Order 139(2)

  • Document 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 2001.
  • Documents tabled: 20 August 2002