On 10 December 2013, the Senate referred the following matter to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report:
A claim of public interest immunity raised over documents tabled by the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (Senator Cash), on 4 December 2013, in response to an order for production of documents and other documents tabled by the same Minister in relation to other orders for production of documents concerning immigration policy, with particular reference to:
- the specific matters of public interest immunity being claimed by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection; and
- the authority of the Senate to determine the application of claims of public interest immunity.
The closing date for submissions is 14 January 2014. The reporting date was 21 February 2014. On 21 February 2014, the Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until 6 March 2014.