Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Production of documents

State purchase contracts

The Clerk: I present a letter from the Attorney-General dated 21 March 2023 in response to a resolution of the Council on 8 March 2023 relating to Assistant Treasurer briefs on the banking and financial services contract. The letter states that the date for the production of documents does not allow sufficient time to respond and that the government will endeavour to provide a final response to the order as soon as possible.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, it says there is not sufficient time to respond, but it was a very narrow request. I think just eight is the number of briefs identified precisely.

The PRESIDENT: I think that is not a point of order. You are going with a point of debate.

David Davis: The point I am making here is that the letter asserts that there is no time to comply. That is nonsense, President.

The PRESIDENT: I think that was debate rather than a point of order.