Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Health services

The Clerk: Finally, I table a letter from the Attorney-General, dated 14 June 2024, in response to a resolution of the Council on 29 May 2024 on the motion of Ms Crozier relating to the amalgamations of Victoria’s health services. 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, with respect to the letter on the Future Gas Strategy, and I understand that the government has not had time to process that in full, respectfully I ask: on what date would we expect a response?

The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order, Mr Davis.

David Limbrick: On a point of order, President, regarding the letter dated 30 May 2024 from the Attorney-General, it is my understanding that, under standing order 10.03, for any claim of executive privilege the documents must be provided to the Clerk, and therefore it is my belief that the government is in contravention of standing orders.

Lee Tarlamis: On the point of order, President, Mr Limbrick knows that this is not a point of order. If he has an issue with the tabled documents, he can raise it as a substantive motion, consistent with your ruling in the previous sitting week when Mr Davis tried something very similar.

The PRESIDENT: Mr Limbrick is correct as far as that interpretation of that standing order goes, but it is not in my remit to make what you are seeking occur. It will be a decision of the house, so I might ask the clerks to have a conversation with you about how you may be able to move that forward, similar to what Mr Tarlamis is saying, via a substantive motion.

David Davis: Further on the point of order, President, I understand that you can make a statement about whether the government is in order or not. You may not be able to direct them to comply with the standing order, but you could indicate that they have stepped outside the requirements of that order.

The PRESIDENT: Mr Davis, that is not my understanding, but as always, I do not pretend to understand everything that is within the standing orders. I will take that on notice.

Sarah Mansfield: On a point of order, President, regarding the documents motion that this house agreed to on 15 May, a response was due, and we have not received that. It was the documents motion regarding Elbit Systems.

The PRESIDENT: I ask the minister if that can be followed up.

Harriet Shing: Thanks, Dr Mansfield. I am really happy to follow that one up for you.