Tuesday, 8 September 2026

The Clerk: I table two letters from the Attorney-General, both dated 7 September 2026, in response to resolutions of the Council on 12 August 2026 relating to AI data centre developments on the motion of Dr Mansfield and on 26 August 2026 relating to the western Victoria business bushfire recovery grant program on the motion of Mrs McArthur. The letters each state that the date for production does not allow sufficient time to respond and that the government will endeavour to provide a final response to the orders as soon as possible.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, these are recent documents motions in the chamber and these are very precise and narrow documents motions. They could be provided quite quickly. The government has this material to hand. This is an abuse, and this has become a pattern now. I think the minister should give some explanation as to why the government is blocking the release of these documents.

The PRESIDENT: I think the avenue you have, Mr Davis, is to move a motion to take note of the AG’s letters on the next day of meeting, if you would like to do that.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (14:07): I move:

That the letters received from the Attorney-General in relation to the AI data centre developments and western Victorian business bushfire recovery grants program documents motions and the failure to provide them be taken into account on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.