Department of Health

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by WA Senator Jordan Steele-John (Greens), which means it succeeded.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) in May 2016, Maddocks Lawyers completed a report for the then Minister for Health, Ms Ley, and the Department of Health in relation to the Australian survivors of thalidomide, focusing on the relationship and responsibility of the Australian Government towards these survivors,

(ii) in October 2016, Thalidomide Group Australia submitted an application to the Department of Health seeking access to this report under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, and

(iii) in November 2016, the Department of Health refused access to this document to Thalidomide Group Australia, citing that the document is subject to legal professional privilege; and

(b) orders that there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health, by no later than 3 pm on 20 June 2018, a copy of the report prepared by Maddocks Lawyers for former Minister Ley and the Department of Health in May 2016.