Answers to Questions on Notice

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Wendy Askew (Liberal) also on behalf of SA Senator Simon Birmingham (Liberal), which means it succeeded.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) written questions on notice are an important transparency tool and it is the Government's responsibility to be accountable to the questions submitted by all senators, and to show respect to the Senate in the answers provided, and

(ii) answers provided by the Minister representing the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Farrell, to Senate questions on notice nos 1788, regarding lobbying activities, and 1856, regarding efficiency dividends, demonstrate a lack of respect to the Senate;

(b) requires the Minister representing the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to attend the chamber after the consideration of private senators' bills on Thursday, 11 May 2023, to provide a statement of no more than 5 minutes to explain why the answers to Senate questions on notice nos 1788 and 1856 are so disrespectful to the Senate and how this approach is consistent with the Government's commitment to transparency;

(c) any senator may move to take note of the explanation required by paragraph (b); and

(d) any motion under paragraph (c) may be debated for no longer than 60 minutes, shall have precedence over all business until determined, and senators may speak to the motion for not more than 5 minutes each.