Makarrata Commission

The majority voted against a motion introduced by NSW Senator Ross Cadell (Nationals), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) orders for production of documents nos 281 and 282 agreed by the Senate on 7 August 2023, requiring the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians to table documents in relation to Makarrata and the Makarrata Commission, has not been complied with, and

(ii) the Minister for Indigenous Australians, in her response to the orders, made a claim of public interest immunity on the basis that it would breach confidential Cabinet deliberations;

(b) rejects the public interest immunity claim made by the Minister for Indigenous Australians noting that a claim cannot be made simply because a document has the word 'Cabinet' in or on it; and

(c) requires the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians to comply with the orders by no later than midday on Tuesday, 12 September 2023.