Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Jessica Collins

At the request of Senator Hume, I move general business notices of motion Nos 331, 332 and 333 together:

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 331

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Industry and Innovation, by no later than midday on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, the final versions of all hot issues/Senate estimates briefs (including any attachments) prepared by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and used by its officials for their appearance at the Economics Legislation Committee estimates hearing on 10 October 2025.

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 332

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Industry and Innovation, by no later than midday on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, the latest iteration of the minister's question time brief as sent to the minister by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources for Senate question time on Thursday, 27 November 2025.

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 333

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Industry and Innovation, by no later than midday on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, the final versions of all hot issues/Senate estimates briefs (including any attachments) prepared by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and used by its officials for their appearance at the Economics Legislation Committee estimates hearing on 4 December 2025.

Anthony Chisholm

I ask that each of these motions be put separately, and I seek leave to move an amendment to general business notice of motion No. 331.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted.

Anthony Chisholm

I move an amendment to the motion:

Omit all words after "That", insert "the Senate notes that:

(a) complying with an order to produce all estimates briefs would irreparably damage the ability of Government departments and agencies to support the estimates committee process in the future;

(b) it is the collective nature of questioning at estimates that contributes to the Senate's scrutiny role; and

(c) the release of documents sought by orders to produce all estimates briefs would likely change the way that all Government departments and agencies prepare for estimates and, indeed, all committee processes in the future.

Sue Lines

The government has asked for general business notices of motion Nos 331, 332 and 333 to be put separately. Senator Chisholm has indicated to the chamber that there are different amendments to each one. Senator McKim?

Nick McKim

I wish to address that request through a point of order. Is the government intending to vote differently on all three, or is the fact that the government has flagged amendments for all three itself a rationale for having them put separately?

Sue Lines

The government has different amendments to all three. Generally speaking, the Senate indulges anyone who wants matters put separately, as the Greens often do. It is completely in order to move them separately. As the amendments have been circulated, you will see that they are all different. Senator David Pocock, were you seeking the call?

David Pocock

I was also going to ask whether the government were going to vote differently or whether they were just wasting time.

Sue Lines

The Greens have already asked that question, and that's been clarified. The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Chisholm to general business notice of motion No. 331, standing in the name of Senator Hume, be agreed to.