Minister for Communications: Senate Additional Estimates 2025-26

Jessica Collins

At the request of Dean Smith, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, by no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, all final versions of the hot issues/Senate estimates briefs (including all attachments) prepared by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts and intended to be used by its officials for the appearance at additional estimates 2025-26.

Anthony Chisholm

by leave—I move:

Omit all words after "That", substitute "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 question is that the amendment as moved by Senator Chisholm to general business notice of motion No. 348 be agreed to.

The Senate divided. [18:23]

(The President—Senator Lines)