DOCUMENTS

Senator CHISHOLM (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Assistant Minister for Resources and Deputy Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (17:27): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator CHISHOLM: The government does not support this motion in the name of Senator Dean Smith.

The motion requests information that is better sought through a question on notice, not an order for the production of documents. The government respects the right of senators to move motions that order the production of documents; however, we do not consider it suitable for an order of this kind to seek the creation of a document that does not already exist.

The PRESIDENT: The question is that general business notice of motion No. 160, standing in the name of Senator Dean Smith and moved by Senator Askew, be agreed to.