DOCUMENTS

Senator McCARTHY (Northern Territory—Minister for Indigenous Australians) (12:23): As Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, I refer to order for the production of documents No. 576, relating to allegations of unacceptable behaviour on land transport infrastructure projects, moved by Senator McKenzie and agreed to by the Senate on 12 August 2026.

A response to this order was tabled in the Senate yesterday. The government tabled seven sets of meeting notes relating to meetings held between the department and Victorian officials. These notes contain all relevant information within the scope of the request, with minor redactions made to prevent the release of information that could prejudice the investigation of a possible breach of law.

Everything else redacted in those documents is outside the scope of the request. Senior officials discuss a wide range of matters at these forums, including governance, assurance and project delivery matters across the Infrastructure Investment Program. If anything, the length of the meeting notes shows how much work this government is undertaking to deliver the infrastructure Victoria needs.

As outlined in the response, the minister has also claimed public interest immunity over other documents subject to the order. Reports received by the Commonwealth from the Victorian government regarding allegations of criminal behaviour or corruption on IIP projects contain information that may prejudice the investigation of a possible breach of the law or disclose or enable a person to ascertain the existence or identity of a confidential source for the matters referred to in the reports.

Additionally, information has been provided on a confidential basis. To release these reports could prejudice the investigation of a possible breach of law and would adversely affect Commonwealth-state relations.