27th Nov 2023, 3:55 PM – Senate Documents - Department of Home Affairs - Order for the Production of Documents; PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority

The majority voted against a motion introduced by ACT Senator David Pocock (Independent), which means it failed.

Rebellions

There was one rebellion, with West Australian Senator Linda Reynolds (Liberal) voting Yes against the rest of her party.

Motion text

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 1 pm on 30 November 2023, the following:

(a) the total dollar amount of funding provided to the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (the Authority) or other entities under the 'Funding Arrangement Supporting Papua New Guinea's Independent Management of the Residual Regional Processing Caseload' (the funding arrangement), signed in December 2021;

(b) the schedule of payments, including dates and dollar amount of all monies paid to date, to the Authority or other entities associated with the funding arrangement, including the details of the entity to whom these payments were made;

(c) any correspondence between the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Border Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or any other Australian Government agency relating to the requirements for financial reporting, acquittal or auditing of expenditure under the funding arrangement;

(d) all documentation relating to the fraud and corruption prevention activities and planning undertaken in relation to the funding arrangement, in line with the Commonwealth Fraud Control Framework;

(e) any correspondence from, to or between Australian Government officials relating to concerns about fraud and corruption (actual or prospective) in the expenditure of the funding arrangement;

(f) any agreements or correspondence with the Authority or other entities outlining or negotiating the healthcare, welfare accommodation or other services to be provided to the 'residual caseload' under the funding arrangement, and the period for which these were to be provided; and

(g) any correspondence or representations from, to or between Australian Government officials and the Authority regarding current funding shortfalls or debts to Papua New Guinean businesses that may be considered to be related to the funding arrangement.