25th Nov 2024, 6:30 PM – Senate Committees - Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee - Reference

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Queensland Senator Gerard Rennick (Independent), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 21 February 2025:

The role of Australia's intelligence, diplomatic and law enforcement agencies, with particular reference to:

(a) the ability of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police to investigate former politicians who allegedly act against Australia's interests;

(b) the ability of these agencies to examine Australian university staff in relation to allegedly false claims, particularly in regard to the origins of COVID-19, which endanger national security and health infrastructure;

(c) the relationship between Australia's agencies and those of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America in dealing with false leads, and their ability to ensure that they are not sharing incorrect information, such as that passed by a former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom to United States intelligence about Donald Trump; and

(d) any other related matters.