Mr ENTSCH(3.19 p.m.) —I wish to rise on a matter of privilege under standing order 95. As I mentioned in my statement following the tabling of the report of the Joint Statutory Committee on the Native Title Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund in the House yesterday evening, there were, I believe, three separate incidents of unauthorised disclosure of documents before that committee suggesting a breach of parliamentary privilege involving activities by Senator Nick Bolkus and the member for Banks (Mr Melham) before the report was tabled. Those two committee members briefed the media, boxed copies of the minority report prior to the tabling and held a press conference to discuss and distribute the minority report. I believe that all apparent breaches of privilege are substantially interfering with the work of the committee.

I wish to advise the House that I will be raising this matter at the first available opportunity at the next meeting of the committee. I will also be writing to all members of the committee, as required by the resolution of the Senate on 20 June 1996, asking them if they can explain the exposure. Following the committee's decision on these matters and the apparent breach of privilege, I will report back to the House.