Gary Nairn (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Hansard source

In summing up this bill, could I thank the various people who contributed to the debate. I am sure any casual reader of Hansard might be a bit perplexed about what some of the matters, particularly those just raised by the member for Grayndler, have to do with the Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2005. Obviously they have nothing to do with this bill. However, it is an appropriation bill, so members can speak on all sorts of matters—and clearly members have. I will not delay the parliament tonight in summing up. I will simply reiterate that this is a very minor amendment to a bill which allows for salaries to ministers, which is why the relevant act is called the Ministers of State Act. The bill is a one-line amendment to that act, replacing one dollar figure with another dollar figure. Really in summing up I should not say any more than that, other than to state that the government clearly does not accept the amendment moved by the member for Wills. The amendment clearly also has nothing to do with the bill. It is simply a political statement and it will not be supported by the government. I commend the bill to the House.

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