Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to acknowledge the work of the member for Warringah but I also want to state that I was humbled to be approached by a number of people requesting this amendment as well. The reason they gave is that cases that might be on foot could be impeded by reason that they would have things delivered in bulk, or pertinent documents that they wished to FOI but wouldn't be able to FOI, and, therefore, they wouldn't be able to pursue their case. I have been assured by some of those same people as recently as around half past three this afternoon that the amendment that has been drafted by the member for Warringah does that. There were some concerns in relation to whether documents could be dropped in bulk to the Human Rights Commission to serve the same purpose, but I am assured that that is not the case.

I acknowledge that some might see this as some 'road from perdition' for me. To that, I reinforce how humbled I was to be approached by a number of people who, for whatever reason, wished me to do my part. I would like to thank the minister. I had a meeting with the minister this morning on this issue, and I want to acknowledge the agreement and the attitude of Minister Dutton in trying to make sure that we resolved this issue. Without any further delay, I would also like to commend this amendment.

Question agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

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