Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

You cannot be sure. One would hope that they would be properly advised and that there would be due diligence in determining these matters. Following the lead of Senator Sherry, without reflecting on the present incumbent, there are other people one can think of who might be less than perfect in the exercise of this duty.

The Democrats and I have persistently and consistently put forward the proposition established on the precedent of the Nolan principles of the United Kingdom, which they abide by, that the minister should determine a code of practice for selecting and appointing board members in terms of merit, independent scrutiny of appointments, probity, openness and transparency set out in the criteria by which the selection and appointment is to be made. In other words, so that it is not a backroom determination which lacks the appropriate accountability and process which we think are required in these matters.

In making these remarks I am fully aware that governments of all persuasions have in the past made some absolutely outstanding appointments to statutory authorities and to various agencies and regulatory bodies in what might be described as a backroom process. But there has also been, in my view, some appalling appointments made which do no credit to the government or the ministers concerned. In making those remarks I make no inference or reflection on anybody who is engaged in this debate. This essentially is an accountability and probity amendment. We have moved it before. No doubt we will have to move it again in the future. We think it is appropriate as a protective prudential mechanism with respect to the proposed appointment of board members to the Future Fund.