Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I note what was said and I can assure the Senate that rigorous and appropriate checking of backgrounds will be done, but I do not think we should subject these people to the public circus of sensationalism with regard to the nature of those checks. I think that is inappropriate. I would also just make the point, as it has been drawn to my attention by Senator Sherry’s earlier remarks about APRA and fit and proper person tests, that the government uses a similar process to appoint the employer representatives on the CSS-PSS board. Certainly, in the period of our government, we have made entirely appropriate and sensible appointments—and that is a very good board, one where due care is taken to ensure that it is a responsible and appropriate board. Interestingly, that board has to be licensed by APRA; indeed, the appointment process that we engage in with regard to that board has been accepted by APRA as complying with its requirements for licensing. That is why I do not believe we need to go down this unduly legislative path. The government applies itself diligently to its responsibilities in appointing employer reps for the CSS-PSS board, which has significant responsibilities. In the case of the Future Fund board, we will be taking at the very least the same rigorous approach as we do with the CSS-PSS board.