Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—On behalf of the Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Lyn Allison, I move Democrats amendments (1) to (5) on sheet 4843 revised:

(1)    Clause 14, page 6 (line 5), at the end of subclause (1), add “in accordance with the merit selection process required by subsections (3) to (7)”.

(2)    Clause 14, page 6 (after line 7), at the end of the clause, add:

        (3)    The Minister must by writing determine a code of practice for selecting and appointing the Chief Executive Officer and any acting Chief Executive Officer which sets out general principles on which selection and appointment is to be made, including but not limited to:

             (a)    merit;

             (b)    independent scrutiny of appointments;

             (c)    probity;

             (d)    openness and transparency.

        (4)    After determining a code of practice under subsection (3), the Minister must publish the code in the Gazette.

        (5)    Not later than every fifth anniversary after a code of practice has been determined, the Minister must review the code.

        (6)    In reviewing a code of practice, the Minister must invite the public to comment on the code.

        (7)    A code of practice determined under subsection (3) is a legislative instrument.

(3)    Clause 25, page 9 (line 10), after “members”, insert “one of whom is a person who has had or currently has cancer”.

(4)    Clause 27, page 10 (line 6), at the end of subclause (1), add “in accordance with the merit selection process required by subsections (3) to (7)”.

(5)    Clause 27, page 10 (after line 8), at the end of the clause, add:

        (3)    The Minister must by writing determine a code of practice for selecting and appointing the Advisory Council members (including the Chair) which sets out general principles on which selection and appointment is to be made, including but not limited to:

             (a)    merit;

             (b)    independent scrutiny of appointments;

             (c)    probity;

             (d)    openness and transparency.

        (4)    After determining a code of practice under subsection (3), the Minister must publish the code in the Gazette.

        (5)    Not later than every fifth anniversary after a code of practice has been determined, the Minister must review the code.

        (6)    In reviewing a code of practice, the Minister must invite the public to comment on the code.

        (7)    A code of practice determined under subsection (3) is a legislative instrument.

I imagine senators would be familiar with these amendments. It is not surprising that the Democrats would move them. They relate to the issue of appointment on merit. I draw the committee’s attention to amendment (3), which actually specifies in relation to representation on the advisory council that one member should be a person who has had or currently has cancer. I will not speak to the rest of the amendments. Some you will be familiar with. Let’s face it, I am the stand-in tonight.