Lyn Allison (Victoria, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

I move Democrats amendment (2) on sheet 4915:

(2)    Schedule 1, item 69, page 25 (after line 25), after subsection 41(2), insert:

     (2A)    The Minister must by writing determine a code of practice for selecting a person to be appointed in accordance with this section, that sets out general principles on which the selections are to be made, including but not limited to:

             (a)    merit; and

             (b)    independent scrutiny of appointments; and

             (c)    probity; and

             (d)    openness and transparency.

      (2B)    After determining a code of practice under subsection (2A), the Minister must publish the code in the Gazette.

      (2C)    Not later than every fifth anniversary after a code of practice has been determined, the Minister must review the code.

     (2D)    In reviewing a code of practice, the Minister must invite the public to comment on the code.

      (2E)    A code of practice determined under subsection (2A) is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

This is the standard amendment that the Democrats apply to legislation in the hope of seeing legislative underpinning to what the minister claims to be appointment on merit which takes place at the present time. It requires the minister in writing to determine a code of practice for selecting a person to be appointed in accordance with this section. It sets out general principles on which the selections are to be made, including merit, independent scrutiny of appointments, probity and openness and transparency. Given the minister’s remarks a little earlier, I look forward to the minister and the government supporting us on this amendment.