Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I hear interjections from the other side about no guarantee. This government will stand by the need to ensure that there is that independent Ombudsman capability, and we will facilitate that in any way we possibly can. It is important to point out, certainly in relation to the alleged lack of information provided by the department, that the majority report states at page 59:

3.197 Despite the volume of evidence received, the committee has been significantly hampered by the absence or limited availability of critical information to assist with its deliberations in this inquiry. This is primarily due to the Bill and associated documentation providing only a minimalist framework for the proposed system. As a result, the committee has been forced to rely on information provided by the Department since the Bill was referred for inquiry to ‘fill in the gaps’.

It clearly states ‘to rely on information provided by the department’. The department is a complex and multidisciplined department that is dealing with a myriad of issues. (Time expired)