Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I have a couple of quick comments and will try to wrap this up prior to question time. While I understand Senator Murray’s desire for transparency and openness in government reporting, I disagree that the government is trying to avoid that in respect of the Public Works Committee Amendment Bill 2006. The committee has not been employing a process that has been trying to get around the statute. It has been applying that statute. In fact, the parliament plays an extremely important part in all the works that come before the committee. They are referred to the committee by the parliament. Any member of the committee—in fact any member of either chamber—has the capacity to refer any work to the committee. Within this legislation there remains a strong place for the parliament, and that is as it should be.

Senator Sherry’s comments also reflect on that. In respect of how a member of parliament might be aware of what works are coming forward, there are a number of ways in which that can happen. In the first instance, agencies are required to report any major projects in their annual procurement plans. There are a number of ways in which a member of parliament can be aware of what is going on. In addition, the issue in relation to the change to the threshold has some historical basis. I acknowledge that Senator Murray supports the threshold as it has been set, but the change does have a historical basis. The threshold is being increased in line with inflation and construction costs. Therefore it is important that we continue with this legislation. I indicate that the government does not support the amendments.

Question negatived.