Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Hansard source

I want to make a brief comment on what I thought was a somewhat unkind comment by Senator Evans. He queried the government’s listening and suggested that it required action to be taken. Of course, having consulted and listened, you make a judgement about whether this will lead to a change. But I draw your attention to no greater authority than yourself, Senator Evans, in your remarks in your speech on the second reading, where you indicated that the government had made some changes which you felt improved the bill. I feel that did demonstrate an ability to listen and consult.

We have listened to you again, Senator Evans, and perhaps I can shed some light on this and give some assurance to you. You are worried about whether the registrar, in carrying out his or her responsibilities under the act, will be independent of the government, and you seek to buttress that. But I suggest to you that, as far as we are concerned, it goes without saying that the registrar would raise with the minister any matters which might affect the registrar’s proper discharge of his or her duties. We are very keen, as you are, to maintain the independence and integrity of the registrar, and we believe the bill provides additional safeguards to ensure the independence of the registrar. The registrar will be appointed for the term set out in his or her instrument of appointment. Termination of the registrar’s appointment is limited to the grounds set out in the act—for example, misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.

We believe measures in the bill are consistent with the Uhrig review’s recommendations on governance arrangements for statutory authorities and office holders. So, again, we do not query what Labor is seeking to achieve, but, to be quite frank, we think this has already been achieved under the act. Noting your relentless berating of us for the size of the act, we are therefore loath to add to the act. We have listened to you on that score as well, Senator Evans!

Question negatived.