Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, can I just correct Senator Stott Despoja: I never said that the discussions with the tenderers were conducted by me. If they were, then the opposition and others could ask a justified question as to why that was so, because the minister does not get involved in that process. That was my department. It is done at arm’s length from me as minister. I am not privy to those discussions, nor should I be. That is something that the department is handling.

But I do wish to correct something that was in the Australian Financial Review today—that is, that companies bidding for access card work are precluded from bidding for other government projects. I am advised by my department that that is not correct, and I just want to place that on the record.

As for a legislative timetable, I have said that the government remains committed to the access card. It is a good idea which will deliver benefits to many Australians. But, as to the timing of the legislation, it will depend on the consultation period of the exposure draft. As we know from past experience, you cannot foretell what that will deliver. It depends on how that process goes.