Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

Through you, Mr Temporary Chairman, I ask the minister: why didn’t the minister mention these regulations during the debate in the House this week? I am just trying to assess this time line a little better. We are talking about post 31 May; it is now 15 June. There has been no public discussion or revelation of these new proposals until today—coincidentally, in light of the discussions that we have had in this place today and in the media in the last couple of days. As I understand it, this legislation was debated on Wednesday in the House of Representatives. I am just wondering why the minister did not take an opportunity to make an announcement then about the possibility of our dealing with new delegated legislation, regulations or guidelines in relation to this issue. It seems quite extraordinary to me. I am sure this has been discussed and considered over the last couple of weeks. It seems as though this policy announcement was made today. Has the minister made any other public announcements? I am happy to stand corrected if this was analysed and scrutinised in the House of Representatives and if the minister made a full and frank announcement there.