Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the latter—we are still getting some information in relation to the first matter—there have been some questions about why this has not been dealt with completely under the Royal Commissions Act. The aspects of the royal commission legislation which will apply will provide all powers and protections necessary to conduct the inquiry, and so Mr Callinan will have power to hold public hearings and compel the production of witnesses. However, it is also important for a range of existing powers in the Quarantine Act to be accessible to the inquiry. Right on point, if I understand Senator O’Brien’s question correctly, for example, there is provision for independent investigators to be empowered to utilise the quarantine search powers that were specifically created to deal with quarantine offences and that are already contained in the Quarantine Act. Mr Callinan will be able to avail himself of the benefits of those independent investigators to assist the inquiry.