Judith Troeth (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I regret that the opposition cannot agree to this amendment. I believe for security of tenure and a proper review such as that that we are instituting that this should be five years.

Question negatived.

by leave—I move opposition amendments (10) and (11) on sheet 5632:

(10)  Page 7 (after line 10), after clause 12, insert:

12A Remuneration

        (1)    Subject to this section, the Independent Reviewer must be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal but, if no determination of that remuneration is in operation, the Independent Reviewer must be paid such remuneration as is prescribed.

        (2)    The Independent Reviewer must be paid such allowances as are prescribed.

        (3)    Subsections (1) and (2) have effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

(11)  Page 7 (after line 14), after clause 13, insert:

13A Staff

        (1)    The staff necessary to assist the Independent Reviewer must be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.

        (2)    For the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999:

             (a)    the Independent Reviewer and the APS employees assisting the Independent Reviewer together constitute a Statutory Agency; and

             (b)    the Independent Reviewer is the Head of that Statutory Agency.

These amendments simply make specifications regarding suitable remuneration and suitable staff for the independent reviewer.

While I am on my feet, I would like to make a very brief remark about Senator Wong’s unfortunate comments at the end of her speech during the second reading debate. To start with, up till this point the now government have gone along with or agreed that this position is a very necessary position. For them not to be agreeing with this private member’s bill I find an astounding backtrack on their supposed beliefs.

As well, as Senator Wong knows and as Senator Brandis so comprehensively pointed out, this bill has been in the parliament since March this year, firstly under Mr Georgiou’s stewardship and secondly under my direction since 23 June. So the government must know that it has been around.

That an office person from Attorney-General McClelland’s office rang me this morning and asked me to defer or withdraw the bill I found astounding. I also found it a complete lack of courtesy on Attorney-General McClelland’s part to have his office ring me rather than speak with me himself.