Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I just make the point—and I am sure Senator Siewert is aware—that this provision is a regulation-making power. The Senate would still have its usual powers in respect of disallowance in relation to any regulations which were brought forward. The advice I have is that this really is intended to apply to an emergency situation or a situation where you had unforeseen circumstances—the example that one official has given me would be for dam failure. It enables a pathway for efficient administration of the act in emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. In terms of accountability and oversight, I make the point that this is a regulation-making power and the Senate would still have the opportunity in relation to any regulations tabled to consider them.