Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health Administration) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition have had some very good discussions with Senator Xenophon and we are of a mind to support this amendment. There have been some discussions with both the government and Senator Xenophon about the exact terms of this amendment. We are nearly there, but there has been a last-minute addition in proposed paragraph 52EC(4), which had not previously been circulated to us given the time frames involved. These are the words ‘including a person with expertise in complementary medicines’ to be included on the review panel once it takes place after 1 July 2013.

The opposition support the review because we think it is important. However, we do not believe it is appropriate to single out one particular area of expertise above others. We urge the government, in their comments in this chamber as we are debating this, to give some assurances as to how they will ensure that there is a proper balance of expertise on this particular committee. Through you, Mr Temporary Chairman, I indicate to Senator Xenophon that the opposition would like to support this amendment. However, we will have difficulty in supporting it if it continues to contain a specific requirement to include a person with expertise in complementary medicines—something that we were not aware of until it was circulated this morning.