Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham has indicated that we will be supporting these amendments. But I inquire of the minister: why is it appropriate that two ministers certify in relation to functional separation, as I read the clause? Why isn’t there some other perhaps more independent assessment—with respect to whoever may be the communications minister and finance minister of the time? It could be someone who, with respect, might have a little bit more of an understanding of whether the functional separation is appropriate or otherwise.