Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to make a short contribution in relation to the third reading vote. I acknowledge the minister's openness in the answers he has given me. I have had some frustrations in my dealings with the Remuneration Tribunal. Again, this is not a criticism, but I believe there is scope to further improve this once we see how the tribunal deals with its new powers. I foreshadow that I will be moving amendments to ensure that the processes of the tribunal are more open and transparent—I will firstly correspond with the tribunal but, if the response is not satisfactory from my point of view, I will do so. I think the more transparent it is, the greater the confidence the Australia people will have in the process by which politicians' pay is set. I acknowledge how hard every one of my colleagues in the chamber works, but I think it is important that there is a much better process in terms of openness and transparency. That may be the case with the tribunal's new powers. If the tribunal's response is not satisfactory, I will be moving a bill to amend this further. But I look forward to having further discussions with the opposition and, indeed, the government in relation to the openness of the process for setting the remuneration of members of parliament.