Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

The guidelines, at 2.6.6, set out the exemptions from the process, the circumstances which do not require a full selection process. Some circumstances may arise, and I do not propose to read them all—I assume the senator is aware of them. There is a process flagged in those guidelines whereby the minister is required to request the Prime Minister's approval to fill a position without conducting a full selection process. The Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer sought and received an exemption from this process from the Prime Minister, and the circumstances of the exemption have been outlined by the Treasury in the response that has previously been given. The senator is shaking his head. I was advised that the Treasury indication on this was made public, but if that is not the case I will certainly come back to you.

My point is this: an exemption was sought, an exemption was granted and Mr Medcraft was appointed chairman of ASIC for a term of five years commencing on 13 May 2011. I think that deals with the senator's question.