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

I am very pleased to be asked about this issue because I think it is an opportunity to make sure the chamber understands what occurred, as opposed to some of the assertions which have been made publicly. Can I say at the outset that I welcome the opposition's welcoming of Mr Gonski's appointment. I was very pleased to see that Mr Hockey and Mr Robb released a statement welcoming his appointment and that his appointment has been warmly received by members of the business community. In terms of the criteria for the choice of Mr Gonski, I would refer the honourable senator to the section of the act which states that a person is eligible for appointment if they have substantial experience or expertise and professional credibility and significant standing in at least one of the following fields—