Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I might just ask the minister's advisers and the minister himself to reconsider that point. It seems that, if the justification for that policy position is not really supported by the existing provisions of the act and there is no other policy basis advanced to support that position, perhaps a reconsideration may be in order. On that note, I have mentioned the substance of the two amendments that I now wish to move—that is, that the advice to the minister from this committee be published online for the public at the time it is provided to the minister, and likewise that the minutes of the meetings of this committee be made public within seven days. Again, the point is that, while that may well be government policy, it is not in the bill. We have already seen that, unfortunately, the relevant aspects of the minutes as to conflict have not been uploaded, and I am looking forward to that being rectified. But I think it would be greater insurance if that were reflected in the terms of the bill. Therefore I seek leave to move Australian Greens amendments (10) and (13) on sheet 7233 together.

Leave granted.

I move Australian Greens amendments (10) and (13) on sheet 7233:

(10)   Schedule 1, item 4, page 6 (after line 30), at the end of section 505D, add:

(3)   The Committee must publish on the internet any advice it provides under paragraph (1)(a), (b), (c), (ca) or (d) or (2)(a) or (b) at same time the advice is provided to the relevant Minister.

(13)   Schedule 1, page 7 (after line 8), after item 5, insert:

5C Before subsection 510(1)

Insert:

(1A)   The minutes of a meeting of a Committee must be published on the internet by that Committee within 7 days of the meeting to which the minutes relate.

Question negatived.