Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Unfortunately this debate has been going since very early—before question time even—and we have actually had a discussion about an interim committee that exists at the moment and provides advice. As I said, I do not believe that we are in a position where I can give you any further information about the existing resources beyond what I have so far. If I am able to, I am happy to do so, but there is an interim committee in existence at the moment. We have had a lengthy conversation about the minutes that are published. You are welcome to join Senator Waters, who has examined the minutes and criticised them for not being as full as they could be or should be, but the minutes of this committee are available to you. If you are going to ask how many staff hours are committed to supporting this committee I would probably say to you that I need to take that on notice, and I am sure I could get that information for you.