Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

As you have indicated, the second amendment on the running sheet is also an Australian Greens amendment. It is very similar to one that Senator Conroy will be moving shortly on behalf of the opposition—amendment (2). I will go through it, although I suspect Senator Conroy will prefer his own form of words. However, I will explain briefly what we are proposing, which is to insert into schedule 1, item 8, on page 5:

… to review and provide advice on proposals to facilitate the harmonisation of policies, and laws, relating to development of, and investment in, infrastructure;

I presume that is reasonably straightforward. Again, I do not think we are teaching IA how to suck eggs here. We are creating some guidance and a framework for the kinds of things that need to be borne in mind so that we do not end up with a mish-mash, so that we do not end up, heaven forbid, with different rail gauges at the state and territory level. Heaven forbid that we could come up with something like that! I commend this amendment to the chamber. I will not be brutally offended if Senator Conroy believes that the opposition's form of words is better, but I believe in this instance that the Australian Greens have got it about right.