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

by leave—I move opposition amendments (15) to (18) on sheet 7463 revised together:

(15) Schedule 1, item 39, page 16 (line 15), omit "functions;", substitute "functions.".

(16) Schedule 1, item 39, page 16 (line 16), paragraph (3)(d), omit the paragraph.

(17) Schedule 1, item 39, page 16 (lines 17 and 18), subsection 39B(4), omit the subsection.

(18) Schedule 1, item 39, page 16 (line 28) to page 17 (line 2), subsections 39B(7) and (8), omit the subsections.

These amendments allow IA to finalise its own corporate plan rather than require the minister's sign-off. The board must consult with the minister in preparation of its corporate plan. These amendments keeps IA at arm's length from the minister but requires it to consult the minister. These amendments are consistent with independence and transparency for an expert advisory body under the CAC Act. In its generic form, CAC Act bodies do not require ministerial approval for board approved corporate plans. CAC agencies that do require ministerial sign-off include the ABC, SBS, Commonwealth super, EFIC, CSIRO, the RBA and the National Transport Commission.