Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I understand this is not the normal practice. I sought leave because I am not quite sure when else we can talk about these things. Of course, having being restricted to one minute, I am not going to be able to help the Senate much. Suffice it to say that the committee did take evidence on this legislation. There was some quite interesting evidence given. Regrettably, the report is not a unanimous report—there are dissenting reports from both the Labor Party and the Greens.

However, I simply point out that this is about a strengthening of the program of integrity for those wishing to become Australian citizens. It is a bill that does give the minister additional powers, but why else would he want the powers but to ensure that citizenship of our country is a very, very important grant and something that should be cherished and very carefully administered. This bill actually does that.