Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, I think people across Australian communities would want the government to ensure that any licensing of somebody being able to grow medicinal marijuana would be subject to a 'fit and proper person' test. We know that in relation to the poppy industry—which of course we have; my good colleagues in Tasmania know well about that—there are already existing stringent requirements when it comes to licensing. So it is not an unusual disclosure requirement; it does already apply to the poppy industry, as I have indicated.

The exemption, as I am advised, applies only to applicants for licences to assist in assessing whether they are fit and proper to hold a licence. The requirement is different, as I understand it, for employees, which is not as stringent, but I think people across Australia, when we are dealing with a product such as marijuana and looking at the licensing arrangements for the growing of that product, people would absolutely expect a 'fit and proper person' test.