Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

'She'd make more money,' says Senator Lambie! I think the minister may acknowledge that Senator Collins has been a very worthy adversary for the government—he does—but the important issue here is that whatever differences we have I think there is unanimity in this chamber that this is a package with more money, more accountability and more transparency than it had at the beginning of the process. This is something that Mr Gonski, Ms Greiner and Dr Boston have all said is an improvement, and I want to genuinely thank Senator Collins for her good grace. I understand that there is a very clear line in the sand between the Labor Party and the government, and indeed some of the crossbenchers, on this, but sometimes a bit of grace is lacking in this place and I think Senator Collins showed a great deal of grace in her statement. I appreciate that.

In terms of this amendment to bring things forward six years, in the end the Greens could not support this legislation but I think they did play a very constructive role in this debate that should be acknowledged. Of course that goes for my crossbench colleagues such as Senator Hinch and Senator Lambie.

Apart from reiterating that this is a package of measures that I and my colleagues negotiated with the government to condense this to six years, to get better outcomes more quickly, will the chair of the board be accountable before estimates? That is a very simple question. I am happy with a yes or no, Minister.