Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The consultation has been led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In the break, I met with Minister Tehan, and with Group of 8 and with Universities Australia representatives. This included Professor Williams, as I have said. This has been a 60-stakeholder consultation process, which I think is an indication of the number and depth of the discussions that have been held on the bill and on its issues.

In relation to amendments, obviously we have made amendments to the bill. We've taken account of a number of suggestions, and we've amended the bill ourselves in the House of Representatives. We have placed rules on the public record, as we indicated that we would. Those rules respond to concerns raised by stakeholders, and there is the opportunity under the bill for there to be future rules as well.