Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Patrick, for your contribution. First of all, there are a couple of things, just to correct the record. You made the statement in your contribution that the department had made a recommendation for the information to be released publicly. That's not correct. It was in a review that was undertaken by ACIL Allen. I would also add to that that the government is intending, as part of the review around the regulations, to further consider what data can be released. As you would be aware, Senator Patrick, we always, as government, try and strike the right balance between providing confidential information appropriately and making sure that we protect the confidentiality of that information.

This amendment seeks to move and expand material currently included in the regulations and the act. We are always mindful about making sure that we collect and release data in a way that is able to provide as much advice and transparency as is possible, more broadly, in relation to such things as our resources sector. But we are also very mindful about protecting confidential information appropriately to make sure that we maximise the ability for these resources to be achieved for the Australian public.