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

Can we be really clear here, Senator Patrick? Nobody is saying that the maximum level of transparency and provision of data is not a good thing. What we are saying, though, is that, in order for us to be able to be assured and to undertake the appropriate consultation and to make sure that the amendments, or the changes, that we would be seeking to make around the provision of data are appropriate and robust in their nature in both making sure that we provide the maximum amount of information and protecting the confidential commerciality of activities.

The amendment that you have drafted is not drafted well enough to be included in the act. We have given you an undertaking that, as part of the review process for the regulations, we will continue to work in relation to providing that data, but these changes need to be undertaken through a proper consultative process. I'm sure you would agree it is absolutely appropriate that, if you are going to deliver changes that are going to deliver real improvements in data transparency, they be undertaken through a robust process so we do not have unintended consequences as a result of putting through something that has not been drafted to the level that would satisfy both the government and, clearly, the opposition. We also need to bring the industry along to make sure we understand the implications for them as well.