Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

The government opposes the amendment to the motion moved by Senator Waters, and I think we would disagree strongly with Senator Waters's presentation in her remarks that the government has not complied with relevant clauses of the Intelligence Services Act. The Leader of the Government in the Senate has consulted with all leaders of each recognised non-government political party in the Senate about the membership of the committee, as required by clause 14. It might not have been the consultation process that you were after, but we have met the requirements of the act. We have consulted as required by clause 14 of schedule 1.

Yesterday the Leader of the Government in the Senate sent correspondence to Senator Waters, as Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate, in accordance with statutory requirements. The correspondence was also provided to the Leader of the Australian Greens, Mr Bandt. No response to that correspondence has been received from Senator Waters. The Leader of the Government in the Senate sent the same correspondence to other party leaders, including Senator Birmingham, Senator McKenzie, Senator Lambie, Senator Hanson and Senator Babet.

I can assure Senator Waters that extensive consideration was also given by the Prime Minister to the desirability of ensuring that the composition of the committee reflects the representation of recognised political parties in the parliament. I table the correspondence sent by Senator Wong to Senator Waters.