Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Rice. As I indicated in response to Senator Pocock's last contribution, we respect the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee. The government certainly hasn't made appointments to that committee that reflect desire to shut out expert evidence or alternative points of view. In fact, we value the advice and deliberative capacity of that group. It does not mean that we'll agree with the conclusions that they reach, because the government has to have regard to a range of considerations that are our responsibility, but we are not afraid of alternative points of view. It certainly was taken into account and engaged with as one of the sources of advice that the government had prior to making decisions about the range of issues that are incorporated into this bill.