James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Hansard source

I'm surprised that the minister who's taking this bill through the chamber and who articulated a few moments ago the rationale for this change, which is to reflect the parliament and therefore incorporate a minor party member or crossbencher, is not aware that the Prime Minister has made that offer to members of parliament to join the committee should this legislation pass. I think it is notable that the Prime Minister has made this offer prior to this bill even passing the parliament. It, frankly, indicates a level of arrogance about this change—that the parliament will just agree to it. Even before it's been passed, the Prime Minister has promised membership of the committee to people who are not yet on the committee and before the legislation allows it to be the case. Minister, don't the Albanese government have a view that the bipartisan culture and nature of this committee has been useful in the past in resolving issues in the national interest and in a consensus driven way, and aren't you concerned that will be jeopardised by this change?