Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

HOLM (—) (): The opposition have proposed the same amendments they moved in the other place. We consider them untenable. They would remove unions from the ministerial advisory board, thus undermining the tripartite commitment of Jobs and Skill Australia. The opposition amendments also attempt to wedge the government and crossbenchers by requiring an explicit small- business representative and two regional, rural and remote Australia representatives. The government amendments in the House were agreed to after consultations with regional, rural and remote crossbenchers. I remind the opposition of the comments from the member for Indi on this issue. The minister engaged extensively and constructively with her and with external stakeholders to strengthen regional, rural and remote representation and small-business representation on the ministerial advisory board. No-one is asking for these amendments publicly, and no-one has asked the government for them privately either. Therefore, the government will not be supporting these amendments.