Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I'd have to take on notice the precise date that drafting instructions were first issued—I think that was the question—or that a request was made for drafting. But I'm advised that policy design work on this matter began before the High Court decision was handed down and before the High Court reasons were handed down. I'd have to take on notice the precise date for drafting instructions, but it's also worth remembering that this bill has been prepared in stages. The bill that we're debating tonight contains the amendments that were passed in the House of Representatives last week despite the opposition of the opposition and the Greens, who voted together to stop us making those laws stronger. Now, of course, we are adding to that the community safety order regime. I suspect what we will find when I come back to you is that drafting instructions were issued at different periods of time because the bill has been prepared in stages. I think it would be reasonable to think that the drafting instructions that set up the strengthening of the laws that went through the House of Representatives last week probably were issued before the drafting instructions for the community safety order regime.