David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is also to the Special Minister of State, Senator Farrell. Minister, yesterday the government introduced the 400-page electoral reform bill that you, in your own words, said is once-in-a-generation electoral reform. Given that these reforms only come into effect in 2028, and the fact that JSCEM, which you mentioned, in their report were pretty broad—they recommended things like donation caps and spending caps. There was no detail, and yet you've got 400 pages of detail. Noting, with respect, a similar question from Senator Waters that you didn't answer, why shouldn't the bill be scrutinised through a Senate committee process? What is the government trying to hide with this if it's for the 2028 election?