Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

The Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2022 implements recommendation 1 of the Bell inquiry into the appointment of the former Prime Minister to administer multiple departments, by amending the Ministers of State Act 1952 to provide greater transparency and publicly available information regarding commonwealth executive government positions. It will do this by establishing legislative requirements for the publication of notices detailing the commencement or revocation of appointments to the Federal Executive Council or to administer a department of state or directing a minister of state to hold an office.

The opposition supports this bill. The opposition will always support sensible legislation that is put before this chamber, and it will in this case. Consistent with recommendation 1 of the Bell inquiry, the legislation requires the making of a notifiable instrument as soon as practicable after the Governor-General chooses, summons and swears in or revokes the membership of an executive councillor under section 62 of the Constitution; appoints or revokes the appointment of an officer to administer a department of state under section 64 of the Constitution; and directs that a minister of state hold an office under section 65 of the Constitution or revokes such a direction. I commend this bill to the House.

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