Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) | Hansard source

I move:

That subparagraph (6)(b) in paragraph (1) of the motion be amended to read:

"(b) Opposition member as its deputy chair who shall act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee;"

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has had a very long tradition of having a chair from the government and a deputy chair from the opposition parties, given its long-term standing and importance to the nation. As a former diplomat, I know this committee has always worked in the national interest, has carried out incredibly important work on behalf of the nation and, on the whole, has always acted in a very bipartisan way. I think it's really important that that continues, and I hope that the government will support this amendment, which would continue that long tradition and make sure this very important committee can continue to do that important work.

Of course, there will be hefty debates within the committee about various things, but what we would like to see is that long-term tradition of a member of the government as chair and then a member of the opposition as deputy chair. That's why I'm moving this amendment. I made sure we notified the Leader of the House that we would be doing this.

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