Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Murray, for that suggestion. Obviously, Commissioner Cole has specific terms of reference. I do not have them in front of me, so I cannot hazard a guess as to whether or not an inquiry of the kind you are referring to would be contemplated or at least whether the terms of reference would enable that kind of response. Clearly, Commissioner Cole will make findings as to a number of matters. I cannot pre-empt what view he might take of the interaction of the tax act and the other provisions, but I would think that he would not be constrained, if he thought it was appropriate, in bringing it to the government’s attention. If he feels that he needs to get some extension of the terms of reference to deal with a particular point, we have made it publicly very clear that he is entitled to ask.