Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I will again say to Senator Murray that I do accept that the words are based on precedents in other legislation. However, Senator Murray with his great experience in this place would accept, I think, that it is not wise to pick up sections from one regulatory framework and seek to insert them into another quite different legislative scheme. The Aged Care Act is not, I would suggest with respect, analogous to the legislation from which the sections are drawn. Again, while I appreciate that the amendment draws on precedent, I still consider the amendment to be poorly adapted to the Aged Care Act for the reasons which I outlined. Again I note my concerns with the proposed amendment and the technical problems in the context of the Aged Care Act. However, I reiterate that we will be looking at this issue further in consultation with stakeholders and I believe that this will ensure that not just any precedent is used but the right solution is found—and again I am more than happy to make that very strong commitment.

Question negatived.

Bills agreed to.

Bills reported without amendment; report adopted.