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

I have listened to Senator O’Brien’s comments. Of course, we do agree that it is important that the opposition and, indeed, all members of the public have confidence in this process. Dealing with Senator O’Brien’s points: as I understand it, the opposition would like to see the Leader of the Opposition consulted on the appointment of the Inspector of Transport Security. I understand that the basis for proposing this amendment is that the opposition has likened the role of the Inspector of Transport Security to that of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. But they are very different roles. The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security oversights Australia’s intelligence agencies; the Inspector of Transport Security will conduct no-blame investigations. On my advice, the role of the Inspector of Transport Security is more akin to the role of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which conducts no-blame investigations into safety incidents. The government has always taken the view that the Leader of the Opposition should be briefed on issues of national security—and that position will continue in relation to this bill. Senator O’Brien now has that on the record.

Lastly, I think the opposition would also like to see all final reports tabled in parliament. I acknowledge the importance of public accountability in relation to the activities of the Inspector of Transport Security—and Senator O’Brien makes a perfectly valid point about it. I cannot on behalf of the minister or the government guarantee that, in every possible instance, it will be appropriate for a final report to be tabled in parliament. Therefore, the public interest test that allows a report to be tabled in parliament is, I think, an appropriate test. It is already in the bill and, in our view, it should remain.

The government takes the view that, whilst some of the comments made by Senator O’Brien in support of his amendments are valid, they are really unnecessary amendments, and we do not propose to support unnecessary amendments. I do want to place on the record the fact that the government is appreciative of the opposition’s support for the bill. I do look forward to its passage when we get through the rest of the amendments.