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

I am sorry, I got ahead of myself during my last comments; for some reason I did not have a running sheet. Obviously, my comments have been taken on board by Senator O’Brien because he has now addressed them in moving these amendments. The public interest test does allow a report to be tabled in parliament. That is already in the bill. The legislation does not preclude tabling of reports. Of course, other forms of accountability do apply to activities of the Inspector of Transport Security. And ministers have to turn up and answer questions that may be asked about the inspector’s activities at any time, including in the parliament. Public accountability is important. We think that the public interest test will allow a report to be tabled in parliament when it is appropriate and that the bill adequately deals with the opposition’s point.

Question negatived.

Bill agreed to.

INSPECTOR OF TRANSPORT SECURITY (CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 2006

Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.

Bill agreed to.

Inspector of Transport Security Bill 2006 and Inspector of Transport Security (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2006 reported without amendment; report adopted.