Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

I indicate that the government does not support the amendment. The proposal by Senator Siewert, as I understand it, would have a 12-month sunset period after which no new provider could come into the scheme and be given the benefit of 12 months to become compliant. That would seriously disadvantage any new entrant into the area of this particular service provision. There are sufficient protections along the way, and if a new service provider comes along their services will be particularly monitored to ensure that they comply with the high standards that are expected. They will, one would hope, be counselled, assisted or whatever to be able to become certified after that 12-month period.

The reason we have this 12-month window of opportunity for certification is that we believe it is quite a substantial cost for any organisation to get that certification, and to require them to get that certification prior to them getting a contract could put a severe financial burden on them in circumstances where they will not get any return from any contract. Therefore, we believe that if an organisation is deemed sufficiently suitable to be a contract winner then within 12 months they can get the official certification that is required. There is that ongoing standard, but in the first 12 months there will be ongoing monitoring to ensure that the high standards that I would have thought everybody around this chamber would want from any service provider are provided to recipients. That is the government’s desire and intention. These are the reasons we oppose the Greens amendment.