Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

Senator McLucas’s amendment reflects the report of the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs. I understand that, and I understand that it is an issue that goes to the transparency of the operation of the act, but the government has concerns with it and, in terms of accountability, believes that the minister should prepare a report for parliament rather than the pharmaceutical services federal committee of inquiry, not only because the minister is always responsible to parliament but because it would be more appropriate in this context for that to happen. Senator McLucas, I do not know if you would be minded to adopt that suggestion, but that would certainly be the government’s position.