Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bartlett for his question. Before I provide an answer on the appeal process for the use of these powers, I should once again reiterate the circumstances around the powers. These are reserve powers and they are intended to ensure the swift and smooth implementation of reform measures. They will be used only when negotiations to introduce these changes have been unsuccessful. The principle reason that we require these powers is that having a range of these sorts of powers is going to ensure that the Australian government has the necessary authority to implement the intended scope of improvements in prescribed communities. We have not just said, ‘We’re going to give ourselves some more powers.’ These are reserve powers but, if we cannot get service delivery into the communities and important infrastructure improvements, the full scope of measures that we know are absolutely essential to achieving the outcomes that the children and families in these communities deserve may not be able to be implemented. In terms of the appeal process, the normal appeal process through the courts would apply.