Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

The letter from Snedden, Hall and Gallop to which I referred, on page 2—possibly the first two paragraphs—refers basically to obtaining an assurance for the volunteer sector that those people who volunteer and those who give of their time voluntarily, especially sitting on committees of these associations, will be completely protected, given that in our society—and I am sure everybody in the chamber irrespective of their political persuasion would salute the work of volunteers—it is often hard to get people to serve on committees and if they now have an added burden of responsibility then that might mitigate against people putting their hands up to be of service.

I hear what the parliamentary secretary has said thus far, and if she could confirm that those two paragraphs on page 2 of the letter which I have provided her are not matters of concern then I will be happy, as I think the volunteer sector will be.