Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

To address, at least in part, Senator Waters's question before, I understand there are 330 staff employed by the Clean Energy Regulator. If Senator Waters wants to know the exact breakdown of the roles of those staff, that is something that can be pursued at estimates or elsewhere. But it is a significant statutory body, with a significant resource allocation, able to ensure that it undertakes its functions and upholds the act and regulations that it is charged to uphold.

In relation to Senator Xenophon's points, I suspect we will have to agree to disagree this evening. The government does not believe that, in the context of this legislation, it would be appropriate to open it up for any person or any party who did not necessarily have some connection or some grievance beyond that of an ordinary member of the public to pursue injunctions in this regard. We have a well-funded, well-staffed, well-resourced, well-intentioned and well-legislated regulator in place that is able to take that action. Of course, aggrieved persons are also able to take that action. We think that is the appropriate balance to ensure that, if there a risk of the law being broken or if the law is being broken or has been broken, appropriate action is taken by the appropriate parties.