Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition agrees with the amendment, but I would like to rise and make a few comments about the Selection of Bills Committee report and, in particular, the referral of the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry. We support the referral to the committee, but the opposition would like to put on the record our concerns that were raised at the selection of bills meeting last night about the conduct of that inquiry. The Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee is an important and powerful committee of the Senate. Its job is to scrutinise important legislation and report to the Senate, and it is critical for the Senate to be able to perform its responsibilities as a house of review.

Labor has informally raised concerns before that we had about the conduct of previous inquiries, whether it be specific legislation or through the estimates process. Specifically, our concerns are about the ability of the chair to conduct hearings which are respectful both of senators and of witnesses and professional in their approach at all times. The Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill is an important piece of legislation. It is vital that the inquiry is professional, that witnesses are respected and that senators are able to perform their duties as provided for by the relevant standing orders without obstruction or harassment. Whilst it is regrettable to raise these issues in the chamber, in this instance Labor believes it is important to bring our concerns to the attention of the Senate.