Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I wasn't planning to ask any questions in this committee stage, but I did listen to the minister's second reading contribution and was disappointed that he didn't acknowledge the concerns that were expressed in this chamber over the last hour around the fact that we're voting to support an important bill today, but we're also voting to reduce the power of the Senate and we're voting against our own function and duties to scrutinise legislation.

So, Minister, would you take the opportunity now to address our concerns in relation to both the concerns within Scrutiny digest No. 6 of 2022 around the inclusion of no-invalidity clauses in proposed sections 196A and 393B, and why you didn't amend the bill that made determinations under proposed sections 196A, 196B and 393B and make them disallowable, and therefore subject to parliamentary oversight.