Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The government certainly believes that it's important for the inspector to have powers, and that's exactly why, under the bill, the inspector is able to investigate complaints made in relation to the conduct or activities of the commission, or a staff member of the commission. The inspector would also be responsible for detecting and investigating corrupt conduct within the commission and reporting on the outcome of those investigations. The bill actually already provides those powers.

As Senator Shoebridge acknowledged, the government has also moved amendments to the bill in response to the recommendation of the joint select committee in relation to audit powers of the inspector, and for these reasons we don't think that this amendment is necessary. The sufficient powers are already provided to the inspector under the bill.