David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

First of all, I thank and commend the chair and the members of the committee for the process we undertook over the last two-and-a-bit weeks. I particularly want to note the leadership of the chair, who, I think, brought the committee to what was ultimately a consensus position to confirm all the appointees to these four important positions in the National Anti-Corruption Commission. It was essential that we had this as a consensus position, because we need to ensure that the NACC is established and starts with as broad political support and consensus as we can have. It's a credit to the committee—at least the other members of the committee, as well as the chair—that we eventually arrived at a consensus position, and that reflects the quality of the candidates who were put forward before the committee.

But, as has been touched upon in an earlier contribution, there are lessons to be learned from the process we went through. The committee required an extension of time to enable it to get appropriate information. At times I don't think I was the only member of the committee who was frustrated about the timeliness of the information and the provision of the necessary information for us to do our statutory task, under section 178. But I would note that, from my observation, each member of the committee, regardless of where their politics lies—government, opposition, crossbench—understood we had an important obligation to fulfil under section 178 of the act. I think we worked through those issues together in a collegiate manner to get the information we needed to exercise that function and scrutinise the appointments. But I do want to stress that I think there are lessons to be learnt. I think a mutual respect between the executive and the parliament, when these statutory functions cross between the executive and the parliament, is necessary. At times, I felt that relationship was a little strained in the exercise of the committee's powers and its roles and functions. I hope those lessons have been learnt.

I end on this: it was a consensus position amongst all members. Again, I think the chair helped map the pathway to that over the course of two and a bit weeks. I hope that this is an indication that when the NACC opens its doors it has, I hope, unanimous or near unanimous support for its functions, its roles and for the officers who undertake those important functions.