Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Minister, why is it that those directions aren't subject to disallowance? I make this point, as I said perhaps inappropriately in the previous session of this deliberation, that the disallowance procedures and processes of the Senate are of great importance. They provide an opportunity for the Senate to act as a check and balance in circumstances where a minister gives an overreaching direction—and it could be a minister of any political persuasion. By not allowing or permitting the disallowance process to apply in the Senate, you are depriving the chamber of its ability to act as a check and balance on the executive power. Why is that considered appropriate?