David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that explanation; that is helpful. If it was informed by the AFP and other relevant stakeholders, could you please just explain to the Senate again why this was drafted and put into motion in the week between the committee reporting—who had never heard anything about this potential schedule 5—and it being introduced and passed in the House within a couple of days. What's up with the timing there, if this is actually something that seems to have had some sort of consultation and a recommendation from law enforcement? We know that those processes do take time. So I'm just curious. Could you explain the timing to the Senate. The committee reports on a bill that doesn't contain schedule 5; in a week, the government somehow gets schedule 5 drafted and attached to the bill; it passes the lower house; you want no further scrutiny.