Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I wanted to make a few brief comments and concur with the report and the comments made by Senator O'Neill, the chair of the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee. It is an important committee. Through some analysis, we've worked that some 90 per cent of rules and regulations that come through this parliament actually go through delegated legislation. That's on word count and the number of actual clauses. There are considerable amounts of legislation and rules that are imposed upon the Australian people, so it is important work.

I did want to add my thanks to the Minister for Aged Care. There has been a considerable amount of work done, and we've gone on quite a journey to get to the point where we are now with this delegated legislation, ensuring that the law is clear to people that are applying the law and these rules. It was absolutely essential. I think it's a good demonstration—all ministers should look to what Minister Rae has done in working with his department to ensure it's best practice. I recommend all ministers have a look at that, because we shouldn't be just imposing laws on people without it being fully disclosed and clear what is being imposed. So thank you to the chair and the collegiality of that committee. It continues to provide a great service to the Australian people.

Question agreed to.