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

I have a question for the minister. Minister, in a democracy, what's the justification to exclude elected representatives from a committee, particularly in Australia, where we see one in three primary votes not going to the major parties? What's the justification for a government putting in legislation that we are excluding anyone who is part of this one-third of elected representatives that the Australian people decided to elect? Surely this undermines trust in government, in institutions. As a government, you should be leading the country, not just trying to entrench a historical two-party system. I'd really love an explanation.