Page 3108 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 August 2008
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capacity that perhaps some of his colleagues do not share—that is, an ability to admit that he has got it wrong and to actually rectify it. I commend the minister for that, and I commend him for undertaking consultation and for listening to what the opposition, the Greens and, indeed, the sector have been saying to him. That is why we are very grateful to see these important amendments.
Amendment agreed to.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (6:43): I move amendment No 3 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 3114].
This is a minor amendment to be made to section 25C to allow communication by electronic means in addition to fax. This picks up what Mr Seselja’s amendment was trying to achieve. I will not be supporting Mr Seselja’s proposed amendment because we have already fixed it up, in my view.
But I cannot let such an amount of sanctimonious claptrap go by without a response. There was this absolute nonsense about lack of consultation. I do not refer to the Liberals in this particular instance; I refer to some other party in this chamber. What part of November last year don’t people understand? The consultation process went on last year—last year. The people were consulted. The legislation was on the table. If the people in this chamber are not awake when items come forward and are presented, it is not my fault. I do not have to go around this place, rip the dummies out of people’s mouths and wake them up. I do not have to do that. It is up to people and their own offices to work that out.
There was consultation. This consultation that has just occurred is the second round. I accept the plaudits and thank Mr Seselja for the goodwill that he has extended about this particular round of consultation. It was a genuine consultation round. We were quite happy to receive these suggestions, and we happily embraced most of them. We would have happily embraced most of them last November, but we did not because they were not there. I reject absolutely, and I am sick to death of, this sanctimonious claptrap about a lack of consultation process.
We have only 15 minutes left. We can continue this next time. I will get up and I will belt people if they continue this line about a lack of consultation. Be warned.
Amendment agreed to.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (6:46): I move amendment No 4 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 3114].
The government will amend section 25F to remove section 25F (1) (f) as a registration criterion. This clause appeared to require that only a provider receiving a benefit from the government could be registered, although it made provision for the commissioner to make exceptions. Pretty obviously, all current providers receive such a benefit. Removing the clause means that new providers can apply for registration before they receive a benefit. Removal of the clause makes the purpose of the registration much clearer.
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