Senator LEES (Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats)(5.19 p.m.) —The Democrats also remain consistent on this issue. We argued this last time—indeed, last session—when this bill was before the chamber. We made it very clear then that we were concerned about the independence of a board; the fact that, if you really are going to have trust, there is that break in the direct linkage between government decisions and trust decisions. A trust decision should be, and should be seen to be, independent.

I think the minister is unduly sensitive when it comes to a body, and—as has been specified by Senator Brown—a very well qualified body, making these decisions. The minister, he or she, after all does have direct involvement in the appointment of the people who will be making up this board. I had hoped that the government would have had the opportunity to rethink its attitude to this particular amendment. But I will just say now that the Democrats will continue their support for as much independence as possible when it comes to the decision making process on how the money should be spent.