Senator MURRAY(4.48 p.m.) —These amendments, as Senator Bolkus has pointed out, centre around clause 30 of the bill which, in essence, refers to a rule maker deciding not to comply with sections 20 to 25, which are the consultation provisions. We think that it is a matter of bad policy and bad practice in any event to allow persons who are in the role of decision makers to decide whether or not they will comply with accountability and transparency provisions in legislation. This is one of those provisions which have been included by the government which have the impact of spoiling the, by and large, very good intentions and very overdue reforms that the government has instituted. We therefore support Senator Bolkus's amendments.

Amendments agreed to.