Senator STOTT DESPOJA (4:53 PM) —I thank the opposition and the government for outlining their reasons for rejecting the Democrat amendments. I express my disappointment that they are not willing to support amendments which we see as providing clarity, transparency and accountability. If the parliamentary secretary believes that we are on some kind of crusade, well so be it. I suppose the Democrats are associated with keeping various groups and parties honest, if you like. We see it as still very much a part of our mandate, to use that oft bandied around word. The government talks about a legitimate right to make appointments and says that the government should be accountable for those appointments. That is exactly what we are suggesting—that there be increased mechanisms that ensure that governments are accountable for those appointments and that they explain those appointments.

The government's reference to the procedure for the appointment of members and its dismissal of that is quite discouraging. While it may be claimed that it is a complex process, the general principles that we outlined on which appointments can be made include merit, independent scrutiny of appointments, probity, and openness and transparency. I hardly think that those principles are incredibly challenging for any government. We simply seek to enshrine not only in this legislation but in other legislation these very general and appropriate principles which we believe would be to the benefit of any organisation. If you have a system of appointment on principles of merit, independent scrutiny probity, and openness and transparency, those principles are to the benefit of any organisation. I express again my disappointment that the amendments have been rejected by both parties.