Senator BOLKUS (5:44 PM) —This may in fact short-circuit a long debate, as Senator Bartlett said. The opposition has considered both sets of Australian Democrat amendments—amendments Nos 1 and 2, which Senator Bartlett was about to embark upon, and amendment No. 3. I indicate that, in respect of all those amendments, the opposition probably will not be supporting them.

In respect of amendments Nos 1 and 2, we do recognise the intention of the Democrats. It is an intention that we have also sought in the past, but there are definitional problems and technical problems which, for instance, would make it difficult to employ someone outside of the AGS in cases of conflict of interest. There would be problems commissioning barristers. Another problem is in respect of national security. It is not just Attorney-General's but the Department of Defence and maybe other departments that are involved. So those sorts of mechanical problems would lead us to not support Democrat amendments Nos 1 and 2.

In respect of amendment No. 3, once again, it is an objective that we would seek to achieve but I understand that the government is prepared to make an undertaking to the Senate that it is prepared to pursue such an amendment in the context of the Legislative Instruments Bill. If that is the case, we will not be supporting Democrat amendment No. 3.