Senator CARR (3:32 PM) —If anyone needs advice as to how to fill in time when there is a gap that needs to be filled I am sure that they could rely on Senator Calvert, because that is what he has demonstrated here this afternoon. Quite clearly the government is absolutely defenceless on this question. We have revealed from our consideration of these matters that a report has been completed. The Skehill report is there ready, you are saying. Where is it? Why don't you put it on the table? We hear all the time from those opposite about their interest in public accountability, but that ended the very moment they entered government. While they were in opposition we heard a great deal about the need for parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability. Now we hear nothing of it. We hear of a secret process. A secret report has been produced, but you will not table it.

I think the Senate ought to congratulate the members of the Labor Party and the committee that has examined these issues, because they have done a great public service. Senator O'Brien in particular has been pursuing this question with diligence. He has been able to demonstrate quite clearly that there is a major problem with the administration of the CASA board. He has been able to highlight the controversy over the appointment of Mr Laurie Foley to the job of Assistant Director of Aviation Safety Compliance last July—a position that has, I might add, a salary of $150,000. He has demonstrated that the appointment was undertaken in the most curious of circumstances. I think it is significant that it is only through the parliamentary process that these issues have been brought out. Senator Mackay has, I think, made similar points about the processes and the operations of this board. I think it is time for this government to be held accountable.

I am particularly interested in the government's interest in the estimates processes. We are told that these are matters that should properly be pursued through the estimates process. We would have to agree.

Senator Calvert interjecting—

Senator CARR —I am pleased to hear that. I take that interjection because I am glad there has been clarification on this matter. It is apparent that that is absolutely the correct place for these matters to be pursued. The only problem is that we have an incompetent, foolish minister that is not able to answer the questions. We have, quite clearly, a minister that is way out of his depth. We have, quite clearly, a government that is contemptuous of the parliamentary process. We now have a situation where the Department of Transport and Regional Services has itself put a submission to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit in which it says that CASA should be outside the estimates processes. The department of transport, in this report, says:

The Committee—

that is, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit—

may wish to consider whether the current processes of Parliamentary scrutiny (through the Senate Estimates process) provides the most effective means of analysing the performance of GBEs. The Department is of the view that, to the extent the Estimates Committee process scrutinises performance in ways that GBE management may feel place at risk the exposure of commercial strategies—

we have got a commercial strategy here, all right: how to fix up a mate with a job—

the Estimates Committees may not be the preferred forum. Scrutiny in camera by a Committee such as the JCPAA may be an alternative.

The truth is out there for all of those in this government that want to read the documents. Read the documents that your own department is putting forward. You may find out what the government position is.

The great irony is that this government does not even have the competence to understand what its own departments are saying about these proposals. It would be helpful for government senators to understand the processes of government a great deal more. It would be helpful for new senators. I notice that Senator Tchen over there got his first miserable question today, and what a pathetic effort it was. Senator Tchen, let me give you advice on this point: you have the right to send those miserable questions back. You do not have to sit in here like a dummy and be fed the sort of nonsense that comes out of this frontbench.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Senator Hogg) —Senator Carr!

Senator Ian Campbell —Mr Acting Deputy President, I rise on a point of order.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT —It is all right. I was about to—

Senator Ian Campbell —It is not all right. He should direct his responses through the chair.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT —That is what I was going to say, thank you, Senator Campbell. Senator Carr, your remarks should be addressed to the chair. Thank you.

Senator CARR —Thank you, Mr Acting Deputy President. I appreciate your advice on this question. What I think Senator Tchen should also understand is that incompetent, foolish questions that seek to humiliate new senators ought be rejected. He has a right to reject them. When it comes to the question of CASA and the sorts of actions of this government, all government senators, I would suggest, would be greatly advised to actually read the documents their own departments are putting forward. I would suggest, Senator Calvert, when you are coming in here mumbling about the defence that this government is seeking to present, that you understand more thoroughly what the proposals are that are actually being put to you. (Time expired)

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT —The question is that the motion moved by Senator O'Brien be agreed to.

Question resolved in the affirmative.