Senator TAMBLING (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Aged Care.) (11:28 AM) —The government does not support the Democrat amendment. In fact, on behalf of the existing members of the Australia and New Zealand Food Authority board and any likely appointments to the future FSANZ board, I take umbrage at the comments of both Senator Greig and Senator Brown. I am not aware that the Democrats or Senator Brown have ever come into this place and laid on the table any accusations of impropriety or inadequacy or conflict of interests of any members of the ANZFA board, who were appointed by either the former Labor administration or the current coalition administration. I and Minister Wooldridge have certainly been very mindful with regard to any board appointments of any of the statutory authority or advisory bodies within the health portfolio. I have not yet heard any accusations levelled in this place that go to what I call these deep suspicions and conspiracy theories that constantly come from Senator Brown and the Democrats without any proof or any evidence.

It is a pity that with this statistical grandstanding the Democrats seem to want to put up a scoresheet of regurgitating and repeating particular statements of what they consider to be Democrat gospel and to insist that that be applied in all legislation. I believe there is transparency and there are appropriate guidelines and audit areas that apply to all board members, who are subject to the full force of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act with regard to the prescribed responsibilities of any directors appointed in this area. Certainly ministers of the Commonwealth, New Zealand or state and territory jurisdictions are very mindful of the criteria and the qualifications and credibility of all members in this particular area. For that reason, again I state that the Democrat amendment is overlapping, confusing and totally unnecessary, and will not be supported.