Senator LUDWIG (Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary) (12:44 PM) —I might just have to correct the record fractionally. The bill does not, I say again, increase ministers’ salaries.

Senator Ronaldson —I said ‘funding for ministerial salaries’.

Senator LUDWIG —The record will show what the opposition spokesperson said. The ministers’ salaries are determined by reference to Remuneration Tribunal determinations and reports and the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 and regulations. The Ministers of State Act 1952 does not itself provide for increases to ministers’ salaries; rather, it provides for the maximum annual salary payable for those salaries in a financial year as outlined in section 5 of the act. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.