Referral to the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity

Ms BURNET (Clark) - I'd like to firstly start, honourable Speaker, by thanking those who have contributed to the debate and made those constructive criticisms and asked those questions, I think those are valid. I go to the Attorney-General's comments - and I appreciate all of the conversations we've had on your portfolio, but also that you do commit to strengthening integrity. You and the shadow attorney-general spoke about implementing the Cox report recommendations and how important that is. Of course, it's absolutely important that the progress of those findings, but also the next tranche, is not delayed - the third tranche of reforms must not be delayed, so many people are expecting those and this really cannot be used as any sort of excuse to slow down those reforms.

I want to just make the point that we've heard from members across the Chamber tonight, and I'd also like to thank those members of the House and from the other place who've sat down with me to discuss the motion. I did try to get in contact with the chair of the committee, but unfortunately it wasn't possible, but we certainly gave everybody a good opportunity in this Chamber to talk through the motion and what concerns they might raise.

In answer to Dr Woodruff's concerns about the number of sections that have been highlighted in this motion, it doesn't actually preclude discussion about those other sections. There is that more generous clause in relation to that. I think this is an important public discussion to have about what the right balance of secrecy is, and I'm sure the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity is the right body to lead that discussion. I commend the motion to the House.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.