5 February 2025
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:57): I thank all honourable members for their contributions: thank you to the Hon. Nicola Centofanti, the Hon. Jing Lee and the Hon. Russell Wortley. I appreciate the support of all parties for this. I note the government's position that they will not be opposing the bill, and I appreciate that.
As has been articulated by the Hon. Jing Lee, this bill does not force the relevant minister to implement the recommendations of a select committee. I think that is a very important point to note. All it requires is that they provide a report in parliament on their response. That can be as simple as saying why a recommendation cannot be implemented or simply noting a recommendation, but it is wanting to ensure that the relevant minister has read and engaged with the substance of the report.
It is a particularly relevant debate this week. It is two years since the public and active transport committee handed down its report—two years, and we are still waiting for any response from the relevant minister. I think that does underscore why a reform such as this might be necessary, because two years without a callback in terms of action on the recommendations is disappointing. Members of parliament obviously put a lot of work into these committees. More importantly, members of the community actually invest their time and energy into our committee process.
As the Hon. Nicola Centofanti noted, it can be challenging for members of the public to appear before these committees, particularly when they are talking about sensitive matters. If they are doing so, I think the least that they can expect of their elected representatives is that the government of the day at least engages with the content of the final report and indicates what elements can be taken up.
I think that is the least that the community is entitled to expect of their elected representatives. If you have gone to the effort of appearing before a parliamentary committee and making a submission, you do not think that the minister is going to simply take the committee report, stick it in a top drawer somewhere and let it sit there and gather dust. You would want the minister to respond.
I note the Hon. Russell Wortley has referenced the number of committees that have been running during this term of parliament. Many members of the crossbench and others have offered in this place to address committee reform. It is an ongoing discussion. There is always the potential to look at how we can do committees better. I do not think that should be used as a reason to not take action and to not have the relevant minister engage with the recommendations of the report.
I hope that this does start a conversation around how ministers can engage more effectively with these committees. I should just say in closing that there are many ministers in the Malinauskas government who I think do this really well, who engage openly with parliamentary committees, who are interested in the recommendations and who seek to take action on things. It is not a problem that affects everybody, but I think legislation is a good way of dealing with this, because it means that at least you have a set standard in place that operates across the board. I think that always makes sense.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage
Bill taken through committee without amendment.
Third Reading
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (18:03): I move:
That this bill be now read a third time.
Bill read a third time and passed.