COMMITTEES

Senator SCARR (Queensland—Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) (11:35): I seek to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator SCARR: The coalition believes that there should be a fair, balanced and transparent system in relation to staffing allocations.

A healthy democracy requires a strong parliament that is adequately resourced to review and scrutinise government legislation. The Prime Minister should not hold discretionary powers to arbitrarily cut staffing allocations from the crossbench and the opposition to avoid accountability and legitimate political scrutiny. It is appropriate that changes be made to the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, the MOP(S) Act, to create clear guidelines on staffing allocations and uphold the democratic principles of the Australian parliament.

The PRESIDENT: The question is that business of the Senate No.1, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.