Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025

Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (13:18): I have a question for the minister. Minister, in a democracy, what's the justification for excluding elected representatives from a committee, particularly in Australia, where we see one in three primary votes not going to the major parties? What's the justification for a government putting in legislation that we are excluding anyone who is part of this one-third of elected representatives that the Australian people decided to elect?

Surely this undermines trust in government, in institutions. As a government, you should be leading the country, not just trying to entrench a historical two-party system. I'd really love an explanation.