SENATE

Thursday, 13 October 2016 SENATE 37
BILLS
National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016
National Cancer Screening Register (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2016
Second Reading
Consideration resumed of the motion:
That these bills be now read a second time.
to which the following amendment was moved:
At the end of the motion, add:
", but the Senate condemns the Government for outsourcing Australians' most sensitive health information to Telstra before
the Parliament even saw the necessary legislation.".
Senator GRIFF (South Australia) (12:42): This is not my first speech. I rise to speak very briefly on this
package of reforms and to indicate the Nick Xenophon Team's in-principle support for this package. Establishing
a national register should go a long way towards reducing duplication and unnecessary red tape across
jurisdictions and, more importantly, assisting with the management of bowel and cervical cancer screening
programs.
These bills, the National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016 and the National Cancer Screening Register
(Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2016, certainly have not been without criticism, but this is less to
do with the underlying policy objectives and more to do with the contentious nature of the tender process that
preceded them. The fact that the government chose to enter into a $220 million contract with Telstra Health prior
to the passage of the enabling legislation demonstrates a complete disregard for the important role of this place in
the legislative process and in ensuring transparency and accountability. Given the nature of the data that will be
maintained in the national register, there are a multitude of privacy considerations that ought to have been
considered before the awarding of the tender, particularly when the tenderer is a non-government entity. These
criticisms, amongst others, have to a large extent formed the basis of the inquiry by the Senate Community Affairs
Legislation Committee. That committee process has certainly been worthwhile in fleshing out these concerns. At
the very least, we now have a redacted contract that we can also refer to for further consideration and clarification.
In terms of amendments, the opposition has indicated it intends to proceed with its proposal to restrict the
operation of the register to a government agency or not-for-profit organisation. It claims Telstra Health does not
have the requisite expertise to adequately manage the sort of sensitive data that would be kept on the register. I
indicate for the record that the Nick Xenophon Team will not be supporting that proposal. However, I indicate that
my colleague Senator Xenophon will also be moving a second reading amendment aimed at addressing at least
some of the concerns around the tender process. That amendment will not prevent the passage or implementation
of the bill but it will request that the Auditor-General undertake a review that looks at issues of value for money
and efficiency in the contract. It is important to point out that the amendment does not require the minister to
direct the Auditor-General—and the advice I have is that it is quite appropriate for the parliament to refer
matters—
The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Senator Reynolds): Senator Griff, it being 12:45, we will now move
to government business, and you will be in continuation.
International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill 2016
First Reading
Bill received from the House of Representatives.
Senator RYAN (Victoria—Special Minister of State and Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary) (12:45): I
move:
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
Question agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
Senator RYAN: by leave—I move:
That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the bill, allowing it to be considered during
this period of sittings.
I table a statement of reasons justifying the need for this bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave
to have the statement incorporated into Hansard.
Leave granted.
CHAMBER