Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I fully support the views of Senator Coghlan on this issue, on which the audit review group spent some considerable time. The consumer would be protected if we could protect the term "accountant". I am concerned that I could put up a plate outside my office saying, "Joe O'Toole, Accountant" without being attached to any body or subject to any regulation. When I tried to do something about this issue, I failed to find a form of language acceptable to the lawyers. I would be very happy to support Senator Coghlan's great idea. It would be brilliant if we could do it. The title "solicitor" is protected by legislation. That word seems more open to double entendre than the title "accountant". If it was possible in that case, it should be possible in this case. While I have not been able to do it, I support the proposal of Senator Coghlan, if it is possible to accept it legally.