Mary Henry (Independent)

I welcome the amendments as they clarify matters. I also welcome other groups approaching various Senators and the Minister of State in order to be placed on statutory registers. We needed to go ahead with the then best organised groups as we could otherwise be waiting to get everyone moving forward in an organised way.

One matter the groups are not clear on is that the various registration boards, once they make everything transparent, have a good level of autonomy. Other Senators and I have received considerable amounts of correspondence from psychologists. I can tell by those nodding that they have received correspondence also. These psychologists believed that the qualification for psychology outlined in Schedule 3 was insufficient to be on their registers. I was assured in the House, as were we all, that these registration boards could increase the required qualifications. I would welcome the Minister of State's clarification of this matter for the benefit of those outside the House.

I was sure that I was right on this issue but the psychologists believe that a recognised psychology degree or diploma attained with first or second class honours is not enough, which I can understand. They believe people should have specialist training in the different branches of psychology. On reading the Bill again, especially in light of the amendments, all that boards must do is be transparent in what they do and bring it before the Houses.