Alex White (Labour)

I support what Senator Cummins said. We probably would have been assisted if the Minister of State had at least advanced some examples of what he has in mind although, to some extent, I understand his difficulty. We are providing for quite a power. Senator Quinn referred to circumstances where a person would engage in conduct contrary to the common good. That has some sense to it but the problem is that we are including a discretion in legislation which will give the Minister, in consultation with his or her two colleagues in the other two Departments, the power to refuse a passport in circumstances which we cannot envisage. We have not been told what they might be.

I am not suggesting, nor do I believe Senator Cummins is, that the circumstances for refusing a passport would not be legitimate. If we are asked to scrutinise legislation, give our views on it and agree to it, we should know precisely what we are being asked to do. Unfortunately, that is not the case on this occasion.