Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I echo Senator Norris's words of welcome for the Bill. I thank the Minister of State for all his work on it and for answering the points we raised with substantive replies, rather than formulaic ones that we sometimes get on legislation. The Bill will provide for an important extra layer of scrutiny, as has been said. It will improve the quality of services provided to members of the public, which is the ultimate aim. It will ensure that all legal practitioners are more accountable and subject to scrutiny, not just within our own professional disciplinary procedures but also through this extra mechanism of scrutiny and oversight.