Mr PETER BESSELING (Port Macquarie) [4.41 p.m.], in reply: I do not intend to go back through every detail of why the Ombudsman Amendment (Removal of Legal Professional Privilege) Bill is so important and why it has been supported unanimously by this House. However, I acknowledge the speakers for the Government, the member for Miranda, and the Opposition, the member for Ballina, who contributed to this debate. I thank them for their input and support. This bill is yet another step towards responsible governance in New South Wales, where the ideals of transparency and accountability are more than mere dot points of a vision statement and more than simply ideals to strive for but never really achieve. The more open our systems of government, the more access the general public has to the processes and the more confidence they will show in our truly wonderful democratic way of life.

The Ombudsman, in the role of departmental watchdog, is a vital link in the crusade to ensure the best possible delivery of government service to the community and that that service is free from incompetent or corrupt influences. To deny such an officer in that role the ability to freely investigate issues of concern to State agencies denies our community the systemic rigour and public scrutiny that we so rightly deserve and unwaveringly demand. The basic tenets of our legal system must be protected, including the ability of all individuals to seek the advice of their legal representatives free from fear that such advice and discretionary confessions will be the subject disclosure in any subsequent judicial process.

However, this protection should not extend to New South Wales departmental officers who seek to deny information and frustrate the abilities of the publicly appointed gatekeeper to do his or her job. I applaud the current New South Wales Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, and his executive project officer, Tom Millet, for their vigour in pursuing this issue in the best interests of the people of New South Wales. I also acknowledge the wonderful efforts and research abilities of Melanie Kallmier from the Port Macquarie electorate office and the efforts of the New South Wales Parliament's Joint Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman and Police Integrity Commission. I commend the bill to the House.

Question—That this bill be now agreed to in principle—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Bill agreed to in principle.

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