Brandis, Sen George

Senator BRANDIS (Queensland—Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, Vice-President of the Executive Council, Minister for Arts and Attorney-General) (14:14): What I can say to Senator Singh is that when the Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act was debated in the Senate in June 2012, I expressed the view that I did not think that it would satisfy the requirements set out by the High Court in Williams No. 1. I remain of that view, but the point of your question, Senator Singh, as I understand it is whether Williams No. 2 has a broader implication. It does not; it affirms the law as set out by Williams No. 1. My views about the consequences of Williams No. 1 remain.