Thank you very much, gentlemen.
I want to remind members that the obligation of witnesses to answer all questions put by the committee must be balanced against the role that public servants play in providing confidential advice to the ministers. The role of the public service has traditionally been viewed in relation to the implementation and administration of government policy, rather than the determination of what that policy should be. Consequently, public servants have been excused from commenting on policy decisions made by government.
We now go to Mr. Easter for seven minutes.