Yes, the argument that's made on Senator Yuen Pau Woo's website, that Canada does not need this comparable legislation because we don't have those sorts of issues going on and that our existing arrangements are already fully able to address problems of retired officials who receive benefits from a foreign state, particularly China, is utter nonsense. I think what's going on in Australia and New Zealand is almost certainly going on in Canada.
Other concerns have been raised that the Australian legislation might not be compatible with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I'd like to see a serious study done of it, to see if that is in fact the case. I don't see why anyone would object to such legislation because it simply allows transparency, and sunshine is the best disinfectant.
I think we do have a serious problem—