I think that the appearances of witnesses, including legal experts, to comment on constitutional concerns is certainly helpful to members of Parliament. I don't think it's a substitute for the legal opinion, but I appreciate the concerns around solicitor-client privilege.
The proposals that we're thinking of would not necessarily do anything to affect that privilege. One of the possibilities that's been suggested is that the minister would make a statement of compatibility. Rather than there being an obligation to report an inconsistency, there would be an obligation to comment on compatibility in a substantive and meaningful way, not necessarily revealing legal advice but a statement of compatibility that might then be assessed by someone independent who would be reporting to Parliament. It's not necessarily trying to change solicitor-client privilege, although I have to say that many of the experts we've talked to have raised concerns about transferring the notion of solicitor-client privilege to lawyers in the Department of Justice, who are certainly advising clients, in terms of the minister and the government, but also intend to uphold and protect the rule of law and to serve the public.
There is a concern that the public should have access to some of this information, but we're aware of those concerns and considering different ways that we might address this to give Parliament the information that it needs, while still protecting the role that Department of Justice lawyers play in advising the minister.