Senators approved a bill setting up the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission but not before a concerted effort by the Opposition to amend the law.The six-member Commission, already appointed by Finance Minister Bob Richards, is tasked with reviewing and proposing changes to Government agencies and structures, and identifying operational improvements.The SAGE Commission Act 2013 requires Government bodies to provide requested information unless it is related to cabinet proceedings, national security or subject to legal privilege.Chaired by Brian Duperreault, with Kim White, Kenneth Dill, Peter Hardy, Catherine Duffy and Don Mackenzie serving as members, the new body will serve for six months after which it is required to submit a final report.In a debate which mirrored the House of Assembly debate last week, Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy stressed that the body would only make recommendations to Government.“Commission members will be working with all stakeholders, including the general public, to formulate ideas and get suggestions on how best to manage, control and reduce Government spending over time contributing to a proactive deficit reduction plan,” Senator Fahy told the Senate on Monday.Opposition Senators agreed in principle with the bill but expressed concern that, as drafted, it would create a duplicative and unaccountable body with too much power which could end up lasting longer than its planned six month existence.“This comes across as an attempt to form a group, give it incredible powers and use them to do the hatchet job that this Government would not stand up and say they want to do themselves,” said Senate Leader Diallo Rabain.He suggested that the Government may be planning to use the SAGE Commission to privatise certain Government services. Some of the bill’s provisions ensured that its operations would not be transparent, he continued.Independent Senator James Jardine, however, spoke in support of the bill saying that that its “overall concept is a good thing”.“We need to get our house in order and we need to do it quickly. And we need to have a body of individuals who can fair mindedly look at the process,” said Sen Jardine.Senator Marc Daniels, while agreeing in principle with the concept of SAGE, argued that the bill was flawed and proposed several amendments.“This entire piece of legislation is enshrined and shrouded in secrecy. There’s absolutely no requirements for any of the information or conversations to be publicly discussed,” he said.Sen Daniels cautioned against rushing through the legislation. “This should not be a process of making quick decisive action against the support of the few but leaves many lost in wonder.”Sen Fahy was repeatedly asked whether Government would accept any privatisation recommendations from SAGE, given the OBA’s election stance that it had no plans to privatise any part of Government.But the Minister would not be held to a firm commitment, instead he insisted that recommendations from SAGE would be looked at.“Government makes its decisions based on the feedback from the community,” the Minister said. “All this Commission is doing is making recommendations.”Independent Senators voted solidly alongside Government to reject the proposed amendments which were aimed primarily at allowing parliament to scrutinise decisions by the Finance Minister to extend or dissolve the body, and ensuring a parliamentary debate of its final report and financials before it is dissolved.