Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to sum up debate on the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017, which is another important step in reforming Australia's copyright law to better facilitate the delivery of fundamental and important digital services to Australians. I should make it clear that this bill is not about cybersecurity issues, so the contribution from the member for Canberra was rather mystifying. Nor is it particularly clear why the shadow Attorney-General said that Labor supports this legislation while the member for Chifley criticised this legislation. In effect, the member for Chifley was saying what the technology and innovation sector wants to hear and the shadow Attorney-General was telling rights holders, such as those in the music industry, what they want to hear. This is typical Labor—walking both sides of the street, divided and confused on what their policy is.

What this bill does is extend the safe harbour scheme in the Copyright Act 1968 to institutions in the educational, cultural and disability sectors. The bill provides regulatory certainty for these institutions by setting out the steps they should take to prevent copyright infringements when they provide important digital services, such as internet access, directory services, hosting social media content or caching user services. It also ensures that these institutions receive protection from liability where these services are provided on the institution's behalf by a third party, such as a cloud service provider. Schools, universities, libraries, museums, archives and organisations assisting those with a disability will have a reduced risk of liability when individuals use their networks or services in a way that infringes copyright. These institutions will therefore have greater flexibility in the way they provide vital online services and support to Australians. For instance, the bill will help nearly 9,500 primary and secondary schools and 41 universities across Australia to more confidently provide digital services to 3½ million school students and over 1.3 million higher education students. It will assist just over 1,630 public libraries to provide essential services to millions of Australians with confidence.

I welcome the cooperation of the opposition and the crossbench in facilitating passage of this non-controversial bill. After nearly 15 years of debate on safe harbour reform, this bill represents the first attempt to push beyond the polarised views of stakeholders and will deliver much-needed and beneficial reform. I would like to thank all involved. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

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