Trevor Evans (Brisbane, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for Franklin specifically in relation to the opposition 's ultimate support for this bill, but, of course, the government doesn't agree with much of her commentary and the pious amendment that Labor is moving.

As mentioned, the Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia Funding Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 amends funding legislation for Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia, our partners managing the animal and plant emergency response deeds. The government confirms that this bill will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislation dealing with funding and levies relating to those partner organisations.

The bill will facilitate the ability of industry parties signing up to future emergency biosecurity response deeds to use the same levy arrangements available in relation to the existing plant and animal deeds. It'll offer increased flexibility to plant industry members in the spending of their emergency response levies. The bill will reduce administrative burden and red tape and improve clarity by removing redundant provisions. It'll simplify and give an appropriate level of oversight to the process of identifying relevant plant industry members for a particular leviable plant product.

These sensible and necessary changes will contribute to the ability of industries to further their biosecurity aims and ensure that Australia's biosecurity regime continues to protect our great nation's unique agriculture and environment and our way of life. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Original question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

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