Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Customs Legislation Amendment (Controlled Trials and Other Measures) Bill 2022 will amend the Customs Act 1901 (Customs Act) to establish a new regulatory framework (known as regulatory sandboxes) to undertake time-limited trials of trade and customs practices and technologies, with approved entities, in a controlled regulatory environment, before committing to legislative change.

Regulatory sandboxes ensure regulation keeps pace with industry developments, remains fit for purpose and does not become a barrier to innovation and productivity. This is among the first regulatory sandbox mechanisms identified within a customs framework, worldwide.

The bill will enable the modification or waiver of existing licensing, importing and exporting obligations under the Customs Act, for trial periods of 12 to 18 months.

The bill seeks to encourage innovation through testing new customs practices and technologies, as well as regulatory approaches and business models, with appropriate safeguards.

Results from the trials will build the evidence base to inform longer term regulatory reform and simplification of Australia's trade system, while maintaining and achieving Australia's border security objectives.

The bill will enable Australia's whole-of-government simplified trade system agenda, which seeks to simplify and digitise the trade system to deliver tangible benefits for Australian businesses, enable trade growth and better protect the community.

More streamlined and innovative customs practices and technologies will lead to reduced costs and delays for businesses operating at the border, having flow-on effects and benefits to consumers.

The bill will also make a number of technical amendments to the Customs Act, including to provisions relating to notices of intention to propose customs tariff alterations to clarify the legislative arrangements for these instruments.

Debate adjourned.

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