Patrick Gorman (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

In summing up this debate, I want to thank members who chose to contribute to this very important discussion about the future of our federation. As I do, I note the sentiments of the opposition speaker before me, who did very wisely note that some of these things don't need partisanship. Indeed, they need us all to vote together. In that spirit, I hope that those opposite will vote for and support this bill, just as they did when they were in government.

In summary, the COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 seeks to update outdated references to the Council of Australian Governments, which is loved and known in Canberra and beyond as COAG in various acts and pieces of legislation. It does so to reflect the new and practical reality of the architecture for federal-state relations. Australia federated for a better future for our people, and the federal system has been the backbone to critical services such as education, health care and environmental protection. Over our history, as many have noted, COAG has changed. It was key for intergovernmental cooperation for 28 years, then on 13 March 2020 National Cabinet was established, initially in response to the need for enhanced collaboration between the Commonwealth and the states on the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, this bill seeks to prepare the federation for the future.

It reflects the cessation of COAG in legislation as recommended by the 2020 Review of COAG Councils and Ministerial Forums led by Mr Peter Conran AM. It will also avoid future amendments to legislation as names of various ministerial forums change. The bill will rename the COAG Reform Fund as the Federation Reform Fund and reflect this updated title in other legislation where it occurs. The bill replaces references to COAG with the more general term 'First Ministers' Council' where it does occur in legislation. That ensures that the decisions of first ministers will stand, regardless of the forum or the nature of its name.

This bill also reflects the establishment of a new architecture of federal-state relations by updating the language around ministerial councils and forums. This bill will insert a new definition of 'ministerial council' to ensure consistency across legislation. This will avoid the need for further legislative amendments if the names of the ministerial forums change. Following this bill's passage through the Commonwealth parliament, states and territories will look to adopt necessary measures through their own legislation. This bill backs the federation and ensures we are best placed to meet our shared challenges for the future.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

See this speech in context