Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

This bill makes technical amendments to clarify that the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 operates consistently with how it has been understood to operate and has been used by both sides of parliament, since its inception. Part 1 of the bill amends the act and removes particular words from section 32B and 39B, which confers power on the Commonwealth to make, vary or administer an arrangement or grant and allows certain related activities with regard to government business enterprises. Parts 2 and 3 of the bill make consequential and contingent amendments to related laws that authorise expenditure that have been amended to reflect the laws that the bill removes from the act.

The opposition will be supporting this legislation. The coalition notes the importance of the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 and the programs it supports, including ones relating to emergency response payments, drought assistance payments and programs relating to health, education and employment. These are important programs, and the framework that supports them must be as robust as possible. The opposition thanks the government for its consultative and collaborative approach on this bill and the Department of Finance for sharing expertise. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.

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