Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Statute Stocktake Bill (No. 1) 2011 seeks to reduce red tape in the government’s internal administration by repealing redundant special appropriations and a statutory special account.

This bill is an important part of government housekeeping in keeping the financial regulatory framework of the Commonwealth up to date.

The bill, if enacted, will update legislation across a range of portfolios by abolishing 39 special appropriations, including a statutory special account, repealing redundant provisions in 11 acts and repealing 25 acts in their entirety.

These redundant provisions have been identified through a stocktake of special appropriations. The government committed to regular stocktakes of this nature in response to the report Operation Sunlight—overhauling budgetary transparency released with the government’s response on 9 December 2008.

The bill carries on from the efforts of five previous financial framework legislation amendment acts from 2005 until 2010 and the Statute Stocktake (Regulatory and Other Laws) Act 2009, and contributes to Commonwealth efforts to clean up the statute book. The bill also assists the government to maintain effective legislative housekeeping, which is consistent with the government’s better regulation agenda.

The bill contains no significant policy changes.

Schedule 1 of the bill would, if enacted, repeal 13 special appropriations that have either been fully expended or would concern functions that are no longer being undertaken, such as the Loans (Australian Industry Development Corporation) Act 1974.

Schedule 2 of the bill will repeal 26 redundant special appropriations, including 25 acts and a statutory special account that no longer have any effect, such as the Forestry and Timber Bureau Act 1930.

The measures contained in the bill reflect the government’s commitment to enhance transparency and accountability across the Commonwealth’s financial framework.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Keenan) adjourned.