Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2023 contains consequential amendments and transitional provisions which are required to give effect to the consolidation of the tobacco control legislation in the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2023.

This bill contains a number of amendments to existing acts that are required as a consequence of changes to current references to legislation.

The bill also sets out the timing of transition to the new requirements.

While the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2023 consolidates and improves on the existing tobacco framework into one bill with associated regulation, thereby streamlining the operation of the laws, this bill facilitates the transition to the new regime.

The bill repeals a number of instruments, including the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 and the Tobacco Advertising and Prohibition Act 1992 as a result of their consolidation in the main bill. It also makes consequential amendments to other acts to update references to the new legislation.

The bill provides application, saving and transitional provisions to allow a smooth transition to the new requirements, including the ability to comply with either the new or old regime during the main transitional period.

It provides for a main transitional period of 12 months along with a retailer transition period of a further three months to allow for sell-through of stock.

In conclusion, this bill supports the main bill in modernising, simplifying and consolidating our efforts in tobacco control.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.