Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the amendments be agreed to.

Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition won't be supporting this amendment. This amendment worryingly diminishes the purpose of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, a very proud coalition achievement, soon to be known as Housing Australia. Under this amendment, now, with the stroke of a pen, the minister can specifically exclude certain types of liabilities or loans from the application of section 48 of the NHFIC Act.

When the coalition established the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, we deliberately established it as an independent body with an independent board that would be responsible itself for determining strategy, defining its risk appetite and making financial decisions—not the minister. With all due respect to the minister, I would trust the board to determine strategy and define risk appetite and make financial decisions a lot more than I would trust the minister. For that reason, we will not be supporting this amendment.

Sadly, it's an amendment that partly strips NHFIC of its independence. Worryingly for everyone in the sector who has championed this great coalition achievement, the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, this undermines its long-term viability, sustainability and, importantly, independence and decision-making. For that reason, we will not be supporting this amendment.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the amendment be agreed to.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, the patting each other on the back and self-congratulations that are going on on the other side when a piece of legislation is passed seems to be a little bit disorderly. Are we going to get this every single time they pass legislation in this House? They're boasting, 'Everything's wonderful,' when people are suffering with the cost of living. It seems disorderly to me, Mr Speaker.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's timely that the member for Wannon made this point of order or discussion. I want to remind all members that banging of desks, which happens on both sides of the chamber, clapping and cheering, which happen on both sides of the chamber, as we saw last week when we had protesters in the gallery, is highly disorderly.

Member for Barker, I don't need your assistance—trust me. I want to remind all members that they are to act in a respectful way without additional noise, commentary or clapping, and I hope that will continue during question time.