Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move circulated amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 5107 concurrently:

(1)    Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 4), before item 1, insert:

1A  Section 5

Insert:

Christmas Island has the same meaning as in section 4 of the Christmas Island Act 1958.

(2)   Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 12), after item 2, insert:

2A  Section 5 (definition of State)

After “includes”, insert “Christmas Island,”.

Senator Crossin may wish to add to her comments in the second reading debate in relation to this issue. These amendments deal with the specific issue of the inclusion of Christmas Island. This issue was canvassed in the second reading debate. Both Labor senators and also Senator Stott Despoja raised the issue of the redrafted national code removing one of the barriers to the extension of the ESOS regime to Christmas Island. Amendments (1) and (2), moved by the opposition, essentially have the effect of inserting Christmas Island into the definition of ‘state’ in the act and, as we understand it, extend the application of the regime to Christmas Island. I would be grateful if the parliamentary secretary would be able to indicate whether the government intends to agree to these amendments.