Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings:

Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (One-Off Payments and Other 2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007

Superannuation Laws Amendment (2007 Budget Co-contribution Measure) Bill 2007.

I also table statements of reasons justifying the need for these bills to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statements incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statements read as follows—

SOCIAL SECURITY AND VETERANS’ AFFAIRS LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ONE-OFF PAYMENTS AND OTHER 2007 BUDGET MEASURES) BILL 2007

Purpose of the Bill

The bill gives effect to measures in the 2007 Budget to provide extra assistance for certain older Australians, carers and members of the veteran community. The first and second measures involve one-off payments being made to certain older Australians and certain carers. The third measure provides a one-off compensation payment to certain veteran and civilian prisoners of war interned in Europe during World War Two or their surviving widows or widowers. The fourth measure increases the amount of funeral benefits payable in respect of veterans. The fifth measure increases the rate of veterans’ special rate and intermediate rate disability pension. The sixth measure extends backdating periods in relation to war widow/widower pensions.

Reasons for Urgency

The one-off payments are generally to be paid in rune 2007 and the remaining veterans’ measures are to commence on 1 July 2007.

SUPERANNUATION LAWS AMENDMENT (2007 BUDGET CO-CONTRIBUTION MEASURE) BILL 2007

Purpose of the Bill

The Superannuation Laws Amendment (2007 Budget Co-contribution Measure) Bill 2007 provides an additional one-off Government co-contribution to double the co-contribution payable in respect of the 2005-06 income year for those already eligible to receive a co-contribution in respect of that year.

Reasons for Urgency

The measure needs to be enacted urgently to enable prompt and timely payment of the additional co-contribution as provided for in the 2007-08 Budget.