Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Amendment Bill 2007 facilitates the extension of the life of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust from 19 September 2011 until 19 September 2033. Since the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust was first established in 2001, it has gained significant experience in transforming and managing seven important sites in the Sydney Harbour region and has also gained strong public support for its role. The extension of the life of the trust until 19 September 2033 supports a recent agreement between the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments to transfer title in the land situated at the former North Head Artillery School to the trust until 2032. The extension of the date by which the act is to be repealed will ensure that the trust will continue to manage this iconic site until it is transferred back to New South Wales and will also enable the trust to continue its work of remediating and making available to the public these magnificent former Commonwealth sites for another 26 years.

I would like to put on record the parliament’s thanks to Senator Bartlett and the Australian Democrats for their constructive engagement, particularly their comments on industrial heritage. I live in an area in Brisbane which has great industrial heritage, which is protected. I thank Senator Bartlett for bringing that up. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.