Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move Australian Greens amendments (2) to (6), (8) and (10) to (20) on sheet 5633 revised together, as foreshadowed in the second reading debate:

(2)    Schedule 1, item 8, page 7 (lines 9 and 10), omit the item, substitute:

8  Section 12-5 (table item headed “political parties”)

Repeal the item, substitute:

(3)    Schedule 1, item 9, page 7 (line 13), at the end of the heading to section 26-22, add “by companies”.

(4)    Schedule 1, item 9, page 7 (line 14), omit “You”, substitute “Companies”.

(5)    Schedule 1, item 9, page 7 (line 15), omit “You”, substitute “A company”.

(6)    Schedule 1, item 10, page 8 (lines 26 to 28), omit the item, substitute:

10  Subsection 30-5(1)

Before “making”, insert “an individual”.

(8)    Schedule 1, item 12, page 8 (lines 31 and 32), omit the item, substitute:

12  Subsection 30-5(1) (note 2)

After “gifts”, insert “by individuals”.

(10)  Schedule 1, item 14, page 9 (lines 3 and 4), omit the item, substitute:

14  Subsection 30-15(2) (note 2)

After “gifts”, insert “by individuals”.

(11)  Schedule 1, item 15, page 9 (lines 5 and 6), omit the item, substitute:

15  Subdivision 30-DA (heading)

After “Donations”, insert “by individuals”.

(12)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15A  Section 30-241

Omit “you” (twice occurring), substitute “an individual”.

(13)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15B  Section 30-242 (heading)

After “Deduction”, insert “by an individual”.

(14)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15C  Subsection 30-242(1)

Omit “You”, substitute “An individual”.

(15)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15D  Subsection 30-242(2)

Omit “you”, substitute “an individual”.

(16)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15E  Subsection 30-242(4)

Omit “You”, substitute “An individual”.

(17)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15F  Section 30-243 (heading)

After “deduction”, insert “by an individual”.

(18)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15G  Subsections 30-243(1) and (2)

After “deduction” (wherever occurring), insert “by an individual”.

(19)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15H  Paragraphs 30-243(2)(a) and (b)

Omit “you” (wherever occurring), substitute “the individual”.

(20)  Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 6), after item 15, insert:

15I  Subsections 30-243(3) and (4)

Omit “You” (wherever occurring), substitute “An individual”.

Just to remind the Senate, what we are doing here is supporting the intent of the legislation that the government has put before the Senate. These amendments are intended to restore the ability of individuals to claim tax deductions for donations up to a certain threshold made to political parties. As foreshadowed, we believe that any form of participation by people in Australia’s democratic process should be encouraged. This is, indeed, a public good. While we certainly support the intention of the government to strip tax deductibility entitlements from corporations and other entities, we believe that people should retain these rights. That is what these amendments are designed to accomplish.