Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government’s amendment to be moved to this bill. The memorandum was circulated in the chamber on 25 November 2009. I move the government amendment:

(1)    Schedule 1, item 6, page 5 (line 31) to page 6 (line 7), omit section 85ZZGG, substitute:

        (1)    The Minister must cause 2 reviews of the operation of this Subdivision to be conducted.

        (2)    The first review must:

             (a)    start not later than 30 June 2011; and

             (b)    be completed within 3 months.

        (3)    The 2nd review must:

             (a)    start not later than 30 June 2013; and

             (b)    be completed within 3 months.

        (4)    The Minister must cause a written report about each review to be prepared.

        (5)    The Minister must cause a copy of each report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the day on which the Minister receives the report.

I indicate, as I said in my summing up speech, that this amendment is to quite simply add an additional provision providing for further review of the legislation commencing no later than 30 June 2013. It implements a recommendation of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in relation to the bill. I think it was the only recommendation arising out of the committee inquiry. The review is in addition to a current provision which would provide for a review to commence no later than 30 June 2011. So this amendment will ensure that the operation of the provision is subject to comprehensive review and will allow evidence about the legislation’s operation to be fully assessed. As I said, we are picking up the recommendation of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs providing for a second review. I think it is uncontroversial and I urge the Senate to support the amendment. We will speak to the Greens’ amendments when they move theirs.