Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is my pleasure on behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories to present the committee’s advisory report on the provisions of the Territories Law Reform Bill 2010, together with the minutes of proceedings, and seek leave to move a motion in relation to the report.

Leave granted.

I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

The Territories Law Reform Bill 2010 will amend the Norfolk Island Act 1979 to strengthen accountability and transparency through reform of Norfolk Island’s administrative law, governance, electoral and financial structures. In addition, the bill will amend the Christmas Island Act 1958 and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955 to provide a vesting mechanism for powers and functions under Western Australian laws applied in the Indian Ocean territories. While the bill has two purposes, the bill’s main component relates to Norfolk Island.

The reforms contained in the bill were announced by the then Minister for Home Affairs in May 2009. At that time, the government of Norfolk Island welcomed moving towards greater transparency and accountability to strengthen administrative and financial systems and thereby improving Norfolk Island’s long term stability.

I am very conscious of the time. The committee has made four recommendations which it commends to the government. In the brief time available to me, I would like to thank all those who participated in the inquiry and acknowledge the work of the secretariat. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.