Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

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

That the provisions of paragraph (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to various bills, as set out in the list circulated in the chamber, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings.

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—

APPROPRIATION BILL (NO. 3) 2014-2015

APPROPRIATION BILL (NO. 4) 2014-2015

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENTARY DEPARTMENTS) BILL (NO. 2) 2014-2015

Purpose of the Bill

The bills request legislative authority for expenditure to be incurred in 2014-2015.

Reasons for Urgency

The bills will propose appropriations to implement decisions for expenditure in 2014-2015. Passage of the bills in the first week of the Autumn sittings will ensure continuity of the Government's programmes and the Commonwealth's ability to meet its obligations for the remainder of the 2014-2015 financial year as they fall due. Unless new expenditure authority is in place in a timely manner, new activities of Government agencies, those administered on behalf of the Government and new activities of the Parliamentary Departments will not commence.

AUSTRALIAN RIVER CO. LIMITED BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the Bill for the transfer of the assets and any outstanding liabilities of the Australian River Co. Limited (ARCo) to the Commonwealth in preparation for its voluntary deregistration under the Corporations Act 2001.

The Bill is consistent with the Government's commitment to smaller Government and the reduction in the number of Government bodies and the costs associated with separate governance arrangements.

Reasons for Urgency

The Government announced as part of the 2014-15 Budget Measure: "Smaller Government – additional reductions in the number of Australian Government bodies" that ARCo would wind up by 1 July 2015. Passage of the Bill in the 2015 Autumn sittings will enable sufficient time to facilitate the voluntary deregistration of ARCo and transfer all remaining workers' compensation management functions into the Commonwealth.

CUSTOMS AMENDMENT (ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES) BILL (NO. 1)

CUSTOMS TARIFF (ANTI-DUMPING) AMENDMENT BILL

Purpose of the Bills

The purpose of the bills is to implement the Government's 2013 election commitment to strengthen Australia's anti-dumping system, and a range of other reforms aimed at simplifying the system to make it quicker, more effective and more responsive to the interests of Australian businesses injured by dumping or subsidisation.

Reasons for Urgency

Enactment of several reforms by 1 March 2015 is required to benefit Australian industry by ensuring that investigations of alleged dumping against groups of countries are not prematurely terminated, reducing the regulatory burden of lodging applications, and ensuring refunds are paid to Australian businesses whose imports do not harm Australian manufacturers. Furthermore, these reforms implement the Government's election commitment to create a level playing field for Australian manufacturers and enable stronger action against dumping. The Government has made reforming Australia's anti-dumping system a key priority so that material injury to Australian industry caused by dumped or subsidised imports can be remedied faster and more effectively.

Early passage of the bills is required to maximise savings that will be redirected to more efficient and effective services for Australian businesses. Some of these services have already commenced operation with the additional costs to government being absorbed until the legislation is passed. Swift passage will also address several live issues regarding the administration of the anti-dumping system, minimising legal risk for the Government.

DEFENCE TRADE CONTROLS AMENDMENT BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The bill proposes to amend the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 to target more closely those who are likely to be supplying Defence and Strategic Goods List ( DSGL) controlled technology. There will be a reduction in burden on those who are supplying DSGL technology through appropriate exclusions commensurate with international practice.

Reasons for Urgency

The Australian Government mandated a two year implementation period (May 2013 to May 2015) and it is essential that the bill be passed by 17 May 2015 when the transition period ends and the offence provisions come into force.

OFFSHORE PETROLEUM AND GREENHOUSE GAS STORAGE AMENDMENT (MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS) BILL

OFFSHORE PETROLEUM AND GREENHOUSE GAS STORAGE (REGULATORY LEVIES) AMENDMENT (MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS) BILL

Purpose of the Bills

The purpose of the bills is to amend the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Act 2003 (the Acts) to:

Reasons for Urgency

If the bills do not progress, there is an increase in risks for investments made by offshore petroleum titleholders in Australian waters, in the event that there is a change in the boundary between Commonwealth and State/Territory coastal waters.

SUCCESSION TO THE CROWN BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The bill will modernise the law relating to Royal succession for Australia and will ensure that the same person is the Sovereign of Australia and of the United Kingdom (UK):

Reasons for Urgency

Australia has made a commitment to the UK to enact the legislation as soon as possible.

As soon as Australia enacts legislation, the UK will commence the reforms throughout all the Realms.