Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fifield and Senator Dastyari for their contributions. Just to wrap up on our amendment and respond to a couple of issues that were raised by the two previous speakers: firstly, we do not believe that these amendments place at risk the intent of this legislation, because the framework that this legislation creates would still be able to be accessed by companies that have as their primary reason for existence making a profit. We do not accept the argument that this would in any way risk derailing the legislation.

In relation to comments made about the government's current framework of support for non-government organisations, we certainly accept the important role that non-government organisations play in our social framework, but the disruptive nature of the internet and the opportunities that it provides mean that, over time, our public frameworks, our legislative frameworks, will need to change. There is significant change underway in what is happening on the ground in relation to people who have a desire to deliver social and environmental benefit, and we believe that that change needs to be acknowledged by government and needs to be acknowledged by the parliament. We believe that accepting our amendments would be a first step on the way.

I acknowledge Senator Dastyari's comments that Labor would intend to review some elements of innovation support should it win government. I can indicate to Senator Dastyari that the Greens would be very prepared to work constructively with a future Labor government on those issues.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 7916 be agreed to.