Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

As I indicated in my summing-up speech in the second reading debate, the government does not accept the amendment proposed by Senator Patrick on behalf of Centre Alliance. The evidence available to the government indicates that some aspects of the innovation patent system are harming innovative businesses. It fails to incentivise innovation, particularly amongst small and medium enterprises, and it causes confusion and uncertainty.

The amendment proposed here would keep the innovation payment with all of those associated harms. It would also remove the proposed 'objects clause' from the bill. That would prevent the government from keeping its commitment to phasing out the innovation patents system and introducing an objects clause. Both these recommendations were accepted by the government in response to the Productivity Commission's review into intellectual property. I recommend the Senate does not support this amendment.