Amanda Stoker (Queensland, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

The Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill amends the Customs Tariff Act to implement measures that encourage continued research and development in the automotive sector, enable Australia to fulfil defence commitments and facilitate access to supplies that support the health and wellbeing of the Australian community.

The bill incorporates three customs tariff proposals that were tabled in parliament earlier this year. Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1), which was tabled in February, extended to 30 June 2021 the free rate of customs duty for prescribed medical and hygiene products, such as face masks and certain disinfectants. Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2), tabled in March, provided for concessional treatment for imported goods for use in the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 3), which was tabled in May, provided for the concessional treatment of prescribed goods that are for use in research and development activities in motor vehicles or their components where they are designed or engineered in Australia. In accordance with these customs tariff proposals, the amendments in this bill will extend existing schedule 4 item 57 and insert new items 51 and 39A into the Customs Tariff Act.

I thank senators for their contributions to the debate, and I commend the Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill to the Senate.