Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

enator WATERS (—) (): It is a very interesting change of position, because we heard the minister wrapping up on the second reader saying that the time frame was wrong and the scope was wrong. Now the scope's been changed to add in women, which is a very good, albeit belated, recognition from the opposition that survivors' experience should in fact be considered in reviewing the operation of these news laws. So, congratulations for remembering women in your proposed review.

But the scope of the time for the review still has not been changed. The government earlier were objecting on the basis that 12 months was too short. Given the delayed implementation of these new laws for small business, they will have been in operation for only six months. The government's view earlier today was that that would not be enough time to adequately consider the impacts on small business. They've apparently changed their mind. Can I just add that it's also highly unusual to be reviewing a bill in this fashion in any case, and the only reason we would support this review would be to expand the scope of the bill. With that said, I will sit down.

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: The question before the chair is that amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 1645 revised be agreed to.

Question agreed to.