Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I certainly appreciate the comments on this bill and I thank all members for their contribution to this debate. The Export Control Amendment (Streamlining Administrative Processes) Bill 2022 will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the export control legislation by streamlining the administrative processes for information management and making other amendments to improve administration of the act. It will reduce administrative burden for industry, the department and other stakeholders, and it will ensure that our export legislation is fit for purpose and responsive to stakeholder needs. It will allow for information to be shared more expediently with importing countries and other government departments in appropriate circumstances. This, in turn, will enhance our ability to use export and trade intelligence to build and sustain our international market presence. The bill supports appropriate sharing of relevant information whilst ensuring that information that could cause harm is protected. This is consistent with the broader information-sharing reform work being considered across different portfolios.

I thank the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills for their consideration of this bill and welcome the joint committee's comments around the safeguards protecting the right to privacy under the bill. Following consideration of the joint committee's observations, I have included further information in the explanatory materials to provide greater clarity about the protections for personal information in relation to the bill and to describe how the safeguards will work in practice. This will provide additional assurance that these safeguards are sufficient to ensure that any limitation on the right to privacy will be proportionate in practice. The bill supports key agricultural policy initiatives, such as the Busting Congestion for Agricultural Exporters initiative, to reduce red tape and streamline processes for Australian exporters. The bill will also make minor but important amendments to simplify processes and improve effective administration of the act. These changes contribute to a modern, future-looking export regulatory system that can support the growth of Australian agricultural exports in existing and new markets.

I table an addendum to the explanatory memorandum relating to this bill. The addendum responds to matters raised by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

(Quorum formed)