Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank all senators for their contribution to the debate on the international organisations on the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Amendment Bill 2023. In particular, I thank the opposition and the Greens for their indication of support for the legislation before us. I note that Senator Steele-John took the opportunity to make a series of observations about the government's approach to seeking international agreement to host COP 31 here in Australia, and I might, in the briefest of terms, provide a response to that, because the characterisation of the government's motivation, of the government's approach to our discussions with our Pacific family and of the government's approach to climate action is wrong.

I start by indicating that the government understands how deeply significant the issue of climate change is to our Pacific family. Indeed, the former government's inability to accept the science of climate change or formulate a policy in relation to climate change was a key sticking point in making progress in this important relationship. It's a challenge we have sought to remedy, first, by establishing a clear pathway for Australia to meet our obligations in the international community to reduce our own emissions; second, by deeply engaging with Pacific partners on their concerns and interests; and, third, by re-engaging in a constructive, active, deliberate way with the broader multilateral framework on climate change. You've seen this, I think, reflected in the work of the foreign minister, of Minister Conroy, who has responsibility for the Pacific, of the Prime Minister, of Minister Marles and of Minister Bowen, all of whom have sought to engage closely with our Pacific neighbours, because the Pacific family is important to the government, of course, and is also important to Australians. We understand that Australians have deep, close relationships across the Pacific family, and they are relationships that we seek to reflect and honour in the approach we take to diplomacy.

Returning to the bill, may I say this: this bill will benefit Australia. It will provide new opportunities to cooperate with international organisations, and it will assist Australia in giving effect to our international obligations, aligning our domestic laws more closely with the treaties to which we are a party. It will increase flexibility in which privileges and immunities we grant, where agreed to by Australia and in our national interest. The changes proposed in this bill are small, but they are important. Firstly, they will enable Australia to accord privileges and immunities to international organisations of which Australia is not a member. This includes, for example, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, with which Australia has concluded a framework agreement. Second, the amendments will allow Australia to grant privileges and immunities to classes of officials not set out in the act, where requested by an international organisation and agreed to by Australia. Finally, Australia will have more flexibility in granting the existing suite of privileges and immunities under the act to international organisations and their officials.

The government's objective is to participate in the multilateral system actively and constructively. To achieve this we need to support its institutions and recognise the benefits that international organisations bring to Australia, the region and the world. The bill reflects the commitment of this government to these objectives. On that note, I commend the bill to the chamber.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.