Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

In the short time that I have, I rise to contribute to the debate on the Defence Capability Assurance and Oversight Bill 2023. I want to start by putting on the record my support for this bill, which has been put before the Senate by my colleague Senator Fawcett. I congratulate him on the hard work that has gone into developing this bill.

This bill was referred to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee on 11 May this year, and the final report was tabled in this place just last week. I must say that it is disappointing that government members of that committee have recommended that the bill not be passed. This bill proposes a number of important reforms that should be considered in relation to Australia's future defence procurement and capability. Senator Fawcett and I both sit on that Senate committee which inquired into this bill, the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, and, following the evidence heard in the committee hearings, it is the view of coalition senators that this bill be amended and passed. Like I said, this is an excellent bill, and the Senate should be agreeing to it.