David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move Australian Greens amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 2325:

(1) Clause 11, page 12 (after line 18), at the end of subclause (4), add:

; and (d) have regard to Australia's international human rights obligations; and

(e) have regard to the public interest.

(2) Clause 19, page 15 (after line 18), after subclause (1), insert:

(1A) Before entering into an agreement with a person or entity under subsection (1), the Defence Capability Assurance Agency must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the person or entity does not have any interests (pecuniary or otherwise) that could conflict with the proper performance of the functions in paragraphs (1)(a) to (c).

I just want to reiterate that amendment (1) requires Defence to have regard to Australia's international human rights obligations and the public interest in procurement. We think that's important. For reasons that haven't been articulated, the Albanese Labor government is opposing that. It's bizarre, but that's the situation. Amendment (2) requires that, for any person or entity who enters an agreement with the Defence Capability Assurance Agency, there must be assurances there are no conflicts of interest. Again, we think that's important, but for reasons that I can't understand the Albanese Labor government is opposing that too. Maybe they've changed their mind; we live in hope.

Question agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Bill reported with amendments and an amendment to the title; report adopted.