Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak briefly on the Australian Postal Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. We understand the purpose is to strengthen security arrangements and the streamlining of processes around the handing of incoming mail. It's about helping Australia Post, Border Force, customs and various police and other agencies with the important work that they do. We understand that this is important.

Our officials are working to protect Australians in the face of dangerous, suspect or illegal items coming in through the mailing system. Those people watching or listening to this broadcast or reading this in Hansard will fully know that the coalition stands for strong borders and effective action to secure our borders. These are measures which continue the work of our government, when we were in government, and will be supported. The bill would seek to provide greater operational flexibility and certainty around the rules for the opening and inspection of mail. It would expand the list of authorised people who may share information and documents to support officers carrying out official tasks or investigations, and it would strengthen rules enabling Australia Post officials to deal with dangerous items.

The bill also sets out consumer protections around the seizure and destruction of suspect mail, including notifications to the sender and intended recipient. It provides for reasonable compensation, on just terms, as required. Disputes may be pursued in the Federal Court. The government says the measures in the bill have been designed with appropriate privacy safeguards, and the government will be held to account on that. The coalition, in government, took a number of important steps to boost airport security, including the upgrading of security screening equipment. The coalition supports the bill, as it seeks to strengthen security and streamline processes around mail deliveries. We will always stand up for border security, and this legislation gives our officials more tools to keep Australians safe.