Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

The Administrative Review Tribunal (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2024 supports the establishment of the new Administrative Review Tribunal created by the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024. The ART Act commenced on 14 October last year. The miscellaneous measures bill completes the establishment of the tribunal by making technical amendments to 54 Commonwealth acts, including the ART Act, to support the efficient conduct of tribunal review and to ensure the legislation operates as intended.

The bill makes minor amendments to the ART Act and other laws aimed at improving the fairness and efficiency of the tribunal's operations. Importantly, these changes remove administrative burdens from officials across the Australian government, resulting in improved services for the Australian people. We will move amendments to provide that no part of the bill commences retrospectively, to prevent uncertainty and complexity; to ensure that no applicants in immigration detention have less time to apply for a tribunal review than they did previously; and to provide certainty regarding the timeframes for applying to the tribunal for review of decisions regarding foreign geographical indications for wine goods.

The government amendments also defer provisions that attracted criticisms in the course of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the bill. The government remains of the view that these amendments would have been helpful to the tribunal and to its applicants by providing additional clarity regarding when an application is validly made. They would not have changed the law. However, recognising the concerns raised by stakeholders, the government will defer these amendments to enable them to be further considered and progressed at a later time. The bill reflects the ongoing commitment of this government to reforming Australia's system of administrative review. It simplifies the processes for applicants and promotes a more efficient, accessible and cohesive tribunal. I commend it to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.