Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings:

Broadcasting Services Amendment (Regional Commercial Radio and Other Measures) Bill 2020

Education Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Bill 2020

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Governance and Other Matters) Bill 2020

Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Bill 2020

Treasury Laws Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Bill 2020

Treasury Laws Amendment (2020 Measures No. 3) Bill 2020

Treasury Laws Amendment (More Flexible Superannuation) Bill 2020.

I also table statements of reasons justifying the need for the bills to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statements incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statements read as follows—

BROADCASTING SERVICES AMENDMENT (REGIONAL COMMERCIAL RADIO AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2020

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to provide regional commercial radio broadcasters, and regional and remote commercial television broadcasters, with immediate regulatory relief to long-standing issues.

Reason for U rgency

Introduction and passage in the 2020 Winter parliamentary sittings is necessary for the Australian Government to fulfil its commitment to reduce regulatory red tape for broadcasters. In light of the financial pressures upon regional commercial radio broadcasters, it is preferable that the new arrangements in the Bill be in place by 1 July 2020 to enable regional commercial radio broadcasters to take advantage of the new reporting arrangements for FY20.

If this Bill is not passed in the Winter parliamentary sittings, regional commercial radio broadcasters, and regional and remote commercial television broadcasters, will continue to carry the operational costs associated with onerous regulatory arrangements and the uncertainty arising from continual delays in progressing these legislative reforms.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts)

EDUCATION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (2020 MEASURES NO. 1) BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The bill provides an exemption from the 25% loan fee for undergraduate students receiving FEE-HELP loans for units of study with census dates between 1 April 2020 and 30 September 2020.

The bill also:

VET Student Loans Act 2016

Higher Education Support Act 2003

Reasons for Urgency

With respect to the FEE-HELP loan fee exemption, it is critical that this bill be passed by 30 June 2020 to enable the department to apply the loan fee exemption to eligible students to provide confidence for current and prospective students (the loan fee exemption is to apply to units of study with census dates between 1 April 2020 and 30 September 2020) that they will not be subject to the loan fee and will be encouraged to continue or commence study in this period. This measure comes in direct response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and is part of the Government's COVID-19 Higher Education Relief Package.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Education)

NATIONAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING REGULATOR AMENDMENT (GOVERNANCE AND OTHER MATTERS) BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Governance and Other Matters) Bill amends the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVETR Act) to reform the Australian Skills Quality Authority's (ASQA) governance structure to ensure it is fit for purpose and aligned with changes to its regulatory practice. Changes to ASQA's governance would clarify its roles and responsibilities, improve accountability, achieve efficiency of resources, and improve focus on strategic direction and performance. A key element of the new governance structure is the independent expert Advisory Council. The Advisory Council would provide ASQA with expert advice regarding its functions. The bill also contains amendments to improve information sharing under the NVETR Act.

Reasons for Urgency

The bill is urgent and requires passage in the 2020 Autumn sitting period. Recent reviews have recommended improvements to the regulation of Australia's vocational education and training system.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business)

THERAPEUTIC GOODS AMENDMENT (2020 MEASURES NO. 1) BILL 2020

Purpose of the B ill

The Bill aims to improve access to new medical devices and promising new medicines for Australians, improves understanding about what is required for successful applications for marketing approval for new prescription medicines and encourages innovation for assessed listed medicines.

Reasons for Urgency

It is desirable for this Bill to be passed in the 2020 Winter Sittings to implement a range of measures that support the health and well-being of Australians and to provide predictability for the medicines and medical device industry.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Health)

TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (2020 MEASURES NO. 2) BILL 2020

Purpose of Bill

This Bill will:

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997

Reasons for Urgency

Introduction and passage of the Bill in the 2020 Winter sittings is critical to give certainty to tax payers, industry participants and enable compliance activities associated with the JobKeeper Payment.

(Circulated by the authority of the Treasurer)

TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (2020 MEASURES NO. 3) BILL 2020

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this Bill is to:

– Friends of Myall Creek Memorial Incorporated

– Toy Libraries Australia Inc

– Samuel Griffith Society Inc;

Boosting Cash Flow for Employers (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act 2020

Reasons for Urgency

Urgent passage of the Bill is required to:

(Circulated by authority of the Treasurer)

TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (MORE FLEXIBLE SUPERANNUATION) BILL 2020

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to improve flexibility of superannuation for older Australians to assist them to save for their retirement.

Reasons for Urgency

Introduction and passage in the 2020 Winter sittings is critical to provide certainty for superannuation funds and their members, and to ensure that members do not miss out due to their age on the opportunity to benefit in 2019-20.

(Circulated by authority of the Treasurer)