Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with the order agreed to earlier, I will now put the second reading questions on the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill 2023. I'm dealing first with the Greens amendment on sheet 1896. So the question is that the second reading amendment on sheet 1896 revised, moved by Senator Whish-Wilson, be agreed to.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the second reading amendment on sheet 1914 revised, circulated by Senator David Pocock, be agreed to.

Senator David Pocock's circulated second reading amendment—

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:

(a) notes that:

(i) the success of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation's work will depend in large part on the existence of a sustainable pipeline of eligible projects at a stage suitable for funding through the Corporation, and

(ii) the work of the Corporation will reach across multiple portfolio areas and have a long-term, transformative impact on Australia's economy and industrial base; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) commit to exploring additional policy mechanisms to provide Australian startups access to finance as they navigate the path to commercialisation, and

(ii) establish an office for the Corporation in the Australian Capital Territory to foster collaborative engagement with other key government bodies and private corporations and access to a skilled local workforce".

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the second reading amendment on sheet 1916, circulated by Senator Thorpe, be agreed to.

Senator Thorpe's circulated second reading amendment—

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate calls on the Government to:

(a) commit the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation to ensure that free, prior and informed consent of the First Nations Traditional Owners of the land has been followed and obtained by proponents and grant applicants when investing in major projects with environmental impacts,

(b) reflect this commitment in the Corporation's investment mandate; and

(c) commit to engaging closely with First Nations peoples impacted by the Corporation's investments over the course of the Corporation's work".

Question negatived.

The P:

The question is that the bill be now read a second time.