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

I will start with the second reading amendment circulated by the opposition. The question is that the amendment on sheet 2711 be agreed to.

Op position ' s circulated amendment—

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

(a) expresses concern at the dramatic scaling back of Australia's contribution to the biennial Rim of the Pacific military exercises;

(b) notes that the diminished contribution sends a dangerous message about the nation's capacity to deter regional threats;

(c) notes that the former Coalition government grew defence spending from 1.56% of GDP under Labor—the lowest level since 1938—up to 2% of GDP;

(d) notes that the Coalition founded and fostered the game-changing and nation-building AUKUS defence and security agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom; and

(e) calls on the Albanese Labor Government to agree to take Australia's national security and defence seriously, show some leadership, and agree to the Opposition's sensible amendments to the bill".

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

I will now deal with the Committee of the Whole amendments, starting with the amendments circulated by the opposition. The question is that the amendments on sheet 2702 be agreed to.

Opposition's circulated amendments—

(1)—Schedule 1, item 2, page 6 (line 22) to page 7 (line 6), omit subsections 110ABA(2) and (3), substitute:

(2) The Committee is to consist of 13 Committee members and must include at least:

(a) 2 Government Senators; and

(b) 2 Opposition Senators; and

(c) 2 Government members of the House of Representatives; and

(d) 2 Opposition members of the House of Representatives.

(3) The Committee is to consist of:

(a) 7 members of the Government; and

(b) 6 members of the Opposition.

Note: For more detailed provisions on the appointment of Committee members, see Division 5.

(2)—Schedule 1, item 2, page 21 (lines 13 to 16), omit subsection 110AEA(2), substitute:

(2) Before nominating the members, the Prime Minister must consult with the Leader of the Opposition.

(3)—Schedule 1, item 2, page 21 (lines 21 to 29), omit subsections 110AEA(4) and (5), substitute:

(4) Before nominating the members, the Leader of the Government in the Senate must consult with the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

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

I will now deal with the amendment circulated by the Australian Greens. The question is that the amendment on sheet 2656 be agreed to.

Australian Greens' circulated amendment—

Schedule 1, item 2, page 6 (line 22) to page 7 (line 6), omit subsections 110ABA(2) and (3), substitute:

(2) The Committee is to consist of 13 members:

(a) 7 Government members, including at least:

(i) 2 Senators; and

(ii) 2 members of the House of Representatives; and

(b) 6 non-Government members:

(i) 2 Opposition Senators; and

(ii) 2 Opposition members of the House of Representatives; and

(iii) 1 Senator who is not a member of the Government or the Opposition; and

(iv) 1 member of the House of Representatives who is not a member of the Government or the Opposition.

Note: For more detailed provisions on the appointment of Committee members, see Division 5.

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

I will now deal with the amendments circulated by Senator Van. The question is that the amendments on sheet 2704 be agreed to.

Senator Van's circulated amendments—

(1)—Schedule 1, item 2, page 6 (line 22) to page 7 (line 6), omit subsections 110ABA(2) and (3), substitute:

(2) The Committee is to consist of 13 members:

(a) 7 Government members, including at least:

(i) 2 Senators; and

(ii) 2 members of the House of Representatives; and

(b) 6 non-Government members:

(i) 3 Senators, including 1 independent Senator; and

(ii) 3 members of the House of Representatives, including 1 independent member of the House of Representatives.

(3) To avoid doubt:

(a) if all Senators are members of a recognised political party—the requirement for 1 independent Senator to be a member of the committee in subparagraph (2)(b)(i) does not apply; and

(b) if all members of the House of Representatives are members of a recognised political party—the requirement for 1 independent member of the House of Representatives to be a member of the committee in subparagraph (2)(b)(ii) does not apply.

Note: For more detailed provisions on the appointment of Committee members, see Division 5.

(2)—Schedule 1, item 2, page 21 (line 29), after "political parties", insert "and independents".