Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

by leave—I move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the bill, allowing it to be considered in this period of sittings.

I table a statement of reasons justifying the need for the bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement read as follows

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2025 AUTUMN SITTINGS

CUSTOMS AMENDMENT (EXPEDITED SEIZURE AND DISPOSAL OF ENGINEERED STONE) BILL 2024

Purpose of the Bill

The Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) Bill 2024 amends section 206 of the Customs Act to empower the Comptroller-General of Customs to cause engineered stone products seized as prohibited imports and to be dealt with in a manner he or she considers appropriate, including the immediate destruction of the goods. The import prohibition on engineered stone products came into effect on 1 January 2025

Reasons for Urgency

Passage of the bill in the 2025 Autumn sittings is required to ensure that the ABF has a means to effectively administer seized engineered stone at the border, and dispose of these goods in a timely and efficient manner, to minimise impact on available storage for seized goods generally.

As prohibited engineered stone products are a bulk good, they pose significant logistical challenges in terms of storage and transport. Passage of the Bill would enable the ABF to manage increased workloads at the border and ensure that the Australian Government's ability to effectively manage ongoing border responsibilities is maintained.

Question agreed to.