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

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

The Australian Government is committed to protecting Australian workers from the harm associated with silicosis and silica-related diseases. To support this aim, in cooperation with the States and Territories, we have implemented a world-first prohibition on the use, manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs that cause these diseases. This initiative will be further strengthened by the prohibition on the illegal importation of engineered stone that is intended to be implemented on 1 January 2025.

The Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) Bill 2024 is a key component required to support the proposed import prohibition. The amendments in this Bill will support the Australian Border Force's operational effectiveness by enabling Australian Border Force officers to more efficiently administer and dispose of seized engineered stone at the border.

The Customs Act 1901 currently generally requires seized prohibited imports to be stored for a minimum of 30 days before destruction. However, engineered stone products are a bulk good, and the management of seized engineered stone products at the border poses significant challenges in terms of storage, transport, disposal and administration.

The amendments in this Bill will provide a mechanism for the Australian Government to deal with seized engineered stone in an efficient manner, by allowing the immediate destruction of the prohibited goods following seizure.

Similar provisions already exist for other prohibited imports, including tobacco products, vapes, dangerous and perishable goods, and illicit drugs.

This Bill amends section 206 of the Customs Act to empower the Comptroller- General of Customs to deal with seized engineered stone in a manner that he or she considers appropriate, including the immediate destruction of the goods.

It is expected that immediate destruction may be used in situations where engineered stone is imported without a permit, or in contravention of permit conditions. Importers will retain the right to make a claim to recover market value of the goods through judicial review.

This Bill will ensure that the intended new import prohibition for engineered stone can be implemented, while not impacting the Australian Government's ability to effectively manage other priority border activities.

I commend this Bill to the Chamber.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.