Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) 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 various bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings. 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 the Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statements read as follows—

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

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AMENDMENT ( RECONSIDERATIONS) BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The bill would amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The amendments, proposed by the Government, would update reconsideration provisions to provide greater certainty, including removing the ability of the Minister for the Environment to reconsider a past decision relating to whether an action needs to be assessed and approved under the EPBC Act where certain criteria are met.

The purpose of the bill would be to support the Government's commitment to providing certainty and fairness for ongoing industry, workers and communities affected by reconsideration of decisions.

Reasons for Urgency

Passage of the bill in the 2025 Autumn sittings is required to support the Government's commitment to providing certainty and fairness can be provided to ongoing industry, workers and communities as soon as practicable.

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

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS RESOURCES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT CHANGE) BILL 2025

Purpose of the Bill

To delay the transfer of the administration of certain Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (PBR Act) resources from the Department of Finance to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA), currently scheduled to occur on 1 July 2025, until 1 July 2026. This will minimise the degree of change shortly after the forthcoming federal election, where there will be a heightened need for advice and support to ceasing and commencing parliamentarians and their staff. It will also allow for maturation of the broader operating environment and substantial recent reforms to Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces that have occurred.

A 1 July 2026 transfer date would also allow sufficient time for IPEA to settle its administration of the transferred resources prior to the next independent statutory review of the PBR Act, which is scheduled to occur in late 2027. The statutory review could consider IPEA's administration of the transferred resources as part of its review of the operation of the PBR Act, in accordance with the requirements of section 56 of the PBR Act.

Reasons for Urgency

Passage of the Bill in the 2025 Autumn sittings is important to delay the transfer of PBR Act resources from the Department of Finance to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority which would otherwise occur on 1 July 2025.

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE OF THE 2025-26 BUDGET-RELATED BILLS

SUPPLY BILL (NO. 1) 2025-2026

SUPPLY BILL (NO. 2) 2025-2026

SUPPLY (PARLIAMENTARY DEPARTMENTS) BILL (NO. 1) 2025-2026

Purpose of the Bills

The 2025-26 Supply Bills will provide legislative authority for appropriations to fund expenditure to be incurred in 2025-26 should the Budget Bills not be able to be passed by Parliament over the course of the usual Budget process.

Reasons for Urgency

The 2025-26 Supply Bills will propose appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to fund government expenditure to be incurred in the first five months of 2025-26 to ensure continuity of the Government's programs and the operation of Commonwealth entities.

Full passage of the Supply Bills before the 2025 Federal Election will ensure continuity of the Government's programs and the Commonwealth's ability to meet its obligations for the first five months of the 2025-26 financial year.

Should full passage not be granted before the 2025 Federal Election is called, the government will not be able to operate after 30 June 2025 in the event the Budget Bills are not able to be passed.