Luke Hartsuyker (Cowper, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

It is my great privilege to speak on the Defence Legislation Amendment (Instrument Making) Bill 2017 and to commend the member for Canberra for her very fine contribution to this debate. I would like to thank honourable members for participating in the debate. The proposed bill will amend instrument-making powers in the Defence Act 1903 to ensure that, when remaking certain instruments made under the Defence Act in the future, the instruments can reflect modern policy requirements and approaches to drafting.

As outlined during the debate, there are several instruments made under the Defence Act which are scheduled to sunset in April 2018, including the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations 1985, the Defence (Areas Control) Regulations 1989, and the Defence (Public Areas) By-Laws 1987. These instruments deal with important subject matters, and it will be necessary to remake them in some form before they sunset. Where possible, the intention is to improve the instruments by consolidating like provisions, improving consistency and making some amendments to enhance their operation. The proposed amendments to the Defence Act will ensure that there is clear authority to remake the content of the instruments as intended. I commend the bill to the House.

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