House debates

Thursday, 25 July 2019

Bills

Timor Sea Maritime Boundaries Treaty Consequential Amendments Bill 2019, Passenger Movement Charge Amendment (Timor Sea Maritime Boundaries Treaty) Bill 2019, Treasury Laws Amendment (Timor Sea Maritime Boundaries Treaty) Bill 2019; Consideration in Detail

4:13 pm

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

The amendment that's in front of us the opposition is just working through now. We take the government at its word that it's not controversial, but, with respect for due process, we're going through it now. We don't in any way want this to undermine the fact that this is a very important, bipartisan moment for the parliament. What's happening right now is that, in many ways, the parliament is taking Australia's reputation and Australia's relationship with our neighbours very seriously.

We're working through the amendment right now. For the sake of detail, I might invite the minister, if he has some specific notes—he might; he might not—to give a quick description. If not, for the benefit of the House I might read out the amendment that's in front of us, just so that everybody, when they're voting, knows exactly what they're dealing with:

(1)    Schedule 1, item 133, page 67 (after line 4), after subitem (5), insert:

I'm sure that will help everyone listening on the radio—

(5A)   However, the Joint Authority must not consent under section 270 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to the surrender, in whole or in part, of the new licence unless the pipeline to which the licence relates has been removed from the surrender area to the satisfaction of NOPSEMA. This has effect despite subparagraph 270(3)(c)(ii) and subsection 270(5) of that Act.

The shadow minister has just left the chamber to, I think, get that detail confirmed right now. So, in terms of the process, I let people know that we'll be dealing with this quickly for the very simple reason that we all want to make sure that, before we hit half past four, we haven't got through just this bill but also the two ancillary bills that are attached to it. We'll be limiting speeches accordingly to make sure that's dealt with. I'll stop now.

Comments

No comments