Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I thank honourable members for their contributions to the debate on the Copyright Amendment Bill 2025. This bill implements two priority legislative reforms. Firstly, there's the establishment of an orphan-works scheme, which will facilitate publicly beneficial use of genuinely orphaned materials by reducing legal risks for good-faith users without unreasonably prejudicing the interests of copyright owners. Secondly, the proposed amendments to section 28 of the Copyright Act will ensure copyright material is treated consistently regardless of whether it is used in a physical, online or hybrid classroom so long as the other conditions of that section are met. They will also promote collaborative learning involving parents and members of the community without impacting existing licensing arrangements. The bill will also strengthen and modernise the Copyright Act through various minor and technical amendments to simplify, update and clarify certain provisions.

I also acknowledge the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, expertly chaired by Senator Jana Stewart, for its inquiry into the bill over recent months. The government agrees with the committee's sole recommendation that the bill be passed. The bill will implement important reforms that update and clarify the Copyright Act, reducing legal risk and promoting modern, collaborative learning without unreasonably prejudicing the interests of copyright owners, for the benefit of the Australian community. I commend the bill to the House.

Bill read a second time.

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