Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

The government will be agreeing to the amendments moved here tonight by Senator Xenophon. In the first instance can I say thank you to Senator Xenophon, Senator Stirling Griff and Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore for being available to work so constructively with the government in relation to amendments to the bill, in particular to amendments that the government agrees improve this piece of legislation.

There have been a number of comments in relation to security of payment tonight, and certainly security of payment has been identified by reviews and inquiries to be a major problem. It is a fundamental belief of the government and certainly, I believe, a fundamental belief of those supporting this amendment tonight that anyone who performs work in accordance with a contract should be paid without delay for the work that they have done. Everyone has a right to be paid for the work they do without being subject to unnecessary delay. Ensuring subcontractors are paid on time is essential for a strong and productive construction industry. I note in that regard Senator Hinch's comments that you also need to ensure that the head contractors are complying with their particular responsibilities in relation to payments. This, the government believes, is a sensible proposal that will assist the ABCC to bring about meaningful reforms and improve the compliance of building industry participants with security of payment laws. Again, I thank the crossbench for working constructively with the government to put forward what I believe are amendments that do enhance the legislation.

Question agreed to.