Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to sum up on the bill and I thank all members for their contributions to this debate. The Student Identifiers Amendment (Enhanced Student Permissions) Bill 2019 will broaden student controlled access to a range of entities, allowing them to request access to a student's authenticated vocational education and training transcript. This change will provide confidence to industry on the authenticity of vocational education and training qualifications. It also supports the Australian government's commitment to strengthening our VET system to become a modern, flexible and trusted sector that provides an excellent standard of education and training.

The bill introduces a civil penalty regime to protect the integrity of the student identifiers initiative and to act as a deterrent to unwanted behaviour in this sector. It also clarifies that the Student Identifiers Registrar has the power to determine by exemption whether a vocational education and training qualification or statement of attainment can be issued by a registered training organisation to a student who does not have a student identifier. Lastly, it also clarifies spending powers associated with the student identifiers special account. An addendum to the expenditure memorandum for the bill has been tabled. It responds to concerns raised by the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. The committee requested that the key information provided in the response to the committee be included in the explanatory memorandum to the bill. I confirm this action has been undertaken. I commend this bill to the Senate.