Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I believe amendments have been circulated in my name and Senator Barbara Pocock's name. In respect of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025, I move:

(1) Schedule 1, item 11, page 7 (after line 28), insert:

(3A) The regulations must not (despite subsection (3)) prescribe any of the following:

(a) if the regulations are made for the purposes of subparagraph (3)(b)(i)—a part-time employee who is under 18;

(b) if the regulations are made for the purposes of subparagraph (3)(b)(ii)—work done by a part-time employee who is under 18;

(c) if the regulations are made for the purposes of subparagraph (3)(b)(iii)—earnings or remuneration of, or payments to, a part-time employee who is under 18.

Before we put that amendment to the vote—and, of course, other senators may wish to make contributions—I want to ask Senator Gallagher, if I might, whether she could provide advice to the Senate on why the provisions in the exposure draft of this legislation that related to regulating advertising of superannuation funds during employee onboarding were not reflected in the version of the bill that we currently have.

To assist the chamber, the second reading amendment that has just passed, moved by the Australian Greens, did relate to the regulation of advertising of superannuation funds during employee onboarding. I was very pleased that it passed with no dissent. I acknowledge and thank colleagues both in the opposition and the government for their concurrence with that motion. I think it's important that there is legislation introduced to regulate advertising of superannuation funds during employee onboarding and that that legislation be introduced in time to commence by 1 July next year.

Minister, can you explain why the government made the decision not to include those provisions in this bill? Was it a matter of needing more time to consult or to address the detail of those provisions? Our understanding from the consultation process on the exposure draft of this legislation is that most if not all stakeholders did support those decisions. If you're able to provide the Senate with any update or explanation, that would be appreciated.