Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I move the following amendment:

At the end of the motion, add ", and, in respect of the:

(a) Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, the bill not be referred to a committee; and

(b) Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026, the bill not be referred to a committee".

I will just speak briefly to that amendment. On the Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, this bill updates the statutory appointment provisions for a number of office holders across the Foreign Affairs and Trade and Attorney-General's portfolios. They're very minor amendments to modernise the provisions. They're sensible and minor, and we would argue a referral is not necessary.

On the Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026, the government believes that urgent progression of these amendments is necessary to support the royal commission's work and particularly the delivery of its interim report. The royal commission's work is already underway, and it is critical to ensure that the royal commission has full access to all relevant information. The bill supports this by ensuring that the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion can receive all information relevant to its terms of reference, and this will support the royal commission to make well-informed findings and recommendations. The office of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has been consulted and has expressed strong support for these measures, particularly given that the amendments facilitate the royal commission's ability to receive critical information, documents and evidence from law enforcement and our security agencies. The passage of these amendments will provide certainty that the relevant intelligence information can be provided to the royal commission without the restriction of secrecy offences. I know briefings have been provided and certainly have been made available, considering the short turnaround time on this bill, but this is something that the royal commission itself supports and indeed seeks. Therefore, we do not support it going to a committee.

I should also say that I understand there is a short inquiry underway through the PJCIS to consider this and that other briefings have been made available, and certainly remain available, for other members who may not sit on that committee.