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

I'd like to thank all the senators who have contributed to this debate. I note the Senate economics committee report on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025, including the dissenting report and additional comments, but the government does not support the recommendations outlined.

Schedule 1 to the bill amends the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to streamline the superannuation choice of fund process during employee onboarding. This amendment provides greater flexibility for employers or their agents to request an employee's existing stapled fund details from the ATO earlier in the onboarding process. That way, if a stapled fund exists, the employer can provide those details to the employee during onboarding.

This amendment supports the government's commitment to empowering employees to make informed choices, by making it easier to see, consider and select their existing super fund when they start a new job—if they choose to do so. It will also give employers more timely and accurate superannuation details, supporting their readiness for the government's payday super reforms.

Schedule 2 of the bill amends the Corporations Act 2001 to impose a ban on advertising superannuation products to employees during onboarding. Exceptions will be available for showing employees their stapled fund, the employer's default fund and certain MySuper products which are subject to regulation. This amendment reinforces the government's commitment to supporting Australians to make an informed choice about their superannuation, while providing strong consumer protections.

Schedule 3 of the bill implements key budget measures to provide tax exemptions for the Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029 events, which Australia is proud to host. These exemptions are a standard feature of international hosting arrangements and are critical to fulfilling our commitments to World Rugby. The exemptions are consistent with previous exemptions granted for events such as the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup. This measure is a practical and necessary step to ensure the success of these events and to uphold Australia's reputation as a trusted and capable host of major international competitions.

Schedule 4 of the bill amends the International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to give force of law to the tax treaty between Australia and Portugal. This treaty is the first of its kind between Australia and Portugal and is in Australia's national interest. It will provide closer bilateral linkages with Portugal, particularly in the areas of commercial trade, investment and innovation. It will provide Australian individuals and businesses with increased opportunities to access capital and technology from Portugal by reducing tax on cross-border income and providing greater tax certainty. It will also facilitate labour mobility to strengthen our cultural ties with Portugal. Finally, the treaty builds on Australia's existing tax integrity measures, designed to combat international tax evasion and avoidance, ensuring multinationals pay their fair share of tax.

Schedule 5 of the bill amends the income tax law to specifically list the following organisations as deductible gift recipients: Coaxial Foundation, Community Foundations Australia, Equality Australia, Foundation Broken Hill, Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Social Enterprise Australia, St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne Restoration Fund, Sydney Chevra Kadisha, the Great Synagogue Foundation and Project Parenthood Ltd. The schedule also removes the following specifically listed entities: the Bradman Memorial Fund, Clontarf Foundation, NSCA Foundation, Sydney Talmudical College Association Refugees Overseas Aid Fund, the Australian Future Leaders Foundation, the Ranfurly Library Service, the Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation and WA National Parks and Reserves Association.

Schedule 6 of the bill will increase support available to all eligible wine producers under the existing wine equalisation tax producer rebate scheme from a cap of $350,000 per financial year to $400,000 from 1 July 2026. These changes deliver on the government's commitment to supporting the Australian wine industry as well as regional tourism investment and job creation. I commend the bill to the Senate, and I thank senators for their contribution.

Question negatived.

Original question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.