Senate debates

Thursday, 19 September 2019

Bills

Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Members' Interests First) Bill 2019; In Committee

1:07 pm

Photo of Jenny McAllisterJenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) | | Hansard source

I have an additional question for the minister. As you're aware, Labor has sought to amend the legislation and been unsuccessful in the changes that we propose, particularly in relation to the opportunities and obligations of trustees to gain relevant information. Our feedback is that funds consider that they will require some level of support or guidance from APRA to assist them in interpreting those obligations, particularly given that the amendment that we had proposed in relation to reasonableness has been rejected by the chamber. I wonder if you could brief us on what discussions you have had with APRA in this regard?

1:08 pm

Photo of Jane HumeJane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology) | | Hansard source

I'm not prepared to talk about discussions with APRA.

Photo of Jenny McAllisterJenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) | | Hansard source

Minister, the implementation arrangements for this bill are dependent on APRA. The timetable that's been set out by the government is tight. Indeed, it is less than the timetable recommended by APRA. I'm seeking to understand what advice you can provide about APRA's preparedness to implement the arrangements that are likely to pass the chamber this afternoon.

1:09 pm

Photo of Jane HumeJane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology) | | Hansard source

The bill was originally announced on 24 May 2018. I think everybody in the chamber, everybody in the industry, and APRA and ASIC are entirely aware of this legislation.

Photo of Jenny McAllisterJenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) | | Hansard source

Do you expect that APRA will be providing written guidance to funds about their expectations if they do seek to utilise the provisions for high-risk fund members that were passed today?

Photo of Jane HumeJane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology) | | Hansard source

You'll get a chance to ask APRA at estimates.

Photo of Jenny McAllisterJenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) | | Hansard source

Minister, are you telling us that you've made no attempt to assure yourself about that question or that you have no advice to provide funds that might be listening to this debate?

Photo of Amanda StokerAmanda Stoker (Queensland, Liberal Party) | | Hansard source

The question is that the bill, as amended, be agreed to.