Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, what is being done to address the concerns of electricians that this bill will undermine the work health and safety of electrical workers?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At all times, the relevant law of the state or the Northern Territory must be obeyed. If a state government has an issue with electricians, under the scheme it is actually able to exempt them itself.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said in my speech on the second reading, the teachers are really concerned about the implications of this legislation, which is being rushed through. Teachers have raised concerns about the different curriculums in each state. What is being done to ensure that teachers are aware of the various curriculum requirements of each state and are being supported to teach them when they're teaching in a state they are not registered in?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Under mutual recognition, a teacher can teach in another state, but, again—and I know you will be moving an amendment in relation to teachers—my understanding is that, based on the feedback, teachers were supportive of this bill. But, again, under the bill you are able, as an individual state, to exempt a category of industry.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, have you read the submission from the Australian Education Union?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The bill received broad support. There will always be those who don't necessarily support a bill. But, as I said, the bill itself has received broad support. But, in any event, to go more specifically to the issue that you have put on the table: if a state believes that teachers should be exempt, it is able to exempt them.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the AEU submission, the teachers have raised concerns that this bill will effectively cut funding for state teacher registration bodies because they will have to divert funds to the burdensome parallel registration obligations under this bill. Has the government analysed the cost this bill will bring for teacher registration boards?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will again go to the comments that I made in my summing-up speech. This bill has been agreed to by national cabinet, the Council on Federal Financial Relations and officials from the Commonwealth, state and territory governments. As a result of that agreement, this bill has been brought forward.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That doesn't answer my question. Has the government analysed the cost this bill will bring for teacher registration boards?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am advised that the Commonwealth government has not done that, as we do not have that level of detail from the states. But, again, what I would say is that the bill is the culmination of efforts by national cabinet, the Council of Federal Financial Relations and officials from the Commonwealth, states and territories, and, as a result of that work, this scheme has been agreed to, and they have agreed that it will be implemented as of 1 July this year.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, could you explain the effect of the government's amendments that were circulated just half an hour before this bill came on for debate?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi, I assume that you are referring to the amendments that I referred to in my summing-up speech, when I said that the government is moving minor and technical amendments to the bill that will ensure that the scheme will be implemented as intended. We are simplifying the exemption provisions to provide greater certainty to workers, business and regulators and to ensure a smooth transition. Removing the word 'particular' from the criteria for a five-year exemption will clarify that conditions causing a significant risk do not have to be unique to the state declaring a registration to be exempt.

Businesses will also have greater clarity during the transition period, with state ministers no longer required to renew a temporary exemption declaration six months into the rollout. The government is also proposing technical updates to definitions in the bill, to ensure consistency with state legislation relating to the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 and to allow time for the legislative processes to be completed. The government is updating the commencement date to be a day fixed by proclamation. As I said to you, though, they are minor and technical amendments.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you're giving up on your own July 2021 deadline through these amendments—that's what I understand. When does the government anticipate the states will implement this?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am instructed, from 1 July this year.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, what is being done to address the concerns of construction workers that this bill will undermine their work health and safety? I understand that you said that state laws apply, but their concern is that this bill actually undermines that.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi, thank you for that acknowledgement of my previous answer in terms of state safety laws applying, and, should a particular state wish to exempt, in this case, construction workers, as you have put before the Senate, it is able to do so. But I also do have some additional information that I can provide to you. Automatic mutual recognition builds on and improves the existing mutual recognition arrangements by maintaining existing protections in place nationally and in each jurisdiction. Workers must hold a substantive registration in their home state. Workers must comply with the laws of the state they are working in and satisfy financial public protection requirements. Workers will face oversight and disciplinary action consistent with the locally licensed workers, which could include financial penalties and licence suspension or cancellation. Under automatic mutual recognition, a second state can also require workers to first notify the regulator that they intend to work in its particular state. This protection enables regulators to communicate expectations for interstate workers where needed. Where there remains a significant risk, state ministers—and I think we've already discussed this—can exempt specific registrations for a renewable period of up to five years from automatic mutual recognition.

This targeted approach ensures the economic benefits of automatic mutual recognition flow to workers, businesses and consumers, but, at the same time, addresses significant risks where they arise, and in this case you put before the Senate—construction workers. Automatic mutual recognition will also assist regulators to quickly share information with regulators in other jurisdictions, including where they actually take disciplinary action against licensed workers.

In terms of the funding, the Australian government have now announced $11 million over three years in the recent budget to support the initial implementation of the scheme. This includes $7.5 million in funding that is being provided through the Business Research and Innovation Initiative, to find solutions to information-sharing challenges faced by the states and territories. This fills a gap in the current arrangements with regulators so they'll be better able to target and manage their compliance and enforcement activities, focusing on high-risk occupations and activities. Businesses and consumers will benefit, as noncompliant workers will not be able to access automatic mutual recognition and, therefore, will not be able to work in another state. I hope that information assists you.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, just coming back to teachers for a couple of more questions: because automatic registration isn't listed on a typical register, this bill creates a situation where individual principals and school administrators will have to manually investigate whether there are any conditions or any red flags on a prospective hire's registration in another jurisdiction. I'm just wondering if that seems reasonable to you.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi, I am instructed that local laws apply, so if there is, for example, a public teacher registration, another teacher would need to register on that.

by leave—I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendments to be moved to this bill, and I move government amendments (1) to (11) on sheet TT120 together:

(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table), omit the table, substitute:

(2) Schedule 1, item 3, page 4 (line 21), omit "1 July 2021", substitute "the day this definition commences".

(3) Schedule 1, item 3, page 4 (line 22), omit "1 July 2021", substitute "the day this definition commences".

(4) Schedule 1, item 9, page 5 (after line 28), after the definition of mutual recognition principle, insert:

mutual recognition matters has the same meaning as in the Mutual Recognition (New South Wales) Act 1992 (NSW).

(5) Schedule 1, item 11, page 6 (lines 3 to 11), omit the definition of pre-adoption State, substitute:

pre-adoption State means a State (other than a Territory) that is a participating jurisdiction, but which has not done either of the following:

(a) before the enactment of the Mutual Recognition Amendment Act 2021, referred the mutual recognition matters to the Parliament of the Commonwealth to the extent of the making of laws with respect to those matters by making express amendments to this Act;

(b) adopted this Act, as amended by the Mutual Recognition Amendment Act 2021.

(6) Schedule 1, item 16, page 8 (lines 1 to 12), omit subsection 5(4), substitute:

Definition of participating jurisdiction

(4) A participating jurisdiction is:

(a) a State (other than a Territory) for which there is in force an Act of its Parliament that, for the purposes of paragraph 51(xxxvii) of the Commonwealth Constitution:

(i) refers to the Parliament of the Commonwealth the power to enact this Act as originally enacted; or

(ii) adopts this Act as originally enacted, whether with or without subsequent amendments; or

(b) a Territory (being the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory) for which there is in force an Act of its legislature that:

(i) requests the Parliament of the Commonwealth to enact this Act as originally enacted; or

(ii) enables this Act as originally enacted, whether with or without subsequent amendments, to apply in relation to the Territory.

(7) Schedule 1, item 87, page 30 (line 29), omit "particular".

(8) Schedule 1, item 87, page 31 (line 34), omit "States;", substitute "States.".

(9) Schedule 1, item 87, page 32 (line 1), omit "until the end of that 6 month period.".

(10) Schedule 1, item 87, page 32 (lines 4 to 9), omit subsection 42T(2).

(11) Schedule 1, item 87, page 32 (lines 14 to 21), omit all the words from and including "earlier" to the end of subsection 42T(5), substitute "earlier a declaration under subsection (1) is repealed at the end of 12 months after this section commences".

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor is disappointed that these government amendments were only circulated this morning, giving us insufficient time to properly consider their effect. As such, we have no choice but to oppose them.

Question agreed to.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move Greens amendments (1) and (2) on revised sheet 1285 together:

(1) Schedule 1, item 87, page 17 (line 30), omit "This Part", substitute "Subject to subsection (4), this Part".

(2) Schedule 1, item 87, page 18 (after line 5), at the end of section 42C, add:

Exclusions

(4) This Part does not apply to:

(a) a teaching activity; or

(b) a building, maintenance or construction industry activity; or

(c) an electrical occupation activity.

Note: A consequence of this Part not applying is that there is no automatic deemed registration under section 42D.

(5) In this section:

building, maintenance or construction industry activity means building, maintenance or construction work authorised to be carried on under an occupation that requires registration under State building, maintenance or construction licencing legislation.

electrical occupation activity means electrical work authorised to be carried on under an occupation that requires registration or licensing under State legislation.

teaching activity means teaching work authorised to be carried on under an occupation that requires registration under State legislation.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I indicate the opposition supports the amendments moved by the Greens.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to make a quick comment just to say again that the rushed nature of this bill is pretty despicable. There was absolutely no need to do that, but we have revised our amendments, given the very short period of time, to make sure that teachers as well as workers who are engaged in building, maintenance or construction industry activity or in electrical occupation activity are actually excluded from the operation of the mutual recognition processes established in the bill. This reflects workers' and unions' concerns with their inclusion in this government's slapdash scheme.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting the Greens amendments. I am now noting the updated amendment (2) put before the Senate. This would completely, totally and utterly exclude these people, and as such people working in these industries would not be able to avail themselves of the copious benefits that we have been through of automatic mutual recognition. It also fails to properly understand the fact that if any particular state does have any concern, they themselves are actually able to put in place an exemption.

The CHAIR: The question is that Greens amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 1285 be agreed to.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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