Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

The Home Affairs Bill 2023 will establish an Act for the termination of the lease held by the Government of the Russian Federation on a parcel of land adjacent to Parliament House, located at Block 26, Section 44 in the Division of Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory.

The Bill will terminate the lease and any legal or equitable right, interest, trust, restriction, obligation, mortgage, encumbrance, contract, licence or charge granted or arising under or pursuant to a relevant lease, or in dependence on a relevant lease, in respect to the specified land.

This action is necessary to protect Australia's national security interests. There are not currently diplomatic or consular premises on the land.

This action does not preclude the Russian Federation from a diplomatic presence in Canberra, which they maintain at their existing premises in Griffith, Australian Capital Territory. The termination of the lease has no impact on the Griffith site.

This legislation is consistent with Australia's obligations under international law.

The Bill includes a provision that if by its operation, it results in an acquisition of property within the meaning of paragraph 51 (xxxi) of the Constitution, the Commonwealth is liable to pay a reasonable amount of compensation.

This Bill demonstrates the Government's continued commitment to protecting our Parliament and our national security. The Australian Government maintains diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation but will always acts in Australia's national interest.

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll be brief, given the sensitivity of the bill today. I just want to put on record the coalition's support for the swift passage of this bill before the parliament. It is important on sensitive national security issues like this that, in the national interest, we come together to resolve these issues. This action the government is taking today is consistent with policies the previous government put in place with a similar intention and has now become necessary as a result of legal action. The coalition is supporting the bill.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, do you wish to sum up?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No. In the interests of expediting the passage of the bill, I'm happy to leave it at that.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the Home Affairs Bill 2023 be read a second time.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.