Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded the introduction, first reading, and referral to a select committee of the Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill, the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (No 3), and the Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill; and the introduction and passing through all stages of the Customs and Excise (Tobacco) Amendment Bill, the Family Court (Supporting Families in Court) Legislation Bill, and the Remuneration Authority (COVID-19 Measures) Amendment Bill.

As has long been the custom on Budget days, the Government intends to move urgency to progress legislation that delivers on some of the Budget’s priorities and addresses issues that need a rapid response. This year, those of course include our response to COVID-19. Three bills will receive a first reading and be referred to select committee; three others will pass through all of their stages.

Two of the bills are concerned with overseas investment, the landscape of which has greatly changed as a result of COVID-19. The Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill contains measures that need to be put in place urgently to mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19, and we’re referring that bill to the Finance and Expenditure Committee for 10 days.

The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (No 3) proposes measures that allow risks posed by foreign investment to be managed more effectively. This bill will not have a shortened select committee referral, but it’s important that the committee is aware of the issues that it covers in order to enable them to consider the first bill effectively. The Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill strengthens the integrity of the forest supply chain. COVID-19 of course has highlighted the need to increase the resilience of this very critical sector as quickly as possible, and the bill will go to select committee for a shortened period of three weeks.

The Customs and Excise (Tobacco) Amendment Bill enacts measures to combat tobacco smuggling and secure Crown revenue from taxes on tobacco, and, as such, it’s closely linked to the Budget. It is important to have the bill enacted now so that preparations can be made for its provisions to take effect.

The Family Court (Supporting Families in Court) Legislation Bill addresses the delays in the Family Court processes that have occurred since the process was reformed in 2014. It’s urgently needed to speed up the resolution of conflict, including family violence issues.

The Remuneration Authority (COVID-19 Measures) Amendment Bill allows the Remuneration Authority to make temporary reductions to the salaries of elected politicians and senior public officials in response to COVID-19. The need for that to happen urgently is self-evident.

I do commend this motion to the House.

Motion agreed to.