Water Services Entities Amendment Bill

Members, when we were debating this bill last night, we were on clauses 1 and 2, which are the title and commencement clauses for this bill. Are there any members who would like to take a call?

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and good morning. It’s good to be back again on the Water Services Entities Amendment Bill.

I’m keen to get into a little bit of commentary in regards to the commencement date of this bill in clause 2. Obviously, in regards to the commencement of this legislation, there is a variety of timing mechanisms that are embedded within it. My concern, and the question to the Minister, particularly relates to the provisions that will commence before 1 July 2024. If we walk our way back and just remind ourselves—and I appreciate that for some of us that causes a little bit of stress and pressure, but it is something to reflect on—1 July 2024 is the date when all of this three waters reform was meant to kick off originally, and, obviously, post the policy bonfire and the great reset under the new leadership in the Government, the time line for this, as per this bill, kicks that out to mid-2026. But there is a phased approach around that.

Clause 2, in regards to the commencement, which links to the detail around that, says that some aspects, particularly around the initiation around shared services, will be kicking in straight after the Royal assent. So my concern here is that, acknowledging that we’re 51 days away from a general election and that there is significant differential in the positions around how water reform should be undertaken within this country, and taking into account that there are significant amounts of money continuing to be spent—significant amounts of public money, taxpayer money, continuing to be spent—on reform that, post-election, will either continue or will cease rapidly, then it would only seem sensible that, actually, all of the Act comes into force on 1 July 2024. I think that’s reasonable, because if the mandate is given to whatever Government comes through, then that mandate will be clear, and that is democracy. But in the context of the fact that we have still got 51 days of costs being spent on reform, which under a National-led Government will cease pretty much straight away, it seems a little bit ironic that we’re continuing just to head in and not take into account the pragmatic nature of the time line and the issues of where we’re at.

So I ask the Minister to put some consideration to the commencement of this legislation. The chances of him making any modification—well, I won’t take a bet; I’m not a betting man. But, anyway, I’ll give the Minister an opportunity to consider that. But, other than that, we’ll finish it there. Thank you.

I move, That the question be now put.

Motion agreed to.

The question is that clause 1 stand part.

The question is that clause 2 stand part.

Madam Speaker, the committee has considered the Water Services Entities Amendment Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, That the report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report adopted.

ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The Water Services Entities Amendment Bill is set down for third reading immediately.

Third Reading