Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded the introduction and passing through all stages of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, the passing through all stages of the Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill, the remaining stages of the Social Security Amendment Bill, the second reading of the Racing Industry Amendment Bill and the Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill, and the first reading and referral to select committee of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill.

The Government is moving into urgency for a range of reasons today. The first is that it is desirable to provide legal certainty in relation to the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, to provide legal clarity as soon as practicably possible.

In relation to the Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill, I think it has been widely canvassed, certainly in parts of the media. The decision of the High Court, I think it was a few weeks ago, has provided real legal uncertainty in relation to a range of infrastructure projects. The recent court decision, I am advised, impacts over 300 applications to the Department of Conservation for permits under the Wildlife Act. At some point in the future, Parliament is going to have to turn its mind to the Wildlife Act itself, which is a law that dates from 1953. I think it is clunky, but, in the meantime, we need to provide clear legal certainty in relation to matters under the Wildlife Act, as a range of infrastructure projects are affected. That is why that is being taken through all stages under urgency.

The Social Security Amendment Bill needs to be enacted by 26 May, and the Government intends to make progress on some other bills that are important to it, including the Racing Industry Amendment Bill. Both of those are second readings, not passing through all stages. The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill is a good bill and we’re keen to get that off to committee. It’s at the tail end of the urgency motion; if we get there, we’ll be doing well. Let’s wait and see how we go. With that, I’ll commend the urgency motion to the House.