The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with an amendment to the usual second reading motion "that the bill be read a second time" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). This means the usual motion will remain as it is.

Amendment text

That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:

(1) welcomes the changes to eligibility for parenting payment (single) which will see 57,000 single carers receive a higher basic payment to help with the costs of raising children;

(2) notes that with the current start date of 20 September 2023, over 8000 families whose children turn eight in the interim period will lose over $200 a fortnight, and face tighter income and work tests; and

(3) in light of the growing cost of living challenges, especially those faced by single parents, calls on the Government to bring forward the start date to 1 July 2023.

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with amendment (8), which was introduced by Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher (Liberal). This means it failed.

Amendment text

Mr Fletcher explained that:

The effect of this amendment would be to protect workers from being put into a position where higher payments could be automatically deducted without their knowledge and would instead require the employee to specify in writing if the employee agreed to an increase, before the increase was deducted. It is somewhat mystifying that the government has chosen to put into this bill a provision that would essentially allow unions to charge higher fees without a member of the union giving express agreement to that.

Amendment text

(8) Schedule 5, page 22 (after line 25), at the end of the Schedule, add:

4 At the end of section 324

Add:

(4) If the deductions are for amounts as varied from time to time, any variation that increases the amount of one or more of the deductions must be authorised in writing by the employee.

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with amendment (7), which was introduced by Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher (Liberal). This means it failed.

Amendment text

Mr Fletcher explained that:

The effect of this amendment would be to ensure the Australian Taxation Office would remain the administrator of superannuation legislation and legislative instruments, and the Fair Work Commission would not be able to deal with a dispute about the operation of those instruments.

Amendment text

(7) Schedule 3, Part 2, page 20 (after line 21), at the end of the Part, add:

7 After subsection 739(2)

Insert:

(2A) The FWC must not deal with a dispute to the extent that the dispute is about the operation of a Commonwealth Act or instrument relating to superannuation.

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with amendments introduced by Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps (Independent), which means they failed.

What do the amendments do?

Dr Scamps explained that:

In this amendment I am seeking to ensure that the appointments process of the three commissioners to Infrastructure Australia that will replace the board is far more transparent and independent and at arm's length from the minister. Currently, the appointments are made at the minister's discretion. I am calling for an independent selection panel. This independent selection panel would shortlist the candidates with the right expertise, and the minister would be able to choose from that shortlist and would still have an element of discretion left to them in being able to choose the final appointment from that shortlist.

Amendment text

(1) Schedule 1, item 22, page 12 (line 30) to page 13 (line 1), omit paragraph 8(3)(b), substitute:

(b) the appointment process set out in section 10A has been complied with.

(2) Schedule 1, item 22, page 14 (after line 2), after section 10, insert:

10A Appointment process

(1) This section applies to the following appointments:

(a) the appointment of a person to be the Chief Commissioner or a Commissioner under section 8;

(b) the appointment of a person to act as the Chief Commissioner or a Commissioner under section 10 if:

(i) the appointment is to act in the office for a period of 6 months or more; or

(ii) the appointment is to act in the office for a period of less than 6 months but, in combination with previous appointments, the person will have been appointed to act in the office for a total period of 6 consecutive months or more.

(2) An appointment must not be made unless:

(a) the selection of the person for the appointment is the result of a process that includes:

(i) public advertising of selection criteria for the position; and

(ii) assessment of applications against the selection criteria by an independent panel consisting of at least 3 members and chaired by a former judge; and

(iii) shortlisting of at least 3 persons for the appointment who are certified, in writing, by the panel to meet all of the selection criteria; and

(b) the person appointed is one of the shortlisted candidates.

(3) Within 7 days after an appointment is made, the Minister must cause a copy of the written certification (referred to in subparagraph (2)(a)(iii)) for the person appointed to be:

(a) tabled in each House of the Parliament; or

(b) if a House is not sitting—presented to the Presiding Officer of that House for circulation to the members of that House.

(4) In this section:

former judge means:

(a) a former Justice of the High Court; or

(b) a former judge of the Federal Court of Australia; or

(c) a former judge of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.