Debate resumed from 20 November 2024.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (10:35): In reply: I thank members for their contributions to debate on the Automatic Mutual Recognition Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. In particular, I thank my shadow ministerial colleague, the member for Willoughby, the member for Campbelltown and the member for Mount Druitt. Although the bill before the House makes a range of minor amendments to various Acts, it remains a critical piece of legislation. Automatic mutual recognition [AMR] provides a quicker, cheaper and easier pathway for already skilled workers to enter New South Wales. The bill before the House demonstrates this Government's continued commitment to supporting both workers and consumers. The bill will not only enable licensed interstate workers to support key industries here in New South Wales, but also allow them to work in New South Wales while benefiting from the reduced time and cost burdens they would otherwise face. The bill also clarifies the application of consumer protection measures and regulatory powers across several pieces of fair trading legislation, demonstrating the importance we place on protecting consumers across New South Wales.
I will address a number of points made during the debate. I acknowledge that the shadow Minister, the member for Willoughby, has heard concerns from some stakeholders regarding the operation of AMR. I clarify that the AMR scheme does not require or presume the harmonisation of occupations or entry requirements across Australia. The principle underpinning the Commonwealth scheme is that when an individual is authorised to carry out activities in one State, they are deemed eligible to do those same activities in another State. It is important to specify that this does not mean that AMR allows unauthorised workers to work in New South Wales. Only authorised and verified interstate workers will be eligible to enter under AMR. While working in New South Wales, AMR restricts them to only carry out activities that their home State authorises them to perform. That applies even if the occupation in New South Wales allows workers to perform a broader range of activities than those allowed under the operator's home State licence or registration.
As such, AMR is not expected to compromise industry standards in New South Wales. When working in New South Wales under AMR, interstate licence holders must comply with all relevant New South Wales laws and regulations, including all industry compliance obligations. Anyone who fails to comply with those obligations will face penalties that can include losing their home State licence. To ensure that all industry participants are doing the right thing, New South Wales' compliance and enforcement activity will continue and, as the bill reinforces, those powers will apply to AMR participants as they apply to New South Wales licence holders. It is also important to note that AMR operators in New South Wales will need to meet continuing professional development [CPD] obligations where they apply to New South Wales licence holders.
The current AMR exemptions are due to expire on 1 July 2025. The bill attempts to ensure that there are appropriate controls to regulate people coming from interstate under AMR to ensure they meet all New South Wales obligations. I am confident that the citizens of New South Wales, and workers across Australia, will benefit from the amendments this bill intends to carry out. I thank our dedicated departmental officers for their efforts in bringing this bill to the House: Caroline Woolger, Charlotte Robertson, Tim Richardson and Warren McAllister. I also thank the NSW Treasury officers who worked on this bill: Cathy Thurley, Morgan Fardy and Marion Martin. I also thank my dedicated team members, Jonathan Stanbury and Alicia Sylvester, as well as our hardworking department liaison officers, Khamena Zaya and Praveena Shyamala, for all their hard work on this bill. I commend the bill to the House.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Sonia Hornery): The question is that this bill be now read a second time.
Motion agreed to.
Third Reading
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: I move:
That this bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to.
