Page 2287 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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expression of opinion. We understand that there are constitutional concerns that have been raised by Labor; however, we believe that they can be reasonably managed when this legislation comes in next year. There is still time to make any refinements, if need be.
I note that Elections ACT have launched their “Check the source” campaign to raise awareness of the need to consider the sources of communication, to ensure that they are both credible and reliable.
Amendment agreed to.
Proposed new clauses 11A and 11B agreed to.
Clause 12.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (5.24): If I might seek, with your indulgence, Madam Speaker, some clarity on the status of amendment No 38, which was moved by Ms Le Couteur. Are you able to advise—
MADAM SPEAKER: I called the ayes on that.
Mr Ramsay: Madam Speaker, I think the noes had it. I would be happy to open that up again.
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, do we need to reconsider? Can I take a moment, members, to get some advice about how to progress?
Members, perhaps to progress this, we will leave it to the very end and then we will come back with a reconsideration. Can we mark that to come back to as a reconsideration? I do not think that it is consequential to the rest of your work. We will come back to that, members. We will get back to clause 12.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (5.26): I move amendment No 2 circulated in my name [see schedule 8 at page 2334]. This amendment makes changes to the transitional arraignment. I understand that there is tripartisan agreement on changing the transitional period to 18 October 2020 until commencement on 1 July 2021. This amendment also inserts a refund provision that mirrors section 222A of the bill, where the receiver does not incur a penalty if the gift is returned within 30 days. As the bill currently stands, political entities would incur a penalty if one receipted a gift, regardless of whether it was returned or not. We believe that it is reasonable to allow an opportunity for the gift to be returned before any penalty is imposed, as will occur under the current agreement.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (5.26): The government supports this amendment. It is a commonsense provision to ensure that, during the transitional period before the commencement of the bill, if a property developer or close associate donates to a political party but the donation is returned, a
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