Will the Minister clarify when this will be? Will it be prior to the summer recess, in the coming weeks or when?

What does "shortly" mean?

Will it be in weeks or months?

Very shortly is fantastic. I thank the Minister.

Yes.

I move amendment No. 5: In page 4, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Repeal of section 21 of Principal Act 3. Section 21 of the Principal Act is repealed.”. I rise to speak to amendments Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, which propose to repeal sections 21 to 24, inclusive, of the principal Act. These sections, as they stand, embed the national planning framework deeper into our planning system. I have serious concerns about this direction. Let me be clear: the national planning framework is not law. It was ne…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Repeal of section 22 of Principal Act 3. Section 22 of the Principal Act is repealed.”.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 4, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Repeal of section 23 of Principal Act 3. Section 23 of the Principal Act is repealed.”.

I move amendment No. 8: In page 4, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Repeal of section 24 of Principal Act 3. Section 24 of the Principal Act is repealed.”.

Amendments Nos. 11 and 12 go to the heart of what I believe is missing from the Bill, real empowerment for local authorities. Amendment No. 11 proposes a new section 42A, which would allow local authorities to purchase unzoned land for residential and other strategic uses. This is a practical, common-sense measure. Right now, councils can only buy land that is already zoned, but that land is often more expensive, more contested and more difficult to develop. Why not let councils act earlier? Let them identify land …

I move amendment No. 11: “Insertion of section 42A in Principal Act 6. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 42: “Empowerment of Local Authorities 42A. Local authorities shall have the power to purchase unzoned land for residential use or other forms of use to address regional spatial and economic strategies.”.”.

I move amendment No. 12: In page 5, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 46 of Principal Act 6. Section 46(3)(b) of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following subparagraph after subparagraph (vi): “(vii) the members of the local authority who shall have discretion in approving whether land should be zoned for residential use or other forms of use;”.”.

I welcome the Minister into the Chamber again and thank him for coming in so many times to listen to Senators while we scrutinise this legislation. I express my deep concern about the direction the Government is taking with the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024. This is not a reform Bill; it is a retreat from fairness, transparency and the rights of ordinary people. Let us begin with the business community. ISME, which represents small and medium enterprises throughout the country, has called this Bill bad law. It w…

This is actual fact and true.

It is. This has to do with the defamation legislation. I am sorry but it is. Mr. Fanning, before becoming Attorney General, was one of the country's most sought-after barristers.

I thank the Acting Chairperson for pointing that out. Before becoming Attorney General. Mr. Fanning was one of the country's most sought-after barristers in commercial and defamation law. While it is of course normal for legislators to follow careers in law before entering politics, we must question the systemic problems that raises. Do we really believe that this Bill, one that preserves high-value litigation by weakening public protections, was crafted with cool, disinterested objectivity by those who have profit…

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There are many Members in this House who would come from a legal background, and, indeed, many in the Lower House too.

Many would have vested interests in this legislation, so I-----