House of Representatives

Explanatory Memorandum

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann)

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2017

This Bill is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Bill

The Public Governance, Resources and Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2017 would amend 13 Acts to:

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prescribe bodies as listed entities for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) within enabling legislation;

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replace references to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 with the equivalent provisions in the PGPA Act;

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simplify legislation where provisions of the PGPA Act cover a matter previously dealt with in enabling legislation;

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amend legislation to clarify which matters are covered by the PGPA Act and which matters are covered by other legislation, such as in the case of annual reporting, or disclosure of interest arrangements where an entity may have additional obligations over and above those imposed through the PGPA Act; and

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amend legislation to reflect the sale of Medibank Private Limited.

Human Rights Implications

If enacted, this Bill would not affect any of the applicable rights or freedoms outlined in the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Conclusion

The Bill is compatible with human rights.