Senator GRIMES (Minister for Community Services)(3.58) —I move:

That the Bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows-

Section 66 of the Constitution prescribes, subject to the Parliament otherwise providing, a maximum annual sum for the payment of salaries of Ministers. Following the Remuneration Tribunal's 1984 review national wage case decisions automatically apply to offices within the Tribunal's jurisdiction, including Ministers of State.

The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Ministers of State Act to increase the maximum annual sum from $610,000 to $630,000 to cover the effect of the 2.6 per cent national wage case handed down by the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission on 3 April 1985, for the remainder of this financial year and the next. The date of effect of this amendment is the date prescribed in the national wage case decision, that is, the first pay period commencing on or after 6 April 1985. Further information on the clauses of the Bill is contained in the explanatory memorandum which is being circulated to honourable senators. I commend the Bill to the Senate.

Debate (on motion by Senator Kilgariff) adjourned.