Senator PATTERSON (1:01 PM) —Again, I thank honourable senators for their contributions and their brevity. The Customs Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 1998 [1999] contains legislative amendments proposed by the government to implement part of the Tough on Drugs strategy, an initiative announced by the Prime Minister on 2 November 1997. The bill amends the Customs Act 1901 with the objective of providing Customs officers with more effective powers in relation to the detection of illicit drugs at the border. The bill also amends the Customs Administration Act 1985 in relation to the use made of information obtained or held by the Australian Customs Service.

The issue of vicarious liability was raised and was the subject of two minority reports of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee—one from the opposition and one from the Democrats. The government will agree to the proposed amendment to remove personal liability. Individuals should not be held liable for the action of their employees in relation to vicarious liability. I indicate that the government will be supporting the amendment. I commend the bill to the chamber.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time.