Senator TROETH (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) (1:25 PM) —The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law) Bill 2002 proposes amendments to a number of acts that deal with superannuation arrangements for members of the Commonwealth civilian schemes and for members of the Australian Defence Force schemes. The bill will provide a framework within the relevant schemes for dealing with a superannuation agreement or Family Court order in relation to the division of the member's superannuation following marriage breakdown. It will enable a separate superannuation benefit account to be created in the relevant superannuation arrangement for a member's former spouse in these circumstances. This will allow for a clean break of superannuation entitlements between the parties at the time of marriage breakdown and also provide both parties with control over their respective individual benefits. I thank members for their contributions to the debate. I foreshadow I will be moving some government amendments in the committee stage.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.