Senator COONAN (Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) (12:45 PM) —It is now my pleasure to sum up on behalf of the government in respect of this bill. The Arts Legislation Amendment (Maritime Museum and Film, Television and Radio School) Bill 2005 provides flexibility for certain functions of the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. The amendments to the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973 will provide more autonomy and flexibility for the school to make decisions on which degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded. The amendments to the Australian National Maritime Museum Act 1990 will provide greater flexibility in how museum entry charges can be fixed and will also clarify the museum’s power to fix charges for entry to special exhibitions and events. I thank Senate colleagues for their support for this bill and commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.