2022-2023

 

 

 

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

 

 

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

 

 

 

JOBS AND SKILLS AUSTRALIA AMENDMENT BILL 2023

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

 

 

 

Amendments to be Moved on Behalf of the Government

 

 

 

 

(Circulated by the authority of the Minister for Skills and Training,

the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP)

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE JOBS AND SKILLS AUSTRALIA AMENDMENT BILL 2023

OUTLINE

The amendments to the Jobs and Skills Australia Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill) relate to the composition of the Ministerial Advisory Board which will provide advice to the Minister and the Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner about the functions of Jobs and Skills Australia.

The first amendment increases the number of members on the Ministerial Advisory Board representing employee organisations and employer organisations from three to four each. A further amendment will permit the Minister to appoint a person to be a member if satisfied that the person has substantial experience or knowledge in the field of regional, rural and remote Australia.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The financial impact of the amendments is minimal, limited to increased costs of supporting an additional two members of the Ministerial Advisory Board. However, these costs can be met from Jobs and Skills Australia’s existing budget.

CONSULTATION

The amendments were informed by consultation undertaken, including as part of the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment’s Inquiry into the Bill and bilateral engagement with key stakeholders .

 

NOTES ON AMENDMENTS

Ministerial Advisory Board

Amendment 1: Schedule 1, item 31, page 9 (lines 28 and 29)

This amendment omits paragraphs 16B(1)(c) and (d) and substitutes these with new paragraphs 16B(1)(c) and (d). These paragraphs provide that the Ministerial Advisory Board will include four members representing employee organisations and four members representing employer organisations.

This amendment will allow the appointment of a fourth employer representative specifically to cover small business. The addition of a fourth employee representative would maintain fair and equitable representation of both groups.

 

Amendment 2: Schedule 1, item 31, page 10 (after line 16)

This amendment inserts a new subparagraph into paragraph 16B(4)(a) which will permit the Minister to appoint a person as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board if satisfied that the person has substantial experience or knowledge in regional, rural and remote Australia.

This amendment will provide the Minister with the ability to appoint a person with experience or knowledge of regional, rural and remote Australia to the Ministerial Advisory Board, to assist Jobs and Skills Australia to provide advice on skills and labour market issues impacting regional, rural and remote Australia.