Bill Debate · Second Reading

Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Thursday 24 July 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate concerned the implementation of preferential customs duty rates for goods originating from the United Arab Emirates under a new free trade agreement. The Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs moved the second reading, explaining that the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to insert a new schedule of duty rates. The legislation aims to reduce duties on most UAE goods to free status while maintaining excise-equivalent duties on specific products like fuel and tobacco. The debate was adjourned without further discussion or opposition recorded in the transcript.

Outcome

The debate was adjourned.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Julian Hill (Bruce) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Hill moved that the bill be read a second time, stating it would amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to implement preferential duty rates for UAE-originating goods. Hill explained that the bill inserts Schedule 16 into the Act to set out these rates, ensuring Australia meets its obligations under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Hill noted that most goods would see duties reduced to free, either immediately or over time, while excise-equivalent goods would retain duties to match domestic treatment. Hill also mentioned that the bill complements a separate Customs Amendment bill and amends existing tariff concessions to honour agreement commitments.