The Uniting Church in Australia (Membership of Trust) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (16:35): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech and explanation of clauses incorporated in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave granted.

This Bill amends The Uniting Church in Australia Act 1977 (the Act), at the request of the Uniting Church, to remove the age restriction in section 11(4) on appointment of members of the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (South Australia).

The Act facilitated the formation of the Uniting Church via union of the Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian Churches. It established the Trust and provided for the vesting of property in the Uniting Church.

Part III of the Act provides for the constitution of the Trust, to consist of eight members, being persons holding specified positions in the Church and others appointed by the Church.

Section 11(4) of the Act states: 'No person who has attained the age of seventy years shall be eligible for appointment as a member of the Trust'.

This age restriction is outdated and no longer reflects the values of the Uniting Church or society's expectations regarding age and volunteering.

The Bill deletes section 11(4) from the Act.

I commend the Bill to Members.

Explanation of Clauses

Part 1—Preliminary

1—Short title

2—Amendment provisions

These clauses are formal.

Part 2—Amendment of The Uniting Church in Australia Act 1977

3—Amendment of section 11—Constitution of Trust

This clause deletes section 11(4) of the Act which provides that a person who has attained the age of 70 years will not be eligible for appointment as a member of the Trust, and makes a consequential amendment to section 11(3).

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.M.A. Lensink.

At 16:37 the council adjourned until Tuesday 12 May 2015 at 14:15.