Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (19:08): As I said in my earlier remarks, the reason we're here and discussing this is that the government has, in this bill, listed a number of organisations to become deductible gift recipient organisations, and, because they don't fit in the existing categories, they were brought to the parliament for consideration through this law.

As I said earlier, I have a lot of support for animal welfare organisations. It's a bit scary to agree with you, Senator Shoebridge, on so much of the content of your previous remarks! I have found some things—like when I was Chief Minister here and having to authorise the kangaroo cull—extremely challenging because of my own views about animals and animal welfare.

And I understand the live debate about wombats, as well. The TEMPORARY CHAIR ( Senator Ciccone ): And the rabbits, too! Senator GALLAGHER: Yes, even the rabbits.

There are a lot of rabbits in Canberra at the moment. There is nothing to prevent those organisations from seeking the same approval as these organisations have. We get a lot of requests for DGR status.

Some of them can be met automatically; others can come through this process. But I would also say there are number of animal welfare organisations that have DGR status. If there are others that think they fit the criteria for consideration by government, I would urge them to apply.