Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present the 12th report of 2007 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The report read as follows—

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

REPORT NO. 12 OF 2007

1.

The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 8 August 2007 at 4.17 pm.

2.

The committee resolved to recommend—That the provisions of the Water Bill 2007 and Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2007 be referred immediately to the Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee for inquiry and report, but was unable to reach agreement on a reporting date. (see appendix 1 for statements of reasons for referral).

3.

The committee resolved to recommend—That the following bills not be referred to committees: Independent Contractors Amendment Bill 2007Migration (Climate Refugees) Amendment Bill 2007Peace and Non-Violence Commission Bill 2007

The committee recommends accordingly.

4.

The committee considered a proposal to refer the Lobbying and Ministerial Accountability Bill 2007 to the Finance and Public Administration Committee, but was unable to reach agreement on whether the bill should be referred.

5.

The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Fair Bank and Credit Card Fees) Amendment Bill 2007

Stephen Parry

Chair

9 August 2007.

Appendix 1

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Water Bill 2007

Water (Consequential Amendment) Bill 2007

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Purpose of the Bills

The Water Bill establishes an overriding Commonwealth water resource management function across the Murray-Darling Basin and a national water data collection, analysis and information service within the Bureau of Meteorology.

The Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill makes amendments to the Meteorology Act 1955, the National. Water Commission Act 2004, and the Trade Practices Act 1974 in order to give effect to the Water Bill.

Reasons for Urgency

The Water Bill and the Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill are necessary to implement the measures contained within the National Plan for Water Security.

These bills are necessary to implement the measures contained within the National Plan for Water Security.

The current arrangements for the management of the Murray-Darling Basin by consensus of the relevant states, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Commonwealth have failed to deliver timely and adequate responses to the accelerating over use and degradation of the water resources of the Basin. The National Plan for Water Security provides for these measures to be addressed subject to placing the Basin under overriding Commonwealth authority.

These bills, together as a package, provide for Commonwealth management of the Murray-Darling Basin and are a prerequisite for the implementation of the assistance and reform measures set out in the National Plan for Water Security. Failure to implement the measures quickly will delay the reforms and allow the degradation and over use of the waters of the Murray-Darling Basin to compound.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Environment, Communication, IT and the Arts

Possible hearing date(s):

10 August 2007

Possible reporting date:

14 August 2007

(signed)

S Parry

Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Water Bill 2007

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Very significant change to Land & Water management in the Murray Darling system

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Farmers

Farmer organisations

Environment Groups

Local Government

State Government

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Rural and Regional Affairs & Trnasport

Possible hearing date(s):

10 August 2007

Possible reporting date:

14 August 2007

(signed)

Rachel Siewert

Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member

I move:

That the report be adopted.