Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I move the following amendment:

At the end of the motion, add, "but, in respect of:

(a) the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 13 May 2014;

(b) the Qantas Sale Amendment Bill 2014, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 24 March 2014; and

(c) the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment Bill 2014, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 20 March 2014.".

We are suggesting these dates to the chamber. We recognise the important role that the committees of the Senate play in scrutinising legislation but we also recognise that there is a significant legislative agenda and that we do need to endeavour to set reasonable reporting dates to enable the passage of legislation in good time. Obviously, that is not in conflict with the committees of the Senate doing their important work.