Senate debates

Thursday, 19 October 2023

Committees

Selection of Bills Committee; Report

11:15 am

Photo of Anne UrquhartAnne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present the 12th report for 2023 of the Selection of Bills Committee and I seek leave to have the report incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted.

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

REPORT NO. 12 OF 2023

19 October 2023

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Senator Anne Urquhart (Government Whip, Chair)

Senator Wendy Askew (Opposition Whip)

Senator Ross Cadell (The Nationals Whip)

Senator Pauline Hanson (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Whip)

Senator Nick McKim (Australian Greens Whip)

Senator Ralph Babet

Senator the Hon. Anthony Chisholm

Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher

Senator Matt O'Sullivan

Senator David Pocock

Senator Paul Scarr

Senator Lidia Thorpe

Senator Tammy Tyrrell

Senator David Van

Secretary: Tim Bryant 02 6277 3020

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

REPORT NO. 12 OF 2023

1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 at 7.14 pm.

2. The committee recommends that—

(a) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee Bill 2023 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by

23 November 2023;

(b) the Protecting the Spirit of Sea Country Bill 2023 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 28 June 2024 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(c) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Support for Small Business and Charities and Other Measures) Bill 2023 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 23 November 2023 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral); and

(d) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 9 February 2024 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral).

3. The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:

                              Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Bill 2023 Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement Bill 2023

                              Primary Industries (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023

                                (Anne Urquhart)

                                Chair

                                19 October 2023

                                Appendix 1

                                SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                                Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

                                Name of bill:

                                Protecting the Spirit of Sea Country Bill 2023

                                Reasons for referra1/principal issues for consideration:

                                To hear from traditional owners and other stakeholders about the importance of protecting First Nations underwater cultural heritage both tangible and intangible.

                                Possible submissions or evidence from:

                                Traditional Owners, environmental groups, academics, legal experts, relevant departments, NOPSEMA.

                                Committee to which bill is to be referred:

                                Environment and Communications Legislation Committee

                                Possible hearing date(s):

                                April and May

                                Possible reporting date: 28th June 2024

                                (signed)

                                Nick McKim

                                Whip/ Selection of Bills Committee member

                                Appendix 2

                                S ELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                                Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

                                Name of bill:

                                Treasury Laws Amendment (Support for Small Business and Charities and Other Measures) Bill 2023

                                Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

                                Detailed Bill

                                Possible submissions or evidence from:

                                Various Stakeholders

                                Committee to which bill is to be referred:

                                Economics Legislation Committee

                                Possible hearing date(s):

                                Oct- Dec

                                Possible reporting date:

                                23 November 2023

                                (signed)

                                Wendy Askew

                                Appendix 3

                                SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                                Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

                                Name of bill:

                                Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023

                                Reasons for referra1/principal issues for consideration:

                                  Possible submissions or evidence from:

                                          Committee to which bill is to be referred:

                                          Community Affairs Legislation Committee

                                          Possible hearing date(s):

                                          5 February 2024

                                          Possible reporting date:

                                          9February 2024

                                          (signed)

                                          Nick McKim

                                          Whip/ Selection of Bills Committee member

                                          SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                                          Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

                                          Name of bill:

                                          Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023

                                          This Bill amends the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 to expand the Government payment from 20 weeks to 26 weeks by July 2026.

                                          The Bill implements the second tranche of the Government's PPL reform announced in the 2022-23 October Budget. It follows changes commencing 1 July 2023 to make the scheme more accessible, flexible and gender equitable.

                                          Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

                                          High public interest in the ongoing reform and enhancement of the Scheme..

                                          Possible submissions or evidence from:

                                          Women's Groups Unions

                                          Business Peaks

                                          Committee to which bill is to be referred:

                                          Community Affairs Legislation Committee (CALC)

                                          Possible hearing date(s):

                                          1 hearing—can accommodate in Canberra with virtual participation encouraged for accessibility.

                                          29 January 2024 TBC

                                          Possible reporting date:

                                          9 February 2024

                                          (signed)

                                          Anne Urquhart

                                          I move:

                                          That the report be adopted.

                                          Question agreed to.

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