Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the fourth report of 2008 of the Selection of Bills Committee.

Ordered that the report be adopted.

I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The report read as follows—

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 4 OF 2008

(1)

The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 at 4.15 pm.

(2)

The committee resolved to recommend—That the provisions of the Reserve Bank Amendment (Enhanced Independence) Bill 2008 be referred immediately to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report by 31 May 2008 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral).

(3)

The committee resolved to recommend—That the following bills not be referred to committees:

• A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Improved Access to Baby Bonus) Amendment Bill 2008
• Australian Energy Market Amendment (Minor Amendments) Bill 2008
• Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (1999 Montreal Convention and Other Measures) Bill 2008
• Customs Amendment (Strengthening Border Controls) Bill 2008
• Customs Legislation Amendment (Modernising) Bill 2008
• Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2008
• Fisheries Legislation Amendment (New Governance Arrangements for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Other Matters) Bill 2008
• Freedom of Information Amendment (Open Government) Bill 2003 [2008]
• Health Insurance Amendment (90 Day Pay Doctor Cheque Scheme) Bill 2008
• Military Memorials of National Significance Bill 2008
• National Commissioner for Children Bill 2008
• Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) Bill 2008
• Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
• Quarantine Amendment (National Health Security) Bill 2008
• Statute Law Revision Bill 2008
• Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2008
• Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008
• Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Bill 2008
• Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (International Agreements and Other Measures) Bill 2008.

The committee recommends accordingly.

(4)

The committee deferred consideration of the Trade Practices (Creeping Acquisitions) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008] to its next meeting.

(Kerry O’Brien)

Chair

14 May 2008

Appendix xx

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Reserve Bank Amendment (Enhanced Independence) Bill 2008

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

To inquire into the effect of the bill upon the independence o the Reserve Bank, the relevance of the amendments to increasing the credibility of the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy decisions and whether the amendments will reduce inflationary pressures. Also to inquire into any perverse effects that might be caused by the bill.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Market economists - Saul Eslake, Alan Oster, Bill Evans etc, Treasury, Reserve Bank, academics – eg Adrian Pagan

Committee to which bill is referred:

Economics Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s): 20 May 2008