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

I present the sixth 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. 6 OF 2008

(1)

The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 24 June 2008 at 4.29 pm.

(2)

The committee resolved to recommend—That—

(a)

the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008 and three related bills be referred immediately to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report by 16 October 2008 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral); and

(b)

the Poker Machine Harm Minimisation Bill 2008 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 10 November 2008 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral).

(3)

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

• Crimes Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Child Protection from Predatory Tourism Offences) Bill 2008
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Control of Power Station Emissions) Bill 2008
• Governance Review Implementation (AASB and AUASB) Bill 2008
• Governor-General Amendment (Salary and Superannuation) Bill 2008
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
• Pregnancy Counselling (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2006 [2008]
• Protection of the Sea Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
• Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 3) Bill 2008
• Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (Annual Charges) Bill 2008.

The committee recommends accordingly.

(4)

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

• Plastic Bag Levy (Assessment and Collection) Bill 2002 [2008]
• Trade Practices (Creeping Acquisitions) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008].

(Kerry O’Brien) Chair

25 June 2008

APPENDIX I

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

The long-term cost of unforeseen leakage of carbon dioxide from geological storage could be very substantial. This legislation shifts the liability for such leakage from the large greenhouse gas emitters who may use geological storage, to the public. Given the uncertainty about the permanence of geological storage the Senate needs to carefully consider these liability risks.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, Large emitters (eg power stations) promoting geosequestration

Committee to which bill is to be referred: Legal and Constitutional Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date: October 16, 2008

APPENDIX 2

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Poker Machine Harm Minimisation Bill 2008

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Research into gambling shows that targeted changes can cut rates of excessive gambling and that cutting rates of excessive gambling is a very important part of addressing problem gambling and allowing people to play the pokies with reduced harm.

Family First’s Bill sets out a number of harm minimisation measures such as limiting cash bets on poker machines to $1 a spin, payout prizes to a maximum of $1,000, limiting ATM withdrawals at gambling venues to $100 a day and introducing smart cards with a $1000 fortnightly limit for those who want to play more powerful machines up to $5 a spin.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Dr Charles Livingstone, Assoc Prof Linda Hancock, Brotherhood of St Laurence, St Vincent de Paul Society, Victorian Inter Church Gambling Taskforce, Australasian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association and other experts and welfare groups from Australia and overseas

Committee to which bill is to be referred: Community Affairs Committee

Possible hearing date(s): 27-29 October 2008

Possible reporting date: 10 November 2008