Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—At the request of Senator O’Brien, I present the second report for 2009 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. 2 OF 2009

(1)

The committee met in private session on Thursday, 12 February 2009 at 12.46 pm.

(2)

The committee resolved to recommend—That—

(a)

the provisions of the Federal Financial Relations Bill 2009 and a related bill be referred immediately to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report by 3 March 2009 (see appendix 1 for statements of reasons for referral);

(b)

the Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2008 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 3 March 2009 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(c)

the provisions of the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities, and Other Measures) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee for inquiry and report by 10 March 2009 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(d)

the provisions of the Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report by 10 March 2009 (see appendix 4 for a statement of reasons for referral).

(3)

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

• Australian Energy Market Amendment (AEMO and Other Measures) Bill 2009
• Civil Aviation Amendment Bill 2009
• Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Bill 2009
• Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Amendment (Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Bill 2009.

The committee recommends accordingly.

(4)

The committee considered Excise Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 noting the Senate had agreed to refer the provisions of the bills to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report.

(5)

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

• Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2008.

(Kerry O’Brien)

Chair

12 February 2009

Appendix 1

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Federal Financial Relations Bill 2009

Federal Financial Relations (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

This is major legislation that involves political re-drafting GST. It potentially impacts on the proportions of GST divided between the states and how grants are delivered.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Committee to which bill is referred:

Economics Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s): ASAP (no later than March 2009)

Appendix 2

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2008

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

New information has emerged that requires inquiry by a committee.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Law Council of Australia.

Committee to which bill is referred:

Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s): 3 March 2009

Appendix 3

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities, and Other Measures) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Consideration of the bill as necessary

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Higher education providers and peak organisations in the higher education sector.

Committee to which bill is referred:

Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee.

Possible hearing date:

Late February/early March 2009

Possible reporting date(s): 10 March 2009

Appendix 4

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Further investigation of any unintended consequences of income test reforms and to ensure that they are adequately targeted.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Committee to which bill is referred:

Economics Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s): 13 March 2009