Senate debates

Thursday, 20 August 2009

Committees

Selection of Bills Committee; Report

3:41 pm

Photo of Anne McEwenAnne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

by leave—I present the 12th report of 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. 12 OF 2009

(1)
The committee met in private session on Thursday, 20 August 2009 at 7.16 pm.
(2)
The committee resolved to recommend—That—
(a)
the order of the Senate of 18 September 2008 adopting the committee’s 11threport of 2008 be varied to provide that the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2008 [No. 2] be referred immediately to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 19 November 2009 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral) ; and
(b)
the provisions of the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Re-registration of Providers and Other Measures) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 16 October 2009 (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:
  • Asian Development Bank (Additional Subscription) Bill 2009
  • Foreign States Immunities Amendment Bill 2009
  • Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Network Information) Bill 2009
  • Veterans’ Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Pension Reform) Bill 2009.

The committee recommends accordingly.

(Kerry O’Brien)

Chair

20 August 2009

APPENDIX 1

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

Name of bill:

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2008 [No. 2]

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

This bill has been on the Notice Paper for some years, however, in the wake of the departure of Australian troops from Iraq the time is ripe for debate. The timeliness of this debate is also evidenced in recent media interest in the Bill. In a recent broadcast debate the head of the Australian Defence Association saw merit in a Committee referral to further examine the transparency and accountability of governments arising from involving parliamentary discussion and scrutiny of the decision to deploy Australian military forces to overseas conflicts.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Australian Defence Association

Australian Red Cross

United Nations Association

RSL

Australian Council of Civil Liberties

Human Rights Council of Australia

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

Medical Association for Prevention of War

Peace Organisation of Australia,

Catholics in Coalition for Justice and Peace (CCJP),

Australian Peace Committee (South Australia)

Campaign for International Cooperation and Disarmament

Australian Pugwash

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Possible hearing date(s):

October / November

Possible reporting date:

19 November 2009

(signed)

Rachel Siewert

Whip / Selection of Bills Committee member

APPENDIX 2

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Re-registration of Providers and Other Measures) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Further investigation into the regulation of education providers offering courses for international students and how this sector is policed

Possible submissions or evidence from:

ACPET

ACCI

Australian Industry Group

TAFE Directors Australia

Skills Australia

Group of 8

State Chambers of Commerce and Industry

International Education Association of Australia

Australian Federation of International Students

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date:

16 October 2009

(signed)

Stephen Parry

Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member