Senate debates

Thursday, 10 September 2009

Committees

Selection of Bills Committee; Report

3:51 pm

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

by leave—I present the 13th 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. 13 OF 2009

1.
The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 9 September 2009 at 7.20 pm.
2.
The committee resolved to recommend—That—(a)   the provisions of the Crimes Amendment (Working With Children—Criminal History) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 29 October 2009 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);(b)   the Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling Laws) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 November 2009 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral); and(c)   the provisions of the Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 16 October 2009 (see appendix 3 for statements of reasons for referral).
(a)
the provisions of the Crimes Amendment (Working With Children—Criminal History) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 29 October 2009 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(b)
the Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling Laws) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 November 2009 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral); and
(c)
the provisions of the Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 16 October 2009 (see appendix 3 for statements of reasons for referral).
3.
The committee resolved to recommend—That the following bills not be referred to committees:
  • Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment Bill 2009
  • Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2009
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE-HELP and Tertiary Admission Centres) Bill 2009
  • Military Justice (Interim Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2009
  • Military Justice (Interim Measures) Bill (No. 2) 2009.

The committee recommends accordingly.

4.
The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:
  • Plain Tobacco Packaging (Removing Branding from Cigarette Packs) Bill 2009
  • Special Broadcasting Service Amendment (Prohibition of Disruptive Advertising) Bill 2009.

(Kerry O’Brien)

Chair

10 September 2009

APPENDIX I

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Crimes Amendment (Working With Children  Criminal History) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Whether the requirement under the Bill for the reporting and exchange of information on spent, quashed and pardoned convictions is:

(a) consistent with the presumption of innocence and other rights of individuals; and

(b) consistent with the National Privacy Principles.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Various State and Territory Police Departments and organisations, Child Protection Agencies and peak bodies, welfare groups, childcare providers, Attorney-General’s Department, the Privacy Commissioner, the Human Rights Commission, the Law Council of Australia and civil liberties organisations.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Throughout 4 week break - beginning 21 September

Possible reporting date: 23 October

(signed)

Stephen Parry

Whip / Selection of Bills Committee member

APPENDIX 2

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling Laws) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

As an issue which affect consumers, Australian producers and retailers public consultation is important. Issues which could be considered are: issues facing consumers wishing to buy Australia; operation of current labelling requirements; impact on Australian economy; possible expansion of the application of bill to other areas of labelling or beyond food products;

Possible submissions or evidence from:

CHOICE, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Australia Made Campaign Ltd, Australian Food and Grocery Council, National Farmers Federation, Consumer Action Law Centre; Australian Vegetables and Potato Association; Horticulture Australia Council; Pulse Australia; Nuts Producers Australia, Australian Nut Industry Council; Tasmanian Apple and Pear Growers

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Economics Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Week of 28th September - 2 October

Possible reporting date:

16 November 2009

John Williams

Whip / Selection of Bills Committee member

Senator Bob Brown

Senator Nick Xenophon

Senator Barnaby Joyce

APPENDIX 3

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

The Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Examine the proposed provisions of the Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2009

Possible submissions or evidence from:

A just Australia

Amnesty International Australia.

Australian Human Rights Commission

Foundation House (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture and Trauma) Professor James Hathaway (Dean and William Hearn Chair of Law Melbourne University Law School)

Hotham Mission Asylum Project

Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC), NSW

Law Council of Australia

Dr Jane McAdam (Director of international Law Programs, University of New South Wales)

National Council of Churches Australia

Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RAGS), NSW

Refugee Council of Australia

Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre Incorporated, VIC

Refugee and immigration Legal Services (RAILS), [,LLD

LINHCR

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Legal & Constitutional Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be confirmed by the Committee

Possible reporting date

14 October 2009

Kerry O’Brien

Whip / Selection/Of Bills Committee member