Senate debates
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Committees
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
12:09 pm
Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I present the fourth report of 2012 for the Selection of Bills Committee and 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 2012
1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 at 7.38 pm.
2. The committee resolved to recommend—That—
(a) the provisions of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012 be referred immediately to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 June 2012 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(b) the orders of the Senate of 1 March 2012 and 24 March 2011 adopting the committee's 2nd report of 2012 and 4th report of 2011 respectively, be varied to provide that the Assisting Victims of Overseas Terrorism Bill 2012 and the provisions Social Security Amendment (Supporting Australian Victims of Terrorism Overseas) Bill 2011 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 May 2012 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(c) subject to introduction in the Senate, the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Anti-siphoning) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 4 May 2012 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(d) the provisions of the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Bill 2012, the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2012, the Shipping Registration Amendment (Australian International Shipping Register) Bill 2012, the Shipping Reform (Tax Incentives) Bill 2012, and the Tax Laws Amendment (Shipping Reform) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to both the Economics Legislation Committee, and the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 19 June 2012 (see appendix 4 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(e) the order of the Senate of 1 March 2012 adopting the committee's 2nd report of 2012 be varied to provide that the Corporations Amendment (Phoenixing and Other Measures) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 May 2012 (see appendix 5 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(f) the provisions of the Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012 and the Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 June 2012 (see appendix 6 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(g) the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 20 June 2012 (see appendix 7 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(h) the Health Insurance (Dental Services) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 May 2012 (see appendix 8 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(i) the provisions of Judges and Governors-General Legislation Amendment (Family Law) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 May 2012 (see appendix 9 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(j) the provisions of the Migration Legislation Amendment (Student Visas) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 June 2012 (see appendix 10 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(k) the provisions of the National Health Reform Amendment (Administrator and National Health Funding Body) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 9 May 2012 (see appendix 11 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(l) the provisions of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Charges) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 9 May 2012 (see appendix 12 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(m) subject to introduction in the Senate, the National Water Commission Amendment Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 May 2012 (see appendix 13 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(n) the provisions of the Skills Australia Amendment (Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency) Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 May 2012 (see appendix 14 for a statement of reasons for referral); and
(o) the provisions of the Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012 be referred immediately to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 June 2012 (see appendix 15 for a statement of reasons for referral).
3. The committee resolved to recommend—That the following bills not be referred to committees:
Family Law Amendment (Validation of Certain Orders and Other Measures) Bill 2012
Solar Hot Water Rebate Bill 2012
Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 1) Bill 2012.
The committee recommends accordingly.
4. The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:
Chair
22 March 2012
APPENDIX 1
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1)
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To consider regulatory and practical applications of the Bill
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Relevant industry stakeholder groups
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
18 June 2012
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 2 (a)
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Assisting Victims of Overseas Terrorism Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Consideration of the extent and scope of the proposed scheme to be examined. Australian Greens have also moved an amendment for it to be referred for inquiry.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date:
May
(signed)
Senator McEwen
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 2 ( b )
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Security Amendment (Supporting Australian Victims of Terrorism Overseas) Bill 2011
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Consideration of the scope and extent of the proposed scheme to be examined. Especially in comparison to Senator Brandis bill on this topic.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date:
8 May 2012
(signed)
Senator McEwen
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 3
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Anti-siphoning) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Continuing levels of debate among stakeholders about the appropriate balance of events on the anti-siphoning list, possible impacts of the legislation and impacts associated with delayed implementation of the Government's proposed changes.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Free-to-air and pay TV media organisations
Sporting code governing/ administrative bodies
Consumer organisations
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Environment and Communications Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
2012 Autumn recess
Possible reporting date:
Friday 4 May 2012
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 4 (a)
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bills:
Shipping Reform Package, comprised of the following:
Shipping Reform (Tax Incentives) Bill
Shipping Registration Amendment (Australian International Shipping Register) Bill
Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Bill
Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill
Tax Laws Amendment (Shipping Reform) Bill
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To consider the impact of the Bills on the Australian shipping industry to determine whether they will have their desired effect, that is, to revitalise the Australian shipping industry and increase the number of Australian flagged vessels.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Shipping Australia
Australian Shipowners Association
Shipping liners: Maersk, Toll, CSL etc
Shipping users including members of the Dry Bulk Users Group
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Committee for Economics
Possible hearing date(s):
During the autumn recess.
Possible reporting date:
The package is to be implemented from 1 July 2012 so a reporting date in the Budget sitting week may be appropriate.
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 4 ( b )
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bills:
Shipping Reform Package, comprised of the following:
Shipping Reform (Tax Incentives) Bill
Shipping Registration Amendment (Australian International Shipping Register) Bill
Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Bill
Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill
Tax Laws Amendment (Shipping Reform) Bill
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To consider the impact of the Bills on the Australian shipping industry to determine whether they will have their desired effect, that is, to revitalise the Australian shipping industry and increase the number of Australian flagged vessels.
This committee should only inquire into the workplace relations and skills aspects of the package.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Shipping Australia
Australian Shipowners Association
Shipping liners: Maersk, Toll, CSL etc
Shipping users including members of the Dry Bulk Users Group
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
During the autumn recess.
Possible reporting date:
The package is to be implemented from 1 Jul 2012 so a reporting date in the Budget sitting week may be appropriate.
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 5
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Corporations Amendment (Phoenixing and Other Measures) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Complex and potentially problematic legislation.
Last Bill dealing with Phoenixing issues had to be withdrawn after a unanimous House Economics Committee inquiry identified a number of issues with the provisions of the Bill.
Whilst this Bill is not directly related, it provision do bear scrutiny by the Senate Possible submissions or evidence from:
Industry stakeholders Treasury
ASIC
Committee to which bill is to be referred: Senate Economics Legislation
Possible hearing date(s):
April
Possible reporting date:
8 May 2012
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 6
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012
and Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Consideration as to whether the bills compromise judicial independence;
Consideration as to whether a model based on the NSW Judicial Commission has advantages or faces constitutional problems.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Attorney-General's Department Law Council of Australia
NSW Judicial Commission
National Judicial College of Australia
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
To be determined by the committee
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 7
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development) Amendment Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To give careful examination to the detail of the legislation
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Environment and. Communications
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
To be determined by the committee
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 8
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Health Insurance (Dental Services) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To ensure the Bill addresses the wide concerns of the dental profession regarding the actions of Medicare
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Australian Dental Association; Australian Dental Association (NSW); Australian Dental Association (VIC); Australian Dental Association (TAS); Australian Dental Prosthetists Association; Australian Medical Association; Individual dental health practitioners; Medicare Australia; Department of Health and Ageing.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs Legislative Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Week of April 9 - 13
Or
Week of April 16 to 20
Possible reporting date:
May 4
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 9
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill
Judges and Governors-General Amendment (Family Law) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Consideration as to whether the bills are consistent with sections 3 and 72 of the Constitution, relating to alteration of salaries and entitlements;
Consideration of alternative means of compliance with family court orders
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Attorney-General's Department Law Council of Australia
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
To be determined by the committee
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 10
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Migration Legislation Amendment (Student Visas) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To consider the impact of the proposed changes on students, higher education providers and the VET sector.
To scrutinise the legal ramifications of abolishing the automatic cancellation of student visas and ensure these changes have no unintended consequences for industry or visa compliance.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Over 200 submitters to the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program including from anumber of education providers such as universities, TAFE and colleges and the VET sector
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Australian National Audit Office
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by committee
Possible reporting date:
To be determined by committee
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 11
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
National Health Reform Amendment (Administrator and National Health Funding Body) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
The role of the Funding Body and the Administrator
Justification for the establishment of additional bureaucracy
Administrative requirements for the Commonwealth, States and other parties
Transparency and efficiency of processes in administering funding
Fiscal implications for the Commonwealth
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Department of Health and Ageing
State and Territory Governments
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Finance and Public Administration
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
May 2012
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 12
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Charges) Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
The audits for all registered training organisations will be undertaken on a cost recovery basis. A number of providers have expressed concern that this will unreasonably burden them.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
ACPET
Registered Training Organisations ASQA
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Economics Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
To be determined by the committee
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 13 (a)
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
National Water Commission Amendment Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
An inquiry would provide the opportunity to ventilate views on the governance of the National Water Commission and budget implications.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
National Water Commission
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities National Farmers Federation
Australian Conservation Foundation
Water Supply Association of Australia
Australian Water Association
State governments
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Environment and Communications
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
To be determined by the committee
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 13 (b)
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
National Water Commission Amendment Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To assist with appropriate and timely consideration by the Senate of the Bill.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date:
1 May 2012
(signed)
Senator McEwen
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 14
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Skills Australia Amendment (Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency) Bill
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
This Bill seeks to expand the powers of Skills Australia, seeing it morph into the National Workforce and Productivity Agency. There are considerable costs associated with this and we seek further information as to the planned expansion of their mandate.
Possible submissions or evidence from: Skills Australia
DEEWR
Industry Skills Councils
Committee to which bill is to be referred: Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
To be determined by the committee
(signed)
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
APPENDIX 15
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To address concerns expressed by stakeholders
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Graincorp
SAFF
NSW Farmers' Federation
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Rural, Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
April & May 2012
Possible reporting date:
21 June 2012
Senator Fifield
Whip/Selection of Bills Committee member
Ordered that the report be adopted.