Senate debates

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Committees

Government Response to Report

5:12 pm

Photo of Chris EvansChris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

I present the government response to the President's report of 28 June 2012 on government responses outstanding to parliamentary committee reports. I seek leave to have the document incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

A CERTAIN MARITIME INCIDENT (Senate Select)

Report on a Certain Maritime Incident

  The government response is being considered.

AGRICULTURAL AND RELATED INDUSTRIES (Senate Select)

Pricing and supply arrangements in the Australian and global fertiliser market—Final report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

AUSTRALIA’S IMMIGRATION DETENTION NETWORK (Joint Select)

Final report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION

Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011 [Provisions] – Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Social Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The government response was given during the debate on the bill.

Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Bill 2011 [Provisions] – Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The Government responded to the recommendations of the Committee through amendments to the Bills and in Parliamentary debate. The Bills were subsequently passed and came into effect on 29 June 2012.

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support and Other Measures) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

  The government response is being considered.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS REFERENCES

The social and economic impact of rural wind farms

  The government response was tabled on 13 September 2012.

Disability and ageing: Lifelong planning for a better future

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 5 November 2012 and tabled on 19 November 2012.

The effectiveness of special arrangements for the supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines to remote area Aboriginal Health Services

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Inquiry into Commonwealth funding and administration of mental health services

  The government response was tabled on 20 September 2012.

The regulatory standards for the approval of medical devices in Australia

  The government response was tabled on 13 September 2012.

Commonwealth contribution to former forced adoption policies and practices

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

The role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration regarding medical devices, particularly Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) breast implants

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

CORPORATIONS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES (Joint Statutory)

Inquiry into aspects of agribusiness managed investment schemes

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

  The government response is being considered.

Access for small and medium business to finance

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

  There are no recommendations in the report requiring a Government response.

Inquiry into Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011

  The government response is being considered.

Corporations Amendment (Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2011 and Corporations Amendment (Further Future of Financial Advice Measures) Bill 2011

  The government response is being considered.

Report on the 2010-11 annual reports of bodies established under the ASIC Act

  The government response is being considered.

Inquiry into the collapse of Trio Capital

  The government response is being considered.

Inquiry into the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Stronger Super) Bill 2012 and the Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2012

  The government response is being considered.

ECONOMICS LEGISLATION

Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling Laws) Bill 2009

  The government response is being considered.

Annual reports (No. 2 of 2010)

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping) Bill 2011

  The Australian Government will not be tabling a response to this report. The policy, Streamlining Australia’s anti-dumping system: An effective anti-dumping and countervailing system for Australia, was announced in June 2011.

The policy is being implemented through four tranches of legislation and through administrative changes. The first tranche of legislation, the Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Improvement) Act 2011 took effect in October 2011. The second, third and fourth tranches are currently before the Senate.

Annual reports (No. 2 of 2011)

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The government response is being considered.

Corporations Amendment (Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Corporations Amendment (Further Future of Financial Advice Measures) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The government response is being considered.

Annual reports (No. 1 of 2012)

  The government response is being considered.

Corporations Amendment (Phoenixing and Other Measures) Bill 2012

  The government response is being considered.

Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Bill 2012 [Provisions] and related bills

  The government response is being considered.

ECONOMICS REFERENCES

Consenting adults deficits and household debt – links between Australia’s current account deficit, the demand for imported goods and household debt

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Access of small business to finance

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Competition within the Australian banking sector

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

The asset insurance arrangements of Australian state governments

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 19 July 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

Investing for good: the development of a capital market for the not-for-profit sector in Australia

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 19 July 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS LEGISLATION

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (Tuition Protection Service) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  Recommendations from the Standing Committees in both the House and the Senate were incorporated into the final Bill which was enacted in March 2012 and took effect on 1 July 2012.

Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The government response is being considered.

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS REFERENCES

Provision of childcare

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Higher education and skill training to support agriculture and agribusiness in Australia

  The government response is being considered.

ELECTORAL MATTERS (Joint Standing)

Implications of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Automatic Enrolment) Act 2009 (NSW) for the conduct of Commonwealth elections

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

The 2010 Federal Election: Report on the conduct of the election and related matters

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Report on the funding of political parties and election campaigns

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS LEGISLATION

Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Service Reform) Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Telecommunications (Industry Levy) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The government response was given during the debate on the bill.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Emergency Listings) Bill 2011

  The government response is being considered.

ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS REFERENCES

Sustainable management by the Commonwealth of water resources

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

The adequacy of protections for the privacy of Australians online

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

The koala – saving our national icon

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Recent ABC programming decisions

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 16 October 2012 and tabled on 29 October 2012.

The capacity of communication networks and emergency warning systems to deal with emergencies and natural disasters

  The government response was tabled on 22 November 2012.

ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS REFERENCES

The impacts of mining in the Murray-Darling Basin

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS REFERENCES

About time! Women in sport and recreation in Australia

  The government response was tabled on 31 October 2012.

ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS STANDING

Conserving Australia–Australia’s national parks, conservation reserves and marine protected areas

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION

Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2008

  The government response is being considered.

Annual reports (No. 1 of 2012)

  The government response is being considered.

The performance of the Department of Parliamentary Services – Interim report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFERENCES

Staff employed under Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984

  The government response is being considered.

The Government’s administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 26 July 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION STANDING.

Annual reports (No. 2 of 2008)

  The government response is being considered.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE (Joint Standing)

Inquiry into Australia’s trade and investment relations with Asia, the Pacific and Latin America

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE LEGISLATION

Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010 [Provisions]

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE REFERENCES

The Torres Strait: Bridge and border

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 9 August 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

Held hostage: Government’s response to kidnapping of Australian citizens overseas

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 26 September 2012 and tabled on 9 October 2012.

Procurement procedures for Defence capital projects—Preliminary report

  There are no recommendations in the report requiring a Government response.

LAW ENFORCEMENT (Joint Statutory)

Inquiry into Commonwealth unexplained wealth legislation and arrangements

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Examination of the 2010-11 annual reports of the Australian Crime Commission and the Australian Federal Police

  The government response was tabled in both Houses on 1 November 2012.

LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS LEGISLATION

Combating the Financing of People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The government response was tabled on the 16 August 2012.

Deterring People Smuggling Bill 2011

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 15 October 2012 and tabled on 29 October 2012.

Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill 2011

  The government response is being considered.

Migration Amendment (Removal of Mandatory Minimum Penalties) Bill 2012

  The government response is being considered.

Assisting Victims of Overseas Terrorism Bill 2012 – Social Security Amendment (Supporting Australian Victims of Terrorism Overseas) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

  The government response was given during the debate on the bill.

Migration Legislation Amendment (Student Visas) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

  The government response was given during the debate on the bill.

LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS REFERENCES

The road to a republic

  The government response is being considered.

Donor conception practices in Australia

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 9 August 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

Review of the National Classification Scheme: achieving the right balance

  The government response was tabled on the 16 August 2012.

Prospective marriage visa program

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

MEN’S HEALTH (Senate Select)

Report

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 24 October 2012 and tabled on 29 October 2012.

MIGRATION (Joint Standing)

Immigration detention in Australia – A new beginning – Criteria for release from detention – First report of the inquiry into immigration detention

  The government response is being considered.

Immigration detention in Australia – Community-based alternatives to detention – Second report of the inquiry into immigration detention

  The government response is being considered.

Immigration detention in Australia – Facilities, services and transparency – Third report of the inquiry into immigration detention

  The government response is being considered.

Enabling Australia – Inquiry into the migration treatment of disability

  The government response was tabled in both Houses on the 1 November 2012.

NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK (Joint Standing)

Review of the rollout of the National Broadband Network –Third report

  The government response was tabled in both Houses on 9 October 2012.

NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK (Senate Select)

Another fork in the road to national broadband – Second interim report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Third report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Fourth interim report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Final report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

NATIONAL CAPITAL AND EXTERNAL TERRITORIES (Joint, Standing)

Etched in stone? Inquiry into the administration of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT (Joint Statutory)

Report 417 – Review of Auditor-General’s reports tabled between February 2009 and September 2009

  The government response is being considered.

Report 418: Review of Auditor-General's Reports Nos. 04 to 38 (2009/10)

  The government response is being considered.

Report 423: Review of Auditor-General’s reports Nos 39 (2009-10) to 15 (2010-11)

  The government response is being considered.

Report 424: Eighth biannual hearing with the Commissioner of Taxation

  The government response was given by Executive Minute.

Report 426: Ninth biannual hearing with the Commissioner of Taxation

  The government response was given by Executive Minute and by a formal response. The formal response was presented out of sitting on 27 July 2012 and tabled in both Houses on 14 August 2012.

Report 427: Inquiry into national funding agreements

  The government response was tabled in the House of Representatives on the 15 August 2012 and on the 16 August 2012 in the Senate.

Report 428: Review of Auditor-General’s reports Nos 16 to 46 (2010-11)

  The government response was given by Executive Minute.

Report 429: Review of the 2010-11 Defence Materiel Organisation Major Projects report

  The government response was given by Executive Minute.

Report 430: Review of Auditor-General’s reports Nos 47 (2010-11) to 9 (2011-12) and reports Nos 10 to 23 (2011-12)

  The government response is being considered.

PUBLIC WORKS (Joint Standing)

Public works on Christmas Island

  The government response is being considered.

Report 1/2012—Referrals made September to October 2011—Proposed construction of a new Australian Embassy complex including Chancery and Head of Mission residence in Bangkok, Thailand—Proposed HMAS Albatross redevelopment, Nowra, NSW—Proposed Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale redevelopment, Sale, Victoria—LAND 17 Phase 1A Infrastructure Project

  The expediency motion for the approval of works has been agreed by the Parliament.

REGIONAL AND REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES (Senate Select)

Final report 2010

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

RURAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT REFERENCES

Animal welfare standards in Australia’s live export markets - Live Animal Export (Slaughter) Prohibition Bill 2011 [No. 2] - Live Animal Export Restriction and Prohibition Bill 2011 [No. 2]

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 10 July 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

Management of the Murray Darling Basin – The impact of mining coal seam gas on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin – Interim report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Biosecurity and quarantine arrangements – The management of the removal of the fee rebate for AQIS export certification functions – Interim report

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 27 July 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

RURAL AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Air Navigation and Civil Aviation Amendment (Aircraft Crew) Bill 2011 – Qantas Sale Amendment (Still Call Australia Home) Bill 2011

  The government response is being considered.

Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Screening) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

  The government response is being considered.

Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012 [Provisions]

  The government response is being considered.

RURAL AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT REFERENCES

Implications for the long-term sustainable management of the Murray-Darling Basin system – Final report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

The possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the Government’s decision to relax import restrictions on beef – First report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

The possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the Government’s decision to relax import restrictions on beef – Final report

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

Australia’s biosecurity and quarantine arrangements – Final report

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 27 July 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

Operational issues in export grain networks

  The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.

SCRUTINY OF NEW TAXES (Senate Select)

The carbon tax: Economic pain for no environmental gain – Interim report

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 15 November 2012 and tabled on 19 November 2012.

The carbon tax: Secrecy and spin cannot hide carbon tax flaws – Final report

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 15 November 2012 and tabled on 19 November 2012.

TREATIES (Joint Standing)

Report 100 – Treaties tabled on 25 June 2008 (2)

  The government response was presented out of sitting on 9 August 2012 and tabled on 14 August 2012.

Report 125 – Treaties tabled on 7 and 28 February 2012

  The government response was tabled in both Houses on 1 November 2012.

Report 126 – Treaty tabled on 21 November 2011

  The government response was tabled in both Houses on 27 November 2012.