Senate debates

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Committees

Selection of Bills Committee; Report

12:02 pm

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

I present the eighth report of 2013 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. 8 OF 2013

1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 26 June 2013 at 6.44 pm.

2. The committee resolved to recommend—That—

(a) contingent upon its introduction in the Senate, the Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Go for Fair Use) Bill 2013 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report 3 October 2013 (see appendix 1for a statement of reasons for referral);

(b) the Fair Trade (Workers' Rights) Bill 2013 be referred immediately to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day in February 2014 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(c) the Overseas Aid (Millennium Development Goals) Bill 2013 be referred immediately to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 30 November 2013 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral); and

(d) the Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2013 be referred immediately to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 30 November 2013 (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:

        The committee recommends accordingly.

        4. The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:

                    (Anne McEwen)

                    Chair

                    27 June 2013

                    A ppendix 1

                    SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                    Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

                    Name of bill:

                    Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Go for Fair Use) Bill2013

                    Reasons for referra l/ principal issues for consideration:

                    To canvas expert and community views on four reforms to Australian copyright law proposed by this Bill; the removal of clauses in Australian law that prevent the visually impaired from enjoying purchased content for private and domestic use, the protection of Australia's libraries and educational institutions through a stronger safe harbours provision, the prevention of Australians paying higher prices for software, games and music and the adoption of a fair use model based on the US system which allows the law to respond to new technology that was not, or could not, be foreseen by parliamentarians.

                    Possible submissions or evidence from:

                    Member organisations of the Australian Digital Alliance—http://digital.org.au/content/ members

                    Member organisations of the Copyright Council—http://www.copyright.org.au/ Member organisations of the Communications Alliance http://www.commsalliance.eom.au/about-us/membership

                    Committee to which bill is to be referred:

                    Environment and Communications Committee

                    Possible hearing date(s):

                    August

                    Possible reporting date:

                    October

                    (signed)

                    Senator Siewert

                    Whip/Selection of Bills Committee Member

                    A ppendix 2

                    SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                    Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

                    Name of Bill:

                    Fair Trade (Workers' Right) Bill 2013

                    Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

                    The impacts this Bill will have on international labour standards with our trading partners.

                    The impact this Bill will have on Australian business' competitiveness.

                    Consideration on how this bill will advance human rights in developing nations which sign trade agreements with Australia in the future.

                    Comment on the definition of the minimum labour standards definition.

                    Possible submissions or evidence from:

                    Australian Trade Unions

                    International Trade Unions

                    Local and International Humanitarian NGOs

                    Australian Civic NGOs Political Parties Business Associations

                    Small, medium and large business

                    Australian Citizens

                    Committee to which the bill is to be referred:

                    Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

                    Possible hearing date(s):

                    August 2013-December 2013

                    Possible reporting date:

                    February 2013

                    Senator John Madigan

                    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:

                    Overseas Aid (Millennium Development Goals) Bill 2013

                    Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

                    Public in interest in Overseas Aid

                    Possible submissions or evidence from:

                    Action Aid; Oxfam; ACFID

                    Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

                    Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

                    Possible hearing date(s):

                    TBC

                    Possible reporting date:

                    30 November 2013

                    (signed)

                    Senator Siewert

                    Whip/Selection of Bills Committee Member

                    Appendix 4

                    SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                    Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

                    Name of bill:

                    Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2013

                    Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

                    Public interest in improving animal welfare

                    Possible submissions or evidence from:

                    RSPCA; Voiceless; Humane Society; WSPA; Animals Australia

                    Committee to which bill is to be referred:

                    Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport

                    Possible hearing date(s):

                    TBC

                    Possible reporting date:    

                    30 November 2013

                    (signed)

                    Senator Siewert

                    Whip/Selection of Bills Committee Member