Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the first report of 2019 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The report read as follows—

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Report no. 1 of 2019

1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 13 February 2019 at 7.15 pm.

2. The committee recommends that—

(a) the provisions of the Australian Business Securitisation Fund Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2019 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(b) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and their Families First) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 22 March 2019 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(c) the Banking System Reform (Separation of Banks) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 13 May 2019 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(d) the provisions of the Commonwealth Registers Bill 2019, Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2019, Business Names Registration (Fees) Amendment (Registries Modernisation) Bill 2019, Corporations (Fees) Amendment (Registries Modernisation) Bill 2019, and the National Consumer Credit Protection (Fees) Amendment (Registries Modernisation) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2019 (see appendix 4 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(e) contingent upon introduction in the Senate, the Environment Legislation Amendment (Protecting Dugongs and Turtles) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2019 (see appendix 5 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(f) the Export Control Amendment (Banning Cotton Exports to Ensure Water Security) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 12 August 2019 (see appendix 6 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(g) the reporting date for the referral of the provisions of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Support for Infrastructure Financing) Bill 2019, which was referred by the Senate to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee pursuant to the adoption of 15th Report of 2018 be amended to 26 March 2019 (see appendix 7 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(h) the provisions of the Fair Work Amendment (Right to Request Casual Conversion) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2019 (see appendix 8 for a statement of reasons for referral);

the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Regulations References) Bill 2018, and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment (Regulations References) Bill 2018 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 April 2019

(see appendix 9 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(j) the provisions of the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management and Cashless Welfare) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 April 2019 (see appendix 10 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(k) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Bill 2019, and the Excise Tariff Amendment (Supporting Craft Brewers) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2019 (see appendix 11 for a statement of reasons for referral);

  (i) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Reforms No. 1) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 April 2019 (see appendix 12 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(m) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Illegal Phoenixing) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2019 (see appendix 13 for a statement of reasons for referral); and

(n) the Water Amendment (Purchase Limit Repeal) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2019 (see appendix 14 for a statement of reasons for referral).

3. The committee recommends that the following bills not be referred to committees:

Treatment Benefits (Special Access) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019

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

Customs Tariff Amendment (Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2018

National Sports Tribunal (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019

5. The committee considered the following bill but was unable to reach agreement:

Dean Smith

Chair

14 February 2019

Appendix 1

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Australian Business Securitisation Fund Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Obtain further information about how the fund actually works and determine stakeholder views.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Treasury, APRA, AOFM, COSBOA, non-bank lenders such as Prospa.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Economics Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be determined by the committee

Possible reporting date:

26 March 2019

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Australian Business Securitisation Fund Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

To understand the implications on capital markets.

To understand the impact on small business.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Economists.

Accountants.

Small business.

Debt providers.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Economics

Possible hearing date(s):

Not necessary.

Appendix 2

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans' and Their Families First) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

The legislation hasn't been seen as it has not yet been introduced to the House. We would like to refer to an inquiry to ensure veterans have a chance to review, provide input and be happy with the proposed legislation, to ensure it is bipartisan.

We propose a short timeframe to in no way hold up the legislative process but ensure that everyone is comfortable and the veterans' and ex-serving community will have their say.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Alliance of Defence Service Organisations

Returned and Services League of Australia

Department of Defence

Department of Veterans Affairs

Individual veterans

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date: 22 March 2019

Appendix 3

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a Bill to a Committee

Name of Bill:- Banking System Reform (Separation of Banks) Bill 2019

Reasons for Referral/ Principal issues for consideration:-

(a) The Hayne Royal Commission report and recommendations;

(b) The Community expectations to the reform of the Australian Banking system;

(c) The business, community, political, economists, financial advisory sector, superannuation advisory bodies and financial commentators published articles expressed need for separation of bank intrusion & internal referrals through vertical integration of services such as financial advice and superannuation recommendations of inhouse bank products other than direct banking services;

Possible submissions or evidence from:-

(1) Dr Wilson Sy;

(2) Mr John Dahisen (fur ANZ);

(3) Mr Martin North (DFA);

(4) Independent Financial Advisers;

(5) Industry Superannuation Groups

(6) Treasury;

(7) APRA;

(8) RBA

(9) All banks

(10) Financial Commentators such as Mr Alan Kohler, Mr Michael Pascoe, Mr Adam Creighton, Ms Adele Ferguson; Mr Bernard Keane, Mr Martin North, Mr Andrew Lindon and Mr David Fickling

Committee to which the Bill is to be referred:-

Economics Committee Possible

Hearings dates:

Subject to availability of the Committee but a separate date for each Capital city within a 3 month period

Possible Reporting date

13 May, 2018

Appendix 4

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Commonwealth Registers Bill 2019

Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2019

Business Names Registration (Fees) Amendment (Registries Modernisation) Bill 2019

Corporation (Fees) Amendment (Registries Modernisation) Bill 2019

National Consumer Credit Protection (Fees) Amendment (Registries Modernisation) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Significant reform which should be reviewed to ensure effectiveness, ease of access and protection of privacy.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Treasury, APRA, consumer credit groups, ASIC, CHOICE, financial rights legal centre

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Economics Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be determined by the committee

Possible reporting date: 26 March 2019

Appendix 5

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Environment Legislation Amendment (Protecting Dugongs and Turtles) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Possible reporting date:

March 26

Appendix 6

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of Bill:

Export Control Amendment (Banning Cotton Exports to Ensure Water Security) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Impact of export ban

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Cotton Australia, Rob McBride, Cubbie Station and others to be advised.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date: Monday 12 August 2019

Appendix 7

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Support for Infrastructure Financing) Bill

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Stakeholder consultation

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Academics

Aid sector

EFIC

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date:

26 March 2019

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Name of bill:

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Support for Infrastructure Financing) Bill

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

This was referred last year, but the bill was not introduced and the reporting date has now passed

Possible submissions or evidence from:

The aid and development sector

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

FADT

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date:

First sitting week of August 2019

Appendix 8

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Fair Work Amendment (Right to Request Casual Conversion) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

There are concerns that the Bill does not examine the full extent of issues in relation to casual workers. Stakeholders ranging from unions and business organisations have already reacted today stating possible concerns with the way the bill is currently drafted.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Industry groups Unions

Workers in vulnerable industries

Legal academics

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be decided by the committee

Possible reporting date:

26 March 2019

Appendix 9

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Regulations References) Bill 2018 and Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment (Regulations References) Bill 2018

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Possible submissions or evidence from:

The Wilderness Society

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Environment and Communications Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

March 2019

Possible reporting date:

2 April 2019

Appendix 10

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management and Cashless Welfare) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

impact of extended the cashless debit card on those across current trial sites

Possible submissions or evidence from:

ACOSS, National Social Security Rights Network, Anglicare, Catholic Social Services

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date:

April 2

Appendix 11

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (2019 MEASURES NO. 1) BILL 2019 (and EXCISE TARIFF AMENDMENT (SUPPORTING CRAFT BREWERS) BILL 2019)

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

A significant reform on self-managed superannuation funds has been mixed into an otherwise non-controversial appearing bill. The SMSF measure needs to be explored for ramifications.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Treasury, superannuation groups (industry, retail, SMSF).

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Economics Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be determined by the committee

Possible reporting date:

26 March 2019

Appendix 12

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Reforms No. 1) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

To understand the extent to which this amendment ensures that adequate revenue is collected from the extraction of petroleum resources.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Economists.

Accountants.

Tax reform advocates.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Economics

Possible hearing date(s):

Not necessary.

Possible reporting date:

2 April 2019

Appendix 13

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (COMBATING ILLEGAL PHOENIXING) BILL 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Treasury has not published submissions, but those shared with Labor have serious reservations about some measures in the Bill.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Treasury, Helen Anderson (Melbourne Law School), Chartered Accountants ANZ, ARITA.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Economics Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be determined by the committee

Possible reporting date:

26 March 2019

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Water Amendment (Purchase Limit Repeal) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Stakeholder Engagement

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Waterholders

Environmental Groups

Irrigators

State Governments

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Environment Communications Legislation

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date:

26 March 2019

Appendix 15

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2019

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Legislation has only just been introduced and requires possible consideration

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Many organisations and companies in the tech and digital rights sectors

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Legal and Cons Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

Possible reporting date:

2 April 2019

I move:

That the report be adopted.

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move amendments (a) and (b) circulated in the name of Senator Collins.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, if I may, will you put (a) separately and (b) separately or will you put them together?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can put (a) and (b) separately.

Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the amendments could be read out or alternatively circulated, it would be appreciated.

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It would read:

At the end of the motion, add:

“(a) and, in respect of the Combatting Child Sexual Exploitation Legislation Amendment Bill 2019, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 22 March 2019;

(b) and, in respect of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2019, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report on 30 April 2019.”

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that paragraph (a) of the amendment moved by Senator Urquhart be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

The question now is that paragraph (b) of the amendment moved by Senator Urquhart to the motion on the selection of bills committee's report be agreed to.

Senator Farrell did not vote, to compensate for the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Bushby

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will now put the motion that the Selection of Bills Committee report, as amended with paragraph (a) moved by Senator Urquhart but not paragraph (b) of the circulated amendment, be agreed to.

Question agreed to.