Senate debates
Thursday, 12 September 2019
Committees
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
11:45 am
Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source
I present the fifth report of 2019 of 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. 5 of 2019
1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 11 September 2019 at 6.45pm.
2. The committee recommends that—
(a) the Constitution Alteration (Water Resources) 2019 be referred immediately to the Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan for inquiry and report by 1 November 2020 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(b) the provisions of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 7 November 2019 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(c) the provisions of the New Skilled Regional Visas (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 11 October 2019 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(d) the provisions of the Emergency Response Fund Bill 2019 and the Emergency Response Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 10 October 2019 (see appendix 4 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(e) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Amendment Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 10 October 2019 (see appendix 5 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(f) the Product Stewardship Amendment (Packaging and Plastics) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in March 2020 (see appendix 6 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(g) the provisions of the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee but was unable to reach agreement on a reporting date (see appendix 7 for a statement of reasons for referral); and
(h) the provisions of the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee but was unable to reach agreement on a reporting date (see appendix 8 for a statement of reasons for referral).
3. The committee recommends that the following bills not be referred to committees:
4. The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:
5. The committee considered the following bills but was unable to reach agreement:
(see appendices 9, 10 and 11 for a statement of reasons for proposed referral).
Chair
12 September 2019
Appendix 1
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Constitution Alteration (Water Resources) 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
THE BILL DEALS WITH A HIGHLY COMPLEX NATIONAL ISSUE WHICH REQUIRE PROPER CONSIDERATION INFORMED BY EXPERT GROUPS AND AGENCIES OUTSIDE THE PARLIAMENT
Possible submissions or evidence from:
As determined by the Committee
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan - Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Plan.
Possible hearing date(s):
As determined by the Committee
Possible reporting date:
1 November 2020
Appendix 2
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To ensure the bill is fit for purpose, appropriately drafted, does not result in unintended consequences and to allow stakeholders a chance to provide advice on any problems to be fixed or improvements that could be made.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Law Council, various legal services, survivors of child sexual abuse and other victims groups, and other civil society organisations.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
7 November 2019
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Mandatory sentencing
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal advocates and experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
28-29 October 2019
Possible reporting date:
5 December 2019
Appendix 3
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
New Skilled Regional Visas (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Further investigation and consultation with stakeholders on the impact of the legislation.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Australia's universities; unions; employer groups; local governments; state/territory governments
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
11 October 2019
Appendix 4
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Emergency Response Fund Bill 2019
Emergency Response Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
These bills make significant changes to existing arrangements, particularly to the Education Investment Fund, which merits proper investigation of the impacts of the changes.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Emergency Management Australia
Department of Education
Innovative Research Universities
NUW Alliance
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
10 October 2019
Appendix 5
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Amendment Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To understand the effect this bill will have on home ownership, property prices and housing stock.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
10 October 2019
Appendix 6
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Product Stewardship Amendment (Packaging and Plastics) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of the Bill
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Packaging and retail industry
Waste and recycling industry
Environment groups
Environmental consultants
Economists
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Environment & Communications
Possible hearing date(s):
November 2019, or February 2020.
Possible reporting date:
March 2020.
Appendix 7
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
evidence about effectiveness of compulsory income management, impact of compulsory income management on people in NT, extent to which communities have been consulted and involved in decision making,
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory, Tangeria council, Arnhem Land Progress Association, Northern Territory Council of Social Service, Jesuits, St Vincent de Paul Society, Human Rights Law Commission, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Australian Human Rights Commission, Anglicare Australia, Dr Elise Klein, Dr Shelley Bielefeld, Dr Janet Hunt, UnitingCare Australia, Accountable Income Management Network, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date:
Nov 28th
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
7 November 2019
Appendix 8
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Need for proper consultation with the sector and the lack of evidence to support drug testing of income support recipients.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Public Health Association of Australia, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society, Mission Australia, Australian Council of Social Service, Catholic Social Services Australia, Salvation Army, UnitingCare Australia, Australian Human Rights Commission, Australian Medical Association, St Vincent's Health Australia, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date:
Nov 27th
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
11 October 2019
Appendix 9
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Concerns regarding digital and legal rights, including privacy (and compatibility with Privacy Act 1988).
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal and digital rights experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre, Digital Rights Watch, and Electronic Frontiers Australia.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
11 October 2019
Appendix 10
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No.1) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
All counter-terrorism bills will have an impact on human rights, and thus warrant public and Committee scrutiny.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre, and the International Justice Mission.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
18-19 November 2019
Possible reporting date:
5 December 2019
Appendix 11
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Identity-matching Services Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Concerns regarding digital and legal rights, including privacy (and compatibility with Privacy Act 1988).
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal and digital rights experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre, Digital Rights Watch, and Electronic Frontiers Australia.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
21-22 November 2019
Possible reporting date:
third day of February 2020
I move:
That the report be adopted.
11:46 am
Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) | Link to this | Hansard source
I move an amendment as circulated in the chamber:
At the end of the motion, add, "but:
(a) in respect of the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019, the Community Affairs Legislation Committee report by 7 November 2019;
(b) in respect of the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019, the Community Affairs Legislation Committee report by 10 October 2019; and
(c) the following bills not be referred to committees:
Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2019
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Bill 2019
Identity-matching Services Bill 2019
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Partner Service Pension and Other Measures) Bill 2019
ANL Legislation Repeal Bill 2019".
Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source
I move an amendment to the government's amendment, circulated in my name in the chamber:
In paragraph (a), omit "7 November 2019", substitute "28 November 2019".
In paragraph (b), omit "10 October 2019", substitute "27 November 2019".
This is to extend the reporting dates for the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019 and the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019. The reporting dates on both of those are far too soon to allow us to get the evidence that we need and to enable us to travel, particularly to the Northern Territory, to be able to look at the impacts, hear evidence and consult, which the government hasn't properly done on the cashless debit card bill in the Northern Territory. I know that because I've had direct correspondence and in fact discussions with organisations in the Northern Territory who are deeply concerned about the cashless debit card bill, which extends the cashless debit card to the Northern Territory. They tell me very clearly that they have not been consulted. Therefore, we need more time as a committee to look into those issues in order to properly discuss and debate this legislation when it comes on for debate in this place. Similarly with drug testing, the government are trying a third time to get their drug testing bill out. We need a proper amount of time to be able to talk to experts about this and to look at the government's changes in the bill, and a reporting date of 10 October for that bill is simply inadequate. So we seek to extend the reporting dates for those two bills, one to 27 November and the other to 28 November.
Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source
The question is that the amendment proposed by Senator Siewert to the amendment proposed by the government to the Selection of Bills Committee report be agreed to.
11:55 am
Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source
We will now move to the next question, which is that the government's proposed amendment to the Selection of Bills Committee report be agreed to.
Question agreed to.
Original question, as amended, agreed to.