Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 6 September 1984 and the House of Representatives of 11 October 1984, I present a report on access to committee documents. Also for the information of honourable members, I present a schedule of outstanding government responses to reports of House of Representatives and joint committees, incorporating reports tabled and details of government responses made in the period between 12 December 2013, the date of the last schedule, and 16 July 2014. Copies of the schedule are being made available to honourable members and will be incorporated in Hansard.

THE SPEAKER ' S SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO REPORTS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND JOINT COMMITTEES

(also incorporating reports tabled and details of Government responses made in the period between 12 December 2013, the date of the last schedule, and 16 July 2014)

17 July 2014

THE SPEAKER ' S SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO COMMITTEE REPORTS

The attached schedule lists committee reports tabled and government responses to House and joint committee reports made since the last schedule was presented on 12 December 2013. It also lists reports for which the House has not received a government response. Schedules of outstanding responses will continue to be presented at approximately six monthly intervals, generally in the last sitting weeks of the winter and spring sittings.

The schedule does not include advisory reports on bills introduced into the House of Representatives unless the reports make recommendations which are wider than the provisions of the bills and which could be the subject of a government response. The Government's response to these reports is apparent in the resumption of consideration of the relevant legislation by the House. Also not included are reports from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, the House of Representatives Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests, and the Publications Committee (other than reports on inquiries). Reports from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights are only listed where the committee has examined and reported on a specific item(s) of existing legislation. Not listed are that committee's regular reports on the human rights compatibility of bills and legislative instruments that come before either House of Parliament.

Government responses to reports of the Public Works Committee are usually reflected in motions for the approval of works after the relevant report has been presented and considered. Reports from other committees which do not include recommendations are only included when first tabled.

Reports of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit primarily make administrative recommendations but may make policy recommendations. A government response is required in respect of such policy recommendations made by the committee. Responses to administrative recommendations are made in the form of an Executive Minute provided to, and subsequently tabled by, the committee. Agencies responding to administrative recommendations are required to provide an Executive Minute within six months of the tabling of a report.

17July 2014

Notes

1. The date of tabling is the date the report was presented to the House of Representatives or to the Speaker, whichever is earlier. In the case of joint committees, the date shown is the date of first presentation to either the House or the Senate. Reports published when the House (or Houses) are not sitting are tabled at a later date.

2. If the source for the date is not the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives or the Journals of the Senate, the source is shown in an endnote.

3. For reports up to the end of 42nd Parliament, the time specified is three months from the date of tabling. While the Government has undertaken to continue to respond to reports within three months, from the 43rd Parliament (28 September 2010 onwards) the period within which the House requires a response is six months—see resolution of the House of Representatives of 29 September 2010. This resolution also puts in place additional steps for reports not responded to within that six month period. The period from when the 43rd Parliament was prorogued on 5 August 2013 and the commencement of the 44th Parliament on 12 November 2013 is not included in the response period.

4. In correspondence to the committee, dated 3 December 2013, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry advised the committee of the publication of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) Strategy: Caring for our Country and the Biodiversity Fund. On 6 March 2014 the committee resolved that a response to the report was no longer required. The report will be removed from the next schedule.

5. In July 2011 the Government advised that it did not intend to respond to the report because of the time elapsed since the report was tabled. The committee has not agreed to the removal of this report from the schedule.

6. In December 2013 the Government advised that it did not intend to respond to the report because of the time elapsed since the report was tabled. The committee has not agreed to the removal of this report from the schedule.

7. In December 2013 the Government advised that it did not intend to respond to the report as this matter is being considered as part of the Government's Financial System Inquiry. The committee has not agreed to the removal of this report from the schedule.

8. In December 2013 the Government advised that it did not intend to respond to the report because of the time elapsed since the report was tabled. The report will be removed from the next schedule.

9. In June 2009 the Government advised that it did not intend to respond formally to this report. The committee awaits a response to recommendations of the report. In November 2009 the Government indicated a response is being considered and will be tabled in due course. In November 2011 and December 2013 the Government indicated it was in discussion with the committee on this matter. In July 2014 the Government advised that the Independent Contractors Act 2006 was assented to on 1 December 2006 and that the Government's response was covered during debate on the Bill.

10. On 26 June 2013, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Defence Science and Personnel provided an interim response by way of statement to the Federation Chamber. See House of Representatives Hansard, 26 June 2013, pp 103-104. The final government response was provided on 6 March 2014.

11. In July 2014 the Government advised that the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Advertising for Sports Betting) Bill 2013 lapsed when the 43rd Parliament was prorogued. As at 13 May 2014, this Private Senator's Bill has not been restored to the Notice Paper, or re-introduced. The Government noted that in the report the committee recommended the bill not be passed.

12. In July 2014 the Government noted that the bill had passed both houses in 2012 and indicated that no further response would be provided.

13. In July 2014 the Government advised that the response was provided by the introduction, passage and Royal Assent of the Act on October 2012, and indicated that no further response would be provided.

14. The National Capital Authority responded to the report on 17 April 2013. The government response was tabled on 10 July 2014.

15. Recommendations made in the report have been implemented in amendments made to the standing orders on 13 November 2013.

16. The Government responded by Executive Minute.