Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present the 17th report of 2009 of the Selection of Bills Committee and I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

Ordered that the report be adopted.

The report read as follows—

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

REPORT NO. 17 OF 2009

1.

The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 at 7.18 pm.

2.

The committee resolved to recommend—That—(a)   the Poker Machine (Reduced Losses—Interim Measures) Bill 2009 and the Protecting Problem Gamblers Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 March 2010 (see appendices 1 and 2 for statements of reasons for referral); and(b)   the provisions of the Trade Practices Amendment (Infrastructure Access) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 9 March 2010 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral).

(a)

the Poker Machine (Reduced Losses—Interim Measures) Bill 2009 and the Protecting Problem Gamblers Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 March 2010 (see appendices 1 and 2 for statements of reasons for referral); and

(b)

the provisions of the Trade Practices Amendment (Infrastructure Access) Bill 2009 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 9 March 2010 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral).

3.

The committee resolved to recommend—That the following bills not be referred to committees:

• ACIS Administration Amendment (Application) Bill 2009
• Appropriation (Water Entitlements and Home Insulation) Bill 2009-2010
• Appropriation (Water Entitlements) Bill 2009-2010
• Australian Centre for Renewable Energy Bill 2009
• Aviation Transport Security Amendment (2009 Measures No. 2) Bill 2009
• Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Amendment Bill 2009
• National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2009.

The committee recommends accordingly.

4.

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

• Britt Lapthorne Bill 2009
• Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2009
• Keeping Jobs from Going Offshore (Protection of Personal Information) Bill 2009
• Plain Tobacco Packaging (Removing Branding from Cigarette Packs) Bill 2009.

(Kerry O’Brien)

Chair

19 November 2009

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

APPENDIX 1

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Poker Machine (reduced Losses - Interim Measures) Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

In undertaking the inquiry, the Committee should consider:

1.

how targeted changes to the practical operation of poker machines, such as reducing the maximum bet to $1 and thereby reducing the maximum loss in a single hour to $120, can cut rates of excessive gambling;

2.

that limiting users to $20 in total credits at any one time and $20 banknote denominations will assist problem gamblers to reduce the total amount they are able to lose at any one time; and,

3.

that cutting rates of excessive gambling is a very important part of addressing the issue of problem gambling and allowing people to play the pokies with reduced harm.

Possible submissions or evidence from: Dr Charles Livingstone

Dr Richard Woolley

Paul Bendat, PokieAct.org.au

Responsible Gaming Networks

Victorian InterChurch Gambling Taskforce Independent Gambling Authority (SA) Gambling Impact Society NSW

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs (Legislation)

Possible hearing date(s):

February/ March

Possible reporting date:

Thursday 18 March 2010

(signed)

Kerry O’Brien

Whip/ Selection of Bills Committee member

APPENDIX 2

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Protecting Problem Gamblers Bill 2009

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Gambling losses from poker machines have enormous social costs on society. It is important to introduce harm minimisation measures.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Victorian InterChurch Gambling Taskforce, FamilyVoice Australia, Gambling impact Society, Chrysalis Insight Inc, Social Responsibilities Committee - Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Anglicare Victoria, Relationships Australia - Tasmania, Social Issues Executive of the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, Duty of Care, UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Community Affairs Legislation Committee Possible hearing date(s):

TBA

Possible reporting date:

18 March 2010

(signed)

Stephen Parry

Whip/ Selection of Bills Committee member

APPENDIX 3

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

The Trade Practices Amendment (Infrastructure Access) Bill 2009 (the Bill).

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

To enable further public consultation on proposed reforms effecting the regulation of third party access to nationally significant infrastructure.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

It is anticipated that submissions of evidence will be provided from: infrastructure providers;

• infrastructure users;
• Commonwealth, State and Territory infrastructure access regulators and merit review bodies;
• Commonwealth, State and Territory government departments; and
• consultants and academics with an interest in infrastructure and access regulation.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

It is recommended that the Bill be referred to the Economics Legislation Committee.

Possible hearing date(s):

It is recommended that hearings be conducted in February and March 2010.

Possible reporting date:

It is recommended that the final reporting date he 9 March 2010. This date would allow for effective public consultation and enable the finalised Bill to be implemented in a timely manner.

(signed)

Kerry O’Brien

Whip/ Selection of Bills Committee member