David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present the eighth report of 2015 of the Selection of Bills Committee, and I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard.

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 2015

1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 24 June 2015 at 7.22pm.

2. The committee resolved to recommend—That—

(a) the Australian Government Boards (Gender Balanced Representation) Bill 2015 be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 8 September 2015 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(b) the provisions of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment Bill 2015 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 17 August 2015 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(c) contingent upon its introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Amendment Bill 2015 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 15 September 2015 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(d) the provisions of the Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2015 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 August 2015 (see appendix 4 for a statement of reasons for referral) ; and

(e) the Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2015 be referred immediately to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 15 September 2015 (see appendix 5 for a statement of reasons for referral).

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

Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015

Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015 Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015 Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015 Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015

Higher Education Support Amendment (New Zealand Citizens) Bill 2015

Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015

Passports Legislation Amendment (Integrity) Bill 2015

Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Consumer Lease Exclusion) Bill 2015

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Defined Benefit Income Streams) Bill 2015

Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business Measures No. 3) Bill 2015

Treasury Legislation Amendment (Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms) Bill 2015.

The committee recommends accordingly.

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

Shipping Legislation Amendment Bill 2015.

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

Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2015

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2015

Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015

Australian Defence Force Superannuation Bill 2015

Australian Defence Force Cover Bill 2015

Defence Legislation Amendment (Superannuation and ADF Cover) Bill 2015

Civil Law and Justice (Omnibus Amendments) Bill 2015

Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Country of Origin Food Labelling) Bill 2015

Corporations Amendment (Publish What You Pay) Bill 2014

Motor Vehicle Standards (Cheaper Transport) Bill 2014

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Caring for Single Parents) Bill 2014

Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 2) Bill 2015

Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2015 Budget Measures) Bill 2015.

David Bushby

Chair

25 June 2015

APPENDIX 1

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITIEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

Name of bill:

Australian Government Boards (Gender Balanced Representation) Bill 2015

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

In undertaking the inquiry, the Committee should consider:

1.   The benefits of ensuring gender-balanced representation on Government boards;

2.   The reasons behind existing policy in this area;

3.   The support given to existing policy by both major parties;

4.   The need to secure such measures in legislation; and

5.   Any related matters.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet — Office for Women

Boardlinks

Women on Boards

Women's Leadership Institute Australia

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee (Legislation)

Possible hearing date(s):

July 2015

Possible reporting date:

September 2015

(signed)

Senator Rachel Siewert

APPENDIX 2

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITIEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

Name of bill:

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment Bill 2015

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

This bill deals with sensitive matters pertaining to the administration of radioactive and nuclear materials. It should be referred to committee for examination to ensure that the wider community of involved stakeholders has the ability to put forward its views to fully inform Senators on the details of the legislation.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Friends of the Earth, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Beyond Nuclear Initiative, the Office of the Supervising Scientist, ARPANSA, ANSTO, the Medical Association for the Prevention of War, Northern Territory Environment Centre, Department of Industry and Science, Sutherland Shire Council.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

N/A

Possible reporting date:

17 August 2015

(signed)

Senator Rachel Siewert

APPENDIX 3

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITIEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

Name of bill:

Fairer Paid Parental Leave Amendment Bill 2015

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

To scrutinise the impact of proposed changes to Paid Parental Leave through this legislation..

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Department of Social Services

ACTU

National Foundation for Australian Women

The Parenthood

Economic Security for Women

The Victorian Women's Trust

Australian Council of Social Service

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:

12 October 2015

(signed)

Senator Anne McEwen

APPENDIX 4

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITIEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

Name of bill:

Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2015

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

To consider:

Changes to license variation, including extending licenses beyond the scope of the original Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan.

Amendment to the list of factors which the regulator must consider before the dealings can be declared Notifiable Low Risk Dealings by the Governor-General. This includes removing the requirement that the GMO be biologically contained so that it is not able to survive or reproduce without human intervention.

Any other matter of the committee's interest.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

OGTR

CSIRO

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

The committee's discretion

Possible reporting date:

1st week August 2015

(signed)

Senator Anne McEwen

APPENDIX 5

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITIEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee:

Name of bill:

Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2015

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

This Greens private members bill establishes the Office of Animal Welfare as an independent statutory authority - with its CEO responsible for reviewing and advising upon the protection of animal welfare in Commonwealth regulated activities.

Animal welfare is an important issue to Australians across political divides. It receives regular media coverage and commensurate outrage from community and large animal welfare networks. The recent inquiry into National Senator Back's Ag-gag private members bill received over 2,000 responses.

In the face of continuing animal abuse, this government has responded by dissolving the federal Australian Animal Welfare Strategy and its independent advisory committee, and the Inspector General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports.

In 2012 Labor endorsed the developing of a model for an Office of Animal Welfare, which was then set aside when Labor gained government. Last week Labor tabled a motion in the House noting the Government's abolition of Inspector General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports. This inquiry can provide an opportunity to test Labor's commitment.

The inquiry will also provide an important animal welfare campaign hook, especially if an early election is called.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Animals Australia, RSPCA Australia, Animal Liberation Australia, Barristers Animal Welfare Panel, Sentient, Vets against Live Export, PETA Asia Pacific, Humane Society International, Humane Research Australia, Australia Veterinary Association, Voiceless, Lawyers for Animals, World Animal Protection, Animal Justice Party, Choose Cruelty Free.

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport

Possible hearing date(s):

Weeks of beginning 21 & 28 August

Possible reporting date:

September sittings

(signed)

Senator Rachel Siewert

I move:

That the report from the committee be adopted.