Jeannie Ferris (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the first report of 2006 of the Selection of Bills Committee.

Ordered that the report be adopted.

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 2006

1.

The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 7 February 2006 at 4.19 pm.

2.

The committee resolved to recommend—That––

(a)

the provisions of the Aged Care (Bond Security) Bill 2005, the Aged Care (Bond Security) Levy Bill 2005 and the Aged Care Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Bill 2005 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2006 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(b)

the provisions of the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2005 be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2006 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral); and

(c)

the provisions of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2006 (see appendices 3 and 4 for statements of reasons for referral).

3.

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

• Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Anti-avoidance) Bill 2005
• Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2005
• Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Cooperative Fisheries Arrangements and Other Matters) Bill 2005 [2006]
• Jurisdiction of Courts (Family Law) Bill 2005 [2006]
• Jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 [2006]
• Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2005
• Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 6) Bill 2005.

The committee recommends accordingly.

4.

The committee deferred consideration of the following bill to the next meeting:

Bill deferred from meeting of 7 December 2005

• OHS and SRC Legislation Amendment Bill 2005.

(Jeannie Ferris)

Chair

8 February 2006

Appendix 1

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Aged Care (Bond Security) Bill 2005

Aged Care (Bond Security) Levy Bill 2005

Aged Care Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Bill 2005

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

The industry is unsure of the potential liability that they are signing off to. The third bill is complex and requires inquiry.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

ASCA, ANHECA, CHA, ANF, HSU, LHMU, Professor Warren Hogan.

Committee to which bill is referred:

Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date: 3 March 2006

Possible reporting date(s): 30 March 2006

Appendix 2

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

The bill contains substantial changes to existing electoral practice and as a result should be considered in detail.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Australia Electoral Commission

Committee to which bill is referred:

Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s):

Appendix 3

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Further analysis required as to why the existing control of division of parenting by courts is not considered adequate; concerns that this bill will see parents’ interests take precedence over the best interests of children; the effect of introducing shared parenting as a starting point will jeopardise the safety of some children and their family members; and, how the new system would provide the right support for Indigenous communities, among other issues.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Law Society of Australian and State and Territory Law Councils; National Legal Aid; the Federation of Community Legal Services; the Sole Parent Union; the Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre; the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children; Women’s Legal Services Australia; the National Abuse Free Contact Campaign; Women’s Safety After Separation; SPARK Resource Centre; and, the National Network of Indigenous Women’s Legal Services, among other groups

Committee to which bill is referred:

Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s):

Appendix 4

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Significant changes with potential implications for families, women, children and men.

Principal issues include:

• Are changes in the best interest of children?
• Will changes ensure safety of children and their family members?
• Will changes meet the needs on indigenous and culturally diverse communities?
• Will changes meet the needs of rural and remote communities?

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Community legal centres, women’s groups, men’s groups, children support groups, legal practitioners.

Committee to which bill is referred:

Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s): 8 August 2006