Senate debates
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Committees
Government Response to Report
5:51 pm
Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I present the government's response to the schedule of government responses outstanding to parliamentary committee reports presented by the President on 25 November 2011 and seek leave to have the document incorporated in Hansard.
Leave granted.
The documents read as follows—
GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE REPORTS
RESPONSE TO THE SCHEDULE TABLED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE ON 25 NOVEMBER 2011
Circulated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate
Senator the Hon Chris Evans
27 June 2012
A CERTAIN MARITIME INCIDENT (Senate Select)
Report on a Certain Maritime Incident
The government response is being considered.
AGRICULTURAL AND RELATED INDUSTRIES (Senate Select)
Pricing and supply arrangements in the Australian and global fertiliser market—Final report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
AUSTRALIA’S CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE LEGISLATION (Joint Select)
Advisory report on the Clean Energy Bills and the Steel Transformation Bill 2011
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
AUSTRALIAN COMMISSION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT INTEGRITY (Joint Statutory)
Inquiry into the operation of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006 – Final report
The government response was tabled in the Senate and in the House of Representatives on 9 February 2012.
Report on the inquiry into integrity testing
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 30 March 2012 and tabled on 10 May 2012.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION
National Health Reform Amendment (National Health Performance Authority) Bill 2011 [Provisions]
The government response will be given during the debate on the bill.
Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling—Palm Oil) Bill 2010
The Government does not intend to respond to the bill as it has been removed from the House of Representatives Notice Paper in accordance with Standing Order 42.
Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions]
The bill was passed in Parliament on 23 June 2011.
Disability impairment tables: Provisions of Schedule 3 of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011
The bill was passed in Parliament on 21 November 2011.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS REFERENCES
Consumer access to pharmaceutical benefits
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 22 February 2012 and tabled on 27 February 2012.
Gene patents
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 6 December 2011 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
The social and economic impact of rural wind farms
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Disability and ageing: Lifelong planning for a better future
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The effectiveness of special arrangements for the supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines to remote area Aboriginal Health Services
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Review of the Professional Services Review (PSR) Scheme
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 6 March 2012 and tabled on 13 March 2012.
Inquiry into Commonwealth funding and administration of mental health services
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The regulatory standards for the approval of medical devices in Australia
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
CORPORATIONS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES (Joint Statutory)
Review of the Managed Investments Act 1998
The Committee has agreed that a response is no longer required.
The structure and operation of the superannuation industry
The Committee has agreed that a response is no longer required.
Inquiry into aspects of agribusiness managed investment schemes
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
The government response is being considered.
Access for small and medium business to finance
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
CYBER-SAFETY (Joint, Select)
High-wire act: Cyber-safety and the young – Interim report
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 20 December 2011 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
Review of the Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011
The government response will be given during the debate on the bill.
ECONOMICS LEGISLATION
Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling Laws) Bill 2009
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Corporations Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2010 [Provisions].
Addressed in summing up speech and by letter from the Hon David Bradbury MP to Senator Cormann which was tabled in the Senate on 18 November 2010.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2010)
The government response is being considered.
Notice of payments of recompense for personal injuries: Provisions of Schedule 4 of the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Election Commitments and Other Measures) Bill 2011
The bill was passed in Parliament on 22 June 2011.
Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping) Bill 2011
The government response is being considered.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2011)
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
ECONOMICS REFERENCES
Consenting adults deficits and household debt – links between Australia’s current account deficit, the demand for imported goods and household debt
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Milking it for all it’s worth—competition and pricing in the Australian dairy industry
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 3 February 2012 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
Access of small business to finance
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The regulation, registration and remuneration of insolvency practitioners in Australia: the case for a new framework
The Government’s interim response and Options Paper was tabled on 14 June 2011. The Government released a Proposals Paper on 14 December 2011 outlining a significant package of reforms, and is currently drafting legislation to address the underlying issues raised by the Senate Inquiry.
Competition within the Australian banking sector
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The asset insurance arrangements of Australian state governments
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The impacts of supermarket price decisions on the dairy industry—Final report
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 3 February 2012 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS LEGISLATION
Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010
The government response will be given during the debate on the bill.
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Bill 2010 [2011]; National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2010 [2011] and the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Bill 2011 and Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS REFERENCES
Provision of childcare
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Primary schools for the Twenty First Century Program—Final report
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 27 June 2012.
ELECTORAL MATTERS (Joint Standing)
Implications of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Automatic Enrolment) Act 2009 (NSW) for the conduct of Commonwealth elections
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The 2010 Federal Election: Report on the conduct of the election and related matters
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS LEGISLATION
Product Stewardship Bill 2011
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS REFERENCES
Sustainable management by the Commonwealth of water resources
The government response is being considered.
The adequacy of protections for the privacy of Australians online
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The koala – saving our national icon
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Recent ABC programming decisions
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The capacity of communication networks and emergency warning systems to deal with emergencies and natural disasters
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS REFERENCES
Forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 19 December 2011 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
The impacts of mining in the Murray-Darling Basin
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS REFERENCES
Living with a salinity – a report on progress: the extent and economic impact of salinity in Australia
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 12 April 2012 and tabled on 10 May 2012.
About time! Women in sport and recreation in Australia
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS STANDING
Conserving Australia–Australia’s national parks, conservation reserves and marine protected areas
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION
Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2008
The government response is being considered.
Annual reports (No.2 of 2009)
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 24 January 2012 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
Exposure drafts of Australian privacy amendment legislation: Part 1 – Australian privacy principles
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 10 May 2012.
Public Service Amendment (Payments in Special Circumstances) Bill 2011
The government response will be given during the debate on the bill.
Exposure drafts of Australian privacy amendment legislation: Part 2 – Credit reporting
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 10 May 2012.
FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFERENCES
Staff employed under Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984
The government response is being considered.
Native vegetation laws, greenhouse gas abatement and climate change measures
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 16 January 2012 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
The administration of health practitioner registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 19 January 2012 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
The Government’s administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION STANDING
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2008)
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 13 March 2012.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2008)
The government response is being considered.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE (Joint Standing)
Human rights in the Asia-Pacific: Challenges and opportunities
The government response was tabled in both houses on 9 February 2012.
Inquiry into Australia’s relationship with the countries of Africa
The government response was tabled in the House of Representatives on the 22 March 2012 and in the Senate on 10 May 2012.
Inquiry into Australia’s trade and investment relations with Asia, the Pacific and Latin America
The government response is being considered.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE LEGISLATION
Defence Legislation Amendment (Security of Defence Premises) Bill 2010 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010 [Provisions]
The government response is being considered.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE REFERENCES
The Torres Strait: Bridge and border
The government response is being considered.
Defence’s request for tender for aviation contracts
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 9 February 2012.
Incidents onboard HMAS Success between March and May 2009 and subsequent events—Part II
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 9 February 2012.
FUEL AND ENERGY (Senate Select)
The mining tax: Still bad for the economy – Still bad for jobs – Second interim report
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 13 March 2012.
GAMBLING REFORM (Joint, Select)
First Report: The design and implementation of a mandatory pre-commitment system for electronic gaming machines
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 4 May 2012 and tabled on 10 May 2012.
LAW ENFORCEMENT (Joint Statutory)
Examination of the annual report of the Australian Crime Commission 2009-10
The government response was tabled in both houses on 10 May 2012.
LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS LEGISLATION
Telecommunications Interception and Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Provisions of Schedule 4 of the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2010
The bill was passed in Parliament on 10 May 2011.
Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Combating the Financing of People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2011 [Provisions]
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Bill 2011 and related bills [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2011
Recommendation was addressed by addendum Explanatory Memorandum.
Deterring People Smuggling Bill 2011
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS REFERENCES
The road to a republic
The government response is being considered.
Review of government compensation payments
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 29 November 2011 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
Donor conception practices in Australia
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
A balancing Act: provisions of the Water Act 2007
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 27 March 2012 and tabled on 10 May 2012.
Review of the National Classification Scheme: achieving the right balance
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Australia’s arrangement with Malaysia in relation to asylum seekers
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 13 June 2012 and tabled on 18 June 2012.
International parental child abduction to and from Australia
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 30 March 2012 and tabled on 10 May 2012.
MEN’S HEALTH (Senate Select)
Report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
MIGRATION (Joint Standing)
Immigration detention in Australia – A new beginning – Criteria for release from detention – First report of the inquiry into immigration detention
The government response is being considered.
Immigration detention in Australia – Community-based alternatives to detention – Second report of the inquiry into immigration detention
The government response is being considered.
Immigration detention in Australia – Facilities, services and transparency – Third report of the inquiry into immigration detention
The government response is being considered.
Enabling Australia – Inquiry into the migration treatment of disability
The government response is being considered.
NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK (Joint Standing)
Review of the rollout of the National Broadband Network – First report
The government response was tabled in the House of Representatives on 1 March 2012 and in the Senate on 13 March 2012.
NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK (Senate Select)
Another fork in the road to national broadband – Second interim report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Third report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Fourth interim report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Final report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
NATIONAL CAPITAL AND EXTERNAL TERRITORIES (Joint, Standing)
Etched in stone? Inquiry into the administration of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT (Joint Statutory)
Report 417— Review of Auditor-General’s reports tabled between February 2009 and September 2009
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Report 418: Review of Auditor-General's Reports Nos. 04 to 38 (2009/10)
The government responded by issuing an executive minute.
Report 422: Review of the 2009-10 Defence Materiel Organisation Major Projects Report
The government response was done by Executive Minute.
Report 423: Review of Auditor-General’s reports Nos 39 (2009-10) to 15 (2010-11)
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Report 424: Eighth biannual hearing with the Commissioner of Taxation
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Report 426: Ninth biannual hearing with the Commissioner of Taxation
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
PUBLIC WORKS (Joint Standing)
Report 3/2011—Referrals made February to March 2011—Proposed development and construction of housing for the Department of Defence at Muirhead, Darwin, NT—Proposed Robertson Barracks electrical reticulation system upgrade, Darwin, NT—Proposed redevelopment of the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory—Larrakeyah housing project budget update
The government’s response was dealt with in the expediency motion.
Report 4/2011—Referrals made May to June 2011—Proposed fit-out of new leased premises for the Human Services portfolio at Greenway, Australian Capital Territory—Proposed fit-out of new leased premises for the Australian Taxation Office at the site known as 55 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, Queensland—Proposed contamination remediation works, former fire training area, RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook, Victoria—Proposed Specific Nutritional Capability Project for Defence Science and Technology Organisation at Scottsdale, Tasmania
The expediency motion for the approval of works has been agreed by the Parliament. The government does not propose to make any further response.
Public works on Christmas Island
The government response is being considered.
REGIONAL AND REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES (Senate Select)
Final report 2010
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
RURAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT LEGISLATION
Airports Amendment Bill 2010 [Provisions]
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 13 March 2012.
Exposure draft and explanatory memorandum of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 25 November 2011 and tabled on 7 February 2012.
RURAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT REFERENCES
Animal welfare standards in Australia’s live export markets - Live Animal Export (Slaughter) Prohibition Bill 2011 [No. 2] - Live Animal Export Restriction and Prohibition Bill 2011 [No. 2]
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
RURAL AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT REFERENCES
Iraqi wheat debt – repayments for wheat growers
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 21 June 2012.
Implications for the long-term sustainable management of the Murray-Darling Basin system – Final report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Investment of Commonwealth and State funds in public passenger transport infrastructure and services
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 27 June 2012.
Rural and regional access to secondary and tertiary education opportunities
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 13 March 2012.
The possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the Government’s decision to relax import restrictions on beef – First report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the Government’s decision to relax import restrictions on beef – Final report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
RURAL AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT STANDING
Australia’s future oil supply and alternative transport fuels – Final report
The government response was presented out of sitting in the Senate on 28 May 2012 and tabled on 18 June 2012.
SCRUTINY OF NEW TAXES (Senate Select)
The mining tax: A bad tax out of a flawed process
The government response was tabled in the Senate on 13 March 2012.
The carbon tax: Economic pain for no environmental gain – Interim report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The carbon tax: Secrecy and spin cannot hide carbon tax flaws – Final report
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (Senate Select)
Report
The Government does not intend to respond to the report because of the time elapsed since the report was tabled.
TREATIES (Joint Standing)
Report 100 – Treaties tabled on 25 June 2008 (2)
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
Report 110 – Treaties tabled on 18, 25 (2) and 26 November 2009 and 2 (2) February 2010
The government response was tabled in both houses on 9 February 2012.
5:52 pm
Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I wanted to take note of the government's response to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report, Investment of Commonwealth and state funds in public passenger transport infrastructure and services. I move:
That the Senate take note of the document.
I seek leave to continue my remarks later.
Leave granted; debate adjourned.