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

I present the second report for 2018 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The report read as follows—

1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 14 February 2018 at 7.26 pm.

2. The committee recommends that—

(a) the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Commitments for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2018 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 4 December 2018 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(b) the provisions of the Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (Student Loan Sustainability) Bill 2018 be referred immediately to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 16 March 2018 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(c) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Intelligence Services Amendment (Establishment of the Australian Signals Directorate) Bill 2018 be referred immediately to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 21 March 2018 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(d) the provisions of the Migration Amendment (Clarification of Jurisdiction) Bill 2018 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 5 June 2018 (see appendix 4 for a statement of reasons for referral);

(e) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 2) Bill 2018 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 15 March 2018 (see appendix 5 for a statement of reasons for referral); and

(f) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 2) Bill 2018 and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-new Dwelling Interests) Bill 2018 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 23 March 2018 (see appendix 6 for a statement of reasons for referral).

3. The committee recommends that the following bills not be referred to committees:

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

Chair

15 February 2018

Appendix 1

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill: Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Commitment for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2018

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

On the 22nd of June 2017 an almost identical Bill was referred to Committee but most submissions were from the Refugee Industry or individual refugees.

I believe many Australians were unaware of the Government's Bill and the opportunity to make a submission. My Private Senator's Bill only differs from the earlier Government's Bill is the length of time required to be on a permanent visa before applying for Citizenship.

The proposal contained in this Bill is very important. I believe Senators should be given the opportunity to hear from a wider group of Australians.

I will publicize the opportunity to make a submission if the Bill is accepted for referral.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Those Australians who did not make a submission to the Government's Bill

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date is):

June-July

Possible reporting date:

December 2018

Appendix 2

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (Student Loan Sustainability)

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Changes proposed in this bill could have a substantial impact on the delivery of higher education, and students.

The introduction of a new borrowing limit across the whole income-contingent loans scheme could have a number of unintended consequences.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

National Union of Students (and associated student associations)

Universities Australia

University groupings (Go8, RUN, IRU)

Individual universities

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be determined by the Committee

Possible reporting date:

16 March 2018

Appendix 3

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

I ntelligence Service Amendment (Establishment of the Australian Signals Directorate) Bill 2018

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

To further investigate potential impacts and unintended consequences of the Bill.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Department of Defence (Australian Signals Directorate) CPSU

Other TBD

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee Possible hearing date(s):

TBC

Possible reporting date: 22 March 2018

Appendix 4

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Migration Amendment (Clarification of Jurisdiction) Bill 2018

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

The complex nature of the Migration Act 1958 and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 and the potential impact of these changes warrant further consultation and investigation to ensure there are no unintended consequences.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Possible hearing date(s):

To be determined by committee Possible reporting date:

5 June 2018

Appendix 5

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill: Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No.2)

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Stakeholder concerns about lack consumer protections

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Committee to which bill is to be referred:

Senate Economics Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s):

To be determined by the committee

Possible reporting date:

15 March 2018

Appendix 6

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill:

Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability No. 2) Bill 2018 Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-New Dwelling Interests) Bill 2018

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:

Stakeholder concerns around built-to-rent and the interface with the Government's changes to the CGT concessions for MITs who build 'affordable housing'.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Property Council, HIA, UDIA, academics, not-for-profits, affordable housing bodies.

Committee to which bill is to be referred: Senate Economics Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date(s): On the papers

Possible reporting date: 23 March 2018

I move:

That the report be adopted.

Question agreed to.