Spotlight on Committees
A number of inquiries into legislation were established during November 2012 and several of these are seeking submissions in early 2013. The Environment and Communications References Committee is also seeking submissions, by 18 January, for its inquiries into extreme weather events and ABC television, while the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee is calling for submissions to its inquiry into maximising our investment in Australian schools by 30 January. Details of all other inquiries seeking submissions are available from closing dates for submissions.
25th anniversary of Parliament House
The 25th anniversary of Parliament House will occur in 2013. Visit the website for details of activities and events.
Senate
The Senate concluded its 2012 sittings at 11.39 pm on Thursday, 29 November. During 2012, the Senate sat for a total of 591 hours and 12 minutes over 57 days. The average length of a sitting day was 10 hours and 22 minutes. 1492 questions without notice were asked and 40 petitions with a total of 85 475 signatures were presented. Over the course of the year, 201 bills were introduced, 100 were referred to committees, 207 were passed, and the Senate divided 342 times.
Visit the Senate StatsNet for more facts and figures about the work of the Senate.
Sittings will resume on 5 February 2013.
Occasional Lectures
The next lecture will be presented on 15 February 2013 by Dr David Headon.