AS AT 18 JANUARY 2006

(2005 Final Edition)

This is a list of all bills before the Parliament for the 2005 calendar year

Abbreviations

AD Australian Democrats [Dem]

AG Australian Greens

ALP Australian Labor Party [Opp]

APA Australian Progressive Alliance

CLP Country Liberal Party

FFP Family First Party

Ind Independent

LP Liberal Party of Australia [Govt]

NATS The Nationals [Govt]

CID Consideration in Detail stage (House of Representatives)

PM Private Member—€™s bill

PS Private Senator—€™s bill

R Restored to Notice Paper

S Senate bill

SBC Selection of Bills Committee

A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—€”Customs) Bill 2004

(Act citation: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—€”Customs) Act 2005)

Part of a package of four bills, the bill imposes a goods and services tax on recipients of taxable supplies made under a long-term non-reviewable contract to the extent that it is a duty of customs.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 8/12/04

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Assent: 18/2/05; Act No. 1, 2005

A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—€”Excise) Bill 2004

(Act citation: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—€”Excise) Act 2005)

Part of a package of four bills, the bill imposes a goods and services tax on recipients of taxable supplies made under a long-term non-reviewable contract to the extent that it is an excise duty.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 8/12/04

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Assent: 18/2/05; Act No. 2, 2005

A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—€”General) Bill 2004

(Act citation: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—€”General) Act 2005)

Part of a package of four bills, the bill imposes a goods and services tax on recipients of taxable supplies made under a long-term non-reviewable contract to the extent that it is neither a duty of customs nor a duty of excise.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 8/12/04

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Assent: 18/2/05; Act No. 3, 2005

S Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Bill 2005

(Previous title: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Bill 2004)

Amends the: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 to: abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC); rename the Act as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005; and make consequential amendments arising from its abolition, including: the transfer of ATSIC—€™s assets and liabilities to other agencies, the establishment of a new housing fund to be administered by Indigenous Business Australia, and modification of the role of the Office of Evaluation and Audit; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2004 to: abolish regional councils from 1 July 2005; and make consequential amendments. Also makes consequential amendments to 11 other Acts.

Senate: Intro. 1/12/04; Passed 14/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Select Committee on the Administration of Indigenous Affairs 17/11/04; report tabled 8/3/05

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp-Dem-AG/passed; 1 Dem/passed

Committee amendments: 1 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/passed; 3 Dem/passed; 3 Dem/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to

Reps: Intro. 15/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 5 Govt/passed

[Senate agreed to Reps amendments 16/3/05]

Assent: 22/3/05; Act No. 32, 2005

S Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 to: give certainty to international cultural loan arrangements by providing that a certificate of exemption issued under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 allowing the return of loaned cultural heritage objects cannot be overridden by a declaration under the Act; repeal Part IIA and other Victoria-specific provisions to enable the Victorian Government to administer Aboriginal heritage protection in Victoria directly through its own legislation; and make technical amendments as a consequence of the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003; and Aboriginal Land (Lake Condah and Framlingham Forest) Act 1987 to make amendments consequential on the repeal of Part IIA of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984.

Senate: Intro. 12/10/05; 2nd reading adjourned 12/10/05

SBC report 13/05 (tabled and adopted 9/11/05): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 9/11/05; report due 8/2/06

S Acts Interpretation Amendment (Legislative Instruments) Bill 2005

Amends the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to: clarify the particular meaning of the term —€œlegislative instrument—€; make some consequential amendments; and clarify the application of certain provisions and the meaning of certain terms in relation to disallowable non-legislative instruments.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 6/10/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Reps: Intro. 11/10/05; Passed 3/11/05

Assent: 15/11/05; Act No. 133, 2005

S Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Bill 2005

(Previous title: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Bill 2004)

Amends the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 to reform the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), particularly in relation to: AAT procedures; removal of restrictions on the constitution of the AAT for particular hearings; increased powers for ordinary members; role of the Federal Court; and removal of provisions for tenured appointments. Also makes consequential and related amendments to 18 other Acts.

Senate: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 15/3/05

Committee amendments: 4 Govt/passed; 4 Opp/passed; 1 item negatived; 3 items opposed/items agreed to

Reps: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed

[Senate agreed to Reps amendments 17/3/05]

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 38, 2005

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

Part of a package of three bills in relation to the protection of aged care residents—€™ accommodation bonds, the bill amends the Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care (Consequential Provisions) Act 1997 to provide for new prudential regulatory arrangements in relation to the management of aged care residents—€™ accommodation bonds and entry contributions.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

Aged Care Amendment (Extra Service) Bill 2005

Amends the Aged Care Act 1997 to remove the current requirement that extra service providers (aged care providers which allow residents to choose, and pay for, a higher than average level of hotel-type services) need to reapply for extra service status every 5 years.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 15/6/05

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 59, 2005

Aged Care Amendment (Transition Care and Assets Testing) Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 16/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 7/3/05

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 22, 2005

Aged Care (Bond Security) Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

Aged Care (Bond Security) Levy Bill 2005

Part of a package of three bills in relation to protection of aged care residents—€™ accommodation bonds, the bill enables the imposition of levies on approved providers in order to recover costs incurred by the Commonwealth as a result of repaying accommodation bond balances to residents in the event that an approved provider of a residential aged care service or a flexible care service becomes insolvent.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Levy and Fees) Bill 2005

Amends the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994, Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 and Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products (Collection of Levy) Act 1994 to implement new cost recovery arrangements for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority; and Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Name Change) Act 2004 (the Name Change Act) and Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005 in relation to the commencement of the Name Change Act. Also repeals 4 spent Acts in relation to the former interim levy.

Reps: Intro. 17/2/05; Passed 9/3/05

Senate: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 17/3/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): No reference

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 42, 2005

Anglo-Australian Telescope Agreement Amendment Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; Passed 7/12/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

SBC report 14/05 (tabled and adopted 30/11/05): No reference

PS Anti-Genocide Bill 1999 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Amends the Genocide Convention Act 1949 to implement Australia—€™s obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to ensure that genocide is unlawful in Australia.

Senate: Intro. 13/10/99; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/99, 5/4/01

Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Legal and Constitutional References Committee 14/10/99; report tabled 29/6/00; errata presented 3/7/00 and tabled 14/8/00

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to clarify that it is not necessary to identify a particular terrorist act to prove an offence. Also provides for a review by the Council of Australian Governments of the operation of the legislation after 5 years.

Reps: Intro. 2/11/05; Passed 2/11/05

Senate: Intro. 3/11/05; Passed 3/11/05

Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 3/11/05; Act No. 127, 2005

Anti-Terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2005

Amends the: Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978, Criminal Code Act 1995 and Customs Act 1901 to extend the definition of terrorist organisation; Criminal Code Act 1995 and Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 in relation to financing terrorism offences; Criminal Code Act 1995 to provide for control orders and preventative detention orders; Crimes Act 1914 to: extend stop, question, search and seize powers to all Commonwealth places and prescribed security zones; and provide for a notice to produce regime to ensure compliance with lawful requests for certain information; Crimes Act 1914, Criminal Code Act 1995, Migration Act 1958 and Surveillance Devices Act 2004 to update sedition offences; Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 to authorise the use of video surveillance at Australia—€™s major airports and on aircraft; Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Surveillance Devices Act 2004 in relation to financial transaction reporting; Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 to: strengthen ASIO—€™s special powers warrant regime; provide ASIO with enhanced access to aircraft and vessel information; strengthen the offence for providing false or misleading information under an ASIO questioning warrant; and clarify that obligations, prohibitions or restrictions imposed by control orders will not be prescribed administrative action; Customs Act 1901 and Customs Administration Act 1985 to broaden Customs powers for security and intelligence purposes; and Migration Act 1958 to clarify the power to deport non-citizens on security grounds.

Reps: Intro. 3/11/05; Passed 29/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 3 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 30/11/05; Passed 6/12/05

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (3/11/05) to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 3/11/05; report tabled 28/11/05

Committee amendments: 74 Govt/passed; 30 Opp/negatived; 34 Dem/negatived; 1 AG/negatived; 5 Schedules opposed/Schedules agreed to; 1 Part opposed/Part agreed to; 2 items opposed/items agreed to

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 7/12/05]

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 144, 2005

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2004-2005

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2004-2005, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2005.

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 9/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 17/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 35, 2005

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2004-2005

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2004-2005, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2005.

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 9/3/05

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 17/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 36, 2005

Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2004-2005

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sums appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2004-2005 and Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2004-2005, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2005.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/05; Passed 20/6/05

Senate: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 24/6/05 a.m.

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 70, 2005

Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2004-2005

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sums appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2004-2005 and Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2004-2005, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2005.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/05; Passed 20/6/05

Senate: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 24/6/05 a.m.

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 71, 2005

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2005-2006

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for service of the year ending on 30 June 2006.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/05; Passed 20/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 24/6/05 a.m.

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 72, 2005

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2005-2006

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2006.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/05; Passed 20/6/05

Senate: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 24/6/05 a.m.

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 73, 2005

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2004-2005

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1) 2004-2005, for expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2005.

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 9/3/05

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 17/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 37, 2005

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2005-2006

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2006.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/05; Passed 20/6/05

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 74, 2005

Appropriation (Regional Telecommunications Services) Bill 2005-2006

Reps: Intro. 7/9/05; Passed 12/9/05

Senate: Intro. 13/9/05; Passed 14/9/05

Reference (6/9/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee at whatever stage bill has reached at end of government business on 8/9/05; report tabled 12/9/05

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Assent: 23/9/05; Act No. 115, 2005

Appropriation (Tsunami Financial Assistance and Australia-Indonesia Partnership) Bill 2004-2005

Appropriates sums out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure in relation to Tsunami financial assistance and the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 10/3/05

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 15/3/05

Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 22/3/05; Act No. 34, 2005

Appropriation (Tsunami Financial Assistance) Bill 2004-2005

Appropriates sums out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the government in relation to Tsunami financial assistance.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 10/3/05

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 15/3/05

Assent: 22/3/05; Act No. 33, 2005

S Arts Legislation Amendment (Maritime Museum and Film, Television and Radio School) Bill 2005

Amends the: Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973 to allow the Australian Film, Television and Radio School to decide which degrees, diplomas and certificates it awards; and Australian National Maritime Museum Act 1990 to: allow the Governor-General to delegate to the Australian National Maritime Museum the power to fix entry charges; and clarify the Museum—€™s power to fix entry charges for special exhibitions and events.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 11/8/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 16/8/05; Passed 18/8/05

Assent: 31/8/05; Act No. 110, 2005

Asbestos-related Claims (Management of Commonwealth Liabilities) Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 25/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Dem-Opp/negatived

Assent: 19/10/05; Act No. 122, 2005

Asbestos-related Claims (Management of Commonwealth Liabilities) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Asbestos-related Claims (Management of Commonwealth Liabilities) Bill 2005, the bill amends the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 in relation to certain consequential and transitional matters arising from the proposed Asbestos-related Claims (Management of Commonwealth Liabilities) Act 2005, and transfers any remaining liabilities of the Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee (SIFC) to the Commonwealth. Also repeals the Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee Act 1977, Stevedoring Industry Levy Act 1977 and Stevedoring Industry Levy Collection Act 1977 following the transfer of SIFC liabilities.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 10/10/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Opp/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to

Assent: 19/10/05; Act No. 123, 2005

AusLink (National Land Transport) Bill 2004

(Act citation: AusLink (National Land Transport) Act 2005)

Introduced with the AusLink (National Land Transport—€”Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2004, the bill establishes a new framework for federal funding of land transport infrastructure. Also extends the Roads to Recovery Program for a further 4-year period from 1 July 2005.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 9/2/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 9/2/05; report tabled 12/5/05

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 93, 2005

AusLink (National Land Transport—€”Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2004

(Act citation: AusLink (National Land Transport—€”Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005)

Provides for transitional arrangements that will apply after the commencement of the AusLink (National Land Transport) Bill 2004, including amendments to the Australian Land Transport Development Act 1988 to limits its operation and to remove the Australian Land Transport Development Special Account.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 9/2/05

Senate: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 9/2/05; report tabled 12/5/05

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 94, 2005

Australian Citizenship Bill 2005

Introduced with the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005, the bill replaces the Australian Citizenship Act 1948, logically organising its provisions; strengthens certain citizenship application, residence, approval and Ministerial discretion provisions; changes provisions relating to resumption of renounced citizenship, citizenship by descent and revocation of citizenship; and implements a legislative framework for the collection, use and storage of personal identifiers.

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; 2nd reading adjourned 9/11/05

Senate:

SBC report 14/05 (tabled and adopted 30/11/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/11/05; report due 27/2/06

Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Australian Citizenship Bill 2005, the bill: repeals the Australian Citizenship Act 1948; makes consequential amendments to 22 Acts; and contains application and transitional provisions.

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; 2nd reading adjourned 9/11/05

Senate:

SBC report 14/05 (tabled and adopted 30/11/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/11/05; report due 27/2/06

Australian Communications and Media Authority Bill 2004

(Act citation: Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill provides for the merger of the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Communications Authority to form the ACMA.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed; 1 Opp-Dem/passed; 6 Dem/passed; 2 Dem/negatived; 1 Dem/withdrawn

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 44, 2005

Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill: makes consequential amendments to 19 Acts and the Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997, including replacing existing references to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) and the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with references to the ACMA; and contains transitional provisions dealing with: the transfer of assets and liabilities of the ABA and the ACA, and the continuing operation of certain instruments and proceedings. Also repeals the Australian Communications Authority Act 1997.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/passed

[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 16/3/05; Senate did not insist on its amendments 17/3/05]

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 45, 2005

Australian Institute of Marine Science Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Australian Institute of Marine Science Act 1972 to expand the Council of the Institute of Marine Science from 6 to 7 members, the additional part-time member being nominated by James Cook University; and amend the title of the principal executive officer of the Institute from —€˜Director—€™ to —€˜Chief Executive Officer—€™.

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 10/3/05

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 12/5/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): No reference

Assent: 25/5/05; Act No. 54, 2005

Australian Passports (Application Fees) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Australian Passports (Application Fees) Act 2005)

Part of a package of three bills to establish a new framework for the operation of Australia—€™s passport system, the bill imposes, as taxes, application fees in relation to passports and other travel-related documents.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 8/12/04

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Assent: 18/2/05; Act No. 6, 2005

Australian Passports Bill 2004

(Act citation: Australian Passports Act 2005)

Part of a package of three bills to establish a new framework for the operation of Australia—€™s passport system, the bill replaces the Passports Act 1938, particularly dealing with: entitlement of Australians to a passport; retention of the administrative review regime; increased penalties for fraud; measures to minimise the impact of lost and stolen passports; measures for refusal or cancellation of passports on certain law enforcement grounds; use of emerging technologies for ePassports; and privacy provisions.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 8/12/04

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Assent: 18/2/05; Act No. 5, 2005

Australian Passports (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Australian Passports (Transitionals and Consequentials) Act 2005)

Part of a package of three bills to establish a new framework for the operation of Australia—€™s passport system, the bill: repeals all provisions relating to Australian passports or travel-related documents from the Passports Act 1938 and renames it the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2004. Also makes consequential amendments to 6 Acts, including the Passports Act 1938, to ensure the: continuing validity of travel documents, continued application of the Passports Act 1938 to pending proceedings and reviews, and application of the proposed Australian Passports Act 2004 to pending applications.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 8/12/04

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Assent: 18/2/05; Act No. 7, 2005

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005

Introduced with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005, the bill establishes the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority which will carry out the existing functions of the Australian Sports Drug Agency as well as additional functions in relation to: investigation of potential sports doping violations; presentation of cases against alleged offenders at the international Court of Arbitration for Sport and other sports tribunals; determination of mandatory anti-doping rules to be included in Australian Sports Commission (ASC) funding agreements with sports bodies; and advising the ASC on the compliance of sports bodies in observing these requirements.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

Senate:

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report due 7/2/06

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005, the bill contains transitional provisions and makes consequential amendments to 4 Acts and the Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997 relating to the establishment of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. Also repeals the Australian Sports Drug Agency Act 1990.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

Senate:

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report due 7/2/06

S Australian Sports Commission Amendment Bill 2004 [2005]

(Act citation: Australian Sports Commission Amendment Act 2005)

Amends the Australian Sports Commission Act to: provide a new permissible purpose for the disclosure of certain customs information to the Executive Director of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC); and facilitate the use of this information by the ASC and sporting organisations in anti-doping processes.

Senate: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 14/2/05; Passed 16/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 40, 2005

Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia—€™s Skills Needs) Bill 2005

Further to the Schools Assistance (Learning Together—€”Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004, the bill establishes Australian Technical Colleges for year 11 and 12 students in 24 regions throughout Australia.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 23/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 10/8/05; Passed 10/10/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 15/6/05; extension of time to report 9/8/05; report tabled 18/8/05

Committee amendment: 1 Dem-Opp/negatived

Assent: 19/10/05; Act No. 124, 2005

Australian Workplace Safety Standards Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 11/8/05; Passed 16/8/05

SBC report 8/05 (tabled and adopted 17/8/05): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Dem-Opp/negatived

Assent: 15/11/05; Act No. 134, 2005

Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the authorised deposit-taking institutions supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 12, 2005

Authorised Non-operating Holding Companies Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Authorised Non-operating Holding Companies Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Authorised Non-operating Holding Companies Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: extend the authorised non-operating holding companies levy to authorised non-operating holding companies in the general insurance sector, in addition to those in the authorised deposit-taking institutions sector; increase the statutory upper limit for the levy set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 13, 2005

PM Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change (Climate Change Trigger) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Albanese —€“ ALP)

Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to include climate change as a matter of national environmental significance, thereby ensuring that major new projects, which lead to the emission of more than 500 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent per year, are assessed for their climate change impact as part of any environmental assessment process.

Reps: Intro. 5/9/05; Read a 1st time 5/9/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PM Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol Ratification) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Albanese —€“ ALP)

Requires the Australian Government to effect Australia—€™s obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.

S Bankruptcy and Family Law Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

(Previous title: Bankruptcy and Family Law Legislation Amendment Bill 2004)

Amends the: Bankruptcy Act 1966 and Family Law Act 1975 to clarify the interaction between family law and bankruptcy, particularly in relation to the rights of the non-bankrupt spouse and the interests of creditors; and Bankruptcy Act 1966 to: establish a supervised account regime for the collection by a bankruptcy trustee of a bankrupt—€™s assessed income contributions; and prevent the use of financial and maintenance agreements to defeat the claims of creditors.

Senate: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 1 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 17/2/05

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

[Senate agreed to Reps amendment 9/3/05]

Assent: 18/3/05; Act No. 20, 2005

Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Anti-avoidance) Bill 2005

Amends the Bankruptcy Act 1966 to strengthen anti-avoidance provisions which allow trustees to recover property disposed of prior to bankruptcy or owned by a third person but acquired by that person using the bankrupt—€™s resources.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Deferred

Border Protection Legislation Amendment (Deterrence of Illegal Foreign Fishing) Bill 2005

Amends the Fisheries Management Act 1991, Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 and Migration Act 1958 in relation to illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters by: providing powers for the detention and investigation of suspected illegal fishers; and ensuring consistency between fisheries and immigration detention arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 17/2/05; Passed 17/3/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 9/3/05; report tabled 10/5/05

Committee amendments: 8 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 5 Dem/negatived; 1 Part opposed/Part agreed to; 1 Division opposed/Division agreed to

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 3, 5 and 8 and disagreed to amendments nos 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, 9/8/05; Senate did not insist on its amendments 10/8/05]

Assent: 23/8/05; Act No. 103, 2005

S Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2005

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to provide a framework for the conversion of commercial television broadcasting services in regional and remote areas of Western Australia from analogue to digital; and to allow commercial television broadcasting licensees in remote licence areas to multi-channel their digital services, where they elect jointly, or one elects individually, to provide a third digital-only commercial service; and exempt such licensees from any mandatory high definition television quotas that might be applied in remote licence areas.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Broadcasting Services Amendment (Anti-Siphoning) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Broadcasting Services Amendment (Anti-Siphoning) Act 2005)

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to extend the automatic de-listing period for events on the —€œanti-siphoning—€ list (which lists events determined by the Minister to be available free-to-air) so that events are removed 12 weeks prior to their commencement.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 14/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 10/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 7/3/05

Committee amendments: 3 Opp/passed

[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 14/3/05; Senate did not insist on its amendments 15/3/05]

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 43, 2005

Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill 2005

Introduced with the Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2005, the bill: makes certain forms of industrial action unlawful; provides improved access to sanctions against unlawful industrial action in the form of injunctions, pecuniary penalties and compensation for loss; and provides for the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner and the Federal Safety Commissioner.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 11/8/05

CID amendments: 36 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 16/8/05; Passed 7/9/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 16/3/05; report tabled 10/5/05

Committee amendments: 1 Dem-Opp/negatived; 11 Dem/negatived

Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill 2005, the bill: makes consequential amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1996, Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 and Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997; and provides the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner with access to the records of the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 11/8/05

CID amendments: 19 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 16/8/05; Passed 7/9/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 16/3/05; report tabled 10/5/05

Assent: 12/9/05; Act No. 112, 2005

Census Information Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Archives Act 1983 and Census and Statistics Act 1905 to ensure that name-identified census information collected in all future censuses, from households which provide explicit consent, will be stored and preserved by the National Archives of Australia for release after a closed access period of 99 years; and Census and Statistics Act 1905 to: make technical amendments as a consequence of the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003; and harmonise criminal offence provisions with those contained in the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

SBC report 13/05 (tabled and adopted 9/11/05): No reference

PM Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Tanner —€“ ALP)

Amends the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 to: extend to 12 months the period over which policy costings can be obtained from the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Finance and Administration, prior to an election; enable the opposition party to deal directly with the secretaries of the departments; and impose a confidentiality requirement on the secretaries.

Reps: Intro. 31/10/05; Read a 1st time 31/10/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PS Charter of Political Honesty Bill 2000 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Introduced with the Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2000, the bill: addresses misuse of tax payer funded advertising campaigns for party political purposes; establishes a parliamentary joint committee to develop a code of conduct for ministers and other members of Parliament and an Office of Commissioner for Ministerial and Parliamentary Ethics to enforce the code; and ensures merit-based public appointments by ministers.

Senate: Intro. 10/10/00; 2nd reading adjourned 10/10/00

Reference: Referred to Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 39th Parliament (29/11/00); reference re-adopted 40th Parliament (21/3/02); report tabled 29/8/02

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

Child Support Legislation Amendment Bill 2004

Amends the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and Family Law Act 1975 to: relocate provisions currently contained in regulations relating to overseas maintenance arrangements; and make minor and consequential amendments; Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 in relation to: equity between parents in access to courts; and streamlining of certain review processes; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to make minor and technical amendments in relation to child support.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/04

Senate:

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Civil Aviation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to: empower the Governor-General to make regulations inconsistent with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Sex Discrimination Act 1984; validate existing civil aviation and civil aviation safety regulations and past actions based on those regulations; ensure consistent references to aircraft registered overseas; and ensure that certain conditions for the grant of Air Operator—€™s Certificates (AOCs) have effect as ongoing conditions on the AOCs.

Reps: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 12/5/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): No reference

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 86, 2005

S Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (Mutual Recognition with New Zealand) Bill 2005

Amends the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation (Carriers—€™ Liability) Act 1959 to permit the mutual recognition of certain aviation-related safety certification between Australia and New Zealand.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 10/8/05; report tabled 5/9/05

PM Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Preventing Smoking Related Deaths) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Kerr —€“ ALP)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to deny public election funding to political parties or candidates accepting donations from the tobacco industry.

Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2005

Introduced with the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management (Related Amendment) Bill 2005, the bill clarifies the Commonwealth—€™s power to conduct activities necessary for, or incidental to, the selection of specified Commonwealth land as a site for, and the establishment and operation of, a radioactive waste management facility and the transportation of radioactive waste to the facility. The bill also specifies three Commonwealth potential sites in the Northern Territory which are to be further investigated; and provides for the Northern Territory Government and land councils to nominate potential sites.

Reps: Intro. 13/10/05; Passed 2/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 12 CLP/passed

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 8/12/05

Reference: Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 9/11/05; report tabled 29/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 CLP/passed; 6 AG/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 8/12/05]

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 145, 2005

Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management (Related Amendments) Bill 2005

(Previous title: Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management (Related Amendment) Bill 2005)

Introduced with the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2005, the bill amends the: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to add a declaration under section 7 (selection of site of radioactive waste management facility) of the proposed Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 to the classes of decisions that are not decisions to which the Act applies; and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to provide for an additional position, nominated by the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, on the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council.

Reps: Intro. 13/10/05; Passed 2/11/05

CID amendments: 4 CLP/passed

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 8/12/05

Reference: Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 9/11/05; report tabled 29/11/05

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 146, 2005

PS Constitution Alteration (Appropriations for the Ordinary Annual Services of the
R Government) 2001 [2004]

(Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Constitution to ensure that if the Senate fails to pass a proposed law appropriating revenue or moneys for the ordinary annual services of the government in respect of that year, an amount of money is appropriated for those services equal to the amount appropriated for those services in the preceding year.

Senate: Intro. 26/6/01; 2nd reading adjourned 26/6/01

SBC report 15/01 (tabled and adopted 26/9/01): Deferred

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Constitution Alteration (Electors—€™ Initiative, Fixed Term Parliaments and
R Qualification of Members) 2000 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Constitution in relation to: elector-initiated constitutional change; dissolution of the House of Representatives; term of service of senators; increased duration of the House of Representatives to a 4-year fixed term; holding of simultaneous elections for both Houses; recognition of the office of Prime Minister; dismissal of the Prime Minister; and qualification, and grounds for disqualification, of members of Parliament.

Senate: Intro. 4/4/00; 2nd reading adjourned 4/4/00

SBC report 6/00 (tabled and adopted 12/4/00): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Constitution Alteration (Right to Stand for Parliament—€”Qualification of Members
R and Candidates) 1998 (No. 2) [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Brown —€“ AG)

Amends section 44 of the Constitution to allow persons who hold an —€œoffice of profit under the Crown—€ or who are not Australian citizens to nominate for election to Parliament.

Senate: Intro. 24/11/98; Laid aside at 3rd reading under Standing Order 135 [no absolute majority] 15/5/03

SBC report 11/98 (tabled and adopted 26/11/98): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 16/5/02

Committee amendments: 2 AG/passed

Restored and recommitted 1/12/04; In committee 1/12/04

S Consular Privileges and Immunities Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 to allow for additional privileges and immunities to be granted on a reciprocal basis to consular officers representing overseas countries in Australia.

Senate: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 13/10/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 13/10/05; Passed 3/11/05

Assent: 15/11/05; Act No. 132, 2005

Copyright Amendment (Film Directors—€™ Rights) Bill 2005

Amends the Copyright Act 1968 to provide rights to directors to share, as copyright owners, in remuneration for the retransmission of films included in free-to-air broadcasts.

Reps: Intro. 17/3/05; Passed 13/9/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 11/5/05; report tabled 10/8/05

Assent: 8/11/05; Act No. 130, 2005

Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005

Replaces the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 in relation to the incorporation and regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations and establishing the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/05

SBC report 9/05 (tabled and adopted 7/9/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 7/9/05; extension of time to report 11/10/05; report due first sitting day in 2006

Corporations Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2005

Responds to the South Australian Supreme Court decision in Hanel v O—€™Neill by amending the Corporations Act 2001 to clarify the scope of the potential personal liability of the directors of corporate trustees. Also makes a retrospective amendment to clarify the operation of auditor independence provisions.

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 10/11/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived

Assent: 18/11/05; Act No. 138, 2005

PM Crimes Act Amendment (Incitement to Violence) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Ms Roxon —€“ ALP)

Amends the Crimes Act 1914 to insert a new offence in relation to threats and incitement to commit violence on racial and religious grounds.

Reps: Intro. 5/12/05; Read a 1st time 5/12/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Crimes Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Crimes Act 1914 to enable Commonwealth participating agencies to request assumed identity documents from State and Territory issuing agencies in accordance with legislation in force in those jurisdictions.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 87, 2005

S Crimes Legislation Amendment (Telecommunications Interception and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the: Criminal Code Act 1995 to extend the operation of defences available in relation to certain telecommunications offences; and Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 in relation to: exceptions to the general prohibition against the interception of communications; warrants in connection with the investigation of certain ancillary offences; statistical information for named-person warrants; additional information to be included in the Commonwealth Ombudsman—€™s annual report; use of intercepted information in civil forfeiture proceedings; and clarification of the meaning of the term —€œan employee of a carrier—€.

Senate: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 22/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 11/5/05; order varied 12/5/05; extension of time to report 14/6/05; report presented 17/6/05 and tabled 20/6/05

Committee amendments: 6 Govt/passed; 1 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 95, 2005

Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2005

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert new offences in relation to: the use of a carriage service, including the Internet, to access, transmit or make available suicide related material; and the possession, production, supply or acquisition of such material for use through a carriage service.

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 11/5/05

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 24/6/05 a.m.

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 16/3/05; extension of time to report 11/5/05; report tabled 12/5/05

Committee amendments: 6 Govt/passed

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 24/6/05 a.m.]

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 92, 2005

S Criminal Code Amendment (Trafficking in Persons Offences) Bill 2005

(Previous title: Criminal Code Amendment (Trafficking in Persons Offences) Bill 2004)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 and Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 to fulfil Australia—€™s obligations under United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children by criminalising all aspects of trafficking in persons by introducing a number of new and extended offences. Passage of this bill will permit Australian ratification of the Protocol.

Senate: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 20/6/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 9/2/05; extension of time to report 7/3/05; report tabled 10/3/05

Committee amendments: 25 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/passed

Reps: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 21/6/05

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 96, 2005

PS Criminal Code Amendment (Workplace Death and Serious Injury) Bill 2004

R (Introduced by Senator Nettle —€“ AG)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert new offences in relation to industrial manslaughter and causing serious injury. Also amends the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 in relation to monitoring compliance with related court orders.

Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 4/8/04

SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): Deferred

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 30/11/04

S Customs Amendment (Extension of Import Cut-over Time) Bill 2005

Amends the Customs Legislation Amendment (Application of International Trade Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2004 to extend the transition phase of the imports component of the new Integrated Cargo System.

Senate: Intro. 10/8/05; Passed 17/8/05

SBC report 8/05 (tabled and adopted 17/8/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 17/8/05; Passed 18/8/05

Assent: 24/8/05; Act No. 105, 2005

Customs Legislation Amendment (Import Processing Charges) Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 91, 2005

Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2005

Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: reflect changes in technology in the oil and gas exploration industries; reclassify paraquat dichloride with an added emetic as duty free; extend the operation of the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Provisions) Scheme to 31 December 2011; amend the country codes for Poland and Wake Island; increase the rates of customs duty payable on certain US originating alcohol and tobacco products in accordance with the Consumer Price Index.

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 11/5/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Committee request: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 88, 2005

Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2005

Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: insert an upper limit of 22 per cent alcohol content in respect of grape wine; ensure that certain wine-based cream beverages are subject to the Wine Equalisation Tax and the applicable rates of customs duty; and remove the 3 per cent customs duty that applies to —€˜business inputs—€™ that are subject to a Tariff Concession Order.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 11/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 16/8/05; Passed 8/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 15/9/05; Act No. 114, 2005

Customs Tariff Amendment (Commonwealth Games) Bill 2005

Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to provide duty free entry from 1 January to 30 June 2006 for goods that are of a non-commercial nature imported by non-Australian Commonwealth Games Family members for use in, or for purposes related to, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 12/10/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): No reference

Assent: 8/11/05; Act No. 131, 2005

Datacasting Charge (Imposition) Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Datacasting Charge (Imposition) Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Datacasting Charge (Imposition) Act 1998 to replace existing references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with references to the ACMA. Also contains transitional provisions providing for the continuing effect of certain determinations made by the ACA.

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 49, 2005

Defence Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Defence Act 1903 to provide for: a comprehensive regime for drug testing Australian Defence Force members; the incorporation into Defence Instructions of any instrument in force from time to time; and the delegation of the power to issue Defence Instructions.

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 16/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 7/3/05

Committee amendments: 3 Dem/negatived

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 26, 2005

PS Defence Amendment (Parliamentary approval for Australian involvement in

R overseas conflicts) Bill 2003 [2004]

(Introduced by Senators Bartlett and Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Defence Act 1903 to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Defence Force, subject to exceptions covering the movement of personnel in the normal course of their peacetime activities and the need to take emergency action.

Senate: Intro. 27/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/03, 10/2/05

SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

S Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005

Amends the Defence Act 1903 to permit the use of the Australian Defence Force to protect States and Territories in response to domestic security and violence situations and to protect Commonwealth interests where State and Territory jurisdictions do not apply. Also makes consequential amendments to the Air Force Act 1923, Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 and Naval Defence Act 1910.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report due 7/2/06

S Defence Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2005

Amends: the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 as a consequence of changes in the criminal law of the Australian Capital Territory; the Defence Act 1903 to change references from —€œinvestigating officers—€ to —€œinquiry officers—€; the Naval Defence Act 1910 to align legislation governing eligible ages of Navy Cadets with legislation governing their Army and Air Force counterparts; the Military Superannuation and Benefits Act 1991 to remove access to the Military Superannuation and Benefits scheme retention benefit for new members of the Australian Defence Force; and 10 Acts to make technical amendments consequential on the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and Legislative Instruments (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003.

Senate: Intro. 17/8/05; Passed 6/9/05

SBC report 9/05 (tabled and adopted 7/9/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 6/9/05; Passed 15/9/05

Assent: 6/10/05; Act No. 121, 2005

S Defence Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2005

Amends the: Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 to: create the statutory positions of the Director of Military Prosecutions and the Registrar of Military Justice; provide for the remuneration of the existing statutory position of the Chief Judge Advocate to be determined by the Remuneration Tribunal; and remove the roles and functions currently given to convening authorities (these roles and functions will be distributed between the Director of Military Prosecutions and the Registrar of Military Justice); and Defence Act 1903 to create the statutory position of Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force.

Senate: Intro. 12/10/05; Passed 9/11/05

SBC report 13/05 (tabled and adopted 9/11/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; Passed 1/12/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 12/12/05; Act No. 142, 2005

S Defence (Road Transport Legislation Exemption) Bill 2005

Clarifies the extent of the ADF—€™s exemption from the operation of particular State and Territory road transport laws in certain circumstances, to enable the operation of the Australian Defence Force Road Transport Exemption Framework recently negotiated between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and State and Territory road transport authorities by.

Senate: Intro. 30/11/05; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/05

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): No reference

S Disability Discrimination Amendment (Education Standards) Bill 2004 [2005]

(Act citation: Disability Discrimination Amendment (Education Standards) Act 2005)

Amends the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to support the draft Disability Standards for Education which will be formulated and tabled following passage of this bill and which will clarify and elaborate the obligations under the Act of education and training providers in relation to students with disabilities.

Senate: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 1/12/04; extension of time to report 7/12/04; report tabled 8/12/04

Reps: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 17/2/05

Assent: 1/3/05; Act No. 19, 2005

Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to: enable certain foreign-owned and operated higher education providers to offer education and training services to overseas students in Australia; clarify that registered providers may charge a fee to international students as part of tuition to cover the costs incurred in meeting the provider—€™s obligations under the Act and the National Code of Practice; and as a consequence of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 13/10/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 9/12/05

SBC report 12/05 (tabled and adopted 12/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 12/10/05; report tabled 7/11/05

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 157, 2005

PS Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to prohibit political advertising that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent.

Senate: Intro. 27/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/03

SBC report 5/03 (tabled and adopted 14/5/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

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

Amends the: Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Enrolment Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2004 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to: closure of the electoral rolls; proof of identity for enrolment and provisional voting; financial disclosure requirements in non-election periods; access to the electoral roll and its use; political party registration; paid electoral advertising on the Internet; candidate nomination deposits; prisoner voting entitlements; location of Divisional Offices; abolition of broadcasters and publishers returns; and the disclosure of political donations; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to increase the tax deductibility value of contributions to political parties, independent candidates and members; and makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Also provides for the automatic de-registration and requirement for re-registration of certain political parties.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

PM Employee Protection (Employee Entitlements Guarantee) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Bowen —€“ ALP)

Provides for the establishment and administration of a scheme, funded by a 0.1% levy on payroll, to pay wages and certain other entitlements owed to employees in the event of employer insolvency.

Reps: Intro. 20/6/05; Read a 1st time 20/6/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work) Bill 2005, the bill amends the: Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 in relation to: workforce participation and returns to work for people receiving allowances; a new compliance framework; and RapidConnect, an initiative to provide faster access to Job Network for newstart and youth allowees; Disability Services Act 1986 in relation to approval of rehabilitation programs; and Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Australians Working Together and other 2001 Budget Measures) Act 2003 to repeal the requirement for a ministerial review of the parenting payment participation agreements and flexible participation requirements for mature age newstart allowees regime.

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; Passed 1/12/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (9/11/05) to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 9/11/05; report tabled 28/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 30 Govt/passed; 65 Dem/negatived; 7 AG/negatived; 1 FFP/negatived; 3 Schedules opposed/Schedules agreed to; 5 Parts opposed/Parts agreed to; 17 items opposed/items agreed to

Committee requests: 6 Govt/passed

[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 7/12/05; Reps agreed to Senate amendments (4 Opp/negatived) 7/12/05]

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 154, 2005

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Bill 2005

Establishes a framework for mandatory energy efficiency opportunities assessments and public reporting of outcomes by large energy using businesses, including compliance and enforcement arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 3/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/11/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 5/10/05; extensions of time to report 7/11/05, 8/11/05; report tabled 10/11/05

S Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 to: confirm that importers or exporters of recycled or used methyl bromide or hydrochlorofluorocarbons are only required to hold a used substances licence; and ensure that reporting obligations for synthetic greenhouse gases manufactured in Australia mirror those for persons who import or export synthetic greenhouse gases; and Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 to provide for a trust land swap in Markham Close, Mosman, which will enable certain residential land to be incorporated into parkland and, in exchange, permit the sale of a disused Scout Hall site.

Senate: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 20/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed

Reps: Intro. 22/6/05; Passed 22/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 97, 2005

PS Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Invasive

R Species) Bill 2002 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to regulate invasive species by preventing the introduction of further species in Australia and seeking to eradicate or control those already here.

Senate: Intro. 19/11/02; 2nd reading adjourned 19/11/02

SBC report 4/03 (tabled and adopted 26/3/03): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 26/3/03; Order varied 26/6/03: Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 26/6/03; extensions of time to report 16/9/03, 30/3/04; report due 25/11/04; report tabled 8/12/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Amendment Bill 2005

Amends Article 1 of the Agreement Establishing the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, contained in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Act 1990, to specifically provide that Mongolia be a country of operations of the Bank, thereby making it eligible to receive financing from the Bank. Also creates a regulation-making power so that any future amendments to the Agreement can be made by regulation.

Reps: Intro. 3/11/05; Passed 30/11/05

Senate: Intro. 1/12/05; Passed 9/12/05

SBC report 13/05 (tabled and adopted 9/11/05): No reference

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 164, 2005

PS Euthanasia Laws (Repeal) Bill 2004

R (Introduced by Senator Allison —€“ AD)

Repeals the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997 which prevents the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly and the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly from legalising voluntary euthanasia.

Senate: Intro. 3/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/3/04

SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Family and Community Services and Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Further 2004 Election Commitments and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to introduce a new family tax benefit (FTB) Part B supplement from 1 January 2005; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to replace the existing formula for the child income cut-out amount for FTB with a specified indexed cut-out amount; and Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to exempt aged care accommodation bonds from the operation of the assets tests.

Reps: Intro. 17/2/05; Passed 8/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 9/3/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): No reference

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 29, 2005

Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Family Assistance and Related Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: modify the method of calculating family tax benefit (FTB) Part B for certain secondary earners who return to work after the birth or adoption of a child; expand the maternity payment eligibility criteria to cover children adopted under 2 years of age; set aside and write-off certain family assistance non-lodgment debts; clarify the meaning of —€œpartner—€; limit rent assistance and claims for FTB for a past period; preclude FTB advances for certain child support debtors; and introduce an order of reductions for FTB Part B rates; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to prevent duplicate rent assistance payments; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to provide for cancellation of only the rent assistance portion of a person—€™s FTB or social security payment for failing to submit a rent certificate review.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 14/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 15/6/05; Passed 20/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Committee requests: 3 Dem/passed

[Reps did not make Senate requests for amendments 16/6/05; Senate did not press its requests for amendments 20/6/05]

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 61, 2005

Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) Bill 2005, the bill amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: increase the number of hours of child care benefit payable without needing to meeting the work/training/study test; and modify the work/training/study test applicable to those who wish to claim up to 50 hours child care benefit in a week.

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; Passed 1/12/05

Senate: Intro. 1/12/05; Passed 6/12/05

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of the bill in Reps (9/11/05) to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 9/11/05; report tabled 28/11/05

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 150, 2005

Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Adjustment of Certain FTB Child Rates) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Adjustment of Certain FTB Child Rates) Act 2005)

Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to provide new adjustment arrangements for the family tax benefit for under 13 and age 13 to 15 child rates.

Reps: Intro. 18/11/04; Passed 9/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 10/2/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 11, 2005

S Family Law Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Family Law Act 1975 in relation to: enforcement of court orders; replacement of certain outdated terms (including introduction of the term —€œdivorce—€); recovery of child maintenance paid by a person found not to be a parent; operation of appeals; clarification of the rule-making power of the Family Court; and technical amendments; and Bankruptcy Act 1966 to confer on the Family Court of Western Australia the same jurisdiction that is conferred on the Family Court of Australia in relation to concurrent family law proceedings where a party is a bankrupt.

Senate: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 20/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 2 Govt/negatived; 2 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 22/6/05

CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed

[Senate agreed to Reps amendments 24/6/05 a.m.]

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 98, 2005

Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005

Amends the: Family Law Act 1975 in relation to: shared parental responsibility; the definition of —€˜family violence—€™; the compliance and enforcement regime; the role of independent children—€™s lawyers as best interest advocates; the relationship between parenting orders and family violence orders; and the jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court in certain property matters; Evidence Act 1995 and Family Law Act 1975 to provide for less adversarial child-related proceedings; Family Law Act 1975, Federal Magistrates Act 1999 and Marriage Act 1961 in relation to counselling and dispute resolution services for separating and divorcing parents; Family Law Act 1975 and 5 other Acts to remove references to —€˜residence—€™, —€˜contact—€™ and —€˜specific issues orders—€™; and Family Law Act 1975 and 4 other Acts to relocate defined terms to form a dictionary.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Farm Household Support Act 1992 to: strengthen the qualification provisions for entry to the Farm Help programme; and enable reviews of re-establishment grant recipients to be conducted to confirm that recipients meet their undertakings not to re-enter farming within 5 years and to notify a change of address.

Reps: Intro. 16/2/05; Passed 8/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 9/3/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): No reference

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 30, 2005

Farm Household Support Amendment (Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment) Bill 2005

Amends the Farm Household Support Act 1992 to implement changes to: the income test for the Exception Circumstances Relief Payment; and the process by which farmers obtain Exceptional Circumstances Certificates.

Reps: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 20/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 21/6/05

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 69, 2005

Film Licensed Investment Company Bill 2005

Introduced with the Film Licensed Investment Company (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2005, the bill provides for a film licensed investment company scheme which will end on 30 June 2009.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 15/6/05

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 57, 2005

Film Licensed Investment Company (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Film Licensed Investment Company Bill 2005, the bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to give effect to the proposed Film Licensed Investment Company Act 2005. Also repeals the Film Licensed Investment Company Act 1998 which provided for a pilot film licensed investment company scheme.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 15/6/05

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 58, 2005

Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005)

Further to the accrual budgeting and reporting framework introduced by the Financial Management Legislation Amendment Act 1999, the bill amends 112 Acts, including the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, to: update, clarify and align financial management and reporting provisions applying to Commonwealth entities; expand information requirements for special account determinations; and transfer from the Treasurer to the Finance Minister powers and functions to approve investments, money raising and guarantees for certain bodies (including power to delegate these powers and functions). Also repeals 28 redundant Acts.

Reps: Intro. 1/12/04; Passed 9/12/04

Senate: Intro. 8/2/05; Passed 10/2/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2005

Amends: 9 Acts in relation to financial management provisions for certain Special Accounts; Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to align it with the existing administrative practice of compensation due to eligible employees being paid either through Commonwealth employers or direct to employees; Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to extend the modified application of the Act which currently applies to intelligence or security agencies to law enforcement agencies that undertake sensitive activities; Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and Public Service Act 1999 to clarify that the appropriation authority for an act of grace payment, or a payment in special circumstances arising out of employment by the Commonwealth, is provided for in the annual Appropriation Acts; Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951 to correct, update and clarify certain provisions; and 4 Acts to update, clarify and align other financial management provisions. Also repeals the Employment Services Act 1994 and Loan Act 1977.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Act 1998 to enable levies to be collected from authorised non-operating holding companies in the general insurance sector as well as those in the authorised deposit-taking institutions sector.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 14, 2005

PS Financial Management and Accountability (Anti-Restrictive Software Practices)

R Amendment Bill 2003 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Amends the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to encourage the acquisition of open source computer software by government agencies.

Senate: Intro. 18/9/03; 2nd reading adjourned 18/9/03

SBC report 13/03 (tabled and adopted 15/10/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

S Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Cooperative Fisheries Arrangements and Other Matters) Bill 2005

Amends the Fisheries Administration Act 1991 and Fisheries Management Act 1991 to: clarify the meaning of certain Commonwealth fisheries management objectives; provide an express power for Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to amend or vary Offshore Constitutional Settlement fisheries arrangements; and facilitate cooperative fisheries management between Commonwealth, State and Territory governments by introducing regional fisheries arrangements.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Deferred

S Fisheries Legislation Amendment (International Obligations and Other Matters) Bill 2005

Amends the Fisheries Administration Act 1991 and Fisheries Management Act 1991 to: give effect to Australia—€™s obligations under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean; increase the exchange of information with foreign governments and international intergovernmental organisations in relation to suspected illegal fishers; provide for improved management of Australia—€™s fish stocks; and correct a drafting error. Also makes consequential amendments to the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and Migration Act 1958 contingent on commencement of the proposed Border Protection Legislation Amendment (Deterrence of Illegal Foreign Fishing) Act 2005.

Senate: Intro. 17/3/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 10 Govt/passed

Reps: Intro. 20/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 99, 2005

PS Flags Amendment (Eureka Flag) Bill 2004

R (Introduced by Senator Marshall —€“ ALP)

Amends the Flags Act 1953 to recognise the Eureka Flag as an official flag of Australia.

Senate: Intro. 23/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 23/3/04

SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): Deferred

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 9/12/04

PM Flags Amendment (Flying the Australian National Flag in a Heritage Place) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Ferguson —€“ ALP)

Amends the Flags Act 1953 to enable a person to fly the Australian national flag on heritage-listed land which is owned or leased by the person.

Reps: Intro. 23/5/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/5/05

Removed from Notice Paper 6/12/05

PS Freedom of Information Amendment (Open Government) Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Freedom of Information (Fees and Charges) Regulations to: extend access to information in the possession of the Commonwealth; and create an independent position of Freedom of Information Commissioner to be held by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

Senate: Intro. 25/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 25/6/03

SBC report 8/03 (tabled and adopted 13/8/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PM Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol content) Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Windsor —€“ Ind)

Amends the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to provide for the inclusion of ethanol in fuel supplied for use in motor vehicles.

PM Fuel Quality Standards (Renewable Content of Motor Vehicle Fuel) Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Katter —€“ Ind)

Amends the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to provide for the inclusion of ethanol and other renewable fuel in fuel supplied for use in motor vehicles.

Reps: Intro. 5/9/05; Read a 1st time 5/9/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Future Fund Bill 2005

Establishes a financial asset fund (the Future Fund) to meet the Government—€™s unfunded superannuation liabilities by 2020 using amounts credited to a Special Account (sourced from previous realised cash surpluses and proceeds of any future assets sales) and the transfer of financial assets. Also establishes a Board of Guardians to administer the Fund and the Future Fund Management Agency to provide executive and operational support to the Board.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

Senate:

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report due 21/2/06

General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the authorised general insurance supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 15, 2005

PS Genetic Privacy and Non-discrimination Bill 1998 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Provides for the: protection of genetic privacy; collection, storage, analysis and disclosure of DNA samples; rights and responsibilities of persons with respect to genetic information; and unlawfulness of genetic discrimination.

Senate: Intro. 11/3/98; 2nd reading adjourned 11/3/98, 5/10/00

SBC report 3/98 (tabled and adopted 25/3/98): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 25/3/98; report due 11/8/98; interim report presented 10/8/98 and tabled 10/11/98

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 23/11/98; extensions of time to report 10/12/98, 16/2/99, 30/3/99; report tabled 31/3/99

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 14/5/02, 17/11/04

PM Government Advertising (Prohibiting use of taxpayers—€™ money on party political advertising) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Thomson —€“ ALP)

The bill: regulates the use of public money on government information programs; and establishes the Principles and Guidelines for Government Advertising Campaigns.

Reps: Intro. 12/9/05; Read a 1st time 12/9/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PM Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Protecting the Great Barrier Reef from Oil Drilling and Exploration) Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Albanese —€“ ALP)

Amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to extend the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to Australia—€™s exclusive economic zone.

Reps: Intro. 14/2/05; Read a 1st time 14/2/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 1/11/05

Health Insurance Amendment (Medical Specialists) Bill 2005

Amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to amend procedures and prerequisites for the recognition of certain medical specialists and consultant physicians for Medicare rebate purposes.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 17/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; 2nd reading adjourned 18/8/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Safety-nets) Bill 2005

Amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to increase the extended Medicare safety net threshold from $300 to $500 for concession card holders and families in receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part A, and from $700 to $1000 for all other families and individuals, with effect from 1 January 2006.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 10/10/05

Senate: Intro. 11/10/05; Passed 8/12/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 10/8/05; report tabled 5/9/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 163, 2005

Health Legislation Amendment (Australian Community Pharmacy Authority) Bill 2005

Amends the: National Health Act 1953 to extend, until 31 December 2005, the existing arrangements for approving pharmacists to supply Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines; and Health Legislation Amendment (Podiatric Surgery and Other Matters) Act 2004 to correct a misdescription.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 25/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 60, 2005

Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: extend, until 30 June 2006, the existing arrangements for approving pharmacists to supply medicines subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; clarify that dependants of contributors to a health benefits fund with appropriate cover, as well as the contributors, are covered by the fund; Health Insurance Act 1973 to: clarify the scope of the power to make Medicare Tables; and enable the Minister to make legislative instruments determining that Medicare benefits are not payable for professional services in specified circumstances; and Medical Indemnity Act 2002 to replace references to the Health Insurance Commission with references to the Chief Executive Officer of Medicare Australia.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 2/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 8/11/05; Passed 9/12/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 5/10/05; extension of time to report 13/10/05; report tabled 7/11/05

Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to funding and grant levels for 2006-09 for certain purposes, including: 100 new places in Veterinary Science and Tropical Agriculture at James Cook University; capital infrastructure funding for the University of Western Sydney; and Commonwealth Scholarships; and Higher Education Funding Act 1988 to reflect indexation increases for transitional financial assistance funding for 2006-07.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 16/8/05

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 8/11/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 1 Opp-Dem/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment no. 3, disagreed to Senate amendments nos 1 and 2, and agreed to 2 Govt amendments in place of Senate amendments nos 1 and 2 and a further Govt amendment 5/12/05; Senate agreed to Reps amendments 9/12/05]

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 156, 2005

Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Bill 2005

Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to: funding for the Commonwealth Grant Scheme and Other Grants for 2005-08; eligibility for capital development funding grants; conditions for exemptions from the tuition assurance requirements; re-crediting of Student Learning Entitlement and FEE-HELP balance; Higher Education Funding Act 1988 to: clarify that no refunds of voluntary Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) repayments will be made from 1 January 2005; and make a technical correction to the definition of HECS debt; and Maritime College Act 1978 to ensure that the Australian Maritime College complies with the National Governance Protocols.

Reps: Intro. 17/2/05; Passed 9/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 12/5/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 9/3/05; extension of time to report 16/3/05; report tabled 10/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed

Committee amendment: 1 item opposed/item agreed to

Assent: 25/5/05; Act No. 56, 2005

Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Bill 2005

Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to further implement and refine the new framework for the Commonwealth funding of higher education and provide certainty to higher education providers and students, particularly in relation to review of decisions; access to student support payments; and flexibility of providers to respond to changes in demand and supply for particular courses or units of study. Also amends the: Higher Education Support (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 to clarify certain references; and Higher Education Support Act 2003 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 clarify tax file number requirements for students.

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 11/5/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): No reference

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 83, 2005

S Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 3) Bill 2005

Amends the: Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to: the definition of —€œStudent Load—€; quality and accountability requirements; guidelines for incidental fees and fees in respect of overseas students; compliance audits on the operation of certain higher education providers; and Commonwealth supported students; and make a technical amendment to correct a drafting error; Higher Education Support Act 2003 and Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 to reflect the renaming of Open Learning Australia to Open Universities Australia; and Australian National University Act 1991 to repeal an obselete heading.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 10/11/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 28/11/05; Passed 7/12/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 143, 2005

Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 4) Bill 2005

Amends the: Higher Education Support Act 2003 to: insert a category of Table C providers to enable certain foreign-owned and operated universities to be listed as overseas higher education providers; include Carnegie Mellon University as the first Table C provider; and clarify the tuition assurance arrangements for higher education providers other than Table A providers; and Higher Education Funding Act 1988, Higher Education Support Act 2003 and Higher Education Support (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 as a consequence of the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 13/10/05

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 9/12/05

SBC report 12/05 (tabled and adopted 12/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 12/10/05; report tabled 7/11/05

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 158, 2005

Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Workplace Relations Requirements) Bill 2005

Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to include in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines, certain requirements on higher education providers, to be known as the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 11/10/05

Senate: Intro. 12/10/05; Passed 10/11/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 10/8/05; report tabled 10/10/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 18/11/05; Act No. 139, 2005

Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005

Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to abolish compulsory student unionism in higher education institutions which receive Commonwealth funding; and reduce grants to an institution that breaches the voluntary student unionism requirements.

Reps: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 7/12/05

CID amendments: 1 Govt/passed; 7 Opp/negatived; 1 Ind/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 9/12/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 11/5/05; report tabled 10/8/05

Committee amendments: 3 Opp/negatived; 4 Joyce/negatived; 4 items opposed/items agreed to

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 159, 2005

Higher Education Support Amendment (Melbourne University Private) Bill 2005

Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to add Melbourne University Private to the list of Table B higher education providers (which will allow the university to access Commonwealth funding for research and FEE-HELP assistance).

Reps: Intro. 16/3/05; 2nd reading adjourned 16/3/05

Senate:

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Human Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 9/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 10/8/05; Passed 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived

Assent: 6/9/05; Act No. 111, 2005

Import Processing Charges Amendment Bill 2005

Introduced with the Customs Legislation Amendment (Import Processing Charges) Bill 2005 to restructure the cost recovery regime for import related services, the bill amends the Import Processing Charges Act 2001 to restructure the electronic import declaration and warehouse declaration processing charges.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 90, 2005

Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to: appropriate additional funding to provide tutorial assistance to Indigenous students who move away from their remote communities to attend school; and transfer transitional assistance funding for independent Indigenous vocational education and training providers to appropriations under the proposed Skilling Australia—€™s Workforce Act 2005.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/05; Passed 2/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 8/12/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled 15/6/05; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 15/6/05): Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 15/6/05; report tabled 18/8/05

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 Opp-Dem/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 8/12/05]

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 149, 2005

S Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Intelligence Services Act 2001, Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986, Office of National Assessments Act 1977, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979, Privacy Act 1988, Freedom of Information Act 1982 and 5 other Acts to implement recommendations from the Inquiry into Australian Intelligence Agencies (the Flood Inquiry) and reviews of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 that require legislative amendment, including: extending the terms of reference of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD (PJCAAD) to include all Australian intelligence agencies; clarifying the roles and functions of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) and the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD), including in relation to communication of incidentally obtained intelligence and ministerial authorisation of intelligence collection; giving legislative basis to the functions and ministerial accountabilities of the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation; extending and clarifying the functions of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security; and increasing the size of the PJCAAD and changing its name to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 5/10/05

Reference: Referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD 16/6/05; report tabled 12/9/05

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 7 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 11/10/05; Passed 11/10/05

CID amendments: 7 Opp/negatived

Assent: 4/11/05; Act No. 128, 2005

S Jurisdiction of Courts (Family Law) Bill 2005

Amends the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and Family Law Act 1975 to provide the Magistrates Court of Western Australia constituted by a Family Law Magistrate of Western Australia with substantially the same jurisdiction and appeal structure in relation to family law and child support matters as the Federal Magistrates Court.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Deferred

S Jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974, Family Law Act 1975, Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, Admiralty Act 1988 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to extend the jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court in relation to: trade practices matters; proceedings transferred from the Family and Federal Courts; certain admiralty actions; and appeals against departure prohibition orders.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Deferred

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Serious Drug Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the: Criminal Code Act 1995 to: insert new serious drug offences; and give effect to an obligation under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Right of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict by inserting new offences for the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict; Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in relation to property restraining and forfeiture orders over a bankrupt—€™s property; Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to: clarify the functions of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in relation to assistance to and cooperations with Australian and foreign law enforcement, intelligence, security and government regulatory agencies, and peacekeeping activities in other countries; and enable the AFP to disclose a person—€™s personal information with that person—€™s consent; Mutual Assistance in Business Regulation Act 1992 in relation to requests from foreign regulators for information, documents or evidence; Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 in relation to identification references for certain account signatories; Customs Act 1901 to make a technical amendment in relation to a power to detain people on bail who attempt to leave Australia in breach of bail conditions; Freedom of Information Act 1982 to: exempt certain AUSTRAC documents from the operation of the Act; and make minor technical corrections. Also makes consequential amendments in relation to serious drug offences to 5 Acts; and repeals the Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1950.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 12/10/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 15/6/05; extension of time to report 9/8/05; report presented 15/8/05 and tabled 16/8/05

Committee amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 8/11/05; Act No. 129, 2005

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Video Link Evidence and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the: Crimes Act 1914 to: facilitate the use of video link evidence from overseas witnesses in proceedings for terrorism and other related offences and proceeds of crime proceedings relating to those offences; clarify a constitutional issue regarding the conferral of non-judicial functions and powers on Judges of the Federal Court and Federal Magistrates; facilitate inter-jurisdictional matching of DNA profiles through a national database; and expand the definition of —€œtape recording—€; Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 to rectify an unintended omission; Foreign Evidence Act 1994 to facilitate the use of foreign material, such as video tapes and transcripts of examinations, as evidence in terrorism and related proceedings when video link evidence is not possible; and provide a discretion to prevent foreign material being adduced; Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to: enable payments out of the Confiscated Assets Account to third parties who carry out examinations for the Commonwealth; and rectify the unintended consequence of a regulation change that inadvertently affected the legal status of some examiners; and Surveillance Devices Act 2004 to enable the issue of a warrant to retrieve a tracking device installed under an authorisation.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 13/10/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 7/11/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 5/10/05; report presented 1/11/05 and tabled 7/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 3 Opp/negatived; 1 Dem/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 10/11/05]

Assent: 15/11/05; Act No. 136, 2005

Legislative Instruments (Technical Amendment) Bill 2004

Arising from the enactment of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the bill amends the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to clarify the effect of the expression —€œby legislative instrument—€.

Reps: Intro. 16/11/04; 2nd reading adjourned 16/11/04

Senate:

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

Life Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Life Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Life Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the life insurance supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 16, 2005

S Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Lighthouses Act 1911 to revise penalties for offences in relation to damages to marine navigational aids; Navigation Act 1912 in relation to a range of matters, including: military forces ships; application of the Act to certain ships; detention of ships; voyage permits for unlicensed ships; pilotage; reporting of ship movements; alcohol and drug testing; immunity of pilots and pilotage providers from certain civil liability claims; and penalties for major offences; Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 in relation to: requiring Australian chemical tankers to prepare and carry a Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid Substances; the amount of security payments; and service of documents on a ship—€™s agent; and Shipping Registration Act 1981 to: allow mortgages to be removed from the Australian Register of Ships at the request of the mortgagee; provide for the delegation of certain powers; and allow electronic access to the Register.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

S Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Amendment (Maritime Security Guards and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 in relation to: limited move-on powers for maritime security guards, including the power to request certain information from a person found in a maritime security zone; clarifying certain meanings; higher security level declarations; and correcting references to ship enforcement orders.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 10/8/05; report tabled 5/9/05

Maritime Transport Security Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Maritime Transport Security Act 2003 to: amend the long title of the Act and rename it as the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003; extend application of the Act to Australia—€™s offshore oil and gas facilities; and introduce the Maritime Security Identification Card which will cover unmonitored personnel who are required to be in maritime security zones and offshore security zones.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 67, 2005

Medical Indemnity (Competitive Advantage Payment) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Medical Indemnity Legislation Amendment (Competitive Neutrality) Bill 2005, the bill imposes a competitive adjustment payment to be made by insurers that provide medical indemnity to members of medical defence organisations participating in the incurred but not reported indemnity scheme.

Reps: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 9/8/05

Senate: Intro. 10/8/05; Passed 10/10/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

Assent: 19/10/05; Act No. 125, 2005

Medical Indemnity Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Refines the operation of the medical indemnity package by amending the: Medical Indemnity Act 2002, Medical Indemnity (Prudential Supervision and Product Standards) Act 2003 and Medical Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Act 2004 in relation to the Run-Off Cover Indemnity Scheme; and Medical Indemnity Act 2002 in relation to claims protocols.

Reps: Intro. 17/2/05; Passed 8/3/05

Senate: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 9/3/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/passed

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 25, 2005

Medical Indemnity Legislation Amendment (Competitive Neutrality) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Medical Indemnity (Competitive Advantage Payment) Bill 2005, the bill amends the Medical Indemnity Act 2002, Medical Indemnity (UMP Support Payment) Act 2002, Health Insurance Act 1973, Health Insurance Commission Act 1973 and National Health Act 1953 to: introduce administrative arrangements for the competitive advantage payment (to be imposed by the proposed Medical Indemnity (Competitive Advantage Payment) Act 2005); modify aspects of the United Medical Protection support payment; and make a technical correction to the run-off cover payment provisions.

Reps: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 9/8/05

Senate: Intro. 10/8/05; Passed 10/10/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 19/10/05; Act No. 126, 2005

Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games (Indicia and Images) Protection Bill 2005

Protects the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games sponsorship and licensing revenue from the unauthorised use of the Games—€™ key words, indicia and images by corporate competitors of the official Games sponsors. The provisions of this proposed Act will cease to have effect on 30 June 2006, if not repealed earlier.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 15/6/05

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Deferred

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 68, 2005

PS Migration Amendment (Act of Compassion) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senators Brown and Nettle —€“ AG)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to provide for: independent review of asylum seekers currently in detention, with the aim of releasing all long-term detainees who do not pose a risk to the community or who are not likely to abscond; and the release of all children and their parents currently being held in immigration detention.

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 16/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

Migration Amendment (Detention Arrangements) Bill 2005

Amends the Migration Act 1958 in relation to: detention of unlawful non-citizens, particularly minors; granting of visas to persons in detention, including a removal pending bridging visa; and the role of the Commonwealth Ombudsman in reviewing the cases of persons who have been in immigration detention for more than 2 years.

Reps: Intro. 21/6/05; Passed 22/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 12 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

2nd reading amendments: 1 Dem/negatived; 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 17 Opp/passed; 1 Opp/negatived; 11 AG/negatived

[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 23/6/05; Senate did not insist on its amendments 24/6/05 a.m.]

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 79, 2005

PS Migration Amendment (Mandatory Detention) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senators Brown and Nettle —€“ AG)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: abolish temporary protection visas; ensure that detention of children is a last resort; provide for judicial review of immigration detention; limit the period of time that asylum seekers are detained; and provide for the Federal Court to impose on detainees certain conditions of release.

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 16/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

S Migration and Ombudsman Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Migration Act 1958 to: establish a time limit of 90 days for the making of protection visa decisions by the Minister and the review of those decisions by the Refugee Review Tribunal; and permit the disclosure of personal identifying information to the public to assist with identifying or locating persons in connection with the administration of the Act; Complaints (Australian Federal Police) Act 1981, Migration Act 1958, Ombudsman Act 1976 and proposed Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2005 to introduce measures for the Commonwealth Ombudsman to support and facilitate the Ombudsman—€™s role in immigration and detention matters; and Migration Act 1958 and Migration Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2001 as a consequence of the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Senate: Intro. 15/9/05; Passed 13/10/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 13/10/05; Passed 30/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Migration Litigation Reform Bill 2005

Amends the Migration Act 1958 and 4 other Acts in relation to migration litigation by: increasing the role of the Federal Magistrates Court (FMC); ensuring identical grounds of review in migration cases in the High Court and the FMC; imposing uniform extendable time limits for applications for judicial review of migration decisions; improving court processes to facilitate quicker handling of cases; deterring unmeritorious applications by broadening the grounds on which a court can summarily dispose of proceedings; and making the Chief Federal Magistrate responsible for the administration of the FMC.

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 10/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 7/11/05

Committee amendments: 5 Opp/negatived; 6 AG (1 as amended)/negatived

Assent: 15/11/05; Act No. 137, 2005

Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Ministers of State Act 1952 to increase the limit on the annual sum appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the payment of salaries of Ministers.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

PS Ministers of State (Post-Retirement Employment Restrictions) Bill 2002 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Murray —€“ AD)

Regulates certain pre- and post-retirement conduct of, and places post-retirement employment restrictions on, Ministers and ministerial advisers; and includes offence and penalty provisions.

Senate: Intro. 13/3/02; 2nd reading adjourned 13/3/02

SBC report 2/02 (tabled and adopted 20/3/02): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PS National Animal Welfare Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Senate: Intro. 11/8/03; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/03

SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference

Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 9/8/04; report due 30/11/04; interim report presented 8/9/04 and tabled 16/11/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PS National Animal Welfare Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Provides a legislative framework for animal welfare in Australia, including the establishment of the National Animal Welfare Authority which will coordinate, monitor and review the care, protection and use of domestic animals, livestock, wildlife and animals kept for scientific purposes.

Senate: Intro. 20/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 20/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 22/6/05; extension of time to report 10/8/05; report due last sitting day in June 2006

National Health Amendment (Budget Measures—€”Pharmaceutical Benefits Safety Net) Bill 2005

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: exclude early supply of certain pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) medicines from safety net entitlements and apply standard patient co-payments to such supplies; and increase the PBS Safety Net threshold.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 31/10/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 8/12/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 5/10/05; extension of time to report 13/10/05; report tabled 7/11/05

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 151, 2005

National Health Amendment (Immunisation Program) Bill 2005

Amends the National Health Act 1953 in relation to vaccine funding advisory arrangements under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), including extending the functions of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to providing the Minister with advice about vaccines to be funded under the NIP.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 12/10/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 12/10/05; Passed 10/11/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): No reference

Assent: 18/11/05; Act No. 140, 2005

National Health Amendment (Prostheses) Bill 2005

(Previous title: National Health Amendment (Prostheses) Bill 2004)

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: require health funds to provide contributors a —€œno gap—€ and —€œgap permitted—€ range of prostheses in relation to every in-hospital procedure for which a Medicare benefit is payable; provide access to health insurance benefits for prostheses implanted by podiatric surgeons; and provide for review of the operation of the amendments in the bill by 1 October 2007.

Reps: Intro. 1/12/04; Passed 14/2/05

CID amendment: 1 Opp/passed

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 9/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/2/05

Committee amendments: 1 Dem/passed; 5 APA/passed

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 10/3/05]

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 31, 2005

National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (Repeal, Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Australian Workplace Safety Standards Bill 2005, the bill: repeals the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Act 1985, thus abolishing the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (which will be replaced by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council); and makes consequential and transitional changes to 4 other Acts.

Reps: Intro. 11/8/05; Passed 16/8/05

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 9/11/05

SBC report 8/05 (tabled and adopted 17/8/05): No reference

Assent: 15/11/05; Act No. 135, 2005

National Residue Survey (Customs) Levy Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the National Residue Survey (Customs) Levy Act 1998 to increase the operative levy rate to 0.075 of a cent per kilogram and increase the maximum levy rate to 0.10 of a cent per kilogram, for apples and pears exported from Australia.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 16/8/05

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 18/8/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 29/8/05; Act No. 108, 2005

National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Act 1998 to: increase the operative levy rate to 0.075 of a cent per kilogram for fresh apples and pears produced in Australia; and increase the maximum levy rate to 0.10 of a cent per kilogram for fresh, juicing or processing apples and pears produced in Australia.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 16/8/05

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 18/8/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 29/8/05; Act No. 109, 2005

National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Amendment (Application) Bill 2005

Amends the National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Act 2004 to clarify the application of the Act to certain federal criminal proceedings.

Reps: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 15/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 7/3/05

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 27, 2005

National Security Information Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Act 2004 to: extend the operation of the Act to include certain civil proceedings, including amending the short and long title of the Act; Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to limit a court—€™s jurisdiction to determine a defendant—€™s application for review of a certificate decision by the Attorney-General; and to exclude a person requesting a written statement of reasons for a certificate or notice decision of the Attorney-General; and Judiciary Act 1903 to give the relevant court jurisdiction in respect of applications for writs of mandamus or prohibition, or injunctions; and judicial review of a certificate or notice decision.

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 15/3/05

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 16/3/05; report presented 11/5/05 and tabled 12/5/05

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 20/6/05]

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 89, 2005

Navigation Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Navigation Amendment Act 2005)

Amends the Navigation Act 1912 to: remove the requirement for assessors with nautical experience to advise the court in a prosecution for breach of the regulations relating to the prevention of collisions and the display of ship lights and signals; clarify that a breach of these regulations may be prosecuted on indictment; and revise certain penalties in relation to careless navigation near ice and the rendering of assistance following an accident or where people are in distress at sea.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 17/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): Deferred

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 28, 2005

New International Tax Arrangements (Foreign-owned Branches and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: the tax treatment of dividends received by foreign-owned branches; and changes to the controlled foreign companies rules; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 in relation to tax treatment of Australian branches of foreign financial entities; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to cross-border employee shares and rights; and New International Tax Arrangements (Participation Exemption and Other Measures) Act 2004 to make a technical correction to an application rule.

Reps: Intro. 17/3/05; Passed 16/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 20/6/05; Passed 20/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 64, 2005

New International Tax Arrangements (Managed Funds and Other Measures) Bill 2004

(Act citation: New International Tax Arrangements (Managed Funds and Other Measures) Act 2005)

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to modify the capital gains/loss tax treatment of foreign residents with interests in Australian managed funds; International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to amend the rules for determining the source of income derived by certain residents of treaty partner countries; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Financial Corporations (Transfer of Assets and Liabilities) Act 1993 in relation to the imposition of interest withholding tax.

Reps: Intro. 18/11/04; Passed 16/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 9/3/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 21, 2005

Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to provide improved occupational health and safety protection for Commonwealth employees, particularly in relation to an employer—€™s duty of care and workplace arrangements provisions. Also amends the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 to repeal certain redundant references.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment (Promoting Safer Workplaces) Bill 2005

Amends the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to exclude Commonwealth employers and employees from the application of the ACT industrial manslaughter laws and any other similar industrial manslaughter law enacted by a State or Territory in the future.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 8/12/05

Senate: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 16/3/05; report tabled 10/5/05

Offshore Petroleum (Annual Fees) Bill 2005

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites and replaces the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Fees Act 1994 by providing for annual fees to be payable in relation to petroleum exploration permits, retention leases and production, infrastructure and pipeline licences; and makes transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Offshore Petroleum Bill 2005

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites and replaces the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and provides for: the grant of exploration permits, retention leases, production licences, infrastructure licences, pipeline licences, special prospecting authorities and access authorities; and occupational health and safety provisions, including the operation of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority for their administration.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Offshore Petroleum (Registration Fees) Bill 2005

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Registration Fees) Act 1967 by imposing fees to be payable in relation to the approval and registration of transfers and dealings in titles under the proposed Offshore Petroleum Act 2005; and makes transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Offshore Petroleum (Repeals and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2005

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill repeals the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967, Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Fees Act 1994, Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Registration Fees) Act 1967 and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Royalty) Act 1967; makes consequential amendments to 30 other Acts; and provides that the penalty in section 96 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 is taken to have never been enacted.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Offshore Petroleum (Royalty) Bill 2005

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Royalty) Act 1967 by imposing a royalty to be payable in respect of petroleum produced in the North West Shelf project area under the proposed Offshore Petroleum Act 2005; and makes transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Offshore Petroleum (Safety Levies) Amendment Bill 2005

Consequential on the package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill amends the Offshore Petroleum (Safety Levies) Act 2003 to: omit references to the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and replace them with references to the proposed Offshore Petroleum Act 2005; ensure that future amendments or name changes to other Acts or regulations will not have any effect on key definitions in the Act; and make transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 5/9/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

OHS and SRC Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the: Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to: extend the Act to all corporations and Commonwealth authorities licensed under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988; and amend the long and short titles of the Act to reflect its extended coverage beyond Commonwealth workplaces; and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to: enable Comcare to charge all Commonwealth authorities a regulatory contribution towards the costs of administering the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991; and validate certain contributions already made for the 2002-03 financial year; and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and Social Security Act 1991 to make consequential amendments to reflect the title change of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

Senate:

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Deferred

PS Parliamentary Approval of Treaties Bill 1995 [2004]

Provides for parliamentary approval of international treaties and any reservations to a treaty signed by Australia.

Senate: Intro. 31/5/95; 2nd reading adjourned 31/5/95

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 1/5/96, 23/11/98, 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Parliamentary Charter of Rights and Freedoms Bill 2001 [2005]

R (Introduced by Senator Lees and restored by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Provides for a Parliamentary Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect all Australians against violations of their fundamental civil and political rights by governments.

Senate: Intro. 27/9/01; 2nd reading adjourned 27/9/01

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 9/11/05

PM Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Kerr —€“ ALP)

Establishes the Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission to inquire into, and advise the Parliament on, allegations of judicial misbehaviour or incapacity made against a federal justice. Also amends the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 to permit the testing of a witness—€™ credibility in court or other proceedings when that witness has previously given evidence to a House or committee of the Parliament which is inconsistent with the evidence given to the court or tribunal.

Reps: Intro. 5/9/05; Read a 1st time 5/9/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PM Parliamentary Privileges Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Kerr —€“ ALP)

Amends the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 to permit the testing of a witness—€™ credibility in court or other proceedings when that witness has previously given evidence to a House or committee which is inconsistent with the evidence given to the court or tribunal.

Reps: Intro. 20/6/05; Read a 1st time 20/6/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PS Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by the President —€“ Senator the Hon. Paul Calvert)

Amends the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to: provide for the creation of a statutory position of Parliamentary Librarian; and make consequential amendments to the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 and Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. Also gives statutory status to the Parliamentary Library and the Security Management Board.

Senate: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 10/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/passed

Committee amendments: 3 Opp/passed

Reps: Intro. 14/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 39, 2005

PS Patents Amendment Bill 1996 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Patents Act 1990 to prohibit the patenting of naturally occurring genes or gene sequences.

Senate: Intro. 27/6/96; 2nd reading adjourned 27/6/96

SBC report 10/96 (tabled and adopted 12/9/96): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 14/5/02, 17/11/04

Payment Systems (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998 to provide for an exemption to ensure that financial institutions do not contravene competition provisions contained in Part IV of the Trade Practices Act 1974 when complying with the Reserve Bank—€™s standards for credit card interchange fees.

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 11/5/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): No reference

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 65, 2005

S Postal Industry Ombudsman Bill 2005

(Previous title: Postal Industry Ombudsman Bill 2004)

Amends the Ombudsman Act 1976 to: establish the Postal Industry Ombudsman as a separate office within the office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to deal with complaints about postal services; and correct drafting errors. Also makes consequential amendments to the Migration Act 1958 and Privacy Act 1988.

Senate: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 8/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Opp/passed

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 8/9/05

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

[Senate reported message 12/9/05]

Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Rice) Bill 2005

Amends the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 to: increase the maximum allowable rice research and development levy rate from $2 to $3 per tonne; and allow the rates to be set and leviable rice varieties to be declared in regulations.

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): No reference

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 84, 2005

Private Health Insurance Incentives Amendment Bill 2004

Amends the: Private Health Insurance Incentives Act 1998 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to increase the private health insurance rebate from 30 to 35 per cent for people aged 65 to 69 years and to 40 per cent for people aged 70 years and over. Also makes a consequential amendment to the National Health Act 1953 to ensure that certain Gold Card holders are not affected by the application of Lifetime Health Cover.

Reps: Intro. 18/11/04; Passed 9/2/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 10/2/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/12/04; report tabled 8/2/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 1 AG/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 9, 2005

Protection of the Sea (Shipping Levy) Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Protection of the Sea (Shipping Levy) Act 1981 to remove the maximum levy rate, enabling prescription of an appropriate levy rate through regulations.

Reps: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 14/9/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

SBC report 9/05 (tabled and adopted 7/9/05): No reference

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 4/10/05; Act No. 120, 2005

PS Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill 2002 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Provides protection for persons who disclose conduct adverse to the public interest in the public sector.

Senate: Intro. 11/12/02; 2nd reading adjourned 11/12/02

SBC report 1/03 (tabled and adopted 5/2/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Radio Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Radio Licence Fees Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Radio Licence Fees Act 1964 to replace existing references to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) with references to the ACMA. Also contains transitional provisions providing for the continuing effect of certain directions made by the ABA.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 53, 2005

Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Act 1983 to replace existing references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with references to the ACMA. Also contains transitional provisions providing for the continuing effect of certain notices given to, and determinations made by, the ACA.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 50, 2005

Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Tax) Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Tax) Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Tax) Act 1997 to replace existing references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with references to the ACMA. Also contains transitional provisions providing for the continuing effect of certain determinations made by the ACA.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 51, 2005

Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Act 1983 to replace existing references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with references to the ACMA. Also contains transitional provisions providing for the continuing effect of certain notices given to, and approved forms and determinations made by, the ACA.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 52, 2005

PS Reconciliation Bill 2001 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Ridgeway —€“ AD)

Advances reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all other Australians, by establishing processes to identify, monitor, negotiate and resolve unresolved issues for reconciliation.

Senate: Intro. 5/4/01; 2nd reading adjourned 5/4/01, 27/11/03

SBC report 7/01 (tabled and adopted 23/5/01): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Republic (Consultation of the People) Bill 2001 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Provides for electors to be consulted, at the same time as the next House of Representatives general election, on whether Australia should become a republic and on whether they should vote again, if applicable, to choose from different republic models.

Senate: Intro. 26/9/01; 2nd reading adjourned 26/9/01

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/5/02, 17/11/04

Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the retirement savings account providers supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 17, 2005

PS Senate Voters—€™ Choice (Preference Allocation) Bill 2004

(Introduced by Senator Brown —€“ AG)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to enable voters at Senate elections to determine the order of their party preferences in above-the-line voting.

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; 2nd reading adjourned 9/12/04

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Teaching Profession) Bill 2004

Amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to permit the provision of teaching scholarships to persons of one sex, in order to address the imbalance in the number of male and female teachers in schools.

Reps: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 12/5/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 14/6/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

PS Sexuality and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Prohibits discrimination on the ground of sexuality, transgender identity or intersex status and makes consequential amendments to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.

Senate: Intro. 25/11/03; 2nd reading adjourned 25/11/03

SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PS Sexuality Anti-Vilification Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Prohibits certain conduct involving the vilification and incitement to hatred of people on the ground of gender or sexuality.

Senate: Intro 27/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/03

SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Shortfall Interest Charge (Imposition) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Tax Laws Amendment (Improvements to Self Assessment) Bill (No. 1) 2005, the bill imposes the new shortfall interest charge as a tax to the extent to which the charge cannot be validly imposed other than as a tax.

Reps: Intro. 17/3/05; Passed 11/5/05

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 23/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 11/5/05; report tabled 22/6/05

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 76, 2005

Skilling Australia—€™s Workforce Bill 2005

Introduced with the Skilling Australia—€™s Workforce (Repeal and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005, the bill: establishes a new national training system for vocational education and training, for the funding period 1 July 2005 to 31 December 2008; and provides for grants (subject to certain conditions) to the States and Territories for the funding period.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 15/6/05

CID amendments: 1 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 17/8/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 15/6/05; report tabled 9/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 Dem-Opp/negatived; 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 24/8/05; Act No. 106, 2005

Skilling Australia—€™s Workforce (Repeal and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Skilling Australia—€™s Workforce Bill 2005, the bill: repeals the Australian National Training Authority Act 1992 and Vocational Education and Training Funding Act 1992; and provides for transitional arrangements for the transfer of functions and responsibilities from the Australian National Training Authority to the Department of Education, Science and Training.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 15/6/05

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 17/8/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 15/6/05; report tabled 9/8/05

Assent: 24/8/05; Act No. 107, 2005

Social Security Amendment (Extension of Youth Allowance and Austudy Eligibility to New Apprentices) Bill 2005

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 to: extend eligibility for Youth Allowance and Austudy payment to full-time new apprentices, including Newstart transferees; ensure that new apprentices have access to a low-income health care card rather than an automatically issued health care card; and correct a cross reference; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to exempt Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships and the Tools for your Trade initiative from assessment as income.

Reps: Intro. 17/3/05; Passed 11/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 15/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): No reference

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 66, 2005

Social Security Legislation Amendment (One-off Payments for Carers) Bill 2005

Amends the Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide for one-off payments to carer service pension, carer allowance and carer payment recipients. Also provides for an administrative scheme (to be determined by legislative instrument) for payments if the statutory one-off payments regime does not produce an appropriate result.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 11/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 25/5/05; Act No. 55, 2005

PS Spyware Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Regulates the unauthorised installation of computer software; and provides for disclosure to computer users of software features that may pose a threat to user privacy.

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; 2nd reading adjourned 12/5/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

PS State Elections (One Vote, One Value) Bill 2001 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Provides that the —€œone vote, one value—€ principle must be observed as closely as possible in state and territory elections.

Senate: Intro. 7/8/01; 2nd reading adjourned 7/8/01, 21/8/03

SBC report 15/01 (tabled and adopted 26/9/01): Deferred

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending

Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional References Committee 9/9/03; extension of time to report 28/10/03; interim report tabled 1/3/04; extension of time to report 1/3/04; report tabled 3/3/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

S Statute Law Revision Bill 2005

Amends 48 Acts to: correct minor technical and drafting errors; remove references to organisations that no longer exist; and update references to organisations that have been succeeded by other organisations.

Senate: Intro. 16/3/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Reps: Intro. 20/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 100, 2005

S Statute Law Revision Bill (No. 2) 2005

The bill: amends 33 Acts to correct minor technical and drafting errors and misdescribed amendments; and repeals 27 obsolete Acts that have no current or future operation.

Senate: Intro. 30/11/05; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/05

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): No reference

Student Assistance Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Student Assistance Act 1973 and Social Security Act 1991 to: clarify that a student cannot apply for assistance under the Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) after the commencement of this proposed Act; align the SFSS repayment thresholds and indexation with the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP); and apply the definition of taxable income used under the HELP arrangements to the SFSS. Also makes a minor technical amendment to the Student Assistance Act 1973 and consequential amendments to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Reps: Intro. 7/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/9/05

Senate:

SBC report 10/05 (tabled and adopted 14/9/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 14/9/05; extension of time to report 5/10/05; report tabled 13/10/05

Superannuation Bill 2005

Introduced with the Superannuation (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2005, the bill provides for: the establishment of the Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan as a scheme separate from the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme, for employees and officeholders who commence employment or appointment on or after 1 July 2005; and a framework for Australian Government employers to offer employees and office holders with choice of funds.

Reps: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 30/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 15/6/05; report tabled 21/6/05

[Amendment to motion that report from committee be adopted 23/6/05: 1 Opp/negatived]

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 80, 2005

Superannuation (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2005

Introduced with the Superannuation Bill 2005, the bill amends 8 Acts and the Trust Deed of the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme as a consequence of the establishment of the Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan (PSSAP) as a separate superannuation scheme. Also amends the Superannuation Act 1990 to close the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme to most new employees and officeholders following the commencement of the PSSAP.

Reps: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 30/5/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 15/6/05; report tabled 21/6/05

Committee amendment: 1 Govt/passed

[Amendment to motion that report from committee be adopted 23/6/05: 1 Opp/negatived]

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 23/6/05]

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 81, 2005

R Superannuation Laws Amendment (Abolition of Surcharge) Bill 2005

Amends the Superannuation Contributions Tax (Assessment and Collection) Act 1997, Superannuation Contributions Tax (Members of Constitutionally Protected Superannuation Funds) Assessment and Collection Act 1997 and Termination Payments Tax (Assessment and Collection) Act 1997 to abolish the surcharge payable on individuals—€™ surchargeable superannuation contributions and relevant termination payments, with effect from 1 July 2005. Also makes consequential amendments to 7 other Acts.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 31/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Negatived at 2nd reading 15/6/05 [Bill restored —€“ see below]

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed

Bill restored at 2nd reading 10/8/05; Passed 10/8/05

Assent: 12/8/05; Act No. 102, 2005

Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2004

Amends the Superannuation Act 1976 and the Rules for the Administration of the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) in respect of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) and the PSS in relation to the superannuation salary for secretaries of departments and certain other Australian Government office holders. Also validates past determinations of superannuation salary for such scheme members and ensures that no benefit already paid will be reduced by this validation.

Reps: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 1/12/04

Senate: Intro. 2/12/04; 2nd reading adjourned 2/12/04

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Bill 2005

Amends the: Small Superannuation Accounts Act 1995, Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to: allow the Superannuation Holding Accounts Special Account to be an eligible choice fund until 30 June 2006; close the Account to new employer deposits from 1 July 2006; and clarify certain employer obligations in relation to employees—€™ choice of fund; and Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997 to allow regulations to prescribe exemptions for retirement savings account providers from the —€œno employer kick back—€ provision.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 1/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 4 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 15/6/05; report tabled 21/6/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 4 Opp/negatived

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 82, 2005

Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Superannuation Safety and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the Superannuation Act 1976, Superannuation Act 1990 and Superannuation Act 2005 to: provide for the application to the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) Board of the new fitness and propriety operating standard under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993; reduce the reliance on acting members of the CSS Board, and for the use of proxies at Board meetings; allow the CSS and Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) Boards to delegate certain functions to their staff; and broaden the type of information that can be provided to members via their employers; and Superannuation Act 1976 to: allow negative crediting rates to be applied to CSS member accounts; validate the payment of incorrect benefits to certain members of the CSS; and allow for debt recovery by set-off against benefits payable.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 17/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; 2nd reading adjourned 18/8/05

SBC report 8/05 (tabled and adopted 17/8/05): No reference

Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the superannuation supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years; and allow for levy determinations for different classes of superannuation entity, thereby providing for separate lower minimum levy determinations for small superannuation funds.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Senate: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 9/2/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 18, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 6) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 6) Act 2005)

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to: clarify the operation of the consolidation regime and the interaction of the regime with other areas of the tax law; and alleviate unintended tax consequences that arise as a result of the transfer of life insurance business; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to ensure that: copyright collecting societies are not taxed on copyright income they collect on behalf of members; and non-copyright income under prescribed limits is tax exempt; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Taxation Administration Act 1953 and Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 8) 2003 to: further implement the simplified imputation system, including anti-avoidance rules in relation to exempt entities that are eligible for a refund of imputation credits; and to replace and update certain references and terminology; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: include government special schools, certain fire and emergency service bodies and certain other entities as specifically-listed deductible gift recipients; extend an existing transitional rule in the debt/equity rules for at-call loans to 30 June 2005; give irrigation water providers and rural land irrigation water providers access to the water facilities and landcare tax concessions; enable an administrator (in addition to a liquidator) to declare worthless shares and other equity interests for capital gains tax purposes; and amend the application of the first child tax offset provisions in relation to adoptive parents; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to extend the fringe benefits tax exemption to costs associated with purchase of a dwelling as a result of relocation; A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to ensure the same GST treatment of property-related services to non-residents and residents; and Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 8) 2003 to correct a commencement provision.

Reps: Intro. 18/11/04; Passed 10/2/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 23, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 7) Bill 2005

(Previous title: Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 7) Bill 2004)

Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to introduce a 25 per cent entrepreneurs—€™ tax offset; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to remove the current requirement for small businesses to use the simplified tax system (STS) accounting method; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: allow deferred tax liability currently available to employee share scheme holders to continue after a corporate restructure; and allow revocation of unused provisional certificates issued in respect of certain film projects; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to increase fringe benefits tax exemption thresholds for long service award benefits; Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987 to provide petroleum exploration incentives to encourage exploration in remote offshore areas; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to clarify the operation of the consolidation regime and the interaction of the regime with other areas of the tax law; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to ensure that roll-over relief available for partnerships under the uniform capital allowances regime is also available in relation to depreciating assets allocated to STS pools; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to: family trust and interposed entity elections; and non-commercial loans from trustees and private companies. Also amends 19 Acts to make technical corrections.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 9/2/05; extension of time to report 7/3/05; report tabled 9/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/passed

Committee amendments: 1 Dem/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 41, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 16/2/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 23/6/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 9/3/05; extensions of time to report 11/5/05, 15/6/05, 21/6/05; report tabled 23/6/05

Committee amendments: 8 Govt/passed

[Amendment to motion that report from committee be adopted 23/6/05: 1 Opp/negatived]

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 23/6/05]

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 77, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Bill 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: the simplified imputation system; capital gains tax roll-over for registrable superannuation entities that merge under new superannuation safety arrangements; and the list of deductible gift recipients; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to provide capital allowance deductions for certain telecommunications rights; Taxation Administration Act 1953 to simplify transfer from annual to quarterly payment of pay as you go instalments for certain taxpayers; A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 in relation to the goods and service tax and real property; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to tax treatment for superannuation annuities that have been split upon marriage breakdown; and Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 in relation to exemption from fringe benefits tax for payments to worker entitlement funds.

Reps: Intro. 17/3/05; Passed 16/6/05

CID amendments: 32 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 20/6/05; Passed 23/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled 22/6/05; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 22/6/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 23/6/05]

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 78, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 3) Bill 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to increase flexibility for charitable funds, ancillary funds and prescribed private funds; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to: reinstate the taxation of Australian companies with foreign branch income and gains from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic to that applying prior to the implementation of the New International Tax Arrangements (Participation Exemption and Other Measures) Act 2004; and introduce a standard definition of a dependent child; Taxation Administration Act 1953 to allow disclosure of relevant taxpayer information to the Corruption and Crime Commission of Western Australia; and Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to make a technical correction in relation to rebatable employer status of government institutions that are charitable institutions.

Reps: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 31/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 20/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 63, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 4) Bill 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: introduce a 30 per cent tax offset for out-of-pocket child care expenses, to be known as the child care tax rebate, to a maximum of $4000; and update the list of deductible gift recipients; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to expand the purposes for which business tax income information may be disclosed to the Australian Statistician; and A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 to extend the wine equalisation tax rebate to New Zealand wine producers that export wine to Australia. Also makes consequential amendments to the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 and Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 10/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 13 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 11/8/05; Passed 8/12/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 10 Opp/negatived; 2 items opposed/items agreed to

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 160, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 5) Bill 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to: modify the foreign employment income exemption; and extend the operation of the 12-month rule for forestry managed investments to 30 June 2008; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997: to allow qualifying high budget television series to apply for the refundable film tax offset; and in relation to debt/equity rules; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and 3 other Acts to clarify the operation of the consolidation regime; Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to make transitional arrangements in relation to the thin capitalisation regime; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and New Business Tax System (Debt and Equity) Act 2001 to make technical amendments in relation to debt/equity rules.

Reps: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 7/9/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/9/05; Passed 8/12/05

SBC report 9/05 (tabled and adopted 7/9/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 162, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 6) Bill 2005

Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: clarify the operation of the consolidation regime; clarify that certain not-for-profit organisations are not subject to tax on mutual receipts; ensure continued child care tax offset eligibility for parents who work less than 15 hours a week; update the list of deductible gift recipients (DGR); and extend the period for which deductions are allowed for gifts to a certain fund that has time-limited DGR status; and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to exclude cosmetic procedures from the medical expenses offset.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/05

Senate:

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Deferred

Tax Laws Amendment (Improvements to Self Assessment) Bill (No. 1) 2005

Introduced with the Shortfall Interest Charge (Imposition) Bill 2005, the bill amends the: Taxation Administration Act 1958 and 3 other Acts to provide for an interest regime (the shortfall interest charge) which will apply to under-assessments of income tax; and Tax Administration Act 1953 to: abolish the penalty for tax shortfalls resulting from a failure to following a private ruling; require the Commissioner to provide an explanation in relation to certain penalties imposed; and clarify the definition of the term —€œreasonably arguable—€.

Reps: Intro. 17/3/05; Passed 11/5/05

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 23/6/05

SBC report 4/05 (tabled and adopted 11/5/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 11/5/05; report tabled 22/6/05

Committee amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Assent: 29/6/05; Act No. 75, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (Improvements to Self Assessment) Bill (No. 2) 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to reduce the periods during which the Commissioner of Taxation may amend income tax assessments in a range of circumstances; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to implement a new framework for Australian Taxation Office advice. Also makes consequential amendments to 7 other Acts.

Reps: Intro. 10/11/05; Passed 5/12/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 8/12/05

SBC report 14/05 (tabled and adopted 30/11/05): No reference

Assent: 19/12/05; Act No. 161, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (Long-term Non-reviewable Contracts) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Tax Laws Amendment (Long-term Non-reviewable Contracts) Act 2005)

Part of a package of four bills, the bill amends the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Transition) Act 1999 and eight other Acts to provide for the treatment, for goods and services tax (GST) purposes, of long-term non-reviewable contracts after the GST-free transition periods ends on 1 July 2005.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 8/12/04

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 8/2/05

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 Opp/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 8/2/05]

Assent: 22/2/05; Act No. 10, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (Loss Recoupment Rules and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: company loss recoupment rules; and inclusion of film copyright in the general effective life depreciation of the uniform capital allowances provisions; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to replace the existing provisions relating to the distribution by Australian entities of foreign sourced income to foreign residents; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to deny deductions for expenditure incurred in relation to illegal activities; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 3) 2003 to provide tax relief, in certain circumstances, for employees who participate in employee share schemes; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to offset a late payment of contributions against an employer—€™s superannuation guarantee charge; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to clarify that superannuation guarantee is payable on back payments of wages.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 12/10/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 12/10/05; Passed 7/12/05

SBC report 12/05 (tabled and adopted 12/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 12/10/05; extension of time to report 8/11/05; report tabled 10/11/05

Committee amendments: 1 Govt/passed; 17 Dem-Opp/negatived; 45 items opposed/items agreed to

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 7/12/05]

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 147, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2005

Amends the: A New Tax (Medicare Levy Surcharge—€”Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the Medicare levy low income thresholds and the Medicare levy surcharge low income thresholds for the 2004-05 financial year and later financial years.

Reps: Intro. 26/5/05; Passed 31/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 15/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 26/6/05; Act No. 62, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (Personal Income Tax Reduction) Bill 2005

Amends the: Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to: reduce the lowest marginal tax rate from 17 per cent to 15 per cent; and provide for increases in personal income tax thresholds for the 42 per cent and 47 per cent tax brackets; and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the income threshold for taxpayers who are eligible for the senior Australians tax offset.

Reps: Intro. 12/5/05; Passed 25/5/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 5 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; Passed 15/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 5 Opp/passed; 2 Dem/negatived

[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 15/6/05; Senate insisted on its amendments 16/6/05; Reps insisted on disagreeing to Senate amendments 9/8/05; Senate did not again insist on its amendments 10/8/05]

Assent: 12/8/05; Act No. 101, 2005

Tax Laws Amendment (Superannuation Contributions Splitting) Bill 2005

Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to provide for the taxation treatment of split superannuation contributions between a fund-contributing member and their spouse. Details of the operation of superannuation contributions splitting will be specified in regulations under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997 and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

Reps: Intro. 12/10/05; Passed 10/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 148, 2005

PS Taxation Laws Amendment (Scholarships) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to: abolish the distinction between full-time and part-time scholarships and make all scholarships which satisfy certain criteria tax free; and extend the exemption for fee-waiver, fee-pay and Commonwealth Learning Scholarships from the social security personal income test to University Equity Scholarships.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Protection of Submarine Cables and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1963 and Telecommunications Act 1997 to create a regulatory scheme to enable the Australian Communications Authority to establish protection zones over submarine telecommunications cables that link Australia to global networks and which are of national significance.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 10/8/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 23/8/05; Act No. 104, 2005

Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997 to: replace existing references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with references to the ACMA; and repeal spent provisions. Also contains transitional provisions providing for: the continuing effect of certain determinations made by the ACA; and the inclusion in the ACMA—€™s costs for a financial year of the ACA—€™s costs for that financial year.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 46, 2005

Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Amendment (Industry Plans and Consumer Codes) Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 7/9/05; Passed 12/9/05

Senate: Intro. 13/9/05; Passed 14/9/05

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Assent: 23/9/05; Act No. 116, 2005

Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Amendment (National Relay Service) Bill 2005

Amends the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 to allow the Commonwealth to contract with more than one provider to deliver the National Relay Service. Also makes a consequential amendment following the commencement of the proposed Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005.

Reps: Intro. 10/2/05; Passed 16/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 7/3/05

Assent: 21/3/05; Act No. 24, 2005

Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment (Stored Communications and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Amends the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 to: extend for 6 months the operation of the provisions that enable access to stored communications without the need for a warrant; make the Victorian Office of Police Integrity and the New South Wales Inspector of the Independent Commission Against Corruption eligible authorities for the purposes of the Act; enable the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Queensland Corruption and Crime Commission and the New South Wales Inspector of the Police Integrity Commission to use lawfully obtained intercepted material for the purpose of fulfilling their statutory functions; clarify that the expression —€œofficer of a State—€ includes all members of the police service of that State; and as a consequence of the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 12/10/05

Senate: Intro. 13/10/05; Passed 9/12/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): No reference

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 152, 2005

S Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Issues) Bill 2005

Part of a package of five bills relating to the sale of the government—€™s equity in Telstra Corporation Limited, the bill amends the: Telecommunications Act 1997 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to provide for the operational and organisational separation of Telstra; Telecommunications Act 1997 to: repeal the requirement for carriers to have an industry development plan (IDP); clarify the enforcement powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in relation to industry codes; amend the requirements for consultation on variations to the carriage service provider numbering plan; facilitate any-to-any connectivity; enable ACMA to accept enforceable undertakings; and provide that remedial directions issued by ACMA are not legislative instruments; and Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to: the operation of the telecommunications-specific competition regime; and interim determinations about access.

Senate: Intro. 8/9/05; Passed 14/9/05

Reference (6/9/05): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee at whatever stage bill has reached at end of government business on 8/9/05; report tabled 12/9/05

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 32 Dem/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to; 1 Division opposed/Division agreed to; 2 items opposed/item agreed to

Reps: Intro. 15/9/05; Passed 15/9/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 23/9/05; Act No. 119, 2005

Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Future Proofing and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Part of a package of five bills relating to the sale of the government—€™s equity in Telstra Corporation Limited, the bill amends the: Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 to: provide a framework for regular independent reviews and reports of the adequacy of regional, rural and remote telecommunications services (including the creation of the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC)); and establish the Communications Fund which will be funded with an initial deposit of $2 billion in cash and which will fund government responses to recommendations by the RTIRC; Telecommunications Act 1997 to provide for a scheme to enable industry bodies and associations to apply for reimbursement from the Australian Communications and Media Authority of the costs of developing consumer-related industry codes; and Telstra Corporation Act 1991 to: require at least two directors of Telstra to have knowledge of or experience in rural or remote communications needs as well as regional areas of Australia; and restore appropriations and authorise borrowings in connection with a Telstra sale scheme.

Reps: Intro. 7/9/05; Passed 12/9/05

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 13/9/05; Passed 14/9/05

Reference (6/9/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee at whatever stage bill has reached at end of government business on 8/9/05; report tabled 12/9/05

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 7 Govt/passed; 13 Dem/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 15/9/05]

Assent: 23/9/05; Act No. 117, 2005

Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Regular Reviews and Other Measures) Bill 2005

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 17/3/05

Senate: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 24/6/05 a.m.

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 16/3/05; report presented 11/5/05 and tabled 12/5/05

Committee amendments: 14 Opp/passed

[Reps reported message 9/8/05]

Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) Act 1997 to: replace existing references to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with references to the ACMA; and repeal spent provisions. Also contains transitional provisions providing for the continuing effect of certain transfer notices given to, and determinations made by, the ACA.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 47, 2005

PM Telemarketing (Protection of Privacy Rights of Residential Telephone Subscribers) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Ms Burke —€“ ALP)

The bill: establishes a national register of residential telephone subscribers who request not to receive telephone solicitations; prohibits certain telephone solicitations; and provides for a civil penalty regime.

Reps: Intro. 31/10/05; Read a 1st time 31/10/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Television Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Television Licence Fees Amendment Act 2005)

Part of a package of 10 bills in relation to the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the bill amends the Television Licence Fees Act 1964 to replace existing references to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) with references to the ACMA. Also contains transitional provisions providing for the continuing effect of certain directions made by the ABA.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/2/05

Senate: Intro. 7/3/05; Passed 16/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Deferred

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 8/12/04; report tabled 10/3/05

Assent: 1/4/05; Act No. 48, 2005

S Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2005

Part of a package of five bills relating to the sale of the government—€™s equity in Telstra Corporation Limited, the bill amends the: Telstra Corporation Act 1991 to: repeal provisions which require the Commonwealth to retain 50.1 per cent equity in Telstra; cease application of provisions relating to Ministerial directions and reporting obligations once the Commonwealth—€™s equity falls below 15 per cent; specify sale provisions; reaffirm the universal service and digital data service obligations and the customer service guarantee; and temporarily cease appropriations in connection with a Telstra sale scheme; Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to exempt decisions of Telstra from the application of the Act after the sale; Telstra Corporation Act 1991, Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Regulations and Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Regulations to preserve employee entitlements; Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, Freedom of Information Act 1982, Archives Regulations, Freedom of Information (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations and Ombudsman Regulations to make transitional provisions in relation to ongoing matters and consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 8/9/05; Passed 14/9/05

Reference (6/9/05): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee at whatever stage bill has reached at end of government business on 8/9/05; report tabled 12/9/05

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Reps: Intro. 15/9/05; Passed 15/9/05

Assent: 23/9/05; Act No. 118, 2005

PS Textbook Subsidy Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Extends the Educational Textbook Subsidy Scheme beyond 30 June 2004 (when it is due to lapse).

Senate: Intro. 18/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 18/6/03

SBC report 7/03 (tabled and adopted 25/6/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill 2005

Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to provide the Therapeutic Goods Administration with additional sanctions and enforcement options for dealing with suppliers and manufacturers who fail to comply with regulatory requirements including product and manufacturing standards, including: introduction of a tiered offence regime and civil penalties for breaches; providing for infringement notices, enforceable undertakings and strict liability offences; and extending territorial jurisdiction in certain circumstances. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medical Devices) Act 2002.

Reps: Intro. 17/8/05; Passed 9/11/05

CID amendments: 6 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 28/11/05; 2nd reading adjourned 28/11/05

SBC report 9/05 (tabled 7/9/05; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 7/9/05): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 7/9/05; extension of time to report 13/10/05; report tabled 7/11/05

Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2005

Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to narrow the circumstances in which patent certification is required by applicants seeking to list or register a therapeutic good on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 13/10/05

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; 2nd reading adjourned 7/11/05

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): No reference

PS Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Nash —€“ NATS, Senator Troeth —€“ LP, Senator Allison —€“ AD and Senator Moore —€“ ALP)

Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to transfer the responsibility for regulatory approval of RU486 from the Minister for Health and Ageing to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Senate: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

Reference: Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report due second sitting day in 2006

PM Trade Practices Amendment (Collective Bargaining for Small Business) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Fitzgibbon —€“ ALP)

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to implement a new scheme for the authorisation process for collective bargaining for small business.

Reps: Intro. 12/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 28/11/05

Trade Practices Amendment (National Access Regime) Bill 2005

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to regulation of access to strategic infrastructure services.

Reps: Intro. 2/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 2/6/05, 8/12/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending

Senate:

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 15/6/05; extension of time to report 5/9/05; report tabled 8/9/05

Trade Practices Amendment (Personal Injuries and Death) Bill 2004

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to prevent individuals, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in a representative capacity, from bringing actions for damages for personal injuries or death resulting from contraventions of Division 1 of Part V of the Act, which prohibits unfair practices in trade and commerce, including misleading and deceptive conduct.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 14/9/05

Senate: Intro. 15/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 15/9/05

SBC report 8/05 (tabled and adopted 17/8/05): No reference

Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2005

Implements the recommendations of the Dawson Review into competition policy by amending the Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to: merger clearances and authorisations; non-merger authorisations; collective bargaining; exclusionary provisions; price fixing provisions; dual listed companies; third line forcing and exclusive dealing; enforcement; penalties and indemnities; local government bodies; and functions and powers under Competition Code. Also amends the: Corporations Act 2001 and Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to disqualification from managing corporations; and Gas Pipelines Access (Commonwealth) Act 1998 to amend an incorrect cross-reference.

Reps: Intro. 17/2/05; Passed 10/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 11/10/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 9/3/05; report tabled 16/3/05

Committee amendments: 50 Govt/passed; 1 Schedule/negatived; 1 section/negatived; 16 items negatived; 3 Opp/negatived; 6 Dem/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to; 2 sections opposed/sections agreed to

[Reps reported message 12/10/05]

PS Transparent Advertising and Notification of Pregnancy Counselling Services Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Prohibits misleading or deceptive advertising or notification of pregnancy counselling services.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

PS Truth in Food Labelling Bill 2003 [2005]

R (Introduced by Senator Brown —€“ AG)

Provides for a food labelling system in Australia which will require the labelling of all genetically modified foods and not just those foods that still have detectable levels of genetically modified protein or DNA left after processing.

Senate: Intro. 13/10/03; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/03, 15/9/05

SBC report 14/03 (tabled and adopted 29/10/03): Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 29/10/03; extension of time to report 11/3/04; report due 1/4/04; report tabled 24/3/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 11/8/05

PS Uranium Mining in or near Australian World Heritage Properties (Prohibition)
R Bill 1998 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Allison —€“ AD)

To prohibit the mining, extraction, treatment and transport of any uranium or uranium ore in or near any property in Australia on the World Heritage List.

Senate: Intro. 28/5/98; 2nd reading adjourned 28/5/98

SBC report 8/98 (tabled and adopted 24/6/98): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 11/12/02, 17/11/04

Veterans—€™ Entitlements Amendment (2005 Budget Measure) Bill 2005

Amends the Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to extend eligibility for the seniors concession allowance to Gold Card holders who are over veteran pension age and who are not otherwise eligible for the seniors concession allowance or the utilities allowance.

Reps: Intro. 1/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; Passed 16/6/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

Assent: 6/7/05; Act No. 85, 2005

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Bill 2004

(Act citation: Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005)

Provides for the establishment and operation of a scheme to apply national water efficiency labelling and minimum performance standards to certain water-use products.

Reps: Intro. 1/12/04; Passed 9/12/04

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 8/2/05; Passed 8/2/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Assent: 18/2/05; Act No. 4, 2005

Workplace Relations Amendment (Better Bargaining) Bill 2005

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 in relation to: industrial action before the expiration of an agreement; cooling-off periods; third party suspensions; protected and unprotected industrial action; and pattern bargaining.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 7/9/05

CID amendments: 4 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 12/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 12/9/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): No reference

Workplace Relations Amendment (Extended Prohibition of Compulsory Union Fees) Bill 2005

Amends the freedom of association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to extend the prohibition on bargaining services fee clauses to State employment agreements to which a constitutional corporation is a party.

Reps: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 11/5/05

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; 2nd reading adjourned 12/5/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): No reference

Workplace Relations Amendment (Fair Dismissal Reform) Bill 2004

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: exempt small businesses from the unfair dismissal provisions (except in relation to apprentices and trainees); and require the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to order that an unfair dismissal application is invalid if it relates to a small business employer.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; 2nd reading adjourned 2/12/04, 10/2/05, 14/2/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending

Senate:

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee 17/3/05; extension of time to report 14/6/05; report tabled 21/6/05

PS Workplace Relations Amendment (Paid Maternity Leave) Bill 2002 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to provide for a system of paid maternity leave, including provision for a Government-funded basic maternity payment, for employees not employed by Commonwealth, State or Territory governments; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to provide that women who receive this new maternity payment will be ineligible for the existing maternity allowance and maternity immunisation allowance.

Senate: Intro. 16/5/02; 2nd reading adjourned 16/5/02, 11/3/04

SBC report 4/02 (tabled and adopted 19/6/02): Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 19/6/02; report tabled 18/9/02

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Workplace Relations Amendment (Right of Entry) Bill 2004

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: establish a framework for the right of entry system which will clearly set out parties—€™ rights and responsibilities; and enable the Commonwealth to override the operation of State right of entry laws or industrial instruments within constitutional limits.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 14/3/05

Senate: Intro. 15/3/05; 2nd reading adjourned 15/3/05, 10/5/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 8/12/04; extension of time to report 7/3/05; report tabled 14/3/05

Workplace Relations Amendment (Small Business Employment Protection) Bill 2005

(Previous title: Workplace Relations Amendment (Small Business Employment Protection) Bill 2004)

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to restore the exemption for small business from redundancy payments by overturning the 2004 decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to impose redundancy pay obligations on small businesses.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 17/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; 2nd reading adjourned 18/8/05

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 9/12/04; report tabled 14/3/05

Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill 2005

Amends the: Workplace Relations Act 1996 in relation to: creation of a national workplace relations system, including the establishment of the Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) which will set and adjust minimum and award classification wages, minimum conditions of employment; public holidays; outworkers; direct bargaining between employers and employees; the role of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, particularly in relation to regulation of industrial action; a simplified system of awards; redundancy pay by small business employers; transmission of business rules; protection of key award conditions in bargaining processes; dispute settlement procedures; extension of the compliance regime; transitional arrangements; provides for the renumbering of the Act; and Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997 in relation to the establishment of the AFPC.

Reps: Intro. 2/11/05; Passed 10/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 6 Opp/negatived; 1 Opp/ruled out of order

Senate: Intro. 10/11/05; Passed 2/12/05

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (2/11/05) to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 12/10/05; report presented 22/11/05 and tabled 28/11/05

Committee amendments: 341 Govt/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 1 item negatived; 4 sections negatived; 1 Dem-Opp/negatived; 83 Dem/negatived; 2 Dem to Govt/negatived; 17 AG/negatived; 21 FFP/negatived; 5 Schedules opposed/Schedules agreed to; 1 Division opposed/Division agreed to; 88 items opposed/items agreed to; 5 sections opposed/sections agreed to

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments (1 Opp/negatived) 7/12/05]

Assent: 14/12/05; Act No. 153, 2005