Legal and Constitutional Affairs


Legal and Constitutional Affairs

1 January 2011 - 30 June 2011

Matters Current as at 1 January 2011
Matters referred during period*
Reports tabled that discharge a reference**
Current inquiries as at 30 June 2011
Legislation 5 15 14 6
References 3 2 4 + (2**) 1
Total 8 17 18 7

Number and Hours of Meeting
Public
Hrs
Public Estimates
Hrs
Private
Hrs
Insp/Other
Hrs
Total Meetings
Total Hours
Legislation 10 27:52 6 41:21 19 2:38 0 0:00 35 71:51
References 6 27:10 0 0:00 10 1:22 1 0:44 17 29:16
Total 16 55:02 6 41:21 29 4:00 1 0:44 52 101:07

Meetings by State
ACT NSW VIC TAS SA WA NT QLD
Legislation 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
References 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 51 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Witnesses
Hansard Pages
Televised hearings
Estimates
Other (Bills)
General
Estimates
Other (Bills)
General
No. of submissions
No. of Pages
Government Responses
Legislation 16 142 92 0 778 332 0 598 4185 0
References 5 0 0 87 0 0 392 179 2164 0
Total 21 142 92 87 778 332 392 777 6349 0

* includes referral of Annual Reports x 1; estimates x 2
** includes 2 interim reports

 

Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation)

1 January 2011 to 30 June 2011

Method of appointment

Pursuant to amended Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members        

Date of appointment

Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)
(elected Chair on 30.09.10)

30.09.10

Senator Guy Barnett (TAS, LP)
(elected Deputy Chair on 30.09.10)

30.09.10

Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Louise Pratt (WA, ALP)

30.09.10
   

Substitute members

Date of appointment

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[1]

28.02.11

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[2]

12.05.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[3]

15.06.11
   

Participating members

Date of appointment

Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Judith Adams (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Chris Back (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Catryna Bilyk (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Simon Birmingham (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Ronald Boswell (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon George Brandis (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Bob Brown (TAS, AG)

30.09.10

Senator Carol Brown (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator David Bushby (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Doug Cameron (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mathias Cormann (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon John Faulkner (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Steve Fielding (VIC, FFP)

30.09.10

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mitch Fifield (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mary Jo Fisher (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Steve Hutchins (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon David Johnston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Barnaby Joyce (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Kroger (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

28.02.11

Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Gavin Marshall (VIC, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Julian McGauran (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Christine Milne (TAS, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Nicholas Minchin (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Claire Moore (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Fiona Nash (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Polley (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ryan (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP)

30.09.10

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Glenn Sterle (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Judith Troeth (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Russell Trood (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator John Williams (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Nick Xenophon (SA, IND)

30.09.10
   

Former substitute members

Term of appointment

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[4]

25.10.10–01.03.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[5]

25.10.10–28.01.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[6]

27.10.10–12.05.11

Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)[7]

03.03.11–04.05.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[8]

12.05.11–29.06.11
   

Former participating member

Term of appointment

Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)

03.03.11–04.05.11

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[9]

25.10.10–01.03.11

Inquiries
As at 1 January 2011

  • Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010 [Provisions] and the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2010 [Provisions] (referred 30 September 2010—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 [Provisions] (referred 30 September 2010—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill 2010 (previously referred to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee 30 September 2010; reference transferred by Selection of Bills Committee 26 October 2010)
  • Provisions of Schedule 4 of the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2010 (referred 28 October 2010—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010 (referred 26 November 2010—through the Selection of Bills Committee)

Current inquiries

As at 30 June 2011

  • Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010 (referred 26 November 2010—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 25 March 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 12 May 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Migration Amendment (Detention Reform and Procedural Fairness) Bill 2010 (referred 24 March 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Native Title Amendment (Reform) Bill 2011 (referred 12 May 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2011 (referred 23 June 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)

New references

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010, together with the amendments on sheet number 7031 circulated by the Australian Greens (referred 2 March 2011)
  • Combating the Financing of People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 3 March 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011 (referred 24 March 2011)
  • Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 24 March 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Migration Amendment (Detention Reform and Procedural Fairness) Bill 2010 (referred 24 March 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 25 March 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Child Support (Registration and Collection) Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 12 May 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 12 May 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 12 May 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Native Title Amendment (Reform) Bill 2011 (referred 12 May 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Bill 2011 [Provisions], the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Collection) Bill 2011 [Provisions] and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011 [Provisions] (referred 12 May 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2011 (referred 23 June 2011—through the Selection of Bills Committee)

Public hearings

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • 2010–11 Additional Estimates—21 to 22 February 2011, Canberra
  • Combating the Financing of People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2011—16 March 2011, Canberra
  • Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010—16 & 21 March 2011, Canberra
  • Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill 2010—29 & 30 March 2011, Canberra
  • Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011—27 April 2011, Canberra
  • Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010—28 & 29 April 2011, Canberra
  • 2011–12 Budget Estimates—23 to 26 May 2011, Canberra
  • Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions]—16 June 2011, Canberra
  • Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) Bill 2011 [Provisions]—16 June 2011, Canberra

Reports tabled

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • Telecommunications Interception and Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 26 November 2010; tabled 9 February 2011)
  • Civil Dispute Resolution Bill 2010 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 2 December 2010; tabled 9 February 2011)
  • Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010 [Provisions] and the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2010 [Provisions]—Interim report (presented out of session on 7 December 2010; tabled 9 February 2011)
  • Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010 [Provisions] and the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2010 [Provisions]—Final report (presented out of session on 28 January 2011; tabled 9 February 2011)
  • Provisions of Schedule 4 of the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2010 (tabled 9 February 2011)
  • Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 [Provisions] (tabled 1 March 2011)
  • Combating the Financing of People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2011 [Provisions] (tabled 21 March 2011)
  • Additional Estimates 2010–11 (tabled 22 March 2011)
  • Annual reports (No. 1 of 2011) (tabled 23 March 2011)
  • Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010 (presented out of session on 4 May 2011; tabled 10 May 2011)
  • Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011 (tabled 10 May 2011)
  • Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill 2010 (tabled 12 May 2011)
  • Child Support (Registration and Collection) Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 19 May 2011; tabled 14 June 2011)
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Bill 2011 [Provisions], Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Collection) Bill 2011 [Provisions] and Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011 [Provisions] (tabled 20 June 2011)
  • Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions] (tabled 22 June 2011)
  • Budget Estimates 2011–12 (tabled 23 June 2011)
  • Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) Bill 2011 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 29 June 2011)

Government responses

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • Nil

Estimates

A statistical summary of this Committee's work when considering Estimates appears in Part Five.


Legal and Constitutional Affairs (References)

1 January 2011 to 30 June 2011

Method of appointment

Pursuant to amended Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members        

Date of appointment

Senator Guy Barnett (TAS, LP)
(elected Chair on 30.09.10)

30.09.10

Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)
(elected Deputy Chair on 30.09.10)

30.09.10

Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Russell Trood (QLD, LP)

30.09.10
   

Participating members

Date of appointment

Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Judith Adams (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Chris Back (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Catryna Bilyk (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Simon Birmingham (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Ronald Boswell (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon George Brandis (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Bob Brown (TAS, AG)

30.09.10

Senator Carol Brown (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator David Bushby (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Doug Cameron (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mathias Cormann (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon John Faulkner (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Steve Fielding (VIC, FFP)

30.09.10

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mitch Fifield (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mary Jo Fisher (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Steve Hutchins (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon David Johnston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Barnaby Joyce (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Kroger (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Gavin Marshall (VIC, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Julian McGauran (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Christine Milne (TAS, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Nicholas Minchin (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Claire Moore (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Fiona Nash (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Polley (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Louise Pratt (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ryan (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP)

30.09.10

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Glenn Sterle (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Judith Troeth (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator John Williams (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Nick Xenophon (SA, IND)

30.09.10
   

Former substitute member

Term of appointment

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[10]

10.05.11–10.06.11
   

Former participating member

Term of appointment

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

10.05.11–10.06.11

Inquiries
As at 1 January 2011

  • Past and present practices of donor conception in Australia (re-referred 30 September 2010)
  • The Australian film and literature classification scheme (referred 16 November 2010)
  • The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) (referred 23 November 2010)

Current inquiries

As at 30 June 2011

  • The incidence of international child abduction to and from Australia (referred 11 May 2011)

New references

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • Provisions of the Water Act 2007 (referred 9 February 2011)
  • The incidence of international child abduction to and from Australia (referred 11 May 2011)

Public hearings

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • Australian Law Reform Commission—11 February 2011 & 3 March 2011, Canberra
  • Australian film and literature classification scheme—25 March 2011 & 27 April 2011, Canberra and 7 April 2011, Sydney
  • Provisions of the Water Act 2007—18 May 2011, Canberra

Reports tabled

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • Review of Government compensation payments (presented out of session on 6 December 2010; tabled 9 February 2011)
  • Donor conception practices in Australia (tabled 10 February 2011)
  • Australian Law Reform Commission—Interim report (presented out of session on 31 March 2011; tabled 10 May 2011)
  • Australian Law Reform Commission—Final report (presented out of session on 8 April 2011; tabled 10 May 2011)
  • Inquiry into the provisions of the Water Act 2007—Interim report (presented out of session on 6 June 2011; tabled 14 June 2011)
  • A Balancing Act: Provisions of the Water Act 2007—Final report (presented out of session on 10 June 2011; tabled 14 June 2011)
  • Review of the National Classification Scheme: achieving the right balance (tabled 23 June 2011)

Government responses

1 January 2011–30 June 2011

  • Nil

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