|
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Background
1.1
On 16 August 2007, the Senate referred the provisions of the Commonwealth
Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007 (the bill) to the Senate
Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration (the committee) for
inquiry and report by 4 September 2007.[1]
1.2
On 4 September 2007 the Chair of the committee, Senator Mitch Fifield,
presented an interim report to the President of the Senate, indicating the
committee's intention to table on 7 September 2007. The committee's final
report was presented to the President on 7 September 2007.
Purpose of the bill
1.3
The main amendments contained in the bill relate to issues of the:
- Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) authorisation and use of
information contained in an electoral roll for the purpose of conducting
activities (such as a plebiscite); and
- overriding of State or Territory law that does not allow for a
person or body to enter into an agreement with, or assist, the AEC in
conducting an activity (such as a plebiscite).[2]
Conduct of the inquiry
1.4
The committee advertised the inquiry nationally in the The Australian
on 22 August and 5 September 2007. To help promote awareness of
the inquiry, the committee also advertised in Queensland regional newspapers:
the Gold Coast Bulletin, Townsville Bulletin, Cairns Post,
on 20 August 2007; and the Brisbane Courier Mail, Rockhampton
Morning Bulletin, Sunshine Daily Coast, Mackay
Mercury, on 21 August 2007.
1.5
The committee received 95 submissions, which are listed in Appendix 1.
Submissions were also posted on the Committee's website to facilitate public
access.[3]
The committee also received several items of additional information and
correspondence which are listed in Appendix 2.
1.6
The Committee held hearings in three Queensland locations: Noosa on 30 August 2007; Emerald on 31 August 2007 and Cairns on 3 September 2007. A list of the witnesses who appeared at the hearings is in Appendix 3, and copies of
the Hansard transcript are available on the committee's Internet page at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fapa_ctte/index.htm.
Acknowledgement
1.7
The committee appreciates the time and work of all those who provided
written and oral submissions to the inquiry, particularly in light of the tight
time frame. Their work has assisted the committee considerably in its inquiry.
Note on references
1.8
References in this report are to individual submissions as received by
the committee, not to a bound volume. References to the committee Hansard are
to the proof Hansard: page numbers may vary between the proof and the official
Hansard transcript.
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page
Website feedback: web.senate@aph.gov.au
Last reviewed 10 September 2007 by the Senate Web Administrator
© Commonwealth of Australia
Parliament of Australia Web Site Privacy Statement
Images courtesy of AUSPIC
|
