Sitting week beginning Monday, 22 March 2021

Sitting week beginning Monday, 22 March 2021 — 5th House sitting week of the 46th Parliament’s 2021 autumn sittings.

This page summarises matters expected to be considered by the House of Representatives and its Federation Chamber. It is updated weekly during sittings. For a full report of the business dealt with, including a list of documents presented, go to the Votes and Proceedings. To read the debates, including question time, go to Hansard.

For details about the proposed program of business for each sitting of the House and Federation Chamber and that sitting’s public hearings of House and joint committees go to the House Daily Program (usually available at least 1 hour before the House is scheduled to meet).

This week the House is expected to sit on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in a pattern similar to that described in the Infosheet 'A typical sitting day'.

The Federation Chamber is also expected to meet on Monday (10.30am to 1.30pm and from 4pm to 7.30pm), Tuesday (from 4pm to 7.30pm), Wednesday (from 10am to 1.30pm and from 4pm to 7.30pm) and on Thursday (from 10am to approximately 1.00pm).

For details about House and Federation Chamber standard hours see the order of business diagram at http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Chamber_documents/HoR/Order_of_Business

Real time tracking of business done by the House and the Federation Chamber

You can track each item of business as it is being done in the House Chamber and the Federation Chamber by using the “LiveMinutes” service.

You can see proceedings of the House and the Federation Chamber via the webcasts at www.aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Listen.

Legislation

For information on how laws are made go to 'Making Laws', for the text of each bill go to Billsnet after the Bill is introduced.

Government bills are expected to be introduced into the House this week. These bills will be listed on the House Daily Program and the text of each bill will be available on ParlInfo after they are introduced.

Details of bills to be introduced are not available prior to their introduction.

On Monday in the House at 10.10am the following private Members’ bills are expected to be introduced:

• Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment (Rural and Regional Australia Statements) Bill 2021 — Dr Haines (Ind, Indi, Vic)
• Commonwealth Environment Protection Authority Bill 2021 — Mr Wilkie (Ind, Clark, Tas)
• Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Amendment (No New Fossil Fuels) Bill 2021 — Mr Bandt (AG, Melbourne, Vic)

In the House during the week it is planned to resume debate on the following Government bills already introduced (note – these plans may change as the week unfolds, especially if some of the bills listed below are referred to the Federation Chamber by the House):

Monday

• Archives and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021
• Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2020-2021
• Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2020-2021

Tuesday

• Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2020-2021
• Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2020-2021

Wednesday

• Treasury Laws Amendment (2020 Measures No. 4) Bill 2020
• Treasury Laws Amendment (Your Future, Your Super) Bill 2021
• Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021
• Biosecurity Amendment (Strengthening Penalties) Bill 2021
• Designs Amendment (Advisory Council on Intellectual Property Response) Bill 2020
• Data Availability and Transparency Bill 2020
• Data Availability and Transparency (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020

Thursday

• Health Insurance Amendment (Prescribed Fees) Bill 2021
• Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Student Assistance and Other Measures) Bill 2021
• Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill 2021

In the Federation Chamber debate on Government business matters and committee and delegation reports occurs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Debate may be resumed on matters previously referred or items may be referred during the week.

• See also: Infosheet 7 – Making Laws

Committee and delegation reports and statements and private Members’ motions

On Monday at approximately 10.50am the following private Members’ motions will be debated in the House:

• Human Rights in China — Mr K J Andrews (Lib, Menzies, Vic)
• Family Law Amendment (A Step Towards a Safer Family Law System) Bill 2020 — Mr Perrett (ALP, Moreton, Qld)

At 11am on Monday the following private Member’s motions will be debated in the Federation Chamber.

• Diversity and inclusion — Mr Giles (ALP, Scullin, Vic)
• HomeBuilder — Mr Thompson (Lib, Herbert, Qld)
• Human rights in Cambodia — Mr Hill (ALP, Bruce, Vic)
• Support for Australians — Mr Young (Lib, Longman, Qld)

At 4.45pm on Monday the following private Members’ motions will be debated in the Federation Chamber.

• Resources industry — Ms M. M. H. King (ALP, Brand, WA)
• Foreign interference in universities — Mrs McIntosh (Lib, Lindsay, NSW)
• Distilleries — Mr Wilkie (Ind, Clark, Tas)
• Emissions Targets — Mr T R Wilson (Lib, Goldstein, Vic)

Auditor-General’s reports

2020-21 reports of the Auditor-General may be presented after question time.

• Audit Reports on Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) website

Matters of Public Importance

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after question time, in accordance with the House's standing orders, it is possible for the House to discuss a matter of public importance (MPI). If an MPI is proposed by a Member, and is in order, the subject of the MPI will be announced shortly after midday on each of these days and published on the House's website. If more than one MPI is proposed the Speaker will decide which MPI is the most urgent and important to be submitted to the House that day.

• See also: Infosheet 2 – A typical sitting day

Grievance debate

In accordance with standing orders Grievance Debate is held on sitting Tuesdays in the Federation Chamber. At no later than 6.30pm debate is resumed on the question ‘That grievances be noted’ and debate ensues for one hour. Debate on the question is practically unlimited in scope, giving Members the opportunity, in 10 minute speeches, to raise matters in which they have a particular interest or to discuss complaints of constituents.

• Order of business diagrams

Petitions

This week Members' may present petitions during the time reserved for Members' Statements in the House and the Federation Chamber, during the time reserved for Members’ constituency statements in the Federation Chamber and during the Adjournment Debates of the House and the Federation Chamber.

For more details about petitioning the House of Representatives see the petitions webpage.

For details about House and Federation Chamber debate times see the order of business diagram.

See Also:

• Petitioning the House of Representatives
• Standing Committee on Petitions
• House and Federation Chamber debate times (order of business diagrams)