Appendix 3: Committee reports and inquiries

This appendix provides details of inquiries and reports of scrutiny committees and internal committees of the Forty-fifth Parliament in 2017–18.

Scrutiny committees, Forty-fifth Parliament, 2017–18

Committee	Inquiries at 30 June 2018	Reports presented 2017–18
Agriculture and Water Resources, Standing Committee on	Superannuation fund investment in agriculture	APVMA regulatory reforms Presented 21 May 2018 PP: 151/2018 Making every drop count: Inquiry into water use efficiency programs in agriculture Presented 20 December 2017 PP: 3/2018
Communications and the Arts, Standing Committee on		Report on the inquiry into the Australian film and television industry Presented 7 December 2017 PP: 545/2017
Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 2018, Joint Select Committee on^a	Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 2018
Economics, Standing Committee on	Review of the four major banks Review of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission annual report 2017 Review of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission annual report 2017 Inquiry into impediments to business investment	Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2016 (Second Report) Presented 11 September 2017 PP: 298/2017 Review of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Annual Report 2016 Presented 16 October 2017 PP: 326/2017 Review of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Annual Report 2016 Presented 4 December 2017 PP: 526/2017 Review of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Annual Report 2016 Presented 7 December 2017 PP: 543/2017 Review of the four major banks (Third Report) Presented 7 December 2017 PP: 542/2017 Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2017 (First Report) Presented 8 May 2018 PP: 115/2018 Review of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Annual Report 2017 Presented 26 June 2018 PP: 208/2018
Electoral Matters, Joint Standing Committee on	Review of the Australian Electoral Commission’s annual report 2016–17 Inquiry into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 2016 federal election and matters related thereto Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Lowering Voting Age and Increasing Voter Participation) Bill 2018	Report on the inquiry into decisions made by the Court of Disputed Returns Presented 6 February 2018 PP: 9/2018 Advisory report on the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 Presented 9 April 2018 PP: 121/2018 Excluded: The impact of section 44 on Australian democracy Presented 17 May 2018 PP: 153/2018
Employment, Education and Training, Standing Committee on	Inquiry into funding Australia’s research	Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay of All Workers) Bill 2017 Presented 12 February 2018 by oral statement Unique individuals, broad skills: Inquiry into school to work transition Presented 30 May 2018 PP: 162/2018
Environment and Energy, Standing Committee on the	Inquiry into the management and use of Commonwealth environmental water	Powering our future: Inquiry into modernising Australia’s electricity grid Presented 5 February 2018 PP: 1/2018
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Joint Standing Committee on	Review of the Defence annual report 2016–17 Inquiry into transition from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Inquiry into the strategic effectiveness and outcomes of Australia’s aid program in the Indo-Pacific and its role in supporting Australia’s regional interests Inquiry into the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief Inquiry into the management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in and around Defence bases Inquiry into the benefits and risks of a Bipartisan Australian Defence Agreement, as a basis of planning for, and funding of, Australian Defence capability Inquiry into human organ trafficking and organ transplant tourism Inquiry into Australia’s trade and investment relationship with the United Kingdom Inquiry into access to free trade agreements by small and medium sized enterprises	Legal foundations of religious freedom in Australia—Interim report, November 2017 Presented 4 December 2017 PP: 527/2017 Inquiry into Australia’s trade and investment relationship with the United Kingdom—Interim report, October 2017 Presented 23 October 2017 PP: 381/2017 Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia Presented 7 December 2017 PP: 266/2017 Review of the Defence Annual Report 2015–16 Presented 7 December 2017 PP: 549/2017
Health, Aged Care and Sport, Standing Committee on	Inquiry into the quality of aged care in residential aged care facilities in Australia Inquiry into biotoxin-related illnesses in Australia	Still waiting to be heard: Inquiry into the hearing health and wellbeing of Australia Presented 13 September 2017 PP: 300/2017 Report on the inquiry into the use and marketing of electronic cigarettes and personal vaporisers in Australia Presented 28 March 2017 PP: 109/2018
Indigenous Affairs, Standing Committee on	Inquiry into the growing presence of inauthentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander style art and craft products and merchandise for sale across Australia	The power of education—From surviving to thriving: Inquiry into educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students Presented 15 December 2017 PP: 2/2018
Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources, Standing Committee on	Inquiry into how the mining sector can support businesses in regional economies	Inquiry into social issues relating to land-based automated vehicles in Australia Presented 11 September 2017 PP: 297/2017 Internet competition inquiry: Inquiry into impacts on local businesses in Australia from global internet-based competition Presented 11 April 2018 PP: 116/2018
Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, Standing Committee on	Inquiry into the Australian Government’s role in the development of cities
Intelligence and Security, Parliamentary Joint Committee on The committee’s scrutiny includes the review of terrorist listings and the administration and expenditure of the Australian Intelligence Community.	Review of the Office of National Intelligence Bill 2018 and the Office of National Intelligence (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018 Review of the listing of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah and Jama’at Mujahideen Bangladesh as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code Review of the Identity-matching Services Bill 2018 and the Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2018 Review of administration and expenditure no. 16 (2016–2017)	Review of administration and expenditure no.15 (2015–2016) – Australian intelligence agencies Presented 15 August 2017 PP: 265/2017 Review of the declaration of Jabhat al-Nusra as a terrorist organisation under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 Presented 16 October 2017 PP: 329/2017 Review of the re-listing of Boko Haram and Islamic State as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code Presented 16 October 2017 PP: 317/2017 Annual Report of committee activities 2016–17 Presented 5 December 2017 PP: 531/2017 Review of the listing of Islamic State East Asia as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Presented 5 December 2017 PP: 530/2017 Review of the listing of Islamic State Khorasan Province and the re-listing of al-Murabitun as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code Presented 8 February 2018 PP: 14/2018 Advisory report on the Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 Presented 26 February 2018 PP: 43/2018 Review of the police stop, search and seizure powers, the control order regime and the preventative detention order regime Presented 1 March 2018 PP: 46/2018 Review of the ‘declared area’ provisions Presented 1 March 2018 PP: 45/2018 Advisory report on the Security of Critical Infrastructure Bill 2017 Presented 15 March 2018 PP: 55/2018 Review of proposed amendments to the Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 Presented 28 March 2018 PP: 112/2018 ASIO’s questioning and detention powers Presented 10 May 2018 PP: 148/2018 Advisory report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2018 Presented 7 June 2018 PP: 171/2018 Advisory report on the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017 Presented 7 June 2018 PP: 172/2018 Review of the re-declaration of Mosul District, Ninewa Province, Iraq Presented 20 June 2018 PP: 192/2018 Review of the re-listing of Hizballah’s External Security Organisation as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Presented 20 June 2018 PP: 194/2018 Review of the re-listing of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e Jhangvi as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code Presented 20 June 2018 PP: 193/2018 Advisory report on the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017 Presented 25 June 2018 PP: 203/2018
Intergenerational Welfare Dependence, Select Committee on^a	Inquiry into intergenerational welfare dependence
Migration, Joint Standing Committee on	Review of processes associated with visa cancellations made on criminal grounds Efficacy of current regulation of Australian migration agents	No one teaches you to become an Australian: Report of the inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes Presented 8 December 2017 PP: 586/2017
National Capital and External Territories, Joint Standing Committee on the	Review of the National Capital Authority: Biannual public briefings Inquiry into Commonwealth and parliamentary approvals for the proposed Stage 2 of the Australian Capital Territory light rail project Inquiry into Canberra’s national institutions	The strategic importance of Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories Presented 11 September 2017 PP: 296/2017 Maintaining Australia’s national interests in Antarctica: Inquiry into Australia’s Antarctic Territory Presented 18 June 2018 PP: 165/2018
Northern Australia, Joint Standing Committee on		Northern horizons—Unleashing our tourism potential: Inquiry into opportunities and methods for stimulating the tourism industry in Northern Australia Presented 28 June 2018 PP: 226/2018
Public Accounts and Audit, Joint Committee on The purpose of this committee is to hold Commonwealth agencies to account by assessing the lawfulness, efficiency and effectiveness with which they use public monies.	Australian Government contract reporting—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s report no. 19 (2017–18) Australian Government funding: Schools and Indigenous health—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 18 and 50 (2017–18) Australian Government security arrangements: Personnel security and domestic passenger screening—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 38 and 43 (2017–18) Commonwealth financial statements—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s report no. 24 (2017–18) Commonwealth procurement—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 61 (2016–17), and 9 and 12 (2017–18) Defence first principles review and naval construction—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 34 and 39 (2017–18) Foreign investment obligations in residential real estate—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s report no. 48 (2017–18) Inquiry into the 2016–17 Defence major projects report Mental health in the Australian Federal Police—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s report no. 31 (2017–18)	Report 463: Commonwealth financial statements Presented 5 September 2017 PP: 293/2017 Report 464: Commonwealth grants administration Presented 5 September 2017 PP: 294/2017 Report 466: Annual Report 2016–17 Presented 12 September 2017 PP: 299/2017 Report 465: Commonwealth procurement Presented 14 September 2017 PP: 316/2017 Report 467: Cybersecurity compliance Presented 25 October 2017 PP: 382/2017 Report 468: Defence major projects report (2015–16) Presented 26 October 2017 PP: 383/2017 Report 469: Commonwealth Performance Framework Presented 6 December 2017 PP: 546/2017 Report 470: Defence sustainment expenditure Presented 20 March 2018 PP: 66/2018 Report 471: Security of overseas missions Presented 8 May 2018 PP: 143/2018
Public Works, Parliamentary Standing Committee on^b The Public Works Committee Act 1969 empowers the committee to inquire into and report on all public works that are referred to it; Commonwealth works estimated to cost more than $15 million must be referred to it.	Point Wilson waterside infrastructure remediation, Point Wilson, Victoria Jindalee operational radar network phase 6 facilities project Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence capability facilities project	Report 6/2017: Referrals made March 2017 Presented 14 August 2017 PP: 261/2017 Report 7/2017: Referrals made June 2017 Presented 16 October 2017 PP: 318/2017 Report 8/2017: Referrals made September 2017 Presented 4 December 2017 PP: 528/2017 Report 1/2018: Referrals made December 2017 Presented 26 March 2018 PP: 102/2018 Eighty-First Annual Report Presented 26 March 2018 PP: 103/2018 Report 2/2018: Referrals made March 2018 Presented 18 June 2018 PP: 166/2018
Regional Development and Decentralisation, Select Committee on	Committee expired on 28 June 2018 upon presentation of its final report	Regions at the ready: Investing in Australia’s future Presented 28 June 2018 PP: 225/2018
Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Standing Committee on	Inquiry into local adoption	A better family law system to support and protect those affected by family violence Presented 7 December 2017 PP: 544/2017
Tax and Revenue, Standing Committee on	2016–17 annual report of the Australian Taxation Office Inquiry into taxpayer engagement with the tax system
Trade and Investment Growth, Joint Select Committee on	Inquiry into the trade system and the digital economy
Treaties, Joint Standing Committee on^b	European Union Framework Agreement Oil stocks—Netherlands Peru free trade agreement Scientific technical cooperation—Brazil Scientific technical cooperation—Italy Timor treaty—maritime boundaries Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Australian Patent Office	Report 172: Singapore Free Trade Agreement—Amendment; Defence Supplies and Services—Japan Presented 8 August 2017 PP: 250/2017 Report 173: Consular Functions in Macau—China; Montreal Ozone Layer—Amendment Presented 6 September 2017 PP: 292/2017 Report 174: IMF New Arrangements to Borrow; Scientific Cooperation USA; Science Research Innovation NZ; Technological Innovation Israel Presented 16 October 2017 PP: 327/2017 Report 175: OECD Tax Measures BEPS; International Solar Alliance-Agreement; Air Services—Three Agreements Presented 27 November 2017 PP: 524/2017 Report 176: Air Force Training—Singapore; Deployment of Personnel—Solomon Islands; Space Tracking—USA Presented 15 February 2018 PP: 31/2018 Report 177: Extradition—Jordan; Mutual Legal Assistance—Jordan Presented 15 February 2018 PP: 32/2018 Additional information regarding extraterritorial jurisdiction Presented 28 June 2018 Report 178: Bonn Convention—Amendments; Universal Postal Union—Amendments Presented 28 March 2018 PP: 111/2018 Report 179: Reprocessing Nuclear Fuel—France; PACER Plus Presented 9 May 2018 PP: 140/2018

The Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the Select Committee on Intergenerational Welfare Dependence Committee are select committees that were established during the reporting period. These committees will expire upon presentation of their final reports, or when the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires by effluxion of time.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties often present reports that include multiple inquiries.

Internal committees, Forty-fifth Parliament, 2017–18

Committee	Purpose	Reports and inquiries
Appropriations and Administration, Standing Committee on	The committee considers estimates of the funding required for the operation of the department and may confer with the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing.	Report No. 14 Annual Report 2016–17 Presented 7 September 2017 PP: 295/2017 Report No. 15 Budget Estimates 2018–19 (Department of the House of Representatives) Presented 10 May 2018 PP: 149/2018
Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings, Joint Committee on the	The committee meets when required to consider the general principles applying to the radio broadcasting and, in certain circumstances, the televising of proceedings of parliament by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Petitions, Standing Committee on	The committee receives and processes petitions, and inquires into and reports to the House on any matter relating to petitions and the petitions system. Information on how to go about petitioning the House of Representatives is available at the petitions page on the Parliament of Australia website.	Making voices heard: Inquiry into the e-petitioning system of the House of Representatives Petitions Committee Presented 29 May 2018 PP: 2018/159
Privileges and Members’ Interests, Standing Committee of	The committee is appointed at the commencement of each parliament to inquire into and report on complaints of breach of privilege referred to it by the House, oversee arrangements for the maintenance of the Register of Members’ Interests and the Citizenship Register and consider any specific complaints about the registering of interests.	Report concerning the registration and declaration of Members’ interests during 2017 Presented 8 February 2018 PP: 15/2018 Inquiry concerning the former Member for Dunkley in the 44th Parliament: possible contempts of the House and appropriate conduct of a Member Presented 26 March 2018 PP: 106/2018
Procedure, Standing Committee on	The committee’s role is to inquire into and report on the practices and procedures of the House.	Inquiry into the maintenance of the standing orders Inquiry into the provisions relating to disorder in the House of Representatives Presented 5 December 2017 PP: 532/2017 Inquiry into the maintenance of the standing orders—interim report Presented 21 May 2018 PP: 152/2018
Publications, Standing Committee on	The committee presents reports making recommendations relating to the inclusion in the Parliamentary Papers Series of documents presented to parliament.
Publications, Parliamentary Joint Committee on	The committee inquiries into matters relating to parliamentary and government publications.	Inquiry into the printing standards for documents presented to parliament Presented 5 December 2017 PP:529/2017
Selection Committee	The committee was established to determine the program of committee and delegation business and private members’ business for each sitting Monday and to select bills for referral to committees.	The committee presented 14 reports, on: 9 August 2017 16 August 2017 6 September 2017 13 September 2017 18 October 2017 25 October 2017 6 December 2017 7 February 2018 14 February 2018 28 February 2018 9 May 2018 30 May 2018 20 June 2018 27 June 2018