For the sitting period 5-8
June 2000
Estimates hearings: disclosures
The main round of estimates hearings took place
in the period 22 May —1 June, and resulted in perhaps the
greatest volume of disclosures of otherwise undisclosed information
of any round of estimates hearings. Matters which came to light
included: the sale by the Taxation Office of information from the
Australian Business Register; the cost of the government’s
advertising campaign to promote the GST; the provision of
information on the electoral roll to the Taxation Office for a GST
mailout; further information on the magnetic resonance imaging
machine affair; further information on the Riverside Nursing Home
affair; the impact of the GST on the higher education charge; the
abuse of student visas; the sale of immigration places; and the
determination of the value of Telstra for privatisation purposes.
All of these disclosures fed into proceedings in the Senate in one
way or another, and again demonstrated that committee hearings are
a most effective accountability mechanism.
Orders for documents
The interest in the safety of heavy trucks
continued with a further order on 5 June, this time requiring the
production of the government’s response to the report on the
subject.
An order was made on 7 June for documents held
by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority about a particular airline,
amid continuing concern about air safety. The government made a
statement on 8 June, which was the deadline for the production of
the documents, indicating that the documents were being examined.
The mover of the motion, Senator O’Brien, while conceding
that the order was onerous and unusual, indicated a determination
to pursue the matter because of unsatisfactory answers in estimates
hearings.
Legislation
The flow of legislation connected with changes
to the tax system continued. Two amendments were made to the New
Tax System (Trade Practices Amendment) Bill 2000 on 5 June
relating to policing of price exploitation.
The New Business Tax System (Miscellaneous) Bill
1999 was the subject of further difficulty between the Senate and
the government’s advisers over amendments and requests (see
also Bulletin No. 142, p. 2). The government drafters appear to
think that any Senate amendment to a tax bill should be a request
if it might result in taxpayers paying more tax, but should also be
a request if it results in taxpayers paying less tax, because that
might involve an addition to government expenditure. This is far
removed from the constitutional provision, which refers to requests
being required where an amendment would increase a proposed charge
or burden on the people, so that there has to be a proposed charge
or burden, that is, a definite appropriation, which the
Senate’s amendment would increase. The bill was returned to
the Senate on 8 June with the Senate’s amendments disagreed
to but identical amendments made in substitution. The Chair of
Committees, while pointing out the defective interpretation of the
government’s advisers, suggested that the amendments simply
be agreed to. Some senators, however, were not prepared to allow
the matter to pass, and consideration of the bill was deferred.
Another bill which was expected to pass,
particularly as it was supported by all parties, was also
effectively deferred on 8 June due to dissatisfaction with the
responses to questions by the Minister for Regional Services,
Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald. Problems
with Senator Macdonald’s responses in estimates hearings last
year led to the Procedure Committee reporting on the scope of
questions at estimates hearings, and the Senate adopting the report
in order to provide an authoritative statement on the scope of
questions. It appears, however, that this transferred the problem
to the Senate chamber itself.
Another bill which had the support of all
parties, the Health Legislation Amendment (Gap Cover Schemes) Bill
2000, to allow the health insurance funds to offer "gap" insurance,
was subjected to extensive amendment on 6 June, but the government
readily accepted the amendments which were designed to improve
"gap" insurance schemes.
Scrutiny of Bills Committee: meeting
with state committee
An unusual motion was passed on 7 June to
authorise the Scrutiny of Bills Committee to hold a deliberative
meeting with its Victorian counterpart present. This motion was
necessary because the Scrutiny of Bills Committee, under its
standing order 24, is authorised to meet only in private session,
and standing order 36 does not allow persons other than members or
officers of a committee to attend a private deliberative
meeting.
E-mail interception
Senator George Campbell complained on 8 June
that an e-mail message intended for him but mistakenly directed to
Senator Ian Campbell had been referred to by a minister during
question time on 7 June. There are no rules specifically applying
to interception of e-mails, but Senator George Campbell indicated
that the matter could be raised as a matter of privilege under the
general category of interference with the performance of a
senator’s duties.
Centenary of Federation: Victorian
invitation
The President tabled on 5 June an invitation
from the two Houses of the Parliament of Victoria for the two
Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament to meet in Melbourne on 9 and
10 May 2001, to commemorate the first meeting of the Commonwealth
Houses in Melbourne on the same dates in 1901. The commemorative
meetings are proposed as part of the centenary of federation
occasions.
Vacancy: appointment of Senator
Brandis
The vacancy created by the resignation of
Senator Parer was filled by the appointment of Senator George
Brandis by the Queensland Parliament on 18 May, and Senator Brandis
was accordingly sworn in on 5 June.
Senate Daily Summary
The Senate Daily Summary provides more detailed information on Senate proceedings, including progress of legislation, committee reports and other documents tabled and major actions by the Senate. Like this bulletin, Senate Daily Summary may be reached through the Senate home page at www.senate.gov.au.
Inquiries: Clerk’s Office
(02) 6277 3364