AS AT 25 JANUARY 2007

(2006 Final Edition)

This is a list of all bills before the Parliament for the 2006 calendar year to date

Abbreviations

AD Australian Democrats [Dem]

AG Australian Greens

ALP Australian Labor Party [Opp]

FFP Family First Party

Ind Independent

LP Liberal Party of Australia [Govt]

NATS The Nationals [Govt]

CID Consideration in Detail stage (House of Representatives)

ED Exposure Draft

PM Private Member—€™s bill

PS Private Senator—€™s bill

R Restored to Notice Paper

S Senate bill

SBC Selection of Bills Committee

S Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Amendment Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Amendment Act 2006)

Senate: Intro. 12/10/05; Passed 8/8/06

SBC report 13/05 (tabled and adopted 9/11/05): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 9/11/05; report tabled 8/2/06

Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived

Reps: Intro. 9/8/06; Passed 27/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 7/12/06; Act No. 152, 2006

Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 and Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 to: increase access to Aboriginal land for development, especially exploration and mining; facilitate the leasing of Aboriginal land and the mortgaging of leases; provide for a tenure system for townships on Aboriginal land that will allow individuals to have property rights; devolve decision-making powers to regional Aboriginal communities; clarify provisions for the establishment of new Land Councils; increase accountability of Land Councils and incorporated bodies which receive payments for the use of Aboriginal land and provide for funding on the basis of workloads; and dispose of land claims which cannot be heard or finalised or which are clearly inappropriate to grant.

Reps: Intro. 31/5/06; Passed 19/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 46 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 20/6/06; Passed 17/8/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 22/6/06; report presented 1/8/06 and tabled 8/8/06

Motion to divide bill into 2 bills 14/8/06: Opp-Dem-AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 13 Govt/passed; 1 item negatived; 1 section negatived; 6 Opp/negatived; 5 items opposed/items agreed to; 1 section opposed/section agreed to

Committee requests: 2 Govt/passed

[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 16/8/06; Reps agreed to Senate amendments (2 Opp to Senate amendments negatived) 17/8/06]

Assent: 5/9/06; Act No. 93, 2006

Age Discrimination Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Age Discrimination Act 2004 to: provide exemptions for certain Commonwealth Acts and regulations following expiry on 23 June 2006 of the temporary exemption which provided an exemption for all Commonwealth Acts and regulations for 2 years; provide exemptions for certain other legislative instruments, schemes and programs; clarify the application of some existing exemptions; and repeal an exemption for certain regulations no longer in force.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 10/5/06

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): No reference

Assent: 22/6/06; Act No. 63, 2006

Aged Care Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Aged Care Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Act 2006)

Part of a package of three bills in relation to the protection of aged care residents—€™ accommodation bonds, the bill amends the Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care (Consequential Provisions) Act 1997 to provide for new prudential regulatory arrangements in relation to the management of aged care residents—€™ accommodation bonds and entry contributions.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 8/2/06

Senate: Intro. 9/2/06; Passed 28/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 8/2/06; report tabled 27/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 28, 2006

S Aged Care Amendment (Residential Care) Bill 2006

Amends the Aged Care Act 1997 to: harmonise aged care and pension assets tests in relation to income streams purchased on or after 20 September 2007 and asset disposals (i.e. gifts); and clarify the delegation of certain powers to Aged Care Assessment Teams.

Senate: Intro. 13/9/06; Passed 16/10/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Referred to Community Affairs Committee 14/9/06; report tabled 9/10/06

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Reps: Intro. 17/10/06; Passed 31/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 9/11/06; Act No. 133, 2006

Aged Care (Bond Security) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Aged Care (Bond Security) Act 2006)

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 8/2/06

Senate: Intro. 9/2/06; Passed 28/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 8/2/06; report tabled 27/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 26, 2006

Aged Care (Bond Security) Levy Bill 2005

(Act citation: Aged Care (Bond Security) Levy Act 2006)

Part of a package of three bills in relation to protection of aged care residents—€™ accommodation bonds, the bill enables the imposition of levies on approved providers in order to recover costs incurred by the Commonwealth as a result of repaying accommodation bond balances to residents in the event that an approved provider of a residential aged care service or a flexible care service becomes insolvent.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 8/2/06

Senate: Intro. 9/2/06; Passed 28/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 8/2/06; report tabled 27/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 27, 2006

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment (Export Control and Quarantine) Bill 2006

Amends the: Export Control Act 1982 to: insert a definition for —€œfish—€; extend the definitions of —€œpreparation—€ and —€œpremises—€; create four new offences in relation to the preparation of goods for export; extend the services for which fees may be charged to services provided by the Secretary or the Secretary—€™s delegate; and clarify the use of certain terms; and Quarantine Act 1908 to provide a legal basis for the recovery of fees for quarantine services provided by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to other Commonwealth bodies.

Reps: Intro. 15/6/06; Passed 10/8/06

Senate: Intro. 14/8/06; Passed 17/8/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

Assent: 5/9/06; Act No. 94, 2006

PM Airport Development and Aviation Noise Ombudsman Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mr Georganas —€“ ALP)

Establishes an Airport Development and Aviation Noise Ombudsman. Also makes consequential amendments to the Airports Act 1996, Air Services Act 1995, Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Ombudsman Act 1976.

Removed from Notice Paper 31/10/06

Airports Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Airports Act 1996 in relation to land use planning and noise management arrangements at leased federal airports; and Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 to align planning arrangements for Canberra Airport to those applying to other federal airports.

Reps: Intro. 30/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Airspace Bill 2006

Reps: Intro. 29/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Airspace (Consequentials and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: Civil Aviation Act 1988 to: provide that airspace regulation is a separate function for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and require the Authority to act consistently with the Minister—€™s Australian Air Policy Statement; and Air Services Act 1995 and Civil Aviation Act 1988 in relation to the functions of Airservices Australia.

Reps: Intro. 29/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Anglo-Australian Telescope Agreement Amendment Bill 2005

(Act citation: Anglo-Australian Telescope Agreement Amendment Act 2006)

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; Passed 7/12/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

SBC report 14/05 (tabled and adopted 30/11/05): No reference

Assent: 1/3/06; Act No. 1, 2006

PS Anti-Genocide Bill 1999 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Amends the Genocide Convention Act 1949 to implement Australia—€™s obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to ensure that genocide is unlawful in Australia.

Senate: Intro. 13/10/99; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/99, 5/4/01

Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Legal and Constitutional References Committee 14/10/99; report tabled 29/6/00; errata presented 3/7/00 and tabled 14/8/00

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2006

Introduced with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006, the bill: implements record keeping, reporting and compliance reforms applying to the financial and gambling sectors, and bullion dealers, lawyers and accountants providing financial services, to provide a framework to counter money laundering and terrorism financing in Australia; and extends the current regulatory regime imposed by the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988.

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 29/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

SBC report 13/06 (tabled and adopted 8/11/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Committee 8/11/06; report tabled 28/11/06

Committee amendments: 8 Opp/negatived; 3 Dem/negatived; 3 AG/negatived

Assent: 12/12/06; Act No. 169, 2006

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2006 (AML/CTF Bill), the bill: amends the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 (FTR Act) to remove references to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (the existence of which continues under the AML/CTF Bill) and provide for the continued application of the FTR Act to cash dealers not covered by the AML/CTF Bill. Also makes consequential amendments to the FTR Act and 14 other Acts and the Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997 and includes transitional provisions.

Reps: Intro. 1/11/06; Passed 28/11/06

Senate: Intro. 29/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

SBC report 13/06 (tabled and adopted 8/11/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Committee 8/11/06; report tabled 28/11/06

Committee amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 12/12/06; Act No. 170, 2006

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2005-2006

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2005-2006, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2006.

Reps: Intro. 8/2/06; Passed 16/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 27/2/06; Passed 31/3/06 a.m.

Assent: 5/4/06; Act No. 20, 2006

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2005-2006

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2005-2006, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2006.

Reps: Intro. 8/2/06; Passed 16/2/06

Senate: Intro. 27/2/06; Passed 31/3/06 a.m.

Assent: 5/4/06; Act No. 21, 2006

Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2005-2006

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sums appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2005-2006 and Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2005-2006, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2006.

Reps: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 20/6/06

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

Assent: 23/6/06; Act No. 69, 2006

Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2005-2006

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sums appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2005-2006 and Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2005-2006, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2006.

Reps: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 20/6/06

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

Assent: 23/6/06; Act No. 70, 2006

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2006-2007

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for service of the year ending on 30 June 2007.

Reps: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 20/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

Committee requests: 3 Dem-Opp/negatived

Assent: 23/6/06; Act No. 66, 2006

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2006-2007

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2007.

Reps: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 20/6/06

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

Committee amendments: 3 Dem-Opp/negatived

Assent: 23/6/06; Act No. 67, 2006

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2006-2007

Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2007.

Reps: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 20/6/06

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

Assent: 23/6/06; Act No. 68, 2006

S Archives Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Archives Act 1983, Copyright Act 1968, Freedom of Information Act 1982 and Privacy Act 1988 to implement certain recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission report on Commonwealth record-keeping and the role of the National Archives of Australia.

Senate: Intro. 6/9/06; 2nd reading adjourned 6/9/06

SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference

PM Artist—€™s Resale Rights Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mr McMullan —€“ ALP)

Amends the Copyright Act 1968 to provide for resale royalties for visual artists.

Reps: Intro. 27/3/06; Read a 1st time 27/3/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 31/10/06

ASIO Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

In response to recommendations of the former Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD (now the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security), the bill amends the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 to: extend the existing sunset clause and prior joint committee review period by 10 years to 22 July 2016 and 22 January 2016, respectively; clarify the operation of the warrant regime in relation to warrants for questioning and warrants for questioning and detention; and clarify rights of persons questioned or detained under the warrant regime. Also makes consequential amendments to the Crimes Act 1914, Criminal Code Act 1995, Foreign Evidence Act 1994 and Intelligence Services Act 2001.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 11/5/06

CID amendments: 6 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 13/6/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Committee amendments: 6 Opp/negatived

Assent: 19/6/06; Act No. 54, 2006

AusCheck Bill 2006

Establishes a regulatory framework for the conduct of background criminal and security assessments by the Attorney-General—€™s Department for applicants for the Aviation Security Identity Card, Maritime Security Identity Card, and any subsequent schemes.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Deferred

Australia-Japan Foundation (Repeal and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review), the bill repeals the Australia-Japan Foundation Act 1976 to abolish the Australia-Japan Foundation and enable it to be re-established as a non-statutory, unincorporated bilateral body within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/06; Passed 9/8/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

Assent: 5/9/06; Act No. 95, 2006

S Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review), the bill amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to abolish the staff-elected Director and deputy staff-elected Director positions.

Senate: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 10/5/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 10/5/06; Passed 25/5/06

Assent: 1/6/06; Act No. 49, 2006

PS Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator B Brown —€“ AG)

Amends the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 to repeal provisions which provide for the Governor-General to disallow any Act of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory.

Senate: Intro. 19/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/06, 14/9/06

SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference

Australian Citizenship Bill 2006

(Previous title: Australian Citizenship Bill 2005)

Introduced with the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005, the bill replaces the Australian Citizenship Act 1948, logically organising its provisions; strengthens certain citizenship application, residence, approval and Ministerial discretion provisions; changes provisions relating to resumption of renounced citizenship, citizenship by descent and revocation of citizenship; and implements a legislative framework for the collection, use and storage of personal identifiers.

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; Passed 28/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 76 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 30/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/06

SBC report 14/05 (tabled and adopted 30/11/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/11/05; report tabled 27/2/06

Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2006

(Previous title: Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005)

Introduced with the Australian Citizenship Bill 2005, the bill: repeals the Australian Citizenship Act 1948; makes consequential amendments to 22 Acts; and contains application and transitional provisions.

Reps: Intro. 9/11/05; Passed 28/11/06

CID amendments: 8 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 30/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/06

SBC report 14/05 (tabled and adopted 30/11/05): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/11/05; report tabled 27/2/06

Australian Energy Market Amendment (Gas Legislation) Bill 2006

Amends the: Australian Energy Market Act 2004 to provide for a national regime in relation to gas pipeline infrastructure, including national regulatory and rule-making bodies (the Australian Energy Regulator and the Australian Energy Market Commission, respectively); and Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to provide for judicial review of decisions under the new national gas regime. Also makes consequential amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974, Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967, Offshore Petroleum Act 2006 and Offshore Petroleum (Repeals and Consequential Amendments) Act 2006 and repeals the Gas Pipelines Access (Commonwealth) Act 1998.

Reps: Intro. 29/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 29/11/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Deferred

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisations Act 1987 to: allow the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to condition, manage and store radioactive material and radioactive waste other than that which may arise directly from ANSTO—€™s activities; ensure that ANSTO is able to provide assistance to State and Territory jurisdictions in the event of an incident, including a terrorist or criminal incident, involving radiological material; clarify ANSTO—€™s authority to accept and manage radioactive waste arising from overseas reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel from ANSTO—€™s research reactor; and allow ANSTO to fully participate in the establishment and operation of the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Facility in the Northern Territory.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 7/9/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

SBC report 3/06 (tabled 30/3/06; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (30/3/06) to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report tabled 10/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 6/12/06; Act No. 145, 2006

Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2006, the bill provides non-liability cancer testing and treatment for eligible Australian participants in the British Nuclear Testing Program.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 11/10/06

Senate: Intro. 12/10/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): Provisions of bill referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee 11/10/06; extension of time to report 7/11/06; report tabled 8/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 30/11/06; Act No. 135, 2006

Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Aged Care Act 1997, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, National Health Act 1953 and Social Security Act 1991.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 11/10/06

Senate: Intro. 12/10/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): Provisions of bill referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee 11/10/06; extension of time to report 7/11/06; report tabled 8/11/06

Assent: 30/11/06; Act No. 136, 2006

Australian Research Council Amendment Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review), the bill amends the Australian Research Council Act 2001 to: retire the Board of the Australian Research Council (ARC) and transfer the majority of the Board—€™s functions and responsibilities to the CEO of the ARC; establish other new governance arrangements; and update annual funding caps to reflect revised forward estimates and the transfer of the Commercialisation Training Scheme to the Department of Education, Science and Training.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 14/6/06

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

SBC report 3/06 (tabled 30/3/06; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (30/3/06) to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 30/3/06; extension of time to report 10/5/06; report presented 2/6/06 and tabled 13/6/06

Committee amendments: 6 Opp/negatived; 2 Dem/negatived; 37 items opposed/items agreed to

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 87, 2006

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Amendment (Audit Inspection) Bill 2006

Amends the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and Corporations Act 2001 to: facilitate the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) entering into cooperative arrangements with foreign regulatory bodies relating to audit regulation; and enhance ASIC—€™s audit inspection powers. Also amends the Corporations Act 2001 to extend the current immunity for contravention of certain auditing standards to 29 June 2007.

Reps: Intro. 18/10/06; Passed 29/11/06

SBC report 13/06 (tabled and adopted 8/11/06): No reference

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005

(Act citation: Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006)

Introduced with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005, the bill establishes the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority which will carry out the existing functions of the Australian Sports Drug Agency as well as additional functions in relation to: investigation of potential sports doping violations; presentation of cases against alleged offenders at the international Court of Arbitration for Sport and other sports tribunals; determination of mandatory anti-doping rules to be included in Australian Sports Commission (ASC) funding agreements with sports bodies; and advising the ASC on the compliance of sports bodies in observing these requirements.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 8/2/06

Senate: Intro. 9/2/06; Passed 2/3/06

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report tabled 7/2/06

Assent: 7/3/06; Act No. 6, 2006

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2006)

Introduced with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005, the bill contains transitional provisions and makes consequential amendments to 4 Acts and the Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997 relating to the establishment of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. Also repeals the Australian Sports Drug Agency Act 1990.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 8/2/06

Senate: Intro. 9/2/06; Passed 2/3/06

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report tabled 7/2/06

Assent: 7/3/06; Act No. 7, 2006

Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia—€™s Skills Needs) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia—€™s Skills Needs) Act 2005 to: bring forward funding from 2008 and 2009 to 2006 and 2007 to meet expenditure for the Australian Technical Colleges initiative; and include a regulation-making power to allow programme funding to be varied to another programme year without amendment of the Act.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 8/8/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 9/8/06; Passed 10/8/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 11/5/06; report presented 6/6/06 and tabled 13/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 18/8/06; Act No. 91, 2006

Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia—€™s Skills Needs) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2006

Amends the Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia—€™s Skills Needs) Act 2005 to increase funding for the Australian Technical Colleges initiative for 2006-09.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled 7/12/06; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee 7/12/06; report due 20/2/07

Australian Trade Commission Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review), the bill amends the Australian Trade Commission Act 1985 to enable the transition of the Australian Trade Commission from a statutory authority under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 to a statutory agency which will be part of the Commonwealth and subject to the Public Service Act 1999 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. Also makes consequential amendments to the Export Market Development Grants Act 1997, Commonwealth Borrowing Levy Act 1987, Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act 1991 and Public Service Act 1999.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 30/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (30/3/06) to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06

Assent: 21/6/06; Act No. 56, 2006

Aviation Transport Security Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 to: amend the regulatory arrangements for airport security by creating event zones that may be used for handling special events at an airport; regulate the security and clearance processes for domestic and international cargo before it is taken onto an aircraft; allow the Secretary to approve alterations to an existing Transport Security Program; and make technical amendments.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 21/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 4/9/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

Assent: 14/9/06; Act No. 97, 2006

PM Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change (Climate Change Trigger) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Albanese —€“ ALP)

Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to include climate change as a matter of national environmental significance, thereby ensuring that major new projects, which lead to the emission of more than 500 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent per year, are assessed for their climate change impact as part of any environmental assessment process.

Removed from Notice Paper 28/3/06

PM Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol Ratification) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Albanese —€“ ALP)

Requires the Australian Government to effect Australia—€™s obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.

Removed from Notice Paper 28/2/06

PM Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol Ratification) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mr Albanese —€“ ALP)

Requires the Australian Government to effect Australia—€™s obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.

Reps: Intro. 29/5/06; Read a 1st time 29/5/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PS Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol Ratification) Bill 2006 [No. 2]

(Introduced by Senator Carr —€“ ALP)

Requires the Australian Government to effect Australia—€™s obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.

Senate: Intro. 28/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 28/11/06, 30/11/06

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Anti-avoidance) Bill 2006

(Previous title: Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Anti-avoidance) Bill 2005)

Amends the Bankruptcy Act 1966 to strengthen anti-avoidance provisions which allow trustees to recover property disposed of prior to bankruptcy or owned by a third person but acquired by that person using the bankrupt—€™s resources.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 1/3/06

CID amendments: 5 Govt/passed

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): No reference

Assent: 3/5/06; Act No. 33, 2006

Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Fees and Charges) Bill 2006

Amends the: Bankruptcy Act 1966 and Bankruptcy (Estate Charges) Act 1997 to facilitate implementation by the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia of cost recovery arrangements by enabling the Minister to make legislative instruments to determine fees and charges; Bankruptcy Act 1966 to: remove possible impediments to electronic service delivery; and clarify and update certain provisions; and Bankruptcy (Estate Charges) Act 1997 to provide for an annual payment by bankruptcy trustees of realisations charge and interest charge rather than a twice yearly payment. Also repeals the Bankruptcy (Registration Charges) Act 1997.

Reps: Intro. 16/2/06; Passed 29/3/06

Senate: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 29/3/06

SBC report 2/06 (tabled and adopted 1/3/06): No reference

Assent: 3/5/06; Act No. 34, 2006

S Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Superannuation Contributions) Bill 2006

Amends the: Bankruptcy Act 1966 and Payment Systems and Netting Act 1998 to provide for the recovery of superannuation contributions made with the intention to defeat creditors; and Bankruptcy Act 1966 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to: provide for certain rural support grants to be exempt from the property available to pay the bankrupt—€™s creditors; and make minor technical amendments in relation to the operation of the Act.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/06

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 8/2/07

S Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2006

(Previous title: Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2005)

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to provide a framework for the conversion of commercial television broadcasting services in regional and remote areas of Western Australia from analogue to digital; and to allow commercial television broadcasting licensees in remote licence areas to multi-channel their digital services, where they elect jointly, or one elects individually, to provide a third digital-only commercial service; and exempt such licensees from any mandatory high definition television quotas that might be applied in remote licence areas.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 4/9/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 1 item negatived; 2 Opp/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Reps: Intro. 5/9/06; Passed 18/10/06

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 127, 2006

S Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2006, the bill amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to reform the digital television and commercial television broadcasting regime, particularly in relation to: regulation of digital television; broadcasting of sports on the anti-siphoning list on new digital channels; commercial television licensing arrangements; allocation of channels for new digital services; the access regime for channel B datacasting transmitter licences and access undertakings; and industry codes and standards.

Senate: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 12/10/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee 14/9/06; report due 5/10/06; order varied 14/9/06: report presented 6/10/06 and tabled 9/10/06

Committee amendments: 70 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived; 3 Dem/negatived; 1 item negatived; 4 items opposed/items agreed to; 1 section opposed/section agreed to

Reps: Intro. 16/10/06; Passed 18/10/06

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 128, 2006

Broadcasting Services Amendment (Collection of Datacasting Transmitter Licence Fees) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Datacasting Transmitter Licence Fees Bill 2006, the bill amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to ensure compliance by channel A datacasting transmitter licence holders with licence fee payment and record keeping obligations. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005.

Reps: Intro. 12/10/06; Passed 29/11/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): No reference

Assent: 8/12/06; Act No. 153, 2006

S Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2006, the bill amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: remove media-specific restrictions on foreign ownership and control; permit cross-media mergers in radio licence areas where sufficient diversity of media groups remains following the merger; require media outlets to disclose cross-media relationships when reporting on cross-held entities; and require minimum levels of local content by commercial television and radio licensees in regional markets.

Senate: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 12/10/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee 14/9/06; report due 5/10/06; order varied 14/9/06: report presented 6/10/06 and tabled 9/10/06

Committee amendments: 54 Govt (2 as amended)/passed; 1 Subdivision negatived; 1 Dem/negatived; 1 AG/negatived; 3 Joyce/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to; 1 Division opposed/Division agreed to; 3 items opposed/items agreed to

Reps: Intro. 16/10/06; Passed 18/10/06

CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 129, 2006

S Broadcasting Services Amendment (Subscription Television Drama and Community Broadcasting Licences) Bill 2006

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: increase flexibility in the operation of the 10 per cent requirement for new spending on drama on subscription television; and allow the Australian Communications and Media Authority to approve the transfer of a community broadcasting licence to another person who represents the same community interest.

Senate: Intro. 1/3/06; Passed 15/6/06

Reps: Intro. 19/6/06; Passed 20/6/06

Assent: 23/6/06; Act No. 71, 2006

Cancer Australia Bill 2006

Establishes Cancer Australia as a new statutory agency in relation to coordination of cancer control, cancer treatment and management, cancer research and implementation of cancer policies and priorities. Also provides for the terms of appointment and roles of the Chief Executive Officer, support staff and the Cancer Australia Advisory Council.

Reps: Intro. 16/2/06; Passed 29/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 30/3/06; passed 30/3/06

SBC report 2/06 (tabled and adopted 1/3/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 6 Dem/negatived

Assent: 3/5/06; Act No. 35, 2006

Census Information Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

(Act citation: Census Information Legislation Amendment Act 2006)

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 27/2/06

SBC report 13/05 (tabled and adopted 9/11/05): No reference

Assent: 23/3/06; Act No. 10, 2006

PM Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Tanner —€“ ALP)

Amends the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 to: extend to 12 months the period over which policy costings can be obtained from the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Finance and Administration, prior to an election; enable the opposition party to deal directly with the secretaries of the departments; and impose a confidentiality requirement on the secretaries.

Reps: Intro. 31/10/05; Read a 1st time 31/10/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 20/6/06

PS Charter of Political Honesty Bill 2000 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Introduced with the Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2000, the bill: addresses misuse of tax payer funded advertising campaigns for party political purposes; establishes a parliamentary joint committee to develop a code of conduct for ministers and other members of Parliament and an Office of Commissioner for Ministerial and Parliamentary Ethics to enforce the code; and ensures merit-based public appointments by ministers.

Senate: Intro. 10/10/00; 2nd reading adjourned 10/10/00

Reference: Referred to Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 39th Parliament (29/11/00); reference re-adopted 40th Parliament (21/3/02); report tabled 29/8/02

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

Child Support Legislation Amendment Bill 2004

Amends the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and Family Law Act 1975 to: relocate provisions currently contained in regulations relating to overseas maintenance arrangements; and make minor and consequential amendments; Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 in relation to: equity between parents in access to courts; and streamlining of certain review processes; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to make minor and technical amendments in relation to child support.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/04

Senate:

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme—€”Initial Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 to: increase and index the minimum annual child support payment; provide for a new method of assessing a parent—€™s capacity to earn; and reduce the cap on adjusted income for child support assessment purposes and make a consequential amendment to the proposed Child Support Legislation Amendment Act 2006; Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to increase the limit on prescribed non-agency payments from 25 to 30 per cent; and Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to address a constitutional issue with the application of the Child Support Scheme to exnuptial children in Western Australia.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/06; Passed 24/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 13/6/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

Assent: 15/6/06; Act No. 53, 2006

Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme—€”New Formula and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and 7 other Acts in relation to: a new child support formula; independent review of child support decisions by the Social Security Appeals Tribunal; court enforcement of the new Child Support Scheme; family tax benefit Part A maintenance income test; child support agreements and court orders; income definitions used to calculate child support and family tax benefit; minimum payment rules; exclusion of re-establishment costs from child support calculations; suspension of child support payments during reconciliation; inclusion of step-children as dependants in calculating child support; and —€œchange of assessment—€ processes and rules.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 12/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 16/10/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 14/9/06; report tabled 10/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 AG/passed; 1 AG/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 27/11/06]

Assent: 6/12/06; Act No. 146, 2006

S Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (Mutual Recognition with New Zealand) Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (Mutual Recognition with New Zealand) Act 2006)

Amends the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation (Carriers—€™ Liability) Act 1959 to permit the mutual recognition of certain aviation-related safety certification between Australia and New Zealand.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 11/5/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 10/8/05; report tabled 5/9/05

Assent: 16/9/06; Act No. 102, 2006

Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Bill 2006

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Deferred

PS Climate Change Action Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Milne —€“ AG)

Requires the Australian Government to effect Australia—€™s obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Also sets greenhouse gas emission, renewable energy and energy efficiency targets and prohibits logging in old growth forests.

Senate: Intro. 30/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/06

PS Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senators Allison and Bartlett —€“ AD; Senator Bishop —€“ ALP; and Senator Brown —€“ AG)

Prohibits the manufacture, possession and use of cluster munitions and provides for decommissioning of cluster munitions held by the Australian Defence Force.

Senate: Intro. 5/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 5/12/06

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee 7/12/06; report due 29/3/07

PM Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Preventing Smoking Related Deaths) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Kerr —€“ ALP)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to deny public election funding to political parties or candidates accepting donations from the tobacco industry.

Removed from Notice Paper 14/2/06

Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends: the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 (CRWM Act) to provide for the return of nominated Aboriginal land used for a radioactive waste management facility, when no longer required for the facility; and indemnifies traditional owners, following the land return, against any damages claims arising from the use of the land for a facility; and the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1997 (ADJR Act) and the CRWM Act to make land nominations non-reviewable under the ADJR Act.

Reps: Intro. 2/11/06; Passed 29/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 30/11/06; Passed 5/12/06

SBC report 13/06 (tabled 8/11/06; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 8/11/06): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee 8/11/06; report tabled 30/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 11/12/06; Act No. 161, 2006

Communications Legislation Amendment (Enforcement Powers) Bill 2006

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to: provide the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with a greater range of broadcasting and datacasting enforcement options, including powers in relation to: civil penalties; injunctions; enforceable undertakings; and infringement notices; and require the ACMA to develop guidelines in relation to the exercise of its broadcasting and datacasting enforcement powers.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 10/10/06

Senate: Intro. 11/10/06; Passed 12/10/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee 14/9/06; report due 5/10/06; order varied 14/9/06: report presented 6/10/06 and tabled 9/10/06

Committee amendments: 7 Govt/passed

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 18/10/06]

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 120, 2006

PS Constitution Alteration (Appropriations for the Ordinary Annual Services of the
R Government) 2001 [2004]

(Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Constitution to ensure that if the Senate fails to pass a proposed law appropriating revenue or moneys for the ordinary annual services of the government in respect of that year, an amount of money is appropriated for those services equal to the amount appropriated for those services in the preceding year.

Senate: Intro. 26/6/01; 2nd reading adjourned 26/6/01

SBC report 15/01 (tabled and adopted 26/9/01): Deferred

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Constitution Alteration (Electors—€™ Initiative, Fixed Term Parliaments and
R Qualification of Members) 2000 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Constitution in relation to: elector-initiated constitutional change; dissolution of the House of Representatives; term of service of senators; increased duration of the House of Representatives to a 4-year fixed term; holding of simultaneous elections for both Houses; recognition of the office of Prime Minister; dismissal of the Prime Minister; and qualification, and grounds for disqualification, of members of Parliament.

Senate: Intro. 4/4/00; 2nd reading adjourned 4/4/00

SBC report 6/00 (tabled and adopted 12/4/00): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Constitution Alteration (Right to Stand for Parliament—€”Qualification of Members
R and Candidates) 1998 (No. 2) [2004]

(Introduced by Senator B Brown —€“ AG)

Amends section 44 of the Constitution to allow persons who hold an —€œoffice of profit under the Crown—€ or who are not Australian citizens to nominate for election to Parliament.

Senate: Intro. 24/11/98; Laid aside at 3rd reading under Standing Order 135 [no absolute majority] 15/5/03

SBC report 11/98 (tabled and adopted 26/11/98): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 16/5/02

Committee amendments: 2 AG/passed

Restored and recommitted 1/12/04; In committee 1/12/04

Copyright Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Copyright Act 1968 to implement recommendations from a number of copyright law reviews, including in relation to: new exceptions to copyright; creation of indictable, summary and strict liability offences with a range of penalty options; evidential presumptions; commercial-scale infringements; protection of digital files; fair dealings; copying for preservation purposes; and educational uses. Also implements Australia—€™s obligations under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement in relation to technological protection measures; and enhances the jurisdiction and procedures of the Copyright Tribunal.

Reps: Intro. 19/10/06; Passed 1/11/06

Senate: Intro. 6/11/06; Passed 1/12/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (19/10/06) to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 19/10/06; interim report presented 10/11/06 and tabled 27/11/06; final report presented 13/11/06 and tabled 27/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 80 Govt/passed; 3 Opp/negatived; 3 Dem/negatived; 1 Part opposed/Part agreed to; 1 item opposed/item agreed to

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 5/12/06]

Assent: 11/12/06; Act No. 158, 2006

Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2006

(Previous title: Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005)

Replaces the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 in relation to the incorporation and regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations and establishing the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 11/10/06

CID amendments: 158 Govt/passed

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 119, 2006

Customs Amendment (Fuel Tax Reform and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 4 bills to replace the current system of fuel tax concessions with a single fuel tax credit system from 1 July 2006, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to: strengthen customs control over certain imported goods that are used in the manufacture of excisable goods; repeal the customs-related provisions of the fuel penalty surcharge legislation; and replicate certain provisions of the Spirits Act 1906 which is to be repealed by the proposed Excise Laws Amendment (Fuel Tax Reform and Other Measures) Bill 2006.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 25/5/06

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 19/6/06

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of the bill in Reps (11/5/06) to Economics Legislation Committee 11/5/06; interim report presented 7/6/06 and tabled 13/6/06; extension of time for final report 13/6/06; final report presented 14/6/06 and tabled 15/6/06

Assent: 26/6/06; Act No. 76, 2006

Customs Legislation Amendment (Augmenting Offshore Powers and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the Customs Act 1901 and Customs Legislation Amendment and Repeal (International Trade Modernisation) Act 2001 in relation to: conduct of personal searches and seizure; Customs brokers—€™ licensing provision; duty recovery and payments of duty under protest; and false and misleading declarations made under the new SmartGate automated passenger processing system.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 8/2/07

Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: Customs Act 1901 in relation to: disposal of dangerous goods; access of security identification card holders to section 234AA places, ships, aircrafts and wharves; minor corrections to provisions implementing the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement; provision of updated information in respect of security identification cards to Customs; implementation of an Accredited Client Program; and protection from criminal responsibility for Customs officers handling narcotic goods in the course of duty and others acting under instructions from Customs officers; and Customs Act 1901 and Customs Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2003 in relation to issue of seizure warrants.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 16/8/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 17/8/06; 2nd reading adjourned 17/8/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/3/06; interim report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06; final report tabled 9/5/06

S Customs Legislation Amendment (Modernising Import Controls and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the Customs Act 1901 to: provide Customs officers with additional powers to deal with prescribed prohibited imports that are low value and low risk, including allowing for: voluntary surrender of goods that have not been concealed, grant of post-importation permissions, rather than automatic seizure of goods, and service of infringement notices for certain offences; and reflect the new Certificate of Origin requirements for the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 22/6/06; report presented 1/8/06 and tabled 8/8/06

Customs Legislation Amendment (New Zealand Rules of Origin) Bill 2006

Amends the Customs Act 1901 to introduce new rules of origin for goods that are imported into Australia from New Zealand. Also makes complementary amendments to the Customs Tariff Act 1995, and consequential amendments to the Customs Tariff (Anti-Dumping) Act 1975 and the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Reps: Intro. 1/11/06; Passed 28/11/06

CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 29/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

SBC report 13/06 (tabled and adopted 8/11/06): No reference

Assent: 12/12/06; Act No. 166, 2006

Customs Tariff Amendment (2007 Harmonized System Changes) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Customs Amendment (2007 Harmonized System Changes) Bill 2006, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to implement changes resulting from the third review of the World Customs Organization—€™s Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.

Reps: Intro. 7/9/06; Passed 14/9/06

Senate: Intro. 9/10/06; Passed 19/10/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Provisions of bill referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee 14/9/06; extension of time to report 9/10/06; report tabled 11/10/06

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 118, 2006

Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Tax Reform and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 4 bills to replace the current system of fuel tax concessions with a single fuel tax credit system from 1 July 2006, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to strengthen customs control over certain goods that are used in the manufacture of excisable goods and to ensure that certain alcohol, tobacco and petroleum products are subject to the same duty, when imported, as is applied under the Excise Tariff Act 1921 for equivalent products manufactured or produced in Australia.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 25/5/06

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 19/6/06

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of the bill in Reps (11/5/06) to Economics Legislation Committee 11/5/06; interim report presented 7/6/06 and tabled 13/6/06; extension of time for final report 13/6/06; final report presented 14/6/06 and tabled 15/6/06

Committee requests: 2 Dem/negatived

Assent: 26/6/06; Act No. 77, 2006

Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2006

Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: reduce customs duty to free for machinery that incorporates or is imported with other goods which render the machinery ineligible for a Tariff Concession Order; allow duty free entry for certain aircraft parts, materials and test equipment; and expand the Enhanced Project By-law Scheme to include duty free entry for qualifying goods for the power supply and water supply industries.

Reps: Intro. 29/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Datacasting Transmitter Licence Fees Bill 2006

Introduced with the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Collection of Datacasting Transmitter Licence Fees) Bill 2006, the bill imposes annual licence fees on channel A datacasting transmitter licence holders based on their revenue.

Senate: Intro. 30/11/06; Passed 30/11/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): No reference

Assent: 8/12/06; Act No. 154, 2006

PS Defence Amendment (Parliamentary approval for Australian involvement in

overseas conflicts) Bill 2003 [2004]

(Introduced by Senators Bartlett and Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Defence Act 1903 to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Defence Force, subject to exceptions covering the movement of personnel in the normal course of their peacetime activities and the need to take emergency action.

Senate: Intro. 27/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/03, 10/2/05

SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990 to extend the operation of the Defence HomeOwner Scheme from 31 December 2006 to 31 December 2007.

Reps: Intro. 31/5/06; Passed 12/10/06

Senate: Intro. 16/10/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

Assent: 30/11/06; Act No. 137, 2006

Defence Housing Authority Amendment Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review) and the recommendations of an interdepartmental committee, the bill amends the Defence Housing Authority Act 1987 to: rename the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) as Defence Housing Australia; reduce the size of the Board and create an advisory committee; expand the scope of the services DHA can provide and enable it to expand operations to include the provision of services to other Commonwealth agencies; remove DHA—€™s exemption from Commonwealth taxation and require it to make State and Territory tax equivalent payments to the Commonwealth; and remove outdated provisions. Also amends the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990 and Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to reflect the name change to Defence Housing Australia.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 10/5/06

Senate: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 11/5/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

Assent: 22/5/06; Act No. 45, 2006

S Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2006

(Previous title: Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005)

Amends the Defence Act 1903 to permit the use of the Australian Defence Force to protect States and Territories in response to domestic security and violence situations and to protect Commonwealth interests where State and Territory jurisdictions do not apply. Also makes consequential amendments to the Air Force Act 1923, Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 and Naval Defence Act 1910.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 8/2/06

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report tabled 7/2/06

Committee amendments: 10 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 2 Dem/negatived; 2 AG/negatived; 2 items opposed/items agreed to

Reps: Intro. 13/2/06; Passed 13/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 1/3/06; Act No. 3, 2006

Defence Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

In response to certain recommendations of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee—€™s report into the effectiveness of Australia—€™s military justice system, the bill amends the Defence Act 1903, Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, Defence Force Discipline Appeals Act 1955 and Migration Act 1958 to: establish an Australian Military Court; and facilitate the creation of Chief of Defence Force Commissions of Inquiry to inquire into certain notifiable incidents.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 29/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 40 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 4/12/06; Passed 5/12/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Provisions of bill referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee 14/9/06; extensions of time to report 10/10/06, 12/10/06; report presented 27/10/06 and tabled 6/11/06

Assent: 11/12/06; Act No. 159, 2006

S Defence (Road Transport Legislation Exemption) Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Defence (Road Transport Legislation Exemption) Act 2006)

Clarifies the extent of the ADF—€™s exemption from the operation of particular State and Territory road transport laws in certain circumstances, to enable the operation of the Australian Defence Force Road Transport Exemption Framework recently negotiated between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and State and Territory road transport authorities by.

Senate: Intro. 30/11/05; Passed 9/2/06

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 13/2/06; Passed 16/2/06

Assent: 1/3/06; Act No. 4, 2006

Do Not Call Register Bill 2006

Introduced with the Do Not Call Register (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006, the bill establishes a framework to regulate and minimise unsolicited telemarketing calls, including: establishing a Do Not Call Register which will allow individuals to register their home and mobile numbers on the register for a period of 3 years; establishing a complaints mechanism; and providing for a civil penalties regime.

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 19/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Committee amendments: 1 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/negatived; 1 clause opposed/clause agreed to

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 22/6/06]

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 88, 2006

Do Not Call Register (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Do Not Call Register Bill 2006, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Telecommunications Act 1997, Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 and Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997 to: provide for a regulatory framework for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to investigate complaints and enforce the civil penalties regime which will apply to the making of unsolicited telemarketing calls; and enable the development of relevant industry codes and ACMA standards relating to telemarketing calls.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 15/6/06

Senate: Intro. 19/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of the bill in Reps (25/5/06) to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 11/5/06; report due 13/6/06; order varied 11/5/06: report tabled 19/6/06

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 89, 2006

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (2006 Measures No. 1) Bill 2006

Amends the: Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to implement recommendations of the 3-year review of the Act, particularly in relation to: application of the —€œfit and proper—€ test; clarification of obligations in relation to receipt of course money and provision of refunds; automatic suspension for failure to pay the Annual Registration Charge; removal of a suspension on payment of outstanding amounts; and access to student information by Tuition Assurance Schemes; and Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 to require a provider to pay an initial registration charge before registration.

Reps: Intro. 31/5/06; Passed 13/9/06

CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 27/11/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 3 Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/12/06; Act No. 143, 2006

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (2006 Measures No. 2) Bill 2006

Amends the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to implement certain recommendations of the 3-year review of the Act, including clarifying provisions relating to providers—€™ consumer protection and reporting obligations; and makes technical amendments in relation to the administration of the Act. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Migration Act 1958.

Reps: Intro. 6/9/06; Passed 13/9/06

Senate: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 27/11/06

SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference

Assent: 6/12/06; Act No. 144, 2006

PS Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to prohibit political advertising that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent.

Senate: Intro. 27/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/03

SBC report 5/03 (tabled and adopted 14/5/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2006

(Previous title: Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2005)

Amends the: Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Enrolment Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2004 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to: closure of the electoral rolls; proof of identity for enrolment and provisional voting; financial disclosure requirements in non-election periods; access to the electoral roll and its use; political party registration; paid electoral advertising on the Internet; candidate nomination deposits; prisoner voting entitlements; location of Divisional Offices; abolition of broadcasters and publishers returns; and the disclosure of political donations; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to increase the tax deductibility value of contributions and gifts to political parties, independent candidates and members; and makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Also provides for the automatic de-registration and requirement for re-registration of certain political parties.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 11/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 17 Govt/passed; 5 Ind (Windsor)/negatived; 59 Ind (Andren)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 21/6/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): Provisions of bill referred to Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 8/2/06; extension of time to report 27/3/06; report tabled 28/3/06; corrigendum tabled 9/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 5 Dem/negatived; 2 AG/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to; 79 items opposed/items agreed to

[Amendment to motion that report from committee be adopted 21/6/06: 1 AG/negatived]

Assent: 22/6/06; Act No. 65, 2006

Electoral and Referendum Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to: trials of electronically assisted voting for sight-impaired people and remote electronic voting for defence members and civilians serving outside Australia; registration of certain persons as general postal voters; the deadline for postal vote applications; delivery arrangements for postal voting material; receipt of postal votes; establishment of pre-poll voting centres; proof of identity for enrolment from outside Australia; and defamation of electoral candidates and false statements.

Reps: Intro. 30/11/06; Passed 6/12/06

Senate: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Referred to Finance and Public Administration Committee 7/12/06; report due 20/2/07

PM Employee Protection (Employee Entitlements Guarantee) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Bowen —€“ ALP)

Provides for the establishment and administration of a scheme, funded by a 0.1% levy on payroll, to pay wages and certain other entitlements owed to employees in the event of employer insolvency.

Reps: Intro. 20/6/05; Read a 1st time 20/6/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 28/2/06

Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006

Further to the Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) Act 2005, the bill amends the Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) Act 2005 and Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999 to: replace, amend or repeal terminology and provisions to clarify the policy intent of certain Welfare to Work measures, including the new income support payment compliance framework; allow parenting payment partnered recipients who have a temporary incapacity exemption to have access to pharmaceutical allowance; allow the continuation for 14 weeks of the same rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance for single principal carer parents following the death of a child; and extend access to an Employment Entry Payment.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 25/5/06

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 22/6/06; Act No. 64, 2006

Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Vocational Rehabilitation Services) Bill 2006

Amends the: Disability Services Act 1986 to support the staged introduction of contestability for vocational rehabilitation services by: removing the requirement for the provision of individual rehabilitation programs to be approved under the Act; and broadening the Secretary—€™s delegation powers; and Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 in relation to: pensioner education supplement; mobility allowance debt calculation; changed and redundant terminology; income tests; financial case management debts; and indexation.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled 7/12/06; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee 7/12/06; report due 20/2/07

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Amendment Bill 2006

Makes technical amendments to the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006 to correct anomalies in the Act concerning submission of assessment plans, assessment cycles and delegation of the secretary—€™s powers and obligations.

Reps: Intro. 29/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate:

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Bill 2005

(Act citation: Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006)

Establishes a framework for mandatory energy efficiency opportunities assessments and public reporting of outcomes by large energy using businesses, including compliance and enforcement arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 3/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 27/2/06

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 5/10/05; extensions of time to report 7/11/05, 8/11/05; report tabled 10/11/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 32 Govt/passed; 8 AG/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 29/3/06]

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 31, 2006

Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the: Gas Pipelines Access (Commonwealth) Act 1998 and Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to the conferral of functions and powers on the National Competition Council and the Commonwealth Minister under the cooperative gas access regime; Trade Practices Act 1974 to: accommodate incentives for new pipelines in the cooperative gas access regime which were recently introduced in the South Australian Parliament; and allow the Australian Energy Regulator to apply to the Federal Court for a disconnection order; Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977, Australian Energy Market Act 2004 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to correct certain incorrect references in relation to the application of the cooperative electricity regime. Also repeals the Pipeline Authority Act 1973.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 1/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 22/6/06; Act No. 60, 2006

S Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment (Antarctic Seals and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 in relation to the protection of Antarctic flora and fauna, including Antarctic seals; and Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 in relation to incorporation by reference of water efficiency and labelling standards.

Senate: Intro. 9/8/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference

Reps: Intro. 27/11/06; Passed 30/11/06

Assent: 11/12/06; Act No. 164, 2006

Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2006

Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to: streamline administration; provide enhanced flexibility; strengthen compliance and enforcement; and make technical and consequential amendments and corrections to 6 other Acts.

Reps: Intro. 12/10/06; Passed 30/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 22 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 6/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): Provisions of bill referred on introduction of the bill in Reps (12/10/06) to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and Committee 11/10/06; extension of time to report 18/10/06; report presented 21/11/06 and tabled 27/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 Opp/negatived; 13 Dem/negatived; 11 AG/negatived; 1 Subdivision opposed/Subdivision agreed to; 23 items opposed/items agreed to

Assent: 12/12/06; Act No. 165, 2006

PS Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Invasive

R Species) Bill 2002 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to regulate invasive species by preventing the introduction of further species in Australia and seeking to eradicate or control those already here.

Senate: Intro. 19/11/02; 2nd reading adjourned 19/11/02

SBC report 4/03 (tabled and adopted 26/3/03): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 26/3/03; Order varied 26/6/03: Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 26/6/03; extensions of time to report 16/9/03, 30/3/04; report due 25/11/04; report tabled 8/12/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PS Euthanasia Laws (Repeal) Bill 2004

R (Introduced by Senator Allison —€“ AD)

Repeals the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997 which prevents the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly and the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly from legalising voluntary euthanasia.

Senate: Intro. 3/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/3/04

SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Excise Laws Amendment (Fuel Tax Reform and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 4 bills to replace the current system of fuel tax concessions with a single fuel tax credit system from 1 July 2006, the bill amends the: Excise Act 1901 to: clarify the arrangements for using imported inputs in the manufacture of excisable goods; streamline administrative arrangements for concessional spirits; establish common validity periods for all excise licences and include additional factors which may be taken into account when granting or suspending a licence; provide for rules to govern the measurement of excisable goods; remove redundant provisions; and include provisions to protect the revenue in relation to tobacco leaf and bulk beer; Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Act 2004 to include a biofuel manufactured from vegetable oils or animal fats through a process of hydrogenation as a —€œcleaner fuel—€. Also makes consequential amendments to 6 Acts; and repeals 7 redundant Acts.

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 19/6/06

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of the bill in Reps (11/5/06) to Economics Legislation Committee 11/5/06; interim report presented 7/6/06 and tabled 13/6/06; extension of time for final report 13/6/06; final report presented 14/6/06 and tabled 15/6/06

Committee amendments: 14 Govt/passed

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 21/6/06]

Assent: 26/6/06; Act No. 74, 2006

Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Tax Reform and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 4 bills to replace the current system of fuel tax concessions with a single fuel tax credit system from 1 July 2006, the bill amends the Excise Tariff Act 1921 to: simplify and clarify the existing excise tariff (including removing coal from the tariff) to ensure the tariff relates to classification of goods (for the purpose of taxing them) and does not include concessional rates of duty (with any concessional treatment to be delivered by the proposed Fuel Tax Act 2006); remove the various rates applying to fuel and replace them with two rates of duty, one for aviation fuel and one for other fuels; include fuels manufactured from sources other than petroleum, oil shale or coal; exclude certain recycled product; remove redundant provisions; and apply the non-stick tobacco excise rate to snuff tobacco.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 25/5/06

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 19/6/06

Reference: Provisions of bill referred on introduction of the bill in Reps (11/5/06) to Economics Legislation Committee 11/5/06; interim report presented 7/6/06 and tabled 13/6/06; extension of time for final report 13/6/06; final report presented 14/6/06 and tabled 15/6/06

Committee requests: 4 Dem/negatived

Assent: 26/6/06; Act No. 75, 2006

S Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review), the bill amends the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act 1991 to implement changes to the board management structure of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation.

Senate: Intro. 16/8/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 8/06 (tabled and adopted 16/8/06): Referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 16/8/06; report tabled 7/9/06

Reps: Intro. 27/11/06; Read a 1st time 27/11/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Export Market Development Grants Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Export Market Development Grants Act 1997 to: extend the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme to the 2010-2011 grant year and provide for a review of the scheme by 30 June 2010; increase the claimable overseas visit allowance from $200 to $300 per day; amend the rules of the scheme relating to applicant eligibility, origin of eligible products, applicant expenses, changes in business ownership, special approval status and export earnings; and streamline the administration of the scheme. Also repeals the Export Expansion Grants Act 1978; and makes consequential amendments to the Australian Trade Commission Act 1985.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 25/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (30/3/06) to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06

Assent: 21/6/06; Act No. 57, 2006

Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation (2006 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and Family Assistance, Social Security and Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget and Other Measures) Act 2006 to: increase the lower income threshold for family tax benefit (FTB) Part A; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to: extend the FTB Part A large family supplement to families with 3 or more children; introduce a maintenance income credit to enable parents to access their unused maintenance income free area from previous years to offset late child support payments; and amend income test rules for FTB Part B where a secondary earner returns to work for the first time after the birth of a child; Social Security Act 1991 to: extend eligibility for the utilities allowance to recipients of mature age, widow or partner allowance; and extend the carer payment to carers of children under 16 years with severe intellectual, psychiatric or behavioural disabilities; Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to enable the establishment of a special disability trust for the care of a severely disabled person to not affect the social security or veterans—€™ entitlements payments of the recipient or family member donors; Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to introduce a non-taxable means test-exempt Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment; Family Law Act 1975 to implement changes to the governance arrangements of the Australian Institute of Family Studies in response to recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review); A New Tax system (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: amend the definition of —€œincome tax refund—€ to include refundable tax offsets; and make technical amendments in relation to income estimates; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to make technical amendments consequential on family law changes relating to shared parental responsibility.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 1/6/06

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 82, 2006

Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2006 Budget Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to increase the maximum amount of land that is exempt from the age pension assets test to encompass all land on the same title as the principal home; Social Security Act 1991 to establish a further ground for eligibility for crisis payment; and Aged Care Act 1997, Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to allow for the exchange of information between agencies for compliance purposes.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 11/10/06

Senate: Intro. 11/10/06; Passed 28/11/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 11/10/06; report presented 22/11/06 and tabled 27/11/06

Committee amendments: 1 Govt/passed; 1 Schedule negatived; 1 Opp/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 29/11/06]

Assent: 8/12/06; Act No. 156, 2006

Family Assistance, Social Security and Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to: increase the lower income threshold for family tax benefit (FTB) Part A; and amend the definition of —€œreturns to paid work—€ to ensure that the FTB Part B income test operates as intended where an individual returns to work after the birth of a child; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: introduce default income estimates for family tax benefit and child care benefit purposes where a reasonable estimate for the current income year has not been provided; align the current methods for recovery of child care benefits with those for FTB debts; and enable the redistribution of child care places from a low demand area to an area where places are needed; Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to allow a maximum carer allowance backdating period of 12 weeks; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and Social Security Act 1991 to extend the period of overseas portability of a person—€™s social security payments and FTB in certain circumstances; Social Security Act 1991 to facilitate the operation of the income stream rules; and allow certain non-superannuation annuities to be split pursuant to a divorce property settlement; and Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to extend the term of market-linked income streams and life expectancy income streams; and allow annual market-linked income stream payments to vary between plus or minus 10 per cent.

Reps: Intro. 16/2/06; Passed 28/3/06

CID amendments: 12 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 30/3/06

SBC report 2/06 (tabled and adopted 1/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/3/06; report presented 24/3/06 and tabled 27/3/06

Committee amendments: 12 Opp/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to

Assent: 3/5/06; Act No. 36, 2006

Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2006

(Previous title: Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005)

Amends the: Family Law Act 1975 in relation to: shared parental responsibility; the definition of —€˜family violence—€™; the compliance and enforcement regime; the role of independent children—€™s lawyers as best interest advocates; the relationship between parenting orders and family violence orders; the jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court in certain property matters; and ineffective orders made by non-judicial officers of State courts of summary jurisdiction; Evidence Act 1995 and Family Law Act 1975 to provide for less adversarial child-related proceedings; Family Law Act 1975, Federal Magistrates Act 1999, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Marriage Act 1961 in relation to counselling and dispute resolution services for separating and divorcing parents; Family Law Act 1975 and 5 other Acts to remove references to —€˜residence—€™, —€˜contact—€™ and —€˜specific issues orders—€™; and Family Law Act 1975 and 4 other Acts to relocate defined terms to form a dictionary.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 2/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 27 Govt/passed; 54 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 27/3/06; Passed 30/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 8/2/06; report presented 24/3/06 and tabled 27/3/06

Committee amendments: 5 Govt/passed; 11 Opp/negatived; 30 Dem/negatived; 3 AG/negatived; 10 FFP/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to; 3 items opposed/items agreed to; 5 sections opposed/sections agreed to

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 10/5/06]

Assent: 22/5/06; Act No. 46, 2006

Federal Magistrates Amendment (Disability and Death Benefits) Bill 2006

Amends the Federal Magistrates Act 1999 to provide statutory disability cover and death benefits for Federal Magistrates.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; 2nd reading adjourned 29/3/06

Senate:

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06

Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2005

(Act citation: Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2006)

Amends: 9 Acts in relation to financial management provisions for certain Special Accounts; Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to align it with the existing administrative practice of compensation due to eligible employees being paid either through Commonwealth employers or direct to employees; Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to extend the modified application of the Act which currently applies to intelligence or security agencies to law enforcement agencies that undertake sensitive activities; Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and Public Service Act 1999 to clarify that the appropriation authority for an act of grace payment, or a payment in special circumstances arising out of employment by the Commonwealth, is provided for in the annual Appropriation Acts; Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951 to correct, update and clarify certain provisions; and 4 Acts to update, clarify and align other financial management provisions. Also repeals the Employment Services Act 1994 and Loan Act 1977.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 9/2/06

Senate: Intro. 27/2/06; Passed 28/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 3 Dem-Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 30, 2006

PS Financial Management and Accountability (Anti-Restrictive Software Practices)

R Amendment Bill 2003 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Amends the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to encourage the acquisition of open source computer software by government agencies.

Senate: Intro. 18/9/03; 2nd reading adjourned 18/9/03

SBC report 13/03 (tabled and adopted 15/10/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

S Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Trans-Tasman Banking Supervision) Bill 2006

Amends the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998, Banking Act 1959 and Financial Sector (Transfers of Business) Act 1999 to facilitate regulatory cooperation in relation to banking services in Australia and New Zealand.

Senate: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 19/10/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): No reference

Reps: Intro. 30/10/06; Passed 28/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/12/06; Act No. 147, 2006

S Financial Transaction Reports Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 to: amend the definition of —€œaccount—€ and —€œcustomer information—€; and restrict the application of proposed Division 3A of Part II (which provides for customer information to be included in international funds transfer instructions) to authorised deposit taking institutions.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 13/9/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 22/6/06; report presented 1/8/06 and tabled 8/8/06

Committee amendments: 5 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 1/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 9/11/06; Act No. 134, 2006

S Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Cooperative Fisheries Arrangements and Other Matters) Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Cooperative Fisheries Arrangements and Other Matters) Act 2006)

Amends the Fisheries Administration Act 1991 and Fisheries Management Act 1991 to: clarify the meaning of certain Commonwealth fisheries management objectives; provide an express power for Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to amend or vary Offshore Constitutional Settlement fisheries arrangements; and facilitate cooperative fisheries management between Commonwealth, State and Territory governments by introducing regional fisheries arrangements.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 9/2/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): No reference

Reps: Intro. 13/2/06; Passed 1/3/06

Assent: 23/3/06; Act No. 8, 2006

Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fishing Offences) Bill 2006

Amends the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 to provide for custodial penalties for foreign fishing offences in those parts of Australia—€™s territorial sea that are within the Australian Fishing Zone or within any area of Australian jurisdiction.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 31/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

Assent: 22/6/06; Act No. 61, 2006

PS Flags Amendment (Eureka Flag) Bill 2004

R (Introduced by Senator Marshall —€“ ALP)

Amends the Flags Act 1953 to recognise the Eureka Flag as an official flag of Australia.

Senate: Intro. 23/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 23/3/04

SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): Deferred

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 9/12/04

PM Freedom of Information Amendment (Abolition of Conclusive Certificates) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Ms Roxon —€“ ALP)

Amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to: remove the capacity for Ministers to issue conclusive certificates to exempt a document from disclosure; and amend the objects of the Act to clarify the right of the community to access government information.

Reps: Intro. 9/10/06; Read a 1st time 9/10/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PS Freedom of Information Amendment (Open Government) Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Freedom of Information (Fees and Charges) Regulations to: extend access to information in the possession of the Commonwealth; and create an independent position of Freedom of Information Commissioner to be held by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

Senate: Intro. 25/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 25/6/03

SBC report 8/03 (tabled and adopted 13/8/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PM Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol content) Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Windsor —€“ Ind)

Amends the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to provide for the inclusion of ethanol in fuel supplied for use in motor vehicles.

Removed from Notice Paper 14/2/06

PM Fuel Quality Standards (Renewable Content of Motor Vehicle Fuel) Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Katter —€“ Ind)

Amends the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to provide for the inclusion of ethanol and other renewable fuel in fuel supplied for use in motor vehicles.

Reps: Intro. 5/9/05; Read a 1st time 5/9/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 28/3/06

PM Fuel Quality Standards (Renewable Content of Motor Vehicle Fuel) Amendment Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mr Katter —€“ Ind)

Amends the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to provide for the inclusion of ethanol and other renewable fuel in fuel supplied for use in motor vehicles.

Reps: Intro. 4/9/06; Read a 1st time 4/9/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Fuel Tax Bill 2006

Introduced with the Fuel Tax (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2006, the bill provides for: a single system of fuel tax credits to remove or reduce the incidence of fuel tax levied on taxable fuels from 1 July 2006; and a framework for the taxation of gaseous fuels from 1 July 2011, when fuel tax will be levied on liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas for the first time. Fuel tax credits for certain claimants will be conditional on meeting certain environmental criteria.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 14/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 14/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 Dem/negatived

Assent: 26/6/06; Act No. 72, 2006

Fuel Tax (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Fuel Tax Bill 2006, the bill amends the: Energy Grants (Credits) Scheme Act 2003, Fuel Sales Grants Act 2000, Product Grants and Benefits Administration Act 2000, States Grants (Petroleum Products) Act 1965 and proposed Fuel Tax Act 2006 to provide transitional arrangements in relation to the new fuel tax credit scheme; Taxation Administration Act 1953 to rewrite Part VI of the Act (administration of goods and services tax, wine equalisation tax and luxury car tax); and Taxation Administration Act 1953 and 4 other Acts to provide administrative arrangements for the new fuel tax credit scheme. Also repeals the Fuel Sales Grants Act 2000 on 1 January 2007, the States Grants (Petroleum Products) Act 1965 on 1 July 2007 and the Energy Grants (Credit) Scheme Act 2003 on 1 July 2012; and makes consequential amendments to 13 other Acts.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 14/6/06

CID amendments: 8 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 14/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 11/5/06; interim report presented 7/6/06 and tabled 13/6/06; extension of time for final report 13/6/06; final report presented 14/6/06 and tabled 15/6/06; erratum presented 14/7/06 and tabled 8/8/06

Committee amendments: 3 Opp/negatived

Assent: 26/6/06; Act No. 73, 2006

Future Fund Bill 2005

(Act citation: Future Fund Act 2006)

Establishes a financial asset fund (the Future Fund) to meet the Government—€™s unfunded superannuation liabilities by 2020 using amounts credited to a Special Account (sourced from previous realised cash surpluses and proceeds of any future assets sales) and the transfer of financial assets. Also establishes a Board of Guardians to administer the Fund and the Future Fund Management Agency to provide executive and operational support to the Board.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 8/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 8/12/05; extension of time to report 9/2/06; report tabled 27/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 Dem/negatived

Assent: 23/3/06; Act No. 12, 2006

General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to enable the imposition of a special levy component on a class of general insurance company regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to enable costs of particular activities to be recovered.

Reps: Intro. 2/3/06; Passed 30/3/06

Senate: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 11/5/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): No reference

Assent: 22/5/06; Act No. 42, 2006

PS Genetic Privacy and Non-discrimination Bill 1998 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Provides for the: protection of genetic privacy; collection, storage, analysis and disclosure of DNA samples; rights and responsibilities of persons with respect to genetic information; and unlawfulness of genetic discrimination.

Senate: Intro. 11/3/98; 2nd reading adjourned 11/3/98, 5/10/00

SBC report 3/98 (tabled and adopted 25/3/98): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 25/3/98; report due 11/8/98; interim report presented 10/8/98 and tabled 10/11/98

Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 23/11/98; extensions of time to report 10/12/98, 16/2/99, 30/3/99; report tabled 31/3/99

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 14/5/02, 17/11/04

PM Government Advertising (Prohibiting use of taxpayers—€™ money on party political advertising) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Thomson —€“ ALP)

The bill: regulates the use of public money on government information programs; and establishes the Principles and Guidelines for Government Advertising Campaigns.

Reps: Intro. 12/9/05; Read a 1st time 12/9/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 23/5/06

PS Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Protecting the Great Barrier Reef from Oil
R Drilling and Exploration) Amendment Bill 2003 [2006]

(Introduced by Senator McLucas —€“ ALP and Senator Bartlett —€“ Dem)

Amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to extend the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to Australia—€™s exclusive economic zone.

Senate: Intro. 5/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 5/3/03, 6/3/03

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 10/10/06

PM Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Protecting the Great Barrier Reef from Oil Drilling and Exploration) Amendment Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mr Albanese —€“ ALP)

Amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to extend the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to Australia—€™s exclusive economic zone.

Reps: Intro. 30/10/06; Read a 1st time 30/10/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Health and Other Services (Compensation) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 to: repeal the sunset clause (due to take effect on 1 July 2006) to enable the continuation of the Advanced Payment Option for compensation claimants to access the major proportion of compensation money at the time of their judgement or settlement; remove the definition of —€œfatal injury—€ to ensure that Commonwealth benefits paid in situations involving a fatal injury or disease must also be repaid after judgement or settlement; provide a formal pathway for review of certain decisions; replace certain superseded wording; and clarify the value of a —€œsmall amount—€.

Reps: Intro. 2/3/06; Passed 30/3/06

Senate: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 11/5/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report tabled 9/5/06

Assent: 22/5/06; Act No. 43, 2006

Health Insurance Amendment (Medical Specialists) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Health Insurance Amendment (Medical Specialists) Act 2006)

Amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to amend procedures and prerequisites for the recognition of certain medical specialists and consultant physicians for Medicare rebate purposes.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 17/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 14/9/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 27/9/06; Act No. 104, 2006

Health Legislation Amendment (Pharmacy Location Arrangements) Bill 2006

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: extend the operation of pharmacy location rules and their administration by the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (ACPA) to 30 June 2010; increase the membership of the ACPA to include a consumer representative; provide for a Ministerial discretionary power in relation to approval of a pharmacist; clarify the Secretary—€™s ability to approve more than one pharmacist to supply pharmaceutical benefits in respect of particular premises and the Minister—€™s power to determine conditions relating to premises applying to approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits; simplify the approval process for pharmacists wishing to expand or contract their premises; and make minor technical amendments.

Reps: Intro. 16/2/06; Passed 29/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 29/3/06

SBC report 2/06 (tabled and adopted 1/3/06): No reference

Assent: 3/5/06; Act No. 37, 2006

Health Legislation Amendment (Private Health Insurance) Bill 2006

Amends the: National Health Act 1953 to expand the powers of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman in dealing with complaints and conducting investigations on his or her own initiative or at the Minister—€™s request, particularly in relation to health care providers or brokers; and Private Health Insurance Incentives Act 1998 to allow additional time for Medicare Australia to provide the Australian Taxation Office with information regarding private health insurance rebates.

Reps: Intro. 31/5/06; Passed 15/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 8 Opp/negatived; 3 AG/negatived

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 83, 2006

Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2006 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: Higher Education Funding Act 1988 in relation to: transition funding for 2007; and repeal of the Higher Education (HECS) Account; Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to: funding and grant levels for certain purposes; increases to FEE-HELP limits; extending summer school provisions to winter schools; setting student contribution amounts and tuition fees; rounding calculations of HELP debts; electronic communications; and regulation of higher education in external territories; and Australian Research Council Act 2001 to reflect updated annual caps on funding.

Reps: Intro. 6/9/06; Passed 9/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 18/10/06; Passed 1/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 68 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 6/11/06; Passed 28/11/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 68 Opp/negatived

Inspector of Transport Security (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Inspector of Transport Security Bill 2006, the bill amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to ensure that information generated or gathered by the Inspector of Transport Security in the course of an inquiry is exempt from a freedom of information request.

Reps: Intro. 18/10/06; Passed 1/11/06

Senate: Intro. 6/11/06; Passed 28/11/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): No reference

Assent: 7/12/06; Act No. 150, 2006

Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the: Patents Act 1990, Trade Marks Act 1995, Plant Breeder—€™s Rights Act 1994, Designs Act 2003 and Olympic Insignia Protection Act 1987 to: give effect to certain recommendations of 3 reviews of intellectual property legislation; and make minor and technical amendments.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 22/6/06

Senate: Intro. 8/8/06; Passed 14/9/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 22/6/06; extension of time to report 9/8/06; report tabled 17/8/06

Assent: 27/9/06; Act No. 106, 2006

International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2006

Amends the: International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to give legislative authority to a protocol amending the existing agreement between Australia and New Zealand in relation to double taxation and the prevention of income tax evasion; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Taxation Administration Act 1953 and Taxation (Interest on Overpayments and Early Payments) Act 1983 to provide a framework for the Australian Commissioner of Taxation to provide assistance in the collection of foreign tax debts; and International Tax Agreements Act 1953 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to provide a framework for the exchange of information on tax matters with other jurisdictions.

Reps: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 16/8/06

Senate: Intro. 17/8/06; Passed 7/9/06

SBC report 8/06 (tabled and adopted 16/8/06): No reference

Assent: 14/9/06; Act No. 100, 2006

S Judiciary Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Judiciary Act 1903 to: validate certain orders made by non-judicial officers of State courts of summary jurisdiction in relation to taxation and other federal law matters; and repeal certain provisions to enable States to determine which officers, including non-judicial officers, can exercise federal jurisdiction and in what circumstances. Also makes consequential amendments to the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970, Crimes Act 1914 and Family Law Act 1975.

Senate: Intro. 13/9/06; Passed 19/10/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): No reference

Reps: Intro. 30/10/06; Passed 28/11/06

Assent: 7/12/06; Act No. 151, 2006

S Jurisdiction of Courts (Family Law) Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Jurisdiction of Courts (Family Law) Act 2006)

Amends the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 and Family Law Act 1975 to provide the Magistrates Court of Western Australia constituted by a Family Law Magistrate of Western Australia with substantially the same jurisdiction and appeal structure in relation to family law and child support matters as the Federal Magistrates Court.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 2/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): No reference

Reps: Intro. 27/3/06; Passed 29/3/06

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 22, 2006

S Jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court Legislation Amendment Act 2006)

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974, Family Law Act 1975, Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, Admiralty Act 1988 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to extend the jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court in relation to: trade practices matters; proceedings transferred from the Family and Federal Courts; certain admiralty actions; and appeals against departure prohibition orders.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 1/3/06; Passed 30/3/06

CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Marking of Plastic Explosives) Bill 2006

Gives effect to Australia—€™s obligations under the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection by amending the: Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert new offences in relation to trafficking in, manufacturing, possessing, importing and exporting unmarked plastic explosives; Customs Act 1901 to provide Customs officers with appropriate powers to regulate, investigate, search and seize unmarked plastic explosives; and 6 other Acts to make consequential amendments.

Reps: Intro. 7/9/06; Passed 6/12/06

Senate: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): No reference

Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to: provide for a new complaints and professional standards regime within the Australian Federal Police (AFP) which will categorise all matters raised in relation to AFP professional standards according to their nature and seriousness; provide for alcohol screening tests of on duty officers; and to make amendments relating to suspension or resignation from, and termination of, employment; and Ombudsman Act 1976 to align the Ombudsman—€™s administrative review role over the AFP more closely with the role it has in relation to other Australian Government agencies, although the Ombudsman will retain the capacity to intervene in serious cases and will have a review role in relation to the new complaints and professional standards regime. Also repeals the Complaints (Australian Federal Police) Act 1981 and makes consequential amendments to the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 and 7 other Acts.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 21/6/06

CID amendments: 12 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report tabled 11/5/06

Committee amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 84, 2006

Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Bill 2006

Introduced with the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006, the bill: establishes the Office of the Integrity Commissioner and the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, an independent body with the powers of a Royal Commission, to investigate, prosecute and prevent corruption in Commonwealth law enforcement agencies; and provides for a review of the operation of the legislation after 3 years.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 21/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 27 Govt/passed; 1 Opp (as reconsidered)/passed

Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report tabled 11/5/06

Committee amendments: 6 Opp/negatived; 2 Dem/negatived

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 85, 2006

Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Bill 2006, the bill makes amendments consequential on the establishment of the Office of the Integrity Commissioner and the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) to 17 Acts to: provide ACLEI investigators with access to special investigative powers, including the capacity to use telecommunications interception, surveillance devices, controlled deliveries and assumed identities; and provide the Integrity Commissioner and the ACLEI with access to certain confidential information; and amends the Ombudsman Act 1976 to clarify the relationship between the functions of the Ombudsman and the Integrity Commissioner.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 21/6/06

CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 23/6/06 a.m.

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report tabled 11/5/06

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 86, 2006

Legislative Instruments (Technical Amendment) Bill 2004

Arising from the enactment of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the bill amends the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to clarify the effect of the expression —€œby legislative instrument—€.

Reps: Intro. 16/11/04; 2nd reading adjourned 16/11/04

Senate:

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 to extend the operation of the Act in relation to Telstra employees for a period of 3 years from the day on which the Commonwealth ceases to have a controlling interest in Telstra.

Reps: Intro. 11/10/06; Passed 17/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 17/10/06; Passed 18/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 122, 2006

S Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Maritime Legislation Amendment Act 2006)

Amends the: Lighthouses Act 1911 to revise penalties for offences in relation to damages to marine navigational aids; Navigation Act 1912 in relation to a range of matters, including: military forces ships; application of the Act to certain ships; detention of ships; voyage permits for unlicensed ships; pilotage; reporting of ship movements; alcohol and drug testing; immunity of pilots and pilotage providers from certain civil liability claims; and penalties for major offences; Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 in relation to: requiring Australian chemical tankers to prepare and carry a Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid Substances; the amount of security payments; and service of documents on a ship—€™s agent; and Shipping Registration Act 1981 to: allow mortgages to be removed from the Australian Register of Ships at the request of the mortgagee; provide for the delegation of certain powers; and allow electronic access to the Register.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 7/2/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 8/2/06; Passed 29/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 24, 2006

Maritime Legislation Amendment (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Bill 2006

Amends the Navigation Act 1912 and Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 to: implement Australia—€™s obligations under Annex VI (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships; update certain references; and remove the limit in the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 on the amount of penalty for a breach of a regulation or an order.

Reps: Intro. 6/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Maritime Legislation Amendment (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Bill 2006

Amends the Navigation Act 1912 and Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 to implement Australia—€™s obligations under revised Annex I (prevention of pollution by oil) and revised Annex II (prevention of pollution by noxious liquid substances) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

Senate: Intro. 6/11/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): No reference

Assent: 30/11/06; Act No. 138, 2006

S Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Amendment (Maritime Security Guards and Other Measures) Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Amendment (Maritime Security Guards and Other Measures) Act 2006)

Amends the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 in relation to: limited move-on powers for maritime security guards, including the power to request certain information from a person found in a maritime security zone; clarifying certain meanings; higher security level declarations; and correcting references to ship enforcement orders.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 10/5/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 10/8/05; report tabled 5/9/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 13/9/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 27/9/06; Act No. 103, 2006

Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Amendment (Security Plans and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends: the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 to: simplify the procedures for making changes to maritime, ship and offshore facilities security plans; clarify measures relating to the plan approval process; and make technical amendments to clarify the intent of the Act; 18 Acts to make technical amendments as a consequence of the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003; and Customs Act 1901 to reflect the name change to the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 5/9/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 6/9/06; Passed 13/9/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 11/5/06; report tabled 15/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 27/9/06; Act No. 109, 2006

Medibank Private Sale Bill 2006

The bill: amends the Health Insurance Commission (Reform and Separation of Functions) Act 1997 to permit the Commonwealth to sell its shares in Medibank Private Limited (Medibank); facilitates the sale of the Commonwealth—€™s equity in Medibank; and permits Medibank to operate on a —€œfor profit—€ basis. Also makes consequential amendments to the National Health Act 1953, Commonwealth Borrowing Levy Act 1987 and Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

Reps: Intro. 18/10/06; Passed 2/11/06

Senate: Intro. 6/11/06; Passed 5/12/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled 19/10/06; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 19/10/06): Provisions of bill referred to Finance and Public Administration Committee 19/10/06; report tabled 27/11/06

2nd reading amendments: 2 Dem/negatived; 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 5 Dem/negatived; 2 AG/negatived

Assent: 11/12/06; Act No. 160, 2006

Medical Indemnity Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Medical Indemnity Act 2002 and Medical Indemnity (Prudential Supervision and Product Standards) Act 2003 in relation to doctors—€™ eligibility for the Run-off Cover Scheme (ROCS). Also makes technical amendments consequential on the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Reps: Intro. 13/9/06; Passed 11/10/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): No reference

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 116, 2006

PS Migration Amendment (Act of Compassion) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senators B Brown and Nettle —€“ AG)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to provide for: independent review of asylum seekers currently in detention, with the aim of releasing all long-term detainees who do not pose a risk to the community or who are not likely to abscond; and the release of all children and their parents currently being held in immigration detention.

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 16/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

Migration Amendment (Border Integrity) Bill 2006

Amends the: Migration Act 1958 in relation to: cessation of special purpose visas; use of automated systems in immigration clearance; and use of —€œpersonal identifiers—€ as evidence of proof of identity.

Reps: Intro. 11/10/06; 2nd reading adjourned 11/10/06

Senate:

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): No reference

Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to expand the offshore processing regime currently applying to offshore entry persons and transitory persons to include all persons arriving at mainland Australia unlawfully by sea on or after 13 April 2006. Also provides for: the exemption of certain persons not intended to be caught by the regime, including New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Norfolk Island and persons brought to Australia purely for Customs Act 1901 purposes; an independent review of the operation of the amendments in the bill, after 2 years; and offshore processing arrangements to revert to those in place previously, after 5 years.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 10/8/06

CID amendments: 23 Govt/passed

Senate: Message reported 14/8/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 11/5/06; report tabled 13/6/06

S Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to introduce new offences for employers, labour suppliers and other persons who allow non-citizens to work in Australia illegally. Also amends the Crimes Act 1914 to provide certain protections for children involved in proceedings in relation to the new employer sanctions offences.

Senate: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 6/9/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06

Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Reps: Intro. 6/9/06; 2nd reading adjourned 29/11/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending

PS Migration Amendment (Mandatory Detention) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senators B Brown and Nettle —€“ AG)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: abolish temporary protection visas; ensure that detention of children is a last resort; provide for judicial review of immigration detention; limit the period of time that asylum seekers are detained; and provide for the Federal Court to impose on detainees certain conditions of release.

Senate: Intro. 16/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 16/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): No reference

S Migration Amendment (Review Provisions) Bill 2006

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to allow the Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal flexibility in providing procedural fairness to review applicants.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 20/2/07

S Migration Amendment (Visa Integrity) Bill 2006

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: clarify the immigration clearance and immigration status of non-citizen children born in Australia; harmonise criminal offence provisions with those in the Criminal Code Act 1995; clarify the power to require and take a security to ensure compliance with visa conditions, before granting a visa; and clarify certain provisions in relation to the operation of bridging visas.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/06

Senate: Intro. 19/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Appropriate Review) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to remove provisions: requiring refugees to apply for asylum status within 45 days of arrival in Australia in order to be permitted to work and be eligible for other government support; and relating to fees for review of a decision by the Refugee Review Tribunal.

Senate: Intro. 19/10/06; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/06

SBC report 13/06 (tabled and adopted 8/11/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Complementary Protection Visas) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to introduce a class of complementary protection visas which will provide protection for those people who do not meet the definition of a refugee under the Refugee Convention but who have compelling humanitarian or safety reasons to not return to their country of origin.

Senate: Intro. 13/9/06; 2nd reading adjourned 13/9/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Duration of Detention) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to repeal provisions which require a detainee to be kept in immigration detention unless a court finally determines that the detention is unlawful or that the detainee is not an unlawful non-citizen.

Senate: Intro. 9/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 9/11/06

SBC report 14/06 (tabled and adopted 29/11/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Enabling Permanent Protection) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to repeal provisions which prevent people on Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) who have been convicted of certain legal offences from being eligible to receive a permanent Protection Visa when their TPV expires.

Senate: Intro. 12/10/06; 2nd reading adjourned 12/10/06

SBC report 12/06 (tabled and adopted 19/10/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (End of Mandatory Detention) Bill 2006

(Introduced Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to end the mandatory detention of visa applicants and asylum seekers.

Senate: Intro. 7/9/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/9/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Introduced with the Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2006, the bill amends the Migration Act 1958 to repeal provisions which provide for the excision from the migration zone of certain offshore places and prevent a person who arrives unlawfully at an —€œexcised offshore place—€ from making a valid visa application unless the Minister determines it is in the public interest to do so.

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Introduced with the Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal) Bill 2006, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Migration Act 1958 in relation to the repeal of the excision from the migration zone of certain offshore places.

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Provisions Relating to Character and Conduct) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 in relation to ministerial discretion to assess the character or conduct of a non-citizen for the purposes of refusing a visa application or cancelling an existing visa.

Senate: Intro. 14/8/06; 2nd reading adjourned 14/8/06

SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Fair Process) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 and Migration Act 1958 to remove the privative clause mechanism which restricted access to Federal and High Court judicial review of administrative decisions made under the Migration Act 1958.

Senate: Intro. 30/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/06

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Human Rights) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to repeal provisions which prevent the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission and the Postal Industry Ombudsman from giving legal advice or assistance to detainees unless they have initiated a complaint in writing to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission or to the Postal Industry Ombudsman.

Senate: Intro. 9/11/06; 2nd reading adjourned 9/11/06

SBC report 14/06 (tabled and adopted 29/11/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Return to Procedural Fairness) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to repeal provisions which provide that compliance with certain specified codes of procedure satisfy the common law requirements of the natural justice hearing rule.

Senate: Intro. 17/8/06; 2nd reading adjourned 17/8/06

SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference

PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Temporary Protection Visas Repeal) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to remove the category of Temporary Protection Visa.

Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 22/6/06

SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference

Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2005

(Act citation: Ministers of State Amendment Act 2006)

Amends the Ministers of State Act 1952 to increase the limit on the annual sum appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the payment of salaries of Ministers.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 28/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 1/3/06; Passed 29/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): No reference

Assent: 3/5/06; Act No. 38, 2006

PS Ministers of State (Post-Retirement Employment Restrictions) Bill 2002 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Murray —€“ AD)

Regulates certain pre- and post-retirement conduct of, and places post-retirement employment restrictions on, Ministers and ministerial advisers; and includes offence and penalty provisions.

Senate: Intro. 13/3/02; 2nd reading adjourned 13/3/02

SBC report 2/02 (tabled and adopted 20/3/02): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Murray-Darling Basin Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Murray-Darling Basin Act 1993 to approve and give effect to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement Amending Agreement 2006 between the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

PS National Animal Welfare Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Senate: Intro. 11/8/03; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/03

SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference

Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 9/8/04; report due 30/11/04; interim report presented 8/9/04 and tabled 16/11/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PS National Animal Welfare Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Bartlett —€“ AD)

Provides a legislative framework for animal welfare in Australia, including the establishment of the National Animal Welfare Authority which will coordinate, monitor and review the care, protection and use of domestic animals, livestock, wildlife and animals kept for scientific purposes.

Senate: Intro. 20/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 20/6/05

SBC report 6/05 (tabled and adopted 22/6/05): Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 22/6/05; extension of time to report 10/8/05; report tabled 22/6/06

National Cattle Disease Eradication Account Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the National Cattle Disease Eradication Account Act 1991 to enable funds to be transferred from the National Cattle Disease Eradication Account to the Cattle Disease Contingency Fund.

Reps: Intro. 16/8/06; Passed 13/9/06

Senate: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 9/11/06

SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference

Assent: 30/11/06; Act No. 139, 2006

National Health Amendment (Immunisation) Bill 2006

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to allow, in addition to the current power to provide designated vaccines, the provision of goods and services which are associated with, or incidental to, the provision or administration of designated vaccines.

Reps: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 6/9/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 6/9/06; Passed 14/9/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

Assent: 27/9/06; Act No. 105, 2006

S National Health and Medical Research Council Amendment Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review) and 2 other reviews, the bill amends the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 to: introduce new governance arrangements including establishing, from 1 July 2006, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as a statutory agency subject to the Public Service Act 1999 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997; and clarify the accountability and reporting functions of the NHMRC. Also makes consequential amendments to 7 other Acts.

Senate: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 10/5/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06

Committee amendments: 5 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 10/5/06; Passed 24/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 9/6/06; Act No. 50, 2006

Native Title Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Native Title Act 1993 to: introduce a new regime for representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies; implement recommendations made by an independent review into the native title claims resolution process, particularly in relation to increased powers and functions of the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) and improved coordination and communication between the Federal Court and the NNTT; and implement changes to the prescribed bodies corporate governance regime and the native title non-claimants financial assistance program.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 23/2/07

New Business Tax System (Untainting Tax) Bill 2006

Consequential on the Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 3) Bill 2006, the bill imposes an untainting tax on a company which chooses to untaint a tainted share capital account.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 14/6/06

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 81, 2006

S Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the: Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 (Safeguards Act) to implement Australia—€™s obligations under the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and to the International Atomic Energy Agency under the Additional Protocol; and create new offences; Safeguards Act, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Act 1998 and Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 to extend the geographical jurisdiction for offences related to proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons; and Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to make a consequential amendment.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/06

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee 7/12/06; report due 8/2/07

Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment Bill 2005

(Act citation: Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment Act 2006)

Amends the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to provide improved occupational health and safety protection for Commonwealth employees, particularly in relation to an employer—€™s duty of care and workplace arrangements provisions. Also amends the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 to repeal certain redundant references.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 9/10/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 14 Dem/negatived

Assent: 23/10/06; Act No. 111, 2006

Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment (Promoting Safer Workplaces) Bill 2005

Amends the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to exclude Commonwealth employers and employees from the application of the ACT industrial manslaughter laws and any other similar industrial manslaughter law enacted by a State or Territory in the future.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 8/12/05

Senate: Intro. 8/12/05; 2nd reading adjourned 8/12/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 16/3/05; report tabled 10/5/05

Offshore Petroleum (Annual Fees) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Offshore Petroleum (Annual Fees) Act 2006)

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites and replaces the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Fees Act 1994 by providing for annual fees to be payable in relation to petroleum exploration permits, retention leases and production, infrastructure and pipeline licences; and makes transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 29/3/06; Act No. 15, 2006

Offshore Petroleum Bill 2005

(Act citation: Offshore Petroleum Act 2006)

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites and replaces the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and provides for: the grant of exploration permits, retention leases, production licences, infrastructure licences, pipeline licences, special prospecting authorities and access authorities; and occupational health and safety provisions, including the operation of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority for their administration.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Committee amendments: 10 AG/negatived

Assent: 29/3/06; Act No. 14, 2006

Offshore Petroleum (Registration Fees) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Offshore Petroleum (Registration Fees) Act 2006)

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Registration Fees) Act 1967 by imposing fees to be payable in relation to the approval and registration of transfers and dealings in titles under the proposed Offshore Petroleum Act 2005; and makes transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 29/3/06; Act No. 16, 2006

Offshore Petroleum (Repeals and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Offshore Petroleum (Repeals and Consequential Amendments) Act 2006)

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill repeals the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967, Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Fees Act 1994, Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Registration Fees) Act 1967 and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Royalty) Act 1967; makes consequential amendments to 30 other Acts; and provides that the penalty in section 96 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 is taken to have never been enacted.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 29/3/06; Act No. 17, 2006

Offshore Petroleum (Royalty) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Offshore Petroleum (Royalty) Act 2006)

Part of a package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill replaces the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Royalty) Act 1967 by imposing a royalty to be payable in respect of petroleum produced in the North West Shelf project area under the proposed Offshore Petroleum Act 2005; and makes transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 29/3/06; Act No. 18, 2006

Offshore Petroleum (Safety Levies) Amendment Bill 2005

(Act citation: Offshore Petroleum (Safety Levies) Amendment Act 2006)

Consequential on the package of 5 bills which rewrites the legislation currently providing for the administration of Australia—€™s offshore petroleum resources, the bill amends the Offshore Petroleum (Safety Levies) Act 2003 to: omit references to the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and replace them with references to the proposed Offshore Petroleum Act 2005; ensure that future amendments or name changes to other Acts or regulations will not have any effect on key definitions in the Act; and make transitional arrangements.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 18/8/05

Senate: Intro. 5/9/05; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

Assent: 29/3/06; Act No. 19, 2006

OHS and SRC Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

(Previous title: OHS and SRC Legislation Amendment Bill 2005)

Amends the: Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to: extend the Act to all corporations and Commonwealth authorities licensed under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988; exclude the operation of certain State and Territory laws; and amend the long and short titles of the Act to reflect its extended coverage beyond Commonwealth workplaces; and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to: enable Comcare to charge all Commonwealth authorities a regulatory contribution towards the costs of administering the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991; and validate certain contributions already made for the 2002-03 financial year; and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and Social Security Act 1991 to make consequential amendments to reflect the title change of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 29/3/06

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 9/5/06; Passed 4/9/06

SBC report 2/06 (tabled and adopted 1/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 1/3/06; report tabled 9/5/06

Assent: 14/9/06; Act No. 98, 2006

PS Parliamentary Approval of Treaties Bill 1995 [2004]

Provides for parliamentary approval of international treaties and any reservations to a treaty signed by Australia.

Senate: Intro. 31/5/95; 2nd reading adjourned 31/5/95

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 1/5/96, 23/11/98, 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Parliamentary Charter of Rights and Freedoms Bill 2001 [2005]

R (Introduced by Senator Lees and restored by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Provides for a Parliamentary Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect all Australians against violations of their fundamental civil and political rights by governments.

Senate: Intro. 27/9/01; 2nd reading adjourned 27/9/01

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 9/11/05

PM Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Kerr —€“ ALP)

Establishes the Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission to inquire into, and advise the Parliament on, allegations of judicial misbehaviour or incapacity made against a federal justice. Also amends the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 to permit the testing of a witness—€™ credibility in court or other proceedings when that witness has previously given evidence to a House or committee of the Parliament which is inconsistent with the evidence given to the court or tribunal.

Reps: Intro. 5/9/05; Read a 1st time 5/9/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 28/3/06

PM Parliamentary Privileges Amendment Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Kerr —€“ ALP)

Amends the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 to permit the testing of a witness—€™ credibility in court or other proceedings when that witness has previously given evidence to a House or committee which is inconsistent with the evidence given to the court or tribunal.

Reps: Intro. 20/6/05; Read a 1st time 20/6/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 28/2/06

Parliamentary Superannuation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 to increase the superannuation contribution for members of parliament elected in the 2004 and later elections from 9 per cent to 15.4 per cent.

Reps: Intro. 11/10/06; Passed 16/10/06

CID amendments: 2 Ind (Andren)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 17/10/06; Passed 17/10/06

Assent: 24/10/06; Act No. 115, 2006

PS Patents Amendment Bill 1996 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Patents Act 1990 to prohibit the patenting of naturally occurring genes or gene sequences.

Senate: Intro. 27/6/96; 2nd reading adjourned 27/6/96

SBC report 10/96 (tabled and adopted 12/9/96): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 14/5/02, 17/11/04

PM Payment of Accounts by Government Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mr Bowen —€“ ALP)

Amends the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 and Public Service Act 1999 to require annual reports of departments and agencies to contain details of the timing of the payment of accounts to small business.

Reps: Intro. 14/8/06; Read a 1st time 14/8/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Amendment Bill 2006

Introduced with the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (Instalment Transfer Interest Charge Imposition) Bill 2006, the bill amends the: Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987 to: require petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) taxpayers to transfer and deduct transferable exploration expenditure when calculating their quarterly PRRT; allow internal corporate restructuring within company groups to occur without losing the ability to transfer exploration expenditure; allow the present value of certain expected future expenditures to close down a petroleum project to be deductible against the PRRT receipts of the project; allow deductibility for fringe benefits tax for PRRT purposes; introduce a transfer notice requirement for vendors disposing of an interest in a petroleum project; extend the lodgment period for PRRT annual returns; and make minor technical amendments; and Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to apply the self assessment regime to PRRT. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 14/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 14/6/06; report presented 21/6/06 and tabled 22/6/06

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 78, 2006

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (Instalment Transfer Interest Charge Imposition) Bill 2006

Consequential on the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Amendment Bill 2006, the bill imposes as a tax the instalment transfer interest charge, a charge designed to recoup the time value of money associated with the transfer of exploration expenditure in working out a reduced quarterly instalment of petroleum resource rent tax that is subsequently reversed.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 14/6/06

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 14/6/06; report presented 21/6/06 and tabled 22/6/06

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 79, 2006

Petroleum Retail Legislation Repeal Bill 2006

Part of the government—€™s petroleum reform package in relation to the retail petroleum industry, the bill repeals the Petroleum Retail Marketing Franchise Act 1980 and Petroleum Retail Marketing Sites Act 1980 on 1 March 2007, which will occur concurrently with the introduction of a mandatory industry code to regulate the industry; and makes consequential amendments to the Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 16/8/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 16/8/06; Passed 13/9/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred on introduction of bill in Reps (30/3/06) to Economics Legislation Committee 30/3/06; interim report presented 2/5/06 and tabled 9/5/06; extension of time for final report 9/5/06; final report tabled 11/5/06

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 AG to Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 Opp/negatived; 1 Dem/negatived; 5 FFP/negatived; 2 Joyce/negatived; 1 FFP/withdrawn

[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 11/10/06]

Assent: 23/10/06; Act No. 113, 2006

Plant Health Australia (Plant Industries) Funding Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Plant Health Australia (Plant Industries) Funding Act 2002 to: enable monies equal to the amounts received through emergency plant pest response levies and charges imposed on plant products to be appropriated out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and paid to Plant Health Australia (PHA); and authorise PHA to administer these amounts on behalf of plant industry members.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 1/6/06

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

Assent: 22/6/06; Act No. 62, 2006

S Postal Industry Ombudsman Bill 2005 [2006]

(Previous title: Postal Industry Ombudsman Bill 2004)

(Act citation: Postal Industry Ombudsman Act 2006)

Amends the Ombudsman Act 1976 to: establish the Postal Industry Ombudsman as a separate office within the office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to deal with complaints about postal services; and correct drafting errors. Also makes consequential amendments to the Migration Act 1958 and Privacy Act 1988.

Senate: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 8/3/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Opp/passed

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 8/9/05

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

[Senate agreed to Reps amendment 29/3/06]

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 25, 2006

PS Pregnancy Counselling (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD; Senator Troeth —€“ LP; Senator Nettle —€“ AG; and Senator Carol Brown —€“ ALP)

Prohibits misleading or deceptive advertising or notification of pregnancy counselling services.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

PS Privacy (Extension to Political Acts and Practices) Amendment Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Privacy Act 1988 to remove the exemption in the Act for political acts and practices.

Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 22/6/06

SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference

Privacy Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the: National Health Act 1953 and Privacy Act 1988 to facilitate the continued operation of Medicare Australia—€™s Prescription Shopping Information Service which allows medical practitioners to access health information about their patients—€™ prescription status by permitting the collection of certain health information; and Privacy Act 1988 to implement certain recommendations by the Australian Law Reform Commission and the Australian Health Ethics Committee by: amending the definitions of —€œhealth information—€ and —€œsensitive information—€ to include genetic information; and permitting the disclosure of genetic information to genetic relatives in certain circumstances.

Reps: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 17/8/06

Senate: Intro. 4/9/06; Passed 7/9/06

SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 14/9/06; Act No. 99, 2006

S Privacy Legislation Amendment (Emergencies and Disasters) Bill 2006

Amends the Privacy Act 1988 in relation to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information about deceased, injured and missing individuals involved in an emergency or disaster occurring in Australia or overseas. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 to ensure that ASIO is not prevented from disclosing information when an emergency is declared.

Senate: Intro. 13/9/06; Passed 17/10/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 14/9/06; report tabled 12/10/06

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 12 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 18/10/06; Passed 28/11/06

Assent: 6/12/06; Act No. 148, 2006

Private Health Insurance Bill 2006

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Private Health Insurance (Collapsed Organization Levy) Amendment Bill 2006

Part of a package of 7 bills in relation to reform of the private health insurance sector, the bill amends the Private Health Insurance (Collapsed Organization Levy) Act 2003 to update definitions as a consequence of the proposed Private Health Insurance Act 2007; and repeals the existing levy and imposes a new levy.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Private Health Insurance Complaints Levy Amendment Bill 2006

Part of a package of 7 bills in relation to reform of the private health insurance sector, the bill amends the Private Health Insurance Complaints Levy Act 1995 to update definitions as a consequence of the proposed Private Health Insurance Act 2007; and repeals the existing levy and imposes a new levy.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Private Health Insurance (Council Administration Levy) Amendment Bill 2006

Part of a package of 7 bills in relation to reform of the private health insurance sector, the bill amends the Private Health Insurance (Council Administration Levy) Act 2003 to update definitions and other terminology as a consequence of the proposed Private Health Insurance Act 2007.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Private Health Insurance (Prostheses Application and Listing Fees) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 7 bills in relation to reform of the private health insurance sector, the bill imposes listing and application fees on prostheses sponsors to recover the cost of evaluation and listing prostheses for private health insurance purposes.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Private Health Insurance (Reinsurance Trust Fund Levy) Amendment Bill 2006

Part of a package of 7 bills in relation to reform of the private health insurance sector, the bill amends the Private Health Insurance (Reinsurance Trust Fund Levy) Act 2003 to update definitions as a consequence of the proposed Private Health Insurance Act 2007; and repeals the existing levy and imposes a new levy.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

Private Health Insurance (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 7 bills in relation to reform of the private health insurance sector, the bill: provides for the transition to the new regulatory framework; makes consequential amendments to 19 Acts; repeals redundant provisions in the National Health Act 1953, Health Insurance Act 1973 and Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973; and repeals the Private Health Insurance (ACAC Review Levy) Act 2003 and Private Health Insurance Incentives Act 1998.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee 7/12/06; report due 26/2/07

PS Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Patterson —€“ LP)

Based on recommendations by the Lockhart Review Committee, the bill amends the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 and Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 to: retain existing prohibitions on certain human reproductive cloning and other assisted reproductive technology activities; and permit certain human embryo research, under licence. Also amends the short title of the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002; and amends the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958.

Senate: Intro. 19/10/06; Passed 7/11/06

Reference: Community Affairs Committee considered bill as part of its inquiry into legislative responses to the Lockhart review; interim report presented 27/10/06; final report presented 30/10/06 and tabled 6/11/06; corrigendum tabled 6/11/06

Committee amendments: 16 Stott Despoja-Webber/passed; 2 Bartlett/passed; 1 Colbeck/passed; 3 AG/negatived; 1 Stott Despoja-Webber/negatived; 1 Stott Despoja-Webber/withdrawn; 1 item opposed/item agreed to

Reps: Intro. 27/11/06; Passed 6/12/06

CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Assent: 12/12/06; Act No. 172, 2006

PS Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Allison —€“ AD)

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to impose restrictions on: food and beverage advertising on television during children—€™s viewing times; and advertising in schools by companies whose principal activity is the manufacture, distribution or sale of junk food.

Senate: Intro. 30/3/06; 2nd reading adjourned 30/3/06

SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference

PM Protection of the Australian National Flag (Desecration of the Flag) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mrs B.K. Bishop —€“ LP)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to protect the Australian National Flag from unlawful desecration or destruction by inserting offence and penalty provisions.

Reps: Intro. 27/3/06; Read a 1st time 27/3/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 31/10/06

Protection of the Sea (Harmful Anti-fouling Systems) Bill 2006

Implements Australia—€™s obligations under the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships by prohibiting the use of harmful organotins in anti-fouling paints and establishing a mechanism to prevent the potential future use of other harmful substances in anti-fouling systems used on Australian ships or foreign ships that are in an Australian shipping facility.

Reps: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 6/9/06

Senate: Intro. 7/9/06; Passed 14/9/06

SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference

Assent: 27/9/06; Act No. 107, 2006

Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981 which gives effect to Australia—€™s obligations under the International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, 1969 by enabling the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to intervene in the event of any threat of pollution from a ship in Australian waters or on the high seas. The bill gives effect to national maritime emergency response arrangements agreed between the Commonwealth, State and Northern Territory governments, enabling the Commonwealth to undertake the role of national coordinator and decision-maker in responding to an actual or potential pollution incident. Also makes a technical amendment to the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 to repeal a section redundant as a consequence of the amendments to the Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 10/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 11/5/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 22/5/06; Act No. 44, 2006

PS Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill 2002 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Provides protection for persons who disclose conduct adverse to the public interest in the public sector.

Senate: Intro. 11/12/02; 2nd reading adjourned 11/12/02

SBC report 1/03 (tabled and adopted 5/2/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

S Public Works Committee Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Public Works Committee Act 1969 to: amend the definition of a —€œpublic work—€; increase the threshold value at which projects must be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and provide for the threshold value to be varied by regulation; and make technical amendments to update and replace certain references.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 9/10/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 5 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 9/10/06; Passed 30/10/06

Assent: 7/11/06; Act No. 132, 2006

PS Reconciliation Bill 2001 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Ridgeway —€“ AD)

Advances reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all other Australians, by establishing processes to identify, monitor, negotiate and resolve unresolved issues for reconciliation.

Senate: Intro. 5/4/01; 2nd reading adjourned 5/4/01, 27/11/03

SBC report 7/01 (tabled and adopted 23/5/01): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

PS Removal of Recognition of US Military Commissions (David Hicks) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senators Nettle and Brown —€“ AG)

Removes recognition of United States military commissions from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 as a result of a statutory review of the operation of the Act to: enhance market transparency and business certainty; increase opportunities for bioenergy and solar technologies; encourage innovation through recognising emerging renewable electricity generation technologies; and make administrative amendments in relation to the operation of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme. Also amends the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to clarify appeal avenues in relation to assessment decisions made under the principal Act.

Reps: Intro. 2/3/06; Passed 20/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 30/3/06; report tabled 9/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 1 Dem/negatived; 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 90, 2006

PS Republic (Consultation of the People) Bill 2001 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Provides for electors to be consulted, at the same time as the next House of Representatives general election, on whether Australia should become a republic and on whether they should vote again, if applicable, to choose from different republic models.

Senate: Intro. 26/9/01; 2nd reading adjourned 26/9/01

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/5/02, 17/11/04

Royal Commissions Amendment Bill 2006

Following the Federal Court decision in AWB Limited v Honourable Terence Rhoderic Hudson Cole, the bill amends the Royal Commissions Act 1992 to clarify the operation of the Act in relation to claims of legal professional privilege.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 31/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 13/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Dem (as amended)/negatived

Assent: 14/6/06; Act No. 52, 2006

Royal Commissions Amendment (Records) Bill 2006

Amends the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to provide for the custody and use of, and access to, records of royal commissions, particularly for law enforcement purposes.

Reps: Intro. 30/11/06; Passed 5/12/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 6 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 6/12/06; Passed 7/12/06

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived

Assent: 12/12/06; Act No. 167, 2006

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to ensure the financial viability of the Commonwealth workers—€™ compensation scheme, by amending the definitions of —€œdisease—€ and —€œinjury—€ and making changes to improve the administration and provision of benefits; and makes amendments consequential on the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. Also increases the maximum funeral benefits payable and makes a similar amendment to the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2004.

Reps: Intro. 30/11/06; Passed 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee 7/12/06; report due 20/2/07

PS Same-Sex Marriages Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Bartlett —€“ AD)

Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to ensure that same-sex marriages are given equal status to heterosexual marriages, including repealing the definition of —€œmarriage—€ as the union between a man and a woman and repealing provisions which prevent same-sex marriages entered into under the law of another country from being recognised in Australia.

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

Schools Assistance (Learning Together—€”Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Schools Assistance (Learning Together—€”Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 to: include a new definition of —€œspecial assistance school—€ to ensure maximum general recurrent funding to non-government schools that cater primarily for students with social, emotion of behavioural difficulties who are at risk of leaving mainstream schooling; vary the grant years of certain capital infrastructure grant funding; include a regulation-making power to allow programme funding to be varied to another programme year without needing to amend the Act; move unspent Tutorial Voucher Initiative funding for 2004 under the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 2000 to the 2006 year of the National Projects element of the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Programme under the Act; and correct a cross reference.

Reps: Intro. 16/2/06; Passed 1/3/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 2/3/06; Passed 27/3/06

SBC report 2/06 (tabled and adopted 1/3/06): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 29, 2006

Schools Assistance (Learning Together—€”Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2006

Amends the Schools Assistance (Learning Together—€”Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 to provide funding to States and Territories for government and non-government schools for 2009-2011.

Reps: Intro. 6/9/06; Passed 14/9/06

Senate: Intro. 9/10/06; Passed 19/10/06

SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 117, 2006

PS Senate Voters—€™ Choice (Preference Allocation) Bill 2004

(Introduced by Senator B Brown —€“ AG)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to enable voters at Senate elections to determine the order of their party preferences in above-the-line voting.

Senate: Intro. 9/12/04; 2nd reading adjourned 9/12/04

SBC report 1/05 (tabled and adopted 9/2/05): No reference

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Teaching Profession) Bill 2004

Amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to permit the provision of teaching scholarships to persons of one sex, in order to address the imbalance in the number of male and female teachers in schools.

Reps: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 12/5/05

Senate: Intro. 14/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 14/6/05

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

PS Sexuality and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Prohibits discrimination on the ground of sexuality, transgender identity or intersex status and makes consequential amendments to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.

Senate: Intro. 25/11/03; 2nd reading adjourned 25/11/03, 12/10/06

SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PS Sexuality Anti-Vilification Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Prohibits certain conduct involving the vilification and incitement to hatred of people on the ground of gender or sexuality.

Senate: Intro 27/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/03

SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

PM Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Amendment Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mrs Hull —€“ NATS)

Amends the Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997 in the event that the Snowy Hydro Company is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in relation to: limits on individual, corporate and foreign ownership; and corporate and operational provisions to be included in the company constitution.

Reps: Intro. 19/6/06; Read a 1st time 19/6/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Social Security and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and 9 other Acts to: remove anomalies; clarify the operation of certain provisions; make technical corrections and changes; and make technical amendments as a consequence of the commencement of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. Also repeals 7 redundant housing Acts.

Reps: Intro. 30/3/06; Passed 16/8/06

Senate: Intro. 16/8/06; Passed 14/9/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

Assent: 27/9/06; Act No. 108, 2006

Social Security and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (One-off Payments to Increase Assistance for Older Australians and Carers and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to provide one-off payments to certain older Australians and carers. Also provides for administrative schemes (to be determined by legislative instrument) for payments if the statutory one-off payments regime does not produce an appropriate result.

Reps: Intro. 10/5/06; Passed 10/5/06

Senate: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 11/5/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

Assent: 22/5/06; Act No. 41, 2006

PS Social Security (Helping Pensioners Hit by the Skills Shortage) Bill 2006

(Introduced by Senator Evans —€“ ALP)

Amends the Social Security Act 1991 to provide a discretion to extend the period in which sale proceeds from a pensioner—€™s principal home are not included in the assets test for pensioners whose new principal home construction has been unavoidably delayed.

Senate: Intro. 14/9/06; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/06

SBC report 11/06 (tabled and adopted 11/10/06): No reference

ED Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and Related Research Amendment Bill 2006

(Exposure draft tabled by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 and Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 to provide for: medical and scientific research using stem cells, including techniques such as somatic cell nuclear transfer; and development of techniques for the training, research and improvements in clinical practice in assisted reproductive technology.

Senate: Tabled 14/9/06

Reference: Community Affairs Committee considered exposure draft as part of its inquiry into legislative responses to the Lockhart review; interim report presented 27/10/06; final report presented 30/10/06 and tabled 6/11/06; corrigendum tabled 6/11/06

PS Spyware Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Greig —€“ AD)

Regulates the unauthorised installation of computer software; and provides for disclosure to computer users of software features that may pose a threat to user privacy.

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; 2nd reading adjourned 12/5/05

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): No reference

PS State Elections (One Vote, One Value) Bill 2001 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Murray —€“ AD)

Provides that the —€œone vote, one value—€ principle must be observed as closely as possible in state and territory elections.

Senate: Intro. 7/8/01; 2nd reading adjourned 7/8/01, 21/8/03

SBC report 15/01 (tabled and adopted 26/9/01): Deferred

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending

Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional References Committee 9/9/03; extension of time to report 28/10/03; interim report tabled 1/3/04; extension of time to report 1/3/04; report tabled 3/3/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04

S Statute Law Revision Bill (No. 2) 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Statute Law Revision Act 2006)

The bill: amends 33 Acts to correct minor technical and drafting errors and misdescribed amendments; and repeals 27 obsolete Acts that have no current or future operation.

Senate: Intro. 30/11/05; Passed 9/2/06

SBC report 15/05 (tabled and adopted 8/12/05): No reference

Reps: Intro. 13/2/06; Passed 1/3/06

Assent: 23/3/06; Act No. 9, 2006

S Statute Law Revision Bill (No. 2) 2006

The bill: amends 45 Acts to correct clerical and drafting errors; repeals 17 obsolete Acts and amends 6 Acts as a consequence of those repeals.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/06

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Student Assistance Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

(Act citation: Student Assistance Legislation Amendment Act 2006)

Amends the Student Assistance Act 1973 and Social Security Act 1991 to: clarify that a student cannot apply for assistance under the Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) after the commencement of this proposed Act; align the SFSS repayment thresholds and indexation with the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP); and apply the definition of taxable income used under the HELP arrangements to the SFSS. Also makes a minor technical amendment to the Student Assistance Act 1973 and consequential amendments to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Reps: Intro. 7/9/05; Passed 9/2/06

CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 27/2/06; Passed 10/5/06

SBC report 10/05 (tabled and adopted 14/9/05): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 14/9/05; extension of time to report 5/10/05; report tabled 13/10/05

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 22/5/06; Act No. 47, 2006

Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 6 bills in relation to reform of the superannuation system, the bill realigns the tax treatment of superannuation payments for persons departing Australia with the new superannuation taxation regime.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee 7/12/06; report due 6/2/07

Superannuation (Excess Concessional Contributions Tax) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 6 bills in relation to reform of the superannuation system, the bill imposes excess concessional contributions tax to give effect to the limit on concessional contributions to superannuation.

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee 7/12/06; report due 6/2/07

Superannuation (Excess Non-concessional Contributions Tax) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 6 bills in relation to reform of the superannuation system, the bill imposes excess non-concessional contributions tax to give effect to the limit on non-concessional contributions to superannuation.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee 7/12/06; report due 6/2/07

Superannuation (Excess Untaxed Roll-over Amounts Tax) Bill 2006

Part of a package of 6 bills in relation to reform of the superannuation system, the bill imposes the top marginal tax rate (plus Medicare levy) on lump sum payments in excess of $1 million made from untaxed superannuation schemes.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee 7/12/06; report due 6/2/07

Superannuation (Self Managed Superannuation Funds) Supervisory Levy Amendment Bill 2006

Part of a package of 6 bills in relation to reform of the superannuation system, the bill amends the Superannuation (Self Managed Superannuation Funds) Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1991 to repeal the current penalty for the late lodgment of a self-managed superannuation fund—€™s regulatory return, enabling a single annual return to be lodged covering both the supervisory levy and income tax liability.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee 7/12/06; report due 6/2/07

Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2004

(Act citation: Superannuation Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2006)

Amends the Superannuation Act 1976 and the Rules for the Administration of the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) in respect of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) and the PSS in relation to the superannuation salary for secretaries of departments and certain other Australian Government office holders. Also validates past determinations of superannuation salary for such scheme members and ensures that no benefit already paid will be reduced by this validation.

Reps: Intro. 17/11/04; Passed 1/12/04

Senate: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 10/5/06

SBC report 12/04 (tabled and adopted 1/12/04): No reference

Assent: 29/5/06; Act No. 48, 2006

Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Superannuation Safety and Other Measures) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Superannuation Safety and Other Measures) Act 2006)

Amends the Superannuation Act 1976, Superannuation Act 1990 and Superannuation Act 2005 to: provide for the application to the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) Board of the new fitness and propriety operating standard under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993; reduce the reliance on acting members of the CSS Board, and for the use of proxies at Board meetings; allow the CSS and Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) Boards to delegate certain functions to their staff; and broaden the type of information that can be provided to members via their employers; and Superannuation Act 1976 to: allow negative crediting rates to be applied to CSS member accounts; validate the payment of incorrect benefits to certain members of the CSS; and allow for debt recovery by set-off against benefits payable.

Reps: Intro. 23/6/05; Passed 17/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; Passed 14/9/06

SBC report 8/05 (tabled and adopted 17/8/05): No reference

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 2 Dem/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 11/10/06]

Assent: 23/10/06; Act No. 112, 2006

S Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review), the bill amends the Superannuation Act 1976, Superannuation Act 1990, Superannuation Act 2005 and the proposed Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Superannuation Safety and Other Measures) Act 2006 to consolidate in one entity (the Australian Reward Investment Alliance), and revise, the governance arrangements for the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme, the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme and the Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan, with effect from 1 July 2006. Also amends the Superannuation Act 1976 to correct misdirected amendments made by the Superannuation Legislation (Commonwealth Employment) Repeal and Amendment Act (No. 1) 2003.

Senate: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 10/5/06

SBC report 3/06 (tabled and adopted 30/3/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived

Reps: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 29/5/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 9/6/06; Act No. 51, 2006

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 6) Bill 2005

(Act citation: Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 6) Act 2006)

Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: clarify the operation of the consolidation regime; clarify that certain not-for-profit organisations are not subject to tax on mutual receipts; ensure continued child care tax offset eligibility for parents who work less than 15 hours a week; update the list of deductible gift recipients (DGR); and extend the period for which deductions are allowed for gifts to a certain fund that has time-limited DGR status; and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to exclude cosmetic procedures from the medical expenses offset.

Reps: Intro. 7/12/05; Passed 27/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 28/2/06; Passed 1/3/06

SBC report 1/06 (tabled and adopted 8/2/06): No reference

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 Dem/negatived

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 1) Bill 2006

Amends the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide foreign source income tax exemptions for temporary residents; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to: allow deductions for certain business capital expenses and certain lease and licence-related payments; and amend the cost base for capital gains tax assets and cost rules for uniform capital allowances assets; Taxation Administration Act 1953 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: introduce a civil penalty regime to deter the promotion of tax avoidance and tax evasion schemes and the implementation of schemes in a materially different way to the relevant taxation product ruling; and provide for injunctions to stop promotion of schemes and enforcement of voluntary undertakings; and A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 in relation to: goods and services tax (GST) and vouchers, including clarification that prepaid phone card products are —€œeligible vouchers—€ for the purposes of the Act; and GST attribution rules.

Reps: Intro. 16/2/06; Passed 28/3/06

CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 28/3/06; Passed 28/3/06

SBC report 2/06 (tabled and adopted 1/3/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 Dem/negatived

Assent: 6/4/06; Act No. 32, 2006

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 2) Bill 2006

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: exempt from income tax ex-gratia lump sum payments made to certain F-111 aircraft maintenance personnel; update the list of deductible gift recipients; extend the scope of what is considered to be a compulsory acquisition for capital gains tax and uniform capital allowance purposes; and rewrite the tax offsets priority rules; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 in relation to: capital gains tax treatment of options; and franking deficit tax offset; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 in relation to choice of superannuation fund for employees of constitutional corporations; and 27 Acts to make technical corrections and minor amendments, including removing duplicated definitions, correcting asterisked defined terms, correcting numbering and referencing, updating outdated guide material and correcting typographical and drafting errors.

Reps: Intro. 29/3/06; Passed 25/5/06

Senate: Intro. 13/6/06; Passed 15/6/06

SBC report 4/06 (tabled and adopted 11/5/06): No reference

Assent: 22/6/06; Act No. 58, 2006

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 3) Bill 2006

Introduced with the New Business Tax System (Untainting Tax) Bill 2006, the bill amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to extend eligibility for the beneficiary tax offset to farmers and small business owners in receipt of Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Monica income support payments, and to drought affected taxpayers in receipt of interim income support payments; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to ensure that a company—€™s share capital account will become tainted if it transfers certain amounts to that account; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: disregard for capital gains tax purposes any capital gain or capital loss resulting from government expense-reimbursing financial assistance; and establish five new deductible gift recipient categories; 6 Acts to provide an offset in respect of Medicare levy surcharge liability for taxpayers receiving an eligible lump sum payment in arrears; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to require superannuation providers to report details of superannuation contributions to the Australian Taxation Office; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to exclude from reporting, fringe benefits provided to address certain employee personal security concerns; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to prevent inappropriate use of pre-1 July 1988 superannuation funding credits; A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to allow certain funds that raise money for other deductible gift recipients to obtain an Australian Business Number; A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to clarify goods and services tax charity and charitable retirement village concessions; and ensure that supplies of certain types of real property remain input taxed; Tax Laws Amendment (Improvements to Self Assessment) Act (No. 2) 2005 to clarify that the reduced 4 year amendment period for income tax assessments involving tax avoidance applies from the 2004-05 financial year; and A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 to increase the maximum amount of wine equalisation tax producer rebate claimable by a wine producer each financial year. Also provides tax-free status for certain payments to businesses adversely affected by Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Monica.

Reps: Intro. 25/5/06; Passed 14/6/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 8 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; Passed 22/6/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 14/6/06; report presented 21/6/06 and tabled 22/6/06

Assent: 30/6/06; Act No. 80, 2006

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 4) Bill 2006

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to extend the marriage breakdown capital gains tax (CGT) roll-over to assets transferred under a binding financial agreement or an arbitral award; Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to clarify the interaction of the consolidation regime with the demerger rules; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to amend the simplified imputation system to ensure that Australian companies receive franking credits attached to non-assessable non-exempt distributions from New Zealand companies; and Financial Corporations (Transfer of Assets and Liabilities) Act 1993, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 in relation to the CGT treatment of foreign residents.

Reps: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 9/10/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 2 Ind (Katter)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 16/10/06; Passed 6/12/06

Reps: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 17/3/05

Senate: Intro. 11/5/05; Passed 24/6/05 a.m.

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 16/3/05; report presented 11/5/05 and tabled 12/5/05

Committee amendments: 14 Opp/passed

[Reps reported message 9/8/05]

PM Telemarketing (Protection of Privacy Rights of Residential Telephone Subscribers) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Ms Burke —€“ ALP)

The bill: establishes a national register of residential telephone subscribers who request not to receive telephone solicitations; prohibits certain telephone solicitations; and provides for a civil penalty regime.

Reps: Intro. 31/10/05; Read a 1st time 31/10/05; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

Removed from Notice Paper 20/6/06

Television Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2006

Consequential on the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2006, the bill amends the Television Licence Fees Act 1964 to ensure that all revenue derived by a commercial television broadcasting licensee from the provision of multiple digital services will be included for the purposes of the calculating the television licence fee.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/06; Passed 10/10/06

Senate: Intro. 11/10/06; Passed 12/10/06

SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee 14/9/06; report due 5/10/06; order varied 14/9/06: report presented 6/10/06 and tabled 9/10/06

Committee amendments: 3 Dem/negatived

Assent: 4/11/06; Act No. 123, 2006

PS Textbook Subsidy Bill 2003 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Extends the Educational Textbook Subsidy Scheme beyond 30 June 2004 (when it is due to lapse).

Senate: Intro. 18/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 18/6/03

SBC report 7/03 (tabled and adopted 25/6/03): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill 2005

(Act citation: Therapeutic Goods Amendment Act (No. 1) 2006)

Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to provide the Therapeutic Goods Administration with additional sanctions and enforcement options for dealing with suppliers and manufacturers who fail to comply with regulatory requirements including product and manufacturing standards, including: introduction of a tiered offence regime and civil penalties for breaches; providing for infringement notices, enforceable undertakings and strict liability offences; and extending territorial jurisdiction in certain circumstances. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medical Devices) Act 2002.

Reps: Intro. 17/8/05; Passed 9/11/05

CID amendments: 6 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 28/11/05; Passed 29/3/06

SBC report 9/05 (tabled 7/9/05; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 7/9/05): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 7/9/05; extension of time to report 13/10/05; report tabled 7/11/05

Assent: 3/5/06; Act No. 39, 2006

Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2005

(Act citation: Therapeutic Goods Amendment Act (No. 2) 2006)

Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to narrow the circumstances in which patent certification is required by applicants seeking to list or register a therapeutic good on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

Reps: Intro. 14/9/05; Passed 13/10/05

Senate: Intro. 7/11/05; Passed 9/2/06

SBC report 11/05 (tabled and adopted 5/10/05): No reference

Assent: 1/3/06; Act No. 2, 2006

Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2006

Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to allow manufacturers of medicines, blood and tissues to apply for a manufacturing licence electronically using the Therapeutic Goods Administration—€™s e-business system.

Reps: Intro. 11/5/06; Passed 10/8/06

Senate: Intro. 14/8/06; Passed 17/8/06

SBC report 5/06 (tabled and adopted 14/6/06): No reference

Assent: 5/9/06; Act No. 96, 2006

PS Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005 [2006]

(Act citation: Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Act 2006)

(Introduced by Senator Nash —€“ NATS, Senator Troeth —€“ LP, Senator Allison —€“ AD and Senator Moore —€“ ALP)

Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to transfer the responsibility for regulatory approval of RU486 from the Minister for Health and Ageing to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Senate: Intro. 8/12/05; Passed 9/2/06

Reference: Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 8/12/05; report tabled 8/2/06

Committee amendments: 7 Barnett-Humphries/negatived; 1 Colbeck-Scullion/negatived; 7 items opposed/items agreed to

Reps: Intro. 13/2/06; Passed 16/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 J. Kelly/negatived

CID amendments: 4 Laming/negatived

Assent: 3/3/06; Act No. 5, 2006

S Trade Marks Amendment Bill 2006

In response to a recent review by IP Australia, the bill amends the Trade Marks Act 1995 to clarify the operation of the Act to: increase the certainty of trade mark rights issued; improve the administration and transparency of the trade mark system; and align the Act with other intellectual property legislation.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/06; Passed 17/8/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference

Reps: Intro. 4/9/06; Passed 12/10/06

Assent: 23/10/06; Act No. 114, 2006

PM Trade Practices Amendment (Collective Bargaining for Small Business) Bill 2005

(Introduced by Mr Fitzgibbon —€“ ALP)

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to implement a new scheme for the authorisation process for collective bargaining for small business.

Reps: Intro. 12/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 28/11/05

Removed from Notice Paper 5/9/06

Trade Practices Amendment (National Access Regime) Bill 2006

(Previous title: Trade Practices Amendment (National Access Regime) Bill 2005)

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to regulation of access to strategic infrastructure services.

Reps: Intro. 2/6/05; Passed 9/2/06

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 4 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 28/2/06; Passed 10/8/06

SBC report 5/05 (tabled and adopted 15/6/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 15/6/05; extension of time to report 5/9/05; report tabled 8/9/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 18/8/06; Act No. 92, 2006

Trade Practices Amendment (Personal Injuries and Death) Bill 2004

(Act citation: Trade Practices Amendment (Personal Injuries and Death) Act 2006)

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to prevent individuals, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in a representative capacity, from bringing actions for damages for personal injuries or death resulting from contraventions of Division 1 of Part V of the Act, which prohibits unfair practices in trade and commerce, including misleading and deceptive conduct.

Reps: Intro. 9/12/04; Passed 14/9/05

Senate: Intro. 15/9/05; Passed 27/2/06

SBC report 8/05 (tabled and adopted 17/8/05): No reference

Committee amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 23/3/06; Act No. 11, 2006

Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2005

(Act citation: Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2006)

Implements the recommendations of the Dawson Review into competition policy by amending the Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to: merger clearances and authorisations; non-merger authorisations; collective bargaining; exclusionary provisions; price fixing provisions; dual listed companies; third line forcing and exclusive dealing; enforcement; penalties and indemnities; local government bodies; and functions and powers under the Competition Code. Also amends the: Corporations Act 2001 and Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to disqualification from managing corporations; and Gas Pipelines Access (Commonwealth) Act 1998 to amend an incorrect cross-reference.

Reps: Intro. 17/2/05; Passed 10/3/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 10/3/05; Passed 11/10/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 9/3/05; report tabled 16/3/05

Committee amendments: 50 Govt/passed; 1 Schedule/negatived; 1 section/negatived; 16 items negatived; 3 Opp/negatived; 6 Dem/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to; 2 sections opposed/sections agreed to

[Reps disagreed to Senate amendment no. 1 and agreed to 49 Government amendments in its place, agreed to Senate amendments nos 2 to 6, and agreed to 9 further Govt amendments (3 Opp/negatived; 6 Opp/ruled out of order) 18/10/06; Senate did not insist on its amendment no. 1, agreed to the amendments made by Reps; and made 7 further FFP amendments (8 Joyce/negatived) 19/10/06; Reps agreed to Senate further amendments 19/10/06]

Assent: 6/11/06; Act No. 131, 2006

PM Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill 2006

(Introduced by Mr Katter —€“ Ind)

Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to: non-merger authorisations; collective bargaining; exclusionary provisions; price fixing provisions; dual listed companies; exclusive dealing; enforcement; penalties and indemnities; local government bodies; and functions and powers under the Competition Code. Also amends the: Corporations Act 2001 and Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to disqualification from managing corporations; and Gas Pipelines Access (Commonwealth) Act 1998 to amend an incorrect cross-reference.

Reps: Intro. 19/6/06; Read a 1st time 19/6/06; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting

PS Transparent Advertising and Notification of Pregnancy Counselling Services Bill 2005

(Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Prohibits misleading or deceptive advertising or notification of pregnancy counselling services.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/05

SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference

PS Truth in Food Labelling Bill 2003 [2005]

R (Introduced by Senator B Brown —€“ AG)

Provides for a food labelling system in Australia which will require the labelling of all genetically modified foods and not just those foods that still have detectable levels of genetically modified protein or DNA left after processing.

Senate: Intro. 13/10/03; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/03, 15/9/05

SBC report 14/03 (tabled and adopted 29/10/03): Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 29/10/03; extension of time to report 11/3/04; report due 1/4/04; report tabled 24/3/04

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 11/8/05

PS Uranium Mining in or near Australian World Heritage Properties (Prohibition)
R Bill 1998 [2004]

(Introduced by Senator Allison —€“ AD)

To prohibit the mining, extraction, treatment and transport of any uranium or uranium ore in or near any property in Australia on the World Heritage List.

Senate: Intro. 28/5/98; 2nd reading adjourned 28/5/98

SBC report 8/98 (tabled and adopted 24/6/98): No reference

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 11/12/02, 17/11/04

Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Statements of Principles and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Reps: Intro. 6/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/06

Senate:

SBC report 16/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Deferred

S Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006

Amends the Wheat Marketing Act 1989 to transfer, until 30 June 2007, the veto power for bulk wheat export applications from AWB (International) Ltd to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/06; Passed 7/12/06

SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): No reference

Committee amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Reps: Intro. 7/12/06; Passed 7/12/06

CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived; 1 Ind (Windsor)/negatived

Assent: 8/12/06; Act No. 157, 2006

Workplace Relations Amendment (Better Bargaining) Bill 2005

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 in relation to: industrial action before the expiration of an agreement; cooling-off periods; third party suspensions; protected and unprotected industrial action; and pattern bargaining.

Reps: Intro. 9/3/05; Passed 7/9/05

CID amendments: 4 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 12/9/05; 2nd reading adjourned 12/9/05

SBC report 3/05 (tabled and adopted 16/3/05): No reference

Discharged from Notice Paper 30/3/06

Workplace Relations Amendment (Extended Prohibition of Compulsory Union Fees) Bill 2005

Amends the freedom of association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to extend the prohibition on bargaining services fee clauses to State employment agreements to which a constitutional corporation is a party.

Reps: Intro. 9/2/05; Passed 11/5/05

Senate: Intro. 12/5/05; 2nd reading adjourned 12/5/05

SBC report 2/05 (tabled and adopted 9/3/05): No reference

Discharged from Notice Paper 30/3/06

Workplace Relations Amendment (Fair Dismissal Reform) Bill 2004

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: exempt small businesses from the unfair dismissal provisions (except in relation to apprentices and trainees); and require the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to order that an unfair dismissal application is invalid if it relates to a small business employer.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; 2nd reading adjourned 2/12/04, 10/2/05, 14/2/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending

Discharged from Notice Paper 28/2/06

Senate:

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): No reference

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee 17/3/05; extension of time to report 14/6/05; report tabled 21/6/05

PS Workplace Relations Amendment (Paid Maternity Leave) Bill 2002 [2004]

R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja —€“ AD)

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to provide for a system of paid maternity leave, including provision for a Government-funded basic maternity payment, for employees not employed by Commonwealth, State or Territory governments; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to provide that women who receive this new maternity payment will be ineligible for the existing maternity allowance and maternity immunisation allowance.

Senate: Intro. 16/5/02; 2nd reading adjourned 16/5/02, 11/3/04

SBC report 4/02 (tabled and adopted 19/6/02): Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 19/6/02; report tabled 18/9/02

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04

Workplace Relations Amendment (Right of Entry) Bill 2004

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: establish a framework for the right of entry system which will clearly set out parties—€™ rights and responsibilities; and enable the Commonwealth to override the operation of State right of entry laws or industrial instruments within constitutional limits.

Reps: Intro. 2/12/04; Passed 14/3/05

Senate: Intro. 15/3/05; 2nd reading adjourned 15/3/05, 10/5/05

SBC report 14/04 (tabled and adopted 8/12/04): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 8/12/04; extension of time to report 7/3/05; report tabled 14/3/05

Discharged from Notice Paper 30/3/06

Workplace Relations Amendment (Small Business Employment Protection) Bill 2005

(Previous title: Workplace Relations Amendment (Small Business Employment Protection) Bill 2004)

Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to restore the exemption for small business from redundancy payments by overturning the 2004 decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to impose redundancy pay obligations on small businesses.

Reps: Intro. 8/12/04; Passed 17/8/05

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 18/8/05; 2nd reading adjourned 18/8/05

Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 9/12/04; report tabled 14/3/05

Discharged from Notice Paper 30/3/06

Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Independent Contractors) Bill 2006

Introduced with the Independent Contractors Bill 2006 to protect the status of independent contractors, the bill amends the: Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: provide civil penalties for sham contracting arrangements; protect redundancy entitlements; provide for stand downs; make changes to the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard; and Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 and Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: repeal redundant provisions in relation to unfair contracts as a consequence of the proposed national services contract review scheme contained in the Independent Contractors Bill 2006; allow proceedings to be initiated in relation to sham contracting arrangements; and makes technical amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005.

Reps: Intro. 22/6/06; Passed 13/9/06

Senate: Intro. 13/9/06; Passed 1/12/06

SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 22/6/06; report presented 25/8/06 and tabled 4/9/06

Committee amendments: 12 Govt/passed; 1 item negatived; 8 Dem/negatived

[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 4/12/06]

Assent: 11/12/06; Act No. 163, 2006