AS AT 12 OCTOBER 2004
This is a final list of all bills considered by the Parliament for the 2004 calendar year to prorogation of the 40th Parliament
Abbreviations
AD Australian Democrats [Dem]
AG Australian Greens
ALP Australian Labor Party [Opp]
APA Australian Progressive Alliance
Ind Independent
LP Liberal Party of Australia [Govt]
NATS The Nationals [Govt]
PHON Pauline Hanson—s One Nation
CID Consideration in Detail stage (House of Representatives)
PM Private Member—s bill
PS Private Senator—s bill
R Restored to Notice Paper
S Senate bill
SBC Selection of Bills Committee
A New Tax System (Commonwealth-State Financial Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: A New Tax System (Commonwealth-State Financial Arrangements) Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the A New Tax System (Commonwealth-State Financial Arrangements) Act 1999 in relation to: accounting by the Commissioner of Taxation for all Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds; the timing of final determinations; and introduction of a mechanism for residual Budget Balancing Assistance adjustments for GST transitional years. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 19/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 9/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/3/04; Act No. 21, 2004
PS ABC Amendment (Online and Multichannelling Services) Bill 2001 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Bourne — AD)
Amends the: Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 in relation to the provision of online and multichannelling services; and Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to enable the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Special Broadcasting Service Corporation to provide unrestricted multichannelling services.
Senate: Intro. 3/4/01; 2nd reading adjourned 3/4/01
SBC report 7/01 (tabled and adopted 23/5/01): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02
PM Abolition of the Gold Travel Pass for Former Politicians (Reflecting Community Standards) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Organ — AG)
The bill: abolishes the entitlement of former members of Parliament to severance travel and to a Life Gold Pass; provides for limited travel and other entitlements in certain circumstances; and provides for the transfer of certain frequent flyer points to the Commonwealth upon a member—s death or retirement. Repeals the Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) Act 2002 and contains transitional provisions and a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 18/8/03; Read a 1st time 18/8/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 9/3/04
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 to abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC); and make consequential amendments arising from its abolition, including: the transfer of ATSIC—s assets and liabilities to other agencies, the establishment of a new housing fund to be administered by Indigenous Business Australia, and modification of the role of the Office of Evaluation and Audit; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2004 to: abolish regional councils; and make consequential amendments. Also contains transitional and saving provisions and makes consequential amendments to 11 other Acts.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 2/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Select Committee on the Administration of Indigenous Affairs 16/6/04; report due 31/10/04; interim report presented 31/8/04
Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 to reform the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), particularly in relation to: AAT procedures; removal of restrictions on the constitution of the AAT for particular hearings; increased powers for ordinary members; role of the Federal Court; and expanded qualification requirements for appointment as President. Also makes consequential and related amendments to 18 other Acts and contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
PM Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment (Review of Decisions) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Mr Rudd — ALP)
Amends the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 to clarify the capacity of a member of a parliament or a legislative assembly to apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of a decision, on behalf of their local community.
Reps: Intro. 9/8/04; Read a 1st time 9/8/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Age Discrimination Bill 2003
(Act citation: Age Discrimination Act 2004)
Introduced with the Age Discrimination (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2003, the bill prohibits age discrimination in key areas such as employment, education, access to premises and to goods, services and facilities, provision of accommodation, land dealings, and administration of Commonwealth laws and programs, whilst exempting legitimate differential treatment in areas such as superannuation, taxation, health, social security and migration. Also confers related functions on the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 26/11/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 5 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 1/12/03; Passed 29/3/04
SBC report 8/03 (tabled and adopted 13/8/03): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 13/8/03; report tabled 18/9/03
Committee amendments: 4 Opp/passed; 4 Dem/passed; 1 clause negatived; 3 Dem/negatived; 1 clause opposed/clause agreed to
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 26/5/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments 15/6/04]
Assent: 22/6/04; Act No. 68, 2004
Age Discrimination (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Age Discrimination (Consequential Provisions) Act 2004)
Introduced with the Age Discrimination Bill 2003, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986, Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986, Sea Installations Act 1987 and Workplace Relations Act 1996. Also makes amendments consequential on the proposed Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Act 2003 to the proposed Age Discrimination Act 2003, Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986, Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and Sex Discrimination Act 1984.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 26/11/03
Senate: Intro. 1/12/03; Passed 29/3/04
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 40, 2004
Aged Care Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Aged Care Act 1997 to: remove the requirement for an aged care reassessment when residents move from low to high care within the same aged care residence; and remove the 5-year limit on payment of accommodation charges thereby allowing providers to levy an accommodation charge for the entire period that a liable person lives in the same aged care residence. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 2/6/04; Passed 15/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/04; Passed 21/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Committee amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Assent: 25/6/04; Act No. 82, 2004
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Amendment Bill 2004
Introduced with the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Amendment (Rotterdam Convention) Bill 2004, the bill amends the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 in relation to: the management of pesticides under consideration by the international community because of particular human health or environmental concerns; regulation-making powers including to enable the collection of prescribed information about prescribed chemicals; and offence and penalty provisions for failure to comply with national control mechanisms.
Reps: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 18/2/04
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 4/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 11/3/04; Act No. 12, 2004
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Name Change) Bill 2004
Amends: 5 Acts to reflect the name change of the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA); and the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 to protect the APVMA—s name and logo from inappropriate use.
Reps: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 12/5/04
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 79, 2004
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003
(Act citation: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004)
(Previous title: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2002)
Amends the Quarantine Act 1908 to: extend the application of the Act to Christmas Island; improve arrangements for the payment of fees; broaden the range of persons who may be appointed as quarantine officers; and make clarifying amendments; Imported Food Control Act 1992 to: insert an objective into the Act; provide for the use of agreements; and allow for the importation of food that does not meet applicable labelling standards, but create an offence if that food is sold by the importer without corrected labelling; and Pig Industry Act 2001 and Wool Services Privatisation Act 2000 to allow Australian Pork Limited and Australian Wool Innovation Limited to carry forward research and development expenditure eligible for Commonwealth matching contributions from one financial year to the next.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/02; Passed 2/12/03
CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 1/3/04
SBC report 4/02 (tabled and adopted 19/6/02): No reference
SBC report 8/02 (tabled and adopted 18/9/02): Order varied — Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 18/9/02; extension of time to report 11/11/02; report tabled 12/11/02
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed; 12 items negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments and agreed to 10 Govt amendments in place of those amendments 30/3/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments disagreed to by Reps and agreed to Reps amendments with 3 Opp amendments to amendments nos 6, 7 and 8, 1/4/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendments to its amendments nos 6, 7 and 8, 1/4/04]
Assent: 27/4/04; Act No. 54, 2004
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2004
Amends the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997, Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 and Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 to allow (in addition to the current arrangements) for more than one industry organisation representing live-stock exporters to be determined as a marketing body and as a research body for the purpose of receiving revenue derived from compulsory levies and charges. Also makes technical corrections to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2003 and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 12/8/04
Senate: Intro. 30/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 30/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 4/8/04; report presented 2/9/04
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment (Export Control) Bill 2004
Amends the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 and Export Control Act 1982 to increase regulation of the live animal export trade, by: providing for formulation of an Australian Code for the Export of Live-stock; increased integration of export licence and permit systems; legislatively based accreditation of veterinarians for purposes of approved export programs; and new offences in relation to the veterinarians— accreditation scheme.
Reps: Intro. 2/6/04; Passed 16/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report tabled 21/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Committee amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 3 AG/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 24/6/04]
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 97, 2004
PS Air Navigation Amendment (Extension of Curfew and Limitation of Aircraft
R Movements) Bill 1995 [2002]
(Introduced by Senator Bourne — AD)
Amends the Air Navigation Act 1920 and the Air Navigation (Aerodrome Curfew) Regulations to extend the Kingsford-Smith Airport curfew and to freeze the rate of aircraft movement while a Commission of Inquiry is conducted under the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974.
Senate: Intro. 27/3/95; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/95
SBC report 11/95 (tabled and adopted 15/11/95): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 1/5/96, 23/11/98, 13/2/02
PS Anti-Genocide Bill 1999 [2002]
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 due 30/6/00; 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
Anti-terrorism Bill 2004
Revises Australia—s counter-terrorism framework by amending the: Crimes Act 1914 to: extend fixed investigation periods for investigations into suspected terrorism offences; and permit law enforcement agencies to suspend or delay questioning a suspect to make overseas inquiries; Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978 in relation to foreign incursions offences; Criminal Code Act 1995 in relation to: terrorist organisation membership offences; and offences of providing training to or receiving training from a terrorist organisation; and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in relation to commercial exploitation by persons who have committed foreign indictable offences. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 31/3/04; Passed 13/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 18/6/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 31/3/04; report tabled 11/5/04
Committee amendments: 7 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 2 items negatived; 2 Dem/negatived; 7 AG/negatived; 1 item opposed/item agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1 to 8 and disagreed to amendments nos 9 and 10, 22/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments nos 9 and 10, 25/6/04]
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 104, 2004
Anti-terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2004
Revises Australia—s counter-terrorism framework by amending the: Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert a new offence relating to association with a terrorist organisation; Transfer of Prisoners Act 1983 to provide for the transfer of prisoners between State and Territory prisons for security reasons; and Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to make decisions of the Attorney-General made on security grounds exempt from the application of the Act. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 17/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
CID amendments: 7 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 3/8/04; Passed 13/8/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled and adopted 23/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 23/6/04; extension of time to report 5/8/04; report presented 6/8/04 and tabled 9/8/04
Committee amendments: 4 Govt/passed; 3 Dem/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 13/8/04]
Assent: 16/8/04; Act No. 124, 2004
Anti-terrorism Bill (No. 3) 2004
Revises Australia—s counter-terrorism framework by amending the: Passports Act 1938 to give authorities certain powers to demand, confiscate and seize foreign passports; Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 to give the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation powers to demand the surrender of Australian and foreign passports in certain circumstances; and Crimes Act 1914 to facilitate effective disaster victim identification and criminal investigation in the event of a mass casualty incident within Australia. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 4/8/04
Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; Passed 13/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 2 Schedules opposed/Schedules agreed to
Assent: 16/8/04; Act No. 125, 2004
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2003-2004
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2003-2004, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2004.
Reps: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 4/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 8/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 37, 2004
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2003-2004
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2003-2004, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2004.
Reps: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 4/3/04
Senate: Intro. 8/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 38, 2004
Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2003-2004
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2003-2004 and Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2003-2004, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2004.
Reps: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 21/6/04
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Assent: 25/6/04; Act No. 85, 2004
Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2003-2004
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sums appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2003-2004 and Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2003-2004, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2004.
Reps: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 21/6/04
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Assent: 25/6/04; Act No. 86, 2004
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2004-2005
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for service of the year ending on 30 June 2005.
Reps: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 21/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Committee requests: 4 Dem/negatived
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 88, 2004
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2004-2005
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2005.
Reps: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 21/6/04
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Committee amendment: 1 Dem-Opp/passed
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendment 25/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendment 25/6/04]
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 89, 2004
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2003-2004
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1) 2003-2004, for expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2004.
Reps: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 4/3/04
Senate: Intro. 8/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 39, 2004
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2004-2005
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 2005.
Reps: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 21/6/04
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 90, 2004
PS Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 1999 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Bourne — AD)
Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to establish a parliamentary joint committee on the ABC to: approve appointments to the ABC Board; examine the ABC annual report; and review and make recommendations in relation to its annual appropriation.
Senate: Intro. 25/3/99; 2nd reading adjourned 25/3/99
SBC report 5/99 (tabled and adopted 31/3/99): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02
PS Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Scrutiny of Board Appointments) Amendment Bill 2002
(Introduced by Senator Bourne — AD)
Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to: provide for scrutiny of appointments to the ABC Board; and improve public visibility of the Board—s activities and decisions.
Senate: Intro. 15/5/02; 2nd reading adjourned 15/5/02
SBC report 11/02 (tabled and adopted 23/10/02): No reference
PM Australian Citizenship for Eligible De facto Spouses Bill 2003
(Introduced by Ms Plibersek — ALP)
Amends the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 to ensure that the ministerial discretion to waive residence requirements for married couples when applying for Australian citizenship also applies to de facto couples.
Reps: Intro. 18/8/03; Read a 1st time 18/8/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 9/3/04
S Australian Crime Commission Amendment Bill 2003 [2004]
(Act citation: Australian Crime Commission Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the: Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 to facilitate the transition from the National Crime Authority to the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) by addressing transitional and other issues which have arisen since the establishment of the ACC on 1 January 2003; Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to exempt certain decisions from being subject to requests for statements of reasons; and Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 to allow disclosure of certain information and documents to the ACC.
Senate: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 4/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Reps: Intro. 8/3/04; Passed 24/3/04
Assent: 2/4/04; Act No. 30, 2004
PM Australian Design Rule Amendment Bill 2004
(Introduced by Mr Wilkie — ALP)
Amends the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 to ensure that passenger motor vehicles are fitted with a spare wheel and tyre of similar design specifications to the standard wheels and tyres fitted to the vehicle, in order to meet Australian standards.
Reps: Intro. 21/6/04; Read a 1st time 21/6/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Australian Energy Market Bill 2004
Introduced with the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Energy Market) Bill 2004 and in accordance with the intergovernmental Australian Energy Market Agreement, the bill applies the National Electricity Law, the National Electricity Code and other Rules and regulations, as Commonwealth law in offshore areas, to complement their application by the States and the Australian Capital Territory. Also allows regulations to prescribe further State and Territory energy laws to be applied in the offshore areas.
Reps: Intro. 17/6/04; Passed 22/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled and adopted 23/6/04): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendments: 1 Dem/negatived; 2 AG/negatived
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 99, 2004
S Australian Federal Police and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
(Previous title: Australian Federal Police and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2003)
Amends the: Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to complete the integration of the Australian Protective Service into the Australian Federal Police (AFP); and Australian Federal Police Act 1979 and Crimes Act 1914 to enable the AFP to investigate State offences which have a federal aspect. Also makes consequential amendments to 11 other Acts, repeals the Australian Protective Service Act 1987 and contains transitional and application provisions.
Senate: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 12/5/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 11/2/04; report tabled 23/3/04
Committee amendments: 45 Govt/passed; 1 Dem/passed
Reps: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 31/5/04
CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed
[Senate agreed to Reps amendment 15/6/04]
Assent: 22/6/04; Act No. 64, 2004
Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Bill 2003
Provides for the restructure of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (including abolition of the positions of Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Race Discrimination Commissioner and Sex Discrimination Commissioner) and the Commission—s renaming as the Australian Human Rights Commission. Also provides for: greater focus on education, dissemination of information on human rights and assistance to business and the community; prior approval of, or notification to, the Attorney-General of proposed interventions in court proceedings by the Commission; removal of power to recommend payment of damages or compensation in certain circumstances; appointment of part-time complaints commissioners; abolition of the Community Relations Council and advisory councils; removal of powers of delegation from the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and consolidation into one delegation provision; and includes application and transitional provisions. Amends five Acts including the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 and makes consequential amendments to 13 other Acts.
Reps: Intro. 27/3/03; Passed 27/6/03 a.m.
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/8/03; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/03
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 27/3/03; report presented 29/5/03 and tabled 16/6/03; erratum presented 2/6/03 and tabled 16/6/03
Australian Institute of Marine Science Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Australian Institute of Marine Science Act 1972 to: expand the Council of the Institute of Marine Science from 6 to 7 members, the additional part-time member being nominated by James Cook University; and change the title of the principal executive officer of the Institute from Director to Chief Executive.
Reps: Intro. 3/6/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/6/04
Senate:
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Australian Passports (Application Fees) Bill 2004
Part of a package of three bills to establish a new framework for the operation of Australia—s passport system, the bill imposes, as taxes, application fees in relation to passports and other travel-related documents. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 4/8/04
Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 4/8/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): No reference
Australian Passports Bill 2004
Part of a package of three bills to establish a new framework for the operation of Australia—s passport system, the bill replaces the Passports Act 1938, particularly dealing with: entitlement of Australians to a passport; retention of the administrative review regime; increased penalties for fraud; measures to minimise the impact of lost and stolen passports; and measures for refusal or cancellation of passports on certain law enforcement grounds. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 4/8/04
Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 4/8/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): No reference
Australian Passports (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2004
Part of a package of three bills to establish a new framework for the operation of Australia—s passport system, the bill: repeals all provisions relating to Australian passports or travel-related documents from the Passports Act 1938 and renames it the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2004. Also makes consequential amendments to 6 Acts, including the Passports Act 1938, and contains transitional provisions, including a regulation-making power, to ensure the continuing validity of travel documents, continued application of the Passports Act 1938 to pending proceedings and reviews, and application of the proposed Australian Passports Act 2004 to pending applications.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 4/8/04
Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 4/8/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): No reference
Australian Sports Drug Agency Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Australian Sports Drug Agency Act 1990 to enable the Australian Sports Drug Agency and Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee to perform particular functions required as a result of the introduction of the World Anti-Doping Code. Also contains transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 10/3/04
Senate: Intro. 11/3/04; Passed 11/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 25/3/04; Act No. 24, 2004
Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004
Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the authorised deposit-taking institutions supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
Authorised Non-operating Holding Companies Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004
Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Authorised Non-operating Holding Companies Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: extend the authorised non-operating holding companies levy to authorised non-operating holding companies in the general insurance sector, in addition to those in the authorised deposit-taking institutions sector; increase the statutory upper limit for the levy set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
Aviation Security Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the: Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and Civil Aviation Act 1988 to allow background checking of holders of security designated authorisations (particularly flight crew); Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 to include contractors of Airservices Australia as aviation industry participants; and Aviation Transport Security (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004 to allow certain programs under the Air Navigation Act 1920 to continue as programs under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004. Also contains a regulation-making power and a transitional provision.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Aviation Transport Security Bill 2003
(Act citation: Aviation Transport Security Act 2004)
Introduced with the Aviation Transport Security (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003, the bill: restructures the aviation security regulatory framework and provides for flexibility to respond to the changing threat environment; aligns Australian aviation security with the revised International Civil Aviation Organisation standards; and introduces graduated penalties for a more equitable enforcement regime. Also contains a regulation-making power and a saving provision.
Reps: Intro. 27/3/03; Passed 3/12/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 46 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 3/3/04
SBC report 4/03 (tabled and adopted 26/3/03): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee upon introduction in Reps (27/3/03); extensions of time to report 14/5/03, 16/6/03, 25/6/03, 14/8/03, 9/9/03, 16/9/03, 7/10/03, 8/10/03; report tabled 9/10/03
Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived
Assent: 10/3/04; Act No. 8, 2004
Aviation Transport Security (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Aviation Transport Security (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004)
Introduced with the Aviation Transport Security Bill 2003, the bill amends the: Air Navigation Act 1920 to repeal certain redundant provisions; Australian Protective Service Act 1987 to extend the arrest powers of Australian Protective Service Officers to airport environments; and Air Services Act 1995, Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 and Sea Installation Act 1987 to make minor and technical consequential amendments. Also contains transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/3/03; Passed 3/12/03
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 3/3/04
SBC report 4/03 (tabled and adopted 26/3/03): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee upon introduction in Reps (27/3/03); extensions of time to report 14/5/03, 16/6/03, 25/6/03, 14/8/03, 9/9/03, 16/9/03, 7/10/03, 8/10/03; report tabled 9/10/03
Assent: 10/3/04; Act No. 9, 2004
Bankruptcy and Family Law Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the: Bankruptcy Act 1966 and Family Law Act 1975 to clarify the interaction between family law and bankruptcy, particularly in relation to the rights of the non-bankrupt spouse and the interests of creditors; and Bankruptcy Act 1966 to: establish a supervised account regime for the collection by a bankruptcy trustee of a bankrupt—s assessed income contributions; and prevent the use of financial and maintenance agreements to defeat the claims of creditors. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Bankruptcy (Estate Charges) Amendment Bill 2004
Introduced with the Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment Bill 2004, the bill amends the Bankruptcy (Estate Charges) Act 1997 to reflect the repeal of the three types of Part X administrations and the introduction of personal insolvency agreements in the proposed Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment Act 2004. Also contains transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 12/5/04
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 81, 2004
Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Introduced with the Bankruptcy (Estate Charges) Amendment Bill 2004, the bill amends the Bankruptcy Act 1966 in relation to binding arrangements with creditors as an alternative to bankruptcy by: increasing the disclosure requirements of debtors, creditors and trustees; replacing the three current types of arrangements with a single form of arrangement to be called a personal insolvency agreement; and simplifying the process for setting aside and terminating arrangements; and makes consequential amendments to 16 other Acts; and contains application and transitional provisions. Also amends the: Bankruptcy Act 1966 in relation to: related changes to post-bankruptcy compositions and schemes of arrangement; performance standards of registered trustees; creditors— voting documents; notice of meetings; and to make technical amendments; and the Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment Act 2002 to: correct a drafting error; and validate past acts.
Reps: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 12/5/04
CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 80, 2004
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Anti-Siphoning) Bill 2004
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to extend the automatic de-listing period for events on the —anti-siphoning— list (which lists events determined by the Minister to be available free-to-air) so that events are removed 12 weeks prior to their commencement.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 11/8/04
Senate: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2002 [No. 2]
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to repeal provisions that restrict foreign ownership of commercial television and subscription television interests; and allow the Australian Broadcasting Authority to grant cross-media exemption certificates on application, provided certain requirements and conditions are met.
Reps: Intro. 5/11/03; Passed 1/12/03
CID amendment: 1 Ind (Andren)/negatived
Senate: Intro. 2/12/03; 2nd reading adjourned 2/12/03
SBC report 15/03 (tabled and adopted 26/11/03): No reference
PS Broadcasting Services (Safeguarding Local Content and Local Audience Needs) Amendment Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senator Lees — APA)
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to require the Australian Broadcasting Authority to impose licence conditions on commercial television licensees in metropolitan areas, obliging them to provide locally-produced news, current affairs and other programming.
Senate: Intro. 3/12/03; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/03
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill 2003
Introduced with the Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2003, the bill provides for a workplace relations regulatory framework for the building and construction industry.
Reps: Intro. 6/11/03; Passed 4/12/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; 2nd reading adjourned 10/2/04
SBC report 16/03 (tabled 3/12/03; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 3/12/03): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee 3/12/03; extensions of time to report 4/12/03, 30/3/04, 15/6/04; report tabled 21/6/04
Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2003
Introduced with the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill 2003, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and technical amendments to 8 other Acts. Also contains application, saving and transitional provisions and a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 6/11/03; Passed 4/12/03
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; 2nd reading adjourned 10/2/04
SBC report 16/03 (tabled 3/12/03; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 3/12/03): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee 3/12/03; extensions of time to report 4/12/03, 30/3/04, 15/6/04; report tabled 21/6/04
PS Charter of Political Honesty Bill 2000 [2002]
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 previous Parliament (29/11/00); reference re-adopted 21/3/02; extension of time to report 25/6/02; report tabled 29/8/02
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02
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. 31/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 31/3/04
Senate:
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Civil Aviation Amendment (Relationship with Anti-discrimination Legislation) Bill 2004
Amends the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to: empower the Governor-General to make regulations that may be inconsistent with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Sex Discrimination Act 1984; and validate existing civil aviation and civil aviation safety regulations and past actions based on those regulations.
Reps: Intro. 11/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/3/04
Senate:
SBC report 5/04 (tabled and adopted 24/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 24/3/04; report presented 30/6/04 and tabled 3/8/04
Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (Mutual Recognition with New Zealand and Other Matters) Bill 2003
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; and Civil Aviation Act 1988 to: ensure consistent terminology in references to aircraft registered overseas; and ensure that certain conditions for the grant of Air Operator—s Certificates (AOCs) have effect as ongoing conditions on the AOCs.
Reps: Intro. 25/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 25/6/03
Senate:
SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 10/3/04; report tabled 17/6/04
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 to: introduce common classification types for films and computer games; and distinguish between advisory classifications and legally restricted classifications by including age references in the names of restricted classifications types only. Also makes consequential amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to update classification types references; and contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
Senate: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 13/5/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Assent: 26/5/04; Act No. 61, 2004
PM Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Preventing Smoking Related Deaths) Bill 2004
(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.
Reps: Intro. 16/2/04; Read a 1st time 16/2/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Senate:
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 13/5/04; extension of time to report 26/6/04 a.m.; report presented 30/9/04
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Representation in the House of Representatives) Bill 2004
Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: ensure the certainty of the process for determining the representative entitlement for each of the States and Territories in the House of Representatives; and maintain at the next federal election, the Northern Territory—s current representation of two members.
Reps: Intro. 25/3/04; Passed 31/3/04
Senate: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 34, 2004
PM Commonwealth Land at Point Nepean, Victoria Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Thomson — ALP)
Amends the Defence Act 1903 to prohibit the sale of Commonwealth-owned defence land at Point Nepean and to authorise its transfer to the Victorian Government on the proviso that it is maintained in perpetuity as a national park.
Reps: Intro. 3/11/03; Read a 1st time 3/11/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 1/6/04
Communications Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003
(Act citation: Communications Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004)
Amends the: Telecommunications Act 1997, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to enhance the security of Australia—s telecommunications services and networks and to improve existing arrangements in relation to call data disclosure and interception services.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 18/8/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 19/8/03; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 9/03 (tabled and adopted 20/8/03): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 20/8/03; extension of time to report 9/9/03; report tabled 15/9/03
Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/passed; 5 Dem/passed; 3 items negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 4, 10 and 11 and disagreed to Senate amendments nos 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 12 and 13, 1/4/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments nos 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 12 and 13, 1/4/04]
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 35, 2004
PS Constitution Alteration (Appropriations for the Ordinary Annual Services of the
R Government) 2001 [2002]
(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
PS Constitution Alteration (Electors— Initiative, Fixed Term Parliaments and
R Qualification of Members) 2000 [2002]
(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
PS Convention on Climate Change (Implementation) Bill 1999 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Implements Australia—s obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol by: establishing the Greenhouse Office; and providing for Greenhouse Impact Assessments and Industry Greenhouse Plans.
Senate: Intro. 2/9/99; 2nd reading adjourned 2/9/99
Reference: Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee 22/9/99; extensions of time to report 14/8/00, 3/10/00, 12/10/00; report due 8/11/00; report tabled 7/11/00
SBC report 17/99 (tabled and adopted 13/10/99): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/11/02
PS Corporate Code of Conduct Bill 2000 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Bourne — AD)
Imposes standards of conduct on Australian corporations undertaking business activities in other countries. Also provides for reporting requirements, enforcement provisions and a regulation-making power.
Senate: Intro. 6/9/00; 2nd reading adjourned 6/9/00
SBC report 16/00 (tabled and adopted 11/10/00): No reference
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Securities 5/10/00; extensions of time to report 27/3/01, 23/5/01, 20/6/01; report tabled 28/6/01
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02
Corporate Code of Conduct Bill 2004
(Exposure draft tabled by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Imposes standards of conduct on Australian corporations undertaking business activities in other countries. Also includes reporting requirements, enforcement provisions and a regulation-making power and amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in relation to environmental obligations; and Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986, Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in relation to human rights obligations.
Senate: Tabled 24/6/04
Corporate Law Economic Reform Program (Audit Reform and Corporate Disclosure) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Corporate Law Economic Reform Program (Audit Reform and Corporate Disclosure) Act 2004)
Introduced with the Corporations (Fees) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003, the bill amends the: Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and Corporations Act 2001 in relation to audit oversight and auditor independence; financial reporting; classes of officers, senior managers and employees; Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, Corporations Act 2001 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to implement proportionate liability in respect of economic loss or damage to property; Corporations Act 2001 in relation to: enforcement arrangements in the event of corporate misbehaviour; remuneration of directors and executives; continuous disclosure and infringements; disclosure rules; shareholder participation and information; conflicts of interest of financial services licensees. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 16/2/04
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 22/6/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled and adopted 23/6/04): No reference
Reference: Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services resolved to inquire into exposure draft 8/10/03; inquiry broadened to bill 11/3/04; Part 1 of report presented 4/6/04 and tabled 15/6/04; Part 2 of report tabled 15/6/04
Committee amendments: 150 Govt/passed; 61 Opp (1 as amended by 2 Dem and 1 Opp)/passed; 13 Dem (1 as amended)/passed; 1 item negatived; 2 Opp/negatived; 23 Dem/negatived; 1 section opposed/section agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1 to 11, 21 to 27, 35, 37 to 42, 45 to 84, 87 to 90, 93 to 107, 111 to 113, 120 to 126, 128, 129, 131 to 133, 136, 148 to 153, 179 to 222 and 224 and disagreed to amendments nos 12 to 20, 28 to 34, 36, 43, 44, 85, 86, 91, 92, 108 to 110, 114 to 119, 127, 130, 134, 135, 137 to 147, 154 to 178, 223 and 225, 23/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments and agreed to 12 Dem-Opp further amendments 24/6/04; Reps agreed to Senate further amendments 25/6/04]
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 103, 2004
PM Corporate Responsibility and Employment Security Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Crean — ALP)
Amends the Corporations Act 2001 and Workplace Relations Act 1996 to enable employees and subcontractors to pursue the payment of wages and certain other liabilities directly from a related company in the event of insolvency of the company employing them.
Reps: Intro. 18/8/03; Read a 1st time 18/8/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 9/3/04
PS Corporations Amendment (Improving Corporate Governance) Bill 2002 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Conroy — ALP)
Amends the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to: an increase in penalties for serious breaches of the Act; protection for whistleblowers providing information to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission; executive remuneration reporting requirements; auditor independence and reporting obligations; disclosure standards in relation to research reports; access to analyst briefings; and election processes for directors.
Senate: Intro. 23/9/02; 2nd reading adjourned 23/9/02
SBC report 10/02 (tabled and adopted 16/10/02): No reference
Corporations (Fees) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003
(Act citation: Corporations (Fees) Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004)
Introduced with the Corporate Law Economic Reform Program (Audit Reform and Corporate Disclosure) Bill 2003, the bill amends the Corporations (Fees) Act 2001 to provide for companies to be charged a fee for referring a matter to the newly established Financial Reporting Panel.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 16/2/04
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 22/6/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled and adopted 23/6/04): No reference
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 98, 2004
S Crimes Legislation Amendment (Telecommunications Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Repeals existing telecommunications offences in the Crimes Act 1914 and inserts new and updated telecommunications offences in the Criminal Code Act 1995, including offences in relation to access, transmission and availability of suicide related material. Also makes consequential amendments to 5 Acts, including the Crimes Act 1914 and the Criminal Code Act 1995 and amends the: Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 to outlaw child prostitution on board Australian-registered aircraft outside Australia; Criminal Code Act 1995 in relation to: contamination of goods; dishonest acquisition of or dealing in personal financial information; criminal responsibility of accomplices; obtaining financial advantage; and the principle of ignorance of, or mistake about, the law; Customs Act 1901 to clarify the operation of certain serious drug offences; Cybercrime Act 2001 to correct a misdescription; and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 to simplify processes for obtaining material for use in foreign proceedings. Also contains application, saving and transitional provisions.
Senate: Intro. 24/6/04; 2nd reading adjourned 24/6/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): No reference
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Telecommunications Offences and Other Measures) Bill (No. 2) 2004
Introduced with the Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2004, the bill repeals existing telecommunications offences in the Crimes Act 1914 and inserts new and updated telecommunications offences in the Criminal Code Act 1995. Also makes consequential amendments to 5 Acts, including the Crimes Act 1914 and the Criminal Code Act 1995 and amends the: Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 to outlaw child prostitution on board Australian-registered aircraft outside Australia; Criminal Code Act 1995 in relation to: contamination of goods; dishonest acquisition of or dealing in personal financial information; criminal responsibility of accomplices; obtaining financial advantage; and the principle of ignorance of, or mistake about, the law; Customs Act 1901 to clarify the operation of certain serious drug offences; Cybercrime Act 2001 to correct a misdescription; and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 to simplify processes for obtaining material for use in foreign proceedings. Also contains application, saving and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 4/8/04; Passed 9/8/04
Senate: Intro. 10/8/04; Passed 30/8/04
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 5/8/04; report tabled 11/8/04
Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived
Assent: 31/8/04; Act No. 127, 2004
Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Telecommunications Offences and Other Measures) Bill (No. 2) 2004, the bill amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert new offences in relation to: the use of a carriage service, including the Internet, to access, transmit or make available suicide related material; and the possession, production, supply or acquisition of such material for use through a carriage service.
Reps: Intro. 4/8/04; Passed 11/8/04
Senate: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 5/8/04; report presented 6/9/04
Criminal Code Amendment (Terrorist Organisations) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Criminal Code Amendment (Terrorist Organisations) Act 2004)
Introduced with the Criminal Code Amendment (Hizballah) Bill 2003, the bill amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: remove the requirement that there be a relevant United Nations Security Council decision in place before an organisation can be listed in regulations as a terrorist organisation; provide for the Minister to —de-list— an organisation when appropriate; and provide for review of listing regulations and the proposed listing provisions by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/03; Passed 3/6/03
Senate: Intro. 16/6/03; Passed 4/3/04
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 1 Dem/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 4/3/04]
Assent: 10/3/04; Act No. 7, 2004
PS Criminal Code Amendment (Workplace Death and Serious Injury) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Senator Nettle — AG)
Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert new offences in relation to industrial manslaughter and causing serious injury. Also amends the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 in relation to monitoring compliance with related court orders.
Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 4/8/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): Deferred
PS Customs Amendment (Anti-Radioactive Waste Storage Dump) Bill 1999 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Amends the Customs Act 1901 to prohibit the importation of radioactive waste for storage in Australia.
Senate: Intro. 20/10/99; 2nd reading adjourned 20/10/99
SBC report 9/00 (tabled and adopted 21/6/00): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/11/02
Customs Amendment (Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2004 to give effect to Australia—s obligations under the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to: incorporate new rules of origin for Thai goods for eligibility for preferential duty rates; and impose certain obligations on Australian exporters and Australian producers of goods who claim preferential tariff treatment in Thailand.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Customs Legislation Amendment (Airport, Port and Cargo Security) Bill 2004
Amends the Customs Act 1901 in relation to: detention of persons by Customs officers for purposes of law enforcement cooperation; control of goods and persons in Customs areas; reporting requirements for certain vessels, aircraft passengers and crew; and the appointment of ports under the Act. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 23/6/04
CID amendments: 9 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 5 Dem/passed; 3 Dem/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 25/6/04]
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 111, 2004
Customs Legislation Amendment (Application of International Trade Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Customs Legislation Amendment (Application of International Trade Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2004)
Introduced with the Import Processing Charges (Amendment and Repeal) Amendment Bill 2003, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901, Customs Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2002, Customs Legislation Amendment and Repeal (International Trade Modernisation) Act 2001, Import Processing Charges (Amendment and Repeal) Act 2002 and Migration Act 1958 to: make transitional arrangements for the handling of imports during the transition between the Customs legacy electronic systems and the new Integrated Cargo System; clarify the operation of the legislation that implements Customs international trade modernisation, particularly in relation to self-assessed clearance declarations; enhance Customs border controls in relation to certain restricted goods such as firearms; and clarify cargo reporting requirements, calculation of customs duties on certain alcoholic beverages, record retention obligations, certain maritime powers, impoundment provisions and charges payable for in-transit cargo reports. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 10/3/04
Senate: Intro. 11/3/04; Passed 11/3/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Assent: 25/3/04; Act No. 25, 2004
Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003
(Act citation: Customs Tariff Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004)
Introduced with the Excise Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2003, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: impose additional customs duty on fuel ethanol equivalent to that applying to petroleum, with effect from 18 September 2002.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/03; Passed 23/6/03
Senate: Intro. 24/6/03; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 43, 2004
Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuels) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuels) Bill 2004, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: provide for new differential customs duty rates for high sulphur diesel and ultra low sulphur diesel and certain similar products; increase the customs duty rate for aviation kerosene and aviation gasoline; and introduce a customs duty on biodiesel for use as a fuel in an internal combustion engine; and Customs Tariff Amendment Act (No. 1) 2003 to make minor consequential amendments.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 2/6/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 15/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 22/6/04; Act No. 65, 2004
Customs Tariff Amendment (Greater Sunrise) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Greater Sunrise Unitisation Agreement Implementation Bill 2004, the bill gives effect to Australia—s obligations under the Greater Sunrise unitisation agreement between Australia and East Timor by providing for the duty free entry of goods, as prescribed by by-law, for use in petroleum related activities in the Eastern Greater Sunrise area.
Reps: Intro. 10/3/04; Passed 10/3/04
Senate: Intro. 10/3/04; Passed 29/3/04
SBC report 4/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 10/3/04; report tabled 23/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 46, 2004
Customs Tariff Amendment (Oil, Gas and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 in relation to: goods for use in oil and gas exploration; the country code abbreviations for Poland and Wake Island; and the upper limit for alcohol content of grape wine.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 11/8/04
Senate: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Customs Tariff Amendment (Paraquat Dichloride) Bill 2004
Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to reclassify paraquat dichloride with an added emetic as duty free.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 2/3/04
Senate: Intro. 3/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
SBC report 3/04 (tabled 10/3/04; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 10/3/04): Order varied — Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 10/3/04; report tabled 13/5/04
Customs Tariff Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Post-2005 Arrangements) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Amendment (Post-2005 scheme) Bill 2004 to extend the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program for another 10 years, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: reduce customs duty rates applicable to clothing and certain finished textiles to 10 per cent from 1 January 2010 and to 5 per cent from 1 January 2015; reduce customs duty rates applicable to other textile, clothing and footwear goods to 5 per cent from 1 January 2010; and provide for customs duty credits to be applied against imports of certain clothing and textile goods until 30 June 2017.
Reps: Intro. 16/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
Senate: Intro. 3/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/8/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled and adopted 23/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 23/6/04; extension of time to report 12/8/04; report tabled 30/8/04
Customs Tariff Amendment (Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Customs Amendment (Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2004 to give effect to Australia—s obligations under the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA), the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: provide duty-free access to certain goods and preferential rates of customs duty for other goods that are of Thai origin; phase the preferential rates of customs duty for certain goods to zero by 2015; and provide the mechanism to initiate safeguard measures on sensitive products including canned tuna, processed pineapple and pineapple juice, if necessary. Also makes contingent amendments to the Customs Tariff Act 1995 and US Free Trade Agreement Implementation (Customs Tariff) Act 2004 in the event the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement is not in force for Australia before TAFTA enters into force for Australia.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Dairy Produce Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: Dairy Produce Amendment Act 2004)
Further to the Dairy Industry Service Reform Act 2003, the bill amends the Dairy Produce Act 1986 to provide for the industry services body, Dairy Australia, to: be fully indemnified (out of the assets of the Dairy Structural Adjustment Fund) for any liabilities incurred by it in managing and administering the Fund; and have the power to enter into financial and other arrangements and perform contracts associated with risk management in the administration of the Fund. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/03; Passed 23/3/04
Senate: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 32, 2004
PS Defence Amendment (Parliamentary approval for Australian involvement in overseas conflicts) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senators Bartlett and Stott Despoja — Dem)
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
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
Disability Discrimination Amendment Bill 2003
Amends the: Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to remove the prohibition on disability discrimination on the ground of a person—s addiction to a prohibited drug; and Workplace Relations Act 1996 to include a cross-reference to the new provision.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/03; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/03
Senate:
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 4/12/03; extension of time to report 2/3/04; interim report presented 7/4/04 and tabled 11/5/04; report presented 15/4/04 and tabled 11/5/04
Disability Discrimination Amendment (Education Standards) Bill 2004
Amends the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to support the draft Disability Standards for Education which will be formulated and tabled following passage of this bill and which will clarify and elaborate the obligations under the Act of education and training providers in relation to students with disabilities.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
PS Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senator Murray — Dem)
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
Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Access to Electoral Roll and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to: enrolment issues; access to the electoral roll and its use; the lead-up to election day including preparations undertaken by the Australian Electoral Commission, political parties, candidates and others, including procedures for nomination of candidates; processes for voting; operation of polling booths on election day; and technical amendments. Also contains application, saving and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 27/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 78, 2004
Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Enrolment Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, Electoral and Referendum Amendment Act (No. 1) 1999, Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to: enrolment and voting processes, including proof of identity and address arrangements, and closure of electoral rolls; prisoners— rights to vote; financial disclosure thresholds; provision of certain voting information to political parties and independent members of parliament; removal of the requirement for broadcasters and publishers to lodge returns on electoral advertising during an election period; multiple voting and enrolment offences; restriction of scrutineers— activities in relation to assisted votes; reinstatement on the electoral roll; and registration of party names. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 27/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 6 Opp (1 as amended)/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 31 items negatived; 4 Dem/negatived; 1 Dem/withdrawn; 5 items opposed/items agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 26/6/04]
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 115, 2004
Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Prisoner Voting and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Addresses technical problems with the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Enrolment Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2004 by amending the: Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 to prevent prisoners who are serving a sentence of 3 years or more from enrolling to vote; and Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Enrolment Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2004 to: repeal early close of rolls provisions for referenda; and clarify the commencement and cessation of name and address evidentiary requirements for enrolment and changes to enrolment details.
Reps: Intro. 5/8/04; Passed 10/8/04
Senate: Intro. 11/8/04; Passed 13/8/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 14 Dem/negatived; 4 AG/negatived; 1 item opposed/item agreed to
Assent: 16/8/04; Act No. 123, 2004
Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Roll Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2002
Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to: enrolment and voting processes and entitlement to enrolment; prisoners— rights to vote; multiple voting offences; financial disclosure thresholds; authorisation of electoral advertising in journals and magazines; refund of candidate nomination deposits and declaration of nominations; and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to public inspection of postal vote applications. Also makes minor technical corrections to the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999.
Reps: Intro. 14/3/02; 2nd reading adjourned 14/3/02
Senate:
SBC report 3/02 (tabled and adopted 15/5/02): No reference
PM Employee Protection (Employee Entitlements Guarantee) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Mrs Crosio — 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. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 16/2/04; Read a 1st time 16/2/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Bill 2003
(Act citation: Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Act 2004)
Introduced with the Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2003, the bill establishes the Energy Grants Cleaner Fuels Scheme which will provide a framework for the payment of grants to importers and manufacturers of biodiesel and certain other cleaner fuels to offset customs and excise duties, with effect from 18 September 2003. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 11/9/03; Passed 17/9/03
Senate: Intro. 18/9/03; Passed 31/3/04
SBC report 11/03 (tabled and adopted 17/9/03): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 17/9/03; report tabled 16/10/03; errata tabled 24/11/03
Committee amendments: 11 Govt/passed; 1 AG/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 31/3/04]
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 41, 2004
Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Act 2004)
Introduced with the Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Bill 2003, the bill amends the Product Grants and Benefits Administration Act 2000, Excise Act 1901 and Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to facilitate the operation of the Energy Grants Cleaner Fuels Scheme.
Reps: Intro. 11/9/03; Passed 17/9/03
Senate: Intro. 18/9/03; Passed 31/3/04
SBC report 11/03 (tabled and adopted 17/9/03): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 17/9/03; report tabled 16/10/03; errata tabled 24/11/03
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 42, 2004
PS Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Invasive Species) Bill 2002
(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
PS Euthanasia Laws (Repeal) Bill 2004
(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
Excise and Other Legislation Amendment (Compliance Measures) Bill 2004
Amends: the Excise Act 1901 to relation to: delivery of excisable goods for exportation; movement of tobacco seed and plants; disposal of certain seized forfeited goods and use of evidentiary certificates in relation to those goods; and disclosure of information about excise licences and permissions in certain circumstances; and the Customs Act 1901 in relation to exportation of excisable goods; and make consequential amendments. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 25/3/04; Passed 21/6/04
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 91, 2004
Excise Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2003
(Act citation: Excise Tariff Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004)
Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003, the bill amends the Excise Tariff Act 1921 to remove the excise exemption for fuel ethanol and impose an excise duty rate equivalent to that applying to petroleum, with effect from 18 September 2002.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/03; Passed 23/6/03
Senate: Intro. 24/6/03; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 44, 2004
Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuels) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuels) Bill 2004, the bill amends the Excise Tariff Act 1921 to provide for new differential excise duty rates for high sulphur diesel and ultra low sulphur diesel and certain similar products; increase the excise duty rate for aviation kerosene and aviation gasoline; introduce an excise duty on biodiesel for use as a fuel in an international combustion engine; and enable previously paid duties to be deducted in the formula for calculating excise duty payable on fuel ethanol/gasoline blends.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 2/6/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 15/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Committee request: 1 Dem/negatived
Assent: 22/6/04; Act No. 66, 2004
Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Export Market Development Grants Act 1997 to provide that grants are not payable if the applicant or an associate of the applicant are determined by Austrade, in accordance with Ministerial guidelines, to be —not fit and proper— to receive a grant, with effect to grants for grant years commencing after 1 July 2003. Also provides that a determination is review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 31/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 71, 2004
Extension of Charitable Purpose Bill 2004
Provides a statutory extension to the common law meaning of —charity— for the purposes of all Commonwealth legislation.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 16/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/04; Passed 23/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/passed
Committee amendment: 1 Opp/passed
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendment 24/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendment 25/6/04]
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 107, 2004
Extension of Sunset of Parliamentary Joint Committee on Native Title Bill 2004
Amends the Native Title Act 1993 to extend the operation of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund for 2 years (to 23 March 2006).
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 3/3/04
Senate: Intro. 4/3/04; Passed 4/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Deferred
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/passed
Assent: 11/3/04; Act No. 13, 2004
Family and Community Services and Veterans— Affairs Legislation Amendment (2004 Budget Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to exempt fee waiver and fee pay scholarships from the income tests for income support payments; and Social Security Act 1991 to: expand the carer allowance to carers who provide certain care for an adult with a disability, even if they do not live with that adult; and correct a drafting error.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 4/8/04
Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; Passed 30/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 4 Dem/negatived
Assent: 31/8/04; Act No. 128, 2004
Family and Community Services and Veterans— Affairs Legislation Amendment (Income Streams) Bill 2004
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to: provide an assets test exemption for market-linked income streams from 20 September 2004; reduce to 50 per cent the available assets test exemption for certain non-commutable income streams purchased after 20 September 2004; align the characteristics of life expectancy income streams with those of market-linked income streams; and extend the guarantee period for assets test exempt lifetime income streams within which such income streams can be commuted if the primary beneficiary dies.
Reps: Intro. 26/5/04; Passed 3/6/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report tabled 21/6/04
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 116, 2004
Family and Community Services and Veterans— Affairs Legislation Amendment (Sugar Reform) Bill 2004
Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to exempt intergenerational transfer of sugarcane farms or relevant sugarcane farm assets from gifting rules for a 3-year period; and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 in relation to start dates for related social security payment claims.
Reps: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 23/6/04
Senate: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 109, 2004
Family and Community Services (Closure of Student Financial Supplement Scheme) Bill 2003
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 to close the Student Financial Supplement Scheme to new applications from tertiary students from 1 January 2004 and continue loan repayment arrangements for existing loans.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 11/9/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 15/9/03; 2nd reading adjourned 15/9/03, 25/11/03, 26/11/03
SBC report 9/03 (tabled and adopted 20/8/03): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/pending
Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Disability Reform) Bill 2002
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to: change the qualification criteria for disability support pension in relation to work capacity; and restrict exemptions from the activity test requirements for newstart allowance and youth allowance.
Reps: Intro. 16/5/02; Passed 30/5/02
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Message reported 20/6/02
SBC report 4/02 (tabled and adopted 19/6/02): No reference
Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Further Simplification of International Payments) Bill 2002
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 to bring the payment of Australian pensions to people overseas long-term in line with international standards; and standardise the recovery of overpayments to people receiving a foreign pension lump sum arrears payment.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/02; Passed 12/3/02
CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 13/3/02; 2nd reading adjourned 13/3/02
SBC report 1/02 (tabled and adopted 13/3/02): No reference
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Extension of Time Limits) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Extension of Time Limits) Act 2004)
Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to extend time frames in relation to: past period lump sum claims for family tax benefit (FTB) and child care benefit; payment of top-ups of FTB as a result of income reconciliation; and exchange, use and destruction of tax file number data for income reconciliation purposes; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to make consequential amendments to allow tax advisers— fees for FTB lump sums claims that relate to the 2001-02 income year to be tax deductible. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 10/9/03; Passed 17/9/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 17/9/03; Passed 31/3/04
SBC report 11/03 (tabled and adopted 17/9/03): No reference
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed; 5 Dem/passed
Committee requests: 8 Opp/passed
[Reps did not make Senate requests for amendments 3/11/03; Senate pressed its requests for amendments 25/11/03; Reps did not further consider Senate requests for amendments 29/3/04; Senate did not further press its requests for amendments 31/3/04; Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 1/4/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments 1/4/04]
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 33, 2004
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (More Help for Families—Increased Payments) Bill 2004
Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to provide for an ongoing increase in the maximum and base rates of family tax benefit (FTB) Part A supplement; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide for a new maternity payment and maternity immunisation allowance which will replace the current maternity allowance and the Baby Bonus; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to: reduce the rate at which FTB Part A reduces from the maximum rate to the base rate; reduce the rate at which FTB Part B is withdrawn; and increase the income free area for FTB Part B. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 12/5/04
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 13/5/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Assent: 26/5/04; Act No. 59, 2004
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (More Help for Families—One-off Payments) Bill 2004
Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Social Security Act 1991 to provide for a one-off payment to eligible families; and Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide for one-off payments to carer allowance and carer payment recipients. Also establishes an administrative scheme to provide payments if the statutory one-off payments regime does not produce an appropriate result.
Reps: Intro. 11/5/04; Passed 12/5/04
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 13/5/04
Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Assent: 26/5/04; Act No. 60, 2004
Family Law Amendment (Annuities) Bill 2004
Amends the Family Law Act 1975 to extend the regime by which future superannuation payments can be split on marriage breakdown or divorce, to certain superannuation-like annuity products. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Family Law Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Family Law Act 1975 in relation to: interaction of bankruptcy and family law; enforcement of court orders; replacement of certain outdated terms (including introduction of the term —divorce—); recovery of child maintenance paid by a person found not to be a parent; the court—s power in relation to vexatious litigants; clarification of the rule-making power of the Family Court; and technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; 2nd reading adjourned 1/4/04
Senate:
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report presented 30/7/04 and tabled 3/8/04
PS Family Law Amendment (Joint Residency) Bill 2002
(Introduced by Senator Harris — PHON)
Amends the Family Law Act 1975 to provide for joint residence orders following separation or divorce, which will designate both parents as a child—s residence provider.
Senate: Intro. 20/6/02; 2nd reading adjourned 20/6/02
SBC report 6/02 (tabled and adopted 21/8/02): No reference
Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Farm Household Support Act 1992 to extend the farm income support scheme to 30 June 2008; and make procedural and administrative changes to the scheme, including an increased emphasis on using strategic information, analysis and professional advice to support decision-making. Also contains application and saving provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 3/6/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 70, 2004
Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Further to the accrual budgeting and reporting framework introduced by the Financial Management Legislation Amendment Act 1999, the bill amends 112 Acts, including the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, to: update, clarify and align financial management and reporting provisions applying to Commonwealth entities; expand information requirements for special account determinations; and transfer from the Treasurer to the Finance Minister powers and functions to approve investments, money raising and guarantees for certain bodies (including power to delegate these powers and functions). Also repeals 28 redundant Acts and contains saving provisions.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Amendment Bill 2004
Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies Collection Act 1998 to enable levies to be collected from authorised non-operating holding companies in the general insurance sector as well as those in the authorised deposit-taking institutions sector. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
PS Financial Management and Accountability (Anti-Restrictive Software Practices) Amendment Bill 2003
(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
S Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Compliance and Deterrence Measures and Other Matters) Bill 2003 [2004]
(Act citation: Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Compliance and Deterrence Measures and Other Matters) Act 2004)
Amends the Fisheries Administration Act 1991 and Fisheries Management Act 1991 in relation to: deterrence and compliance regimes to deter foreign fishers from illegally fishing in Australian waters; the Australian Fisheries Management Authority—s management of Commonwealth fisheries resources; and ecologically sustainable management of Commonwealth fisheries.
Senate: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 10/2/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Reps: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 22/3/04
Assent: 1/4/04; Act No. 28, 2004
S Fisheries Legislation Amendment (High Seas Fishing Activities and Other Matters) Bill 2004
(Previous title: Fisheries Legislation Amendment (High Seas Fishing Activities and Other Matters) Bill 2003)
Amends the: Fisheries Administration Act 1991 and Fisheries Management Act 1991 to give effect to Australia—s obligations under the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas; and Fisheries Management Act 1991 to strengthen the Australian Fisheries Management Authority—s ability to deliver and enforce fisheries management in Commonwealth fisheries. Also contains a saving provision.
Senate: Intro. 28/11/03; Passed 11/2/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 1 Dem/passed; 1 Dem/negatived; 1 Part opposed/Part agreed to
Reps: Intro. 16/2/04; Passed 22/3/04
Assent: 2/4/04; Act No. 29, 2004
S Fisheries (Validation of Plans of Management) Bill 2004
Validates certain plans of management determined, amended and/or revoked under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. Also validates things done under or for the purposes of those plans.
Senate: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
PM Flags Amendment (Eureka Flag) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Ms King — ALP)
Amends the Flags Act 1953 to recognise the Eureka Flag as an official flag of Australia.
Reps: Intro. 1/12/03; Read a 1st time 1/12/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 10/8/04
PS Flags Amendment (Eureka Flag) Bill 2004
(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
PS Freedom of Information Amendment (Open Government) Bill 2003
(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
General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004
Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the authorised general insurance supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
PS Genetic Privacy and Non-discrimination Bill 1998 [2002]
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: Provisions of bill 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
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to restructure the method of payment and collection of the Environmental Management Charge levied on standard tourism operations to clarify that goods and services tax is not payable; and consequentially extend the powers of inspectors to search aircraft and vessels and the powers of magistrates to issue search warrants. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 18/2/04; Passed 3/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 4/3/04; Passed 9/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/3/04; Act No. 22, 2004
PS Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Boundary Extension) Amendment Bill 2002
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
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. 21/3/02; 2nd reading adjourned 21/3/02, 16/5/02
SBC report 10/02 (tabled and adopted 16/10/02): No reference
PS Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Protecting the Great Barrier Reef from Oil Drilling and Exploration) Amendment Bill 2003 [No. 2]
(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
Greater Sunrise Unitisation Agreement Implementation Bill 2004
Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Greater Sunrise) Bill 2004, the bill amends the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967, Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987 and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to provide the administrative framework necessary for Australia to meets its obligations under the Greater Sunrise unitisation agreement between Australia and East Timor. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 10/3/04; Passed 10/3/04
Senate: Intro. 10/3/04; Passed 29/3/04
SBC report 4/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 10/3/04; report tabled 23/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 47, 2004
S Health and Ageing Legislation Amendment Bill 2003 [2004]
(Act citation: Health and Ageing Legislation Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the: National Health Act 1953 to: increase the maximum number of members of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee; provide for payment and/or waiver of recovery of 90 per cent of the value of pharmaceutical benefits supplied from an unapproved relocated pharmacy where the pharmacist has subsequently obtained approval; allow an agent to make and sign an application for a pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) safety net concession or entitlement card; provide that certain ministerial determinations apply to the supply of pharmaceutical benefits by hospitals in the same way as they do to supply by pharmacies; clarify the decision-maker—s discretion to cancel approvals to supply pharmaceutical benefits; and allow a medical services provider to send claims directly to the Health Insurance Commission; Health Insurance Act 1973, Health Insurance Commission Act 1973, National Health Act 1953 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to provide that special supply arrangements can be used for the funding particular medicines not available through the PBS; Health Insurance Act 1973 to restore specialist recognition status for certain specialists; and ensure that overseas trained doctors do not receive Medicare benefits for assisting at operations unless they have an exemption or have committed themselves to providing services in districts of workforce shortage; and Aged Care Act 1997 and Health Insurance Act 1973 to make technical amendments and corrections.
Senate: Intro. 27/3/03; Passed 26/6/03
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 1/4/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 50, 2004
Health Legislation Amendment (Medicare and Private Health Insurance) Bill 2003
Amends the: Health Insurance Act 1973, National Health Act 1953 and Private Health Insurance Incentives Act 1998 to enable registered private health funds to offer insurance plans to cover all out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-hospital Medicare rebatable services in excess of $1 000 in a calendar year; and Health Insurance Act 1973 to establish a new safety-net for concession card holders to cover 80 per cent of out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-hospital Medicare rebatable costs which have exceeded $500 in a calendar year; and provide for the introduction of an electronic direct billing option (whereby patients assign their Medicare rebate to their doctor and pay only the gap amount to the doctor), to be available to general practitioners who participate in the General Practice Access Scheme. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/03; Passed 16/6/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 17/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 17/6/03
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): Deferred
References:
Referred to Select Committee on Medicare 19/6/03; extension of time to report 21/8/03; report tabled 30/10/03
Proposed Govt amendments and other Medicare matters referred to Select Committee on Medicare 25/11/03; report tabled 11/2/04
Health Legislation Amendment (Medicare) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Health Legislation Amendment (Medicare) Act 2004)
Amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to introduce new safety-nets to cover 80 per cent of out-of-pocket costs incurred for out-of-hospital Medicare services above a specified threshold in a calendar year.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 4/12/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 11/3/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendments: 1 Dem/passed; 1 Opp/negatived; 1 Dem/negatived; 1 AG/negatived
Committee requests: 3 APA-PHON-Harradine-Murphy/passed
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 11/3/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendment 11/3/04]
Assent: 18/3/04; Act No. 16, 2004
Health Legislation Amendment (Podiatric Surgery and Other Matters) Bill 2004
Amends the: Health Insurance Act 1973 to provide for payment of benefits for hospital treatment associated with podiatric surgery; Health Insurance Act 1973 and National Health Act 1953 in relation to provision of Hospital Casemix Protocol data; National Health Act 1953 to provide for the continuing supply of pharmaceutical benefits in the event of the death of an approved pharmacist; and Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 and Health Insurance Amendment (Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation Oncology and Other Measures) Act 2003 to correct drafting errors.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 12/5/04
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 24/6/04
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): No reference
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 117, 2004
S Health Legislation Amendment (Private Health Insurance Reform) Bill 2003 [2004]
(Act citation: Health Legislation Amendment (Private Health Insurance Reform) Act 2004)
Amends the: National Health Act 1953 and Private Health Insurance Incentives Act 1998 in relation to the obligations of registered organisations; and to remove the rule change assessment process which requires registered health benefits organisations to submit all rule changes for government approval and replace it with a system of monitoring and compliance; and National Health Act 1953 to: increase the powers of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO) to investigate complaints and resolve disputes; provide for an annual —state of the health funds— report by the PHIO; and make amendments to the lifetime health cover provisions.
Senate: Intro. 6/3/03; Passed 10/9/03
SBC report 3/03 (tabled and adopted 19/3/03): Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 19/3/03; extension of time to report 13/5/03; report tabled 16/6/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Committee amendments: 6 Govt/passed; 4 Dem/passed; 3 AG/negatived
Reps: Intro. 15/9/03; Passed 11/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Assent: 27/2/04; Act No. 1, 2004
Higher Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the: Higher Education Funding Act 1988 in relation to funding and grant levels for certain purposes; Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to: funding in relation to the Commonwealth Grant Scheme and Other Grants for 2005-07; setting of student contributions and tuition fees; remission of HECS-HELP debts for work experience in industry units; definition of Equivalent Full Time Student Load; and notification of tax file numbers by students; and Higher Education Support (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 to: simplify transitional funding arrangements for University of Notre Dame Australia students; and provide Ministerial discretion to approve funding increases under the Commonwealth Grants Scheme in the first year of implementation (2005) under certain circumstances.
Reps: Intro. 11/3/04; Passed 23/3/04
CID amendments: 8 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 31/3/04
SBC report 5/04 (tabled and adopted 24/3/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 4 Opp/negatived; 3 items opposed/items agreed to
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 45, 2004
Higher Education Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2004
Amends the: Higher Education Funding Act 1988 in relation to funding levels for certain purposes; Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to: higher education provider eligibility; funding and grant levels for certain purposes, including: a new Australian Maritime College campus at Point Nepean, Victoria; a new medical school at the University of Western Sydney; additional medical school places at James Cook University, Queensland; additional nursing places; continued transitional assistance for certain regional tertiary institutions for research purposes; guidelines for certain purposes; definition of —course of study— to include combined and double degrees; Commonwealth scholarships; citizenship and residency requirements for certain student assistance; appropriate administration of FEE-HELP for Open Learning Australia (OLA) students; compliance of OLA with quality and accountability requirements; Higher Education Support (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 in relation to the definition of —institution—; and Australian National University Act 1991 to enable the Australian National University to comply with the National Governance Protocols. Also makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and contains transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 23/6/04
Senate: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem (as amended)/passed
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 114, 2004
Higher Education Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2004
Amends the: Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to: addition of Melbourne University Private to the list of Table B higher education providers; new maximum aggregate funding levels for the Commonwealth Grant Scheme; operation of summer schools; extension of time within which students must submit their Commonwealth assistance request; entitlement to HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and OS-HELP assistance; repayments by higher education providers of advances; and definition of undergraduate and postgraduate higher education award; Higher Education Support (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 to: provide for transitional arrangements for the repayment of special purpose grants; and OS-HELP prior study requirements; Australian National University Act 1991 to extend the time within which the Minister must make appointments to the ANU Council; and Australian Research Council Act 2001 to update annual funding caps.
Reps: Intro. 5/8/04; Passed 10/8/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled 11/8/04; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 11/8/04): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 11/8/04; report due 2/9/04; report presented 31/8/04; supplementary report presented 2/9/04
Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2003
Part of a package of three bills to establish a framework for the Commonwealth funding of higher education, the bill amends the proposed Higher Education Support Act 2003 to abolish compulsory student unionism in higher education institutions which receive Commonwealth funding.
Reps: Intro. 17/9/03; 2nd reading adjourned 17/9/03, 13/8/04
Senate:
SBC report 12/03 (tabled and adopted 8/10/03): No reference
House of Representatives (Northern Territory Representation) Bill 2004
Implements a recommendation of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to maintain at the next federal election the Northern Territory—s representation in the House of Representatives at its current level of two members.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; 2nd reading adjourned 19/2/04
Senate:
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
PS Human Rights (Mandatory Sentencing for Property Offences) Bill 2000 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Seeks to give effect to Australia—s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child by providing that a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory must not require a court to sentence a person (including a person who is under 18 years of age) to imprisonment or detention for a property offence. Also contains certain application and transitional provisions.
Senate: Intro. 6/9/00; 2nd reading adjourned 6/9/00
SBC report 7/01 (tabled and adopted 23/5/01): No reference
Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional References Committee 24/5/01 reference readopted 11/3/02; report due 21/3/02; report tabled 12/3/02
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/11/02
Import Processing Charges (Amendment and Repeal) Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: Import Processing Charges (Amendment and Repeal) Amendment Act 2004)
Introduced with the Customs Legislation Amendment (Application of International Trade Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2003, the bill amends the Import Processing Charges (Amendment and Repeal) Act 2002 to extend the application of cost recovery charges during the transition between the Customs legacy electronic systems and the new Integrated Cargo System.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 10/3/04
Senate: Intro. 11/3/04; Passed 11/3/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Assent: 25/3/04; Act No. 26, 2004
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to: provide funding for the Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme and the Indigenous Education Direct Assistance Programme for the period 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2009; provide for a continuation of the —away-from-base— element of ABSTUDY for 2005-2008; specify commitments and conditions, including financial and educational accountability conditions, that must be included in funding agreements under the Act; and repeal a spent transitional provision. Also repeals the Indigenous Education (Supplementary Assistance) Act 1989 and contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 9/8/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 10/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Indirect Tax Legislation Amendment (Small Business Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to: allow certain small businesses and non-profit bodies the option to report and pay the goods and services tax (GST) on an annual basis; allow small businesses to undertake annual apportionment of input tax credits for certain acquisitions used partly for non-business purposes; and remove the requirement for an entity to make an annual election to continue with the option to pay GST by instalments. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 3/8/04
Senate: Intro. 4/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 4/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Amendment (Low Regulatory Concern Chemicals) Bill 2004
Amends the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 in relation to: low regulatory concern chemicals, including new permit categories and exemptions, annual reporting and record keeping obligations; administrative processes for some permit renewals; and make miscellaneous and consequential amendments in relation to: the definition of —cosmetics—; inclusion of certain material on the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances; and mandatory company registration for chemical introducers. Also contains application, saving and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 31/3/04; Passed 26/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): No reference
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 110, 2004
Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Amendment (Rotterdam Convention) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Amendment Bill 2004, the bill amends the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 to give effect to Australia—s obligations under the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 18/2/04
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 4/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 11/3/04; Act No. 14, 2004
Industry Research and Development Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: Industry Research and Development Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the Industry Research and Development Act 1986 to: remove the existing powers of the Industry Research and Development Board to commit and approve expenditure of Commonwealth funds; and clarify the Board—s role in the provision of advice on innovation programs in addition to research and development programs. Also contains savings and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/03; Passed 18/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 4/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Assent: 11/3/04; Act No. 15, 2004
Intelligence Services Amendment Bill 2004
(Previous title: Intelligence Services Amendment Bill 2003)
Amends the Intelligence Services Act 2001 to: allow the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) to provide for the protection of its staff members and agents, including the provision of self-defence training and weapons for use outside Australia under strict conditions, such as reporting to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security on the discharge of any such weapons; and allow ASIS to accept protection from other agencies, including armed protection in certain circumstances. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 15/10/03; Passed 30/3/04
Reference: Referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD 15/10/03; report tabled in Senate 11/3/04 and Reps 23/3/04
CID amendments: 4 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 31/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Assent: 27/4/04; Act No. 57, 2004
International Transfer of Prisoners Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997 to facilitate the transfer of Australian citizens, convicted by a United States (US) military commission, to Australia for the purpose of serving any penal sentence in accordance with Australian and US law. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 3/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 4/3/04; Passed 8/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Assent: 23/3/04; Act No. 19, 2004
PM Invasion of Iraq Royal Commission (Restoring Public Trust in Government) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Mr Organ — AG)
Provides for the appointment of a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the accuracy, independence and use of intelligence information provided to the Commonwealth Government that contributed to its decision to commit Australian military forces to the war against Iraq.
Reps: Intro. 8/3/04; Read a 1st time 8/3/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
PS Invasion of Iraq Royal Commission (Restoring Public Trust in Government) Bill 2004 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senators Brown and Nettle — AG)
Provides for the appointment of a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the accuracy, independence and use of intelligence information provided to the Commonwealth Government that contributed to its decision to commit Australian military forces to the war against Iraq.
Senate: Intro. 3/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/3/04
SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): No reference
PS Kyoto Protocol (Ratification) Bill 2002
(Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Requires the Australian Government to effect Australia—s obligations arising from the Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.
Senate: Intro. 19/9/02; 2nd reading adjourned 19/9/02
SBC report 9/02 (tabled and adopted 25/9/02): No reference
PS Kyoto Protocol Ratification Bill 2003 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Lundy — ALP and Senator Brown — AG)
Requires the Australian Government to effect Australia—s obligations arising from the Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.
Senate: Intro. 30/10/03; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 15/03 (tabled and adopted 26/11/03): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 26/11/03; extension of time to report 3/3/04; report tabled 25/3/04
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Read a 1st time 1/4/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
PS Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senator Conroy — ALP)
Penalises late payment of commercial debts by Commonwealth government agencies and large corporations to small business in relation to contracts for the supply of goods and services. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Senate: Intro. 6/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 6/3/03
SBC report 3/03 (tabled and adopted 19/3/03): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 19/3/03; extensions of time to report 11/8/03, 21/8/03, 15/10/03; report tabled 29/10/03
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Amends 22 Acts to: correct minor drafting errors; clarify the operation of certain provisions; update references to organisations and other Acts; and update provisions to reflect current practices. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 31/3/04
Senate: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 13/5/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Assent: 26/5/04; Act No. 62, 2004
Life Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004
Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Life Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the life insurance supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
PM Local Community Input into Renewable Energy Developments Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Zahra — ALP)
Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to allow only those wind power stations that have been approved by local councils to issue renewable energy certificates.
Reps: Intro. 1/12/03; Read a 1st time 1/12/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 10/8/04
Marriage Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to: define marriage as a union of a man and a woman; and clarify that same-sex marriages entered into under the law of another country will not be recognised in Australia.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
CID amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Senate: Message reported 25/6/04; Negatived at 1st reading 25/6/04
Standing orders suspended and bill read a 1st time 13/8/04; Passed 13/8/04
Committee amendments: 6 Dem/negatived; 4 AG/negatived; 1 item opposed/item agreed to
Assent: 16/8/04; Act No. 126, 2004
Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the: Marriage Act 1961 to: define marriage as a union of a man and a woman; and clarify that same-sex marriages entered into under the law of another country will not be recognised in Australia; and Family Law Act 1975 to prevent intercountry adoptions by same sex couples under multilateral or bilateral agreements or arrangements.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 17/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 4 Opp/negatived; 1 Opp/ruled out of order
Senate: Intro. 18/6/04; 2nd reading adjourned 18/6/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled 23/6/04; motion to adopt report amended and agreed to 23/6/04): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 23/6/04; report due 7/10/04; report presented 6/9/04
Medical Indemnity Amendment Bill 2004
Introduced with the Medical Indemnity (IBNR Indemnity) Contribution Amendment Bill 2004, the bill amends the: Medical Indemnity Act 2002 to: replace the Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Contribution with the United Medical Protection (UMP) support payment; implement the Premium Support Scheme in place of the Medical Indemnity Subsidy Scheme; and clarify the definition of health care related vocation; and Health Insurance Act 1973, Health Insurance Commission Act 1973, Medical Indemnity Act 2002 and National Health Act 1953 to make consequential amendments renaming the IBNR contribution as the UMP support payment.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 2/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 3/3/04; Passed 9/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/3/04; Act No. 17, 2004
Medical Indemnity (IBNR Indemnity) Contribution Amendment Bill 2004
Introduced with the Medical Indemnity Amendment Bill 2004, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Medical Indemnity (IBNR Indemnity) Contribution Act 2002 to reflect the renaming of the Incurred But Not Reported Claims Contribution as the United Medical Protection support payment; and provides for the Act to be renamed as the Medical Indemnity (UMP Support Payment) Contribution Act 2002.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 2/3/04
Senate: Intro. 3/3/04; Passed 9/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/3/04; Act No. 18, 2004
Medical Indemnity Legislation Amendment (Run-off Cover Indemnity and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Medical Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2004, the bill amends the: Medical Indemnity Act 2002, Medical Indemnity (Prudential Supervision and Product Standards) Act 2003, Health Insurance Act 1973, Health Insurance Commission Act 1973 and National Health Act 1953 to introduce a run-off cover indemnity scheme to cover the cost of medical indemnity claims against eligible practitioners after they have retired or are not participating in the private medical workforce, which will be funded by a levy on medical indemnity insurers (the run-off cover support payment); and the Medical Indemnity Act 2002 to enable a claims protocol to be determined to cover the payment of expenses arising from incurred but not reported indemnity scheme claims. Also repeals the Medical Indemnity (Enhanced UMP Indemnity) Contribution Act 2002 and makes minor amendments to the Medical Indemnity Act 2002, Medical Indemnity (Prudential Supervision and Product Standards) Act 2003 and the Medical Indemnity (Prudential Supervision and Product Standards) Regulations 2003.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 26/5/04
CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 77, 2004
Medical Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Medical Indemnity Legislation Amendment (Run-off Cover Indemnity and Other Measures) Bill 2004, the bill imposes the run-off cover support payment as a levy on the premium income received by insurers for medical indemnity cover. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 26/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 76, 2004
Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Amendment Act 2004)
Introduced with the Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Agents Integrity Measures) Bill 2003, the bill amends the Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997 to: impose a pro rata charge on migration agents who register to provide immigration assistance on a non-commercial basis, but who give immigration assistance on a commercial basis during the course of their registration period. Also contains a regulation-making power and an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 17/9/03; Passed 8/10/03
Senate: Intro. 8/10/03; Passed 23/3/04
SBC report 12/03 (tabled and adopted 8/10/03): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 8/10/03; report tabled 25/11/03
Assent: 5/4/04; Act No. 31, 2004
Migration Amendment (Duration of Detention) Bill 2004
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to further clarify that an unlawful non-citizen must 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. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 3/3/04
Senate: Intro. 4/3/04; Negatived at 2nd reading 8/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Migration Amendment (Judicial Review) Bill 2004
Amends: the Migration Act 1958 to include purported decisions in the definition of —privative clause decision—; and to restore the original procedural intent of the migration judicial review scheme in relation to: time limits on judicial review applications; exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court, Federal Court and Federal Magistrates Court to hear judicial review of migration applications; and restrictions on judicial review of decisions where merits review of the primary decision is available; and makes a consequential amendment to the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 25/3/04; Passed 31/3/04
Senate: Intro. 31/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 31/3/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 31/3/04; extension of time to report 15/6/04; report tabled 17/6/04
Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2002
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: clarify certain visa related matters (immigration status of non-citizen children born in Australia, security for compliance, bridging visas, special purpose visas and non-citizen student visas); create a Deputy Principal Member position for the Migration Review Tribunal; remove ambiguities surrounding certain offence provisions; and correct a technical error. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 13/3/02; Passed 12/12/02
CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 5/2/03; Passed 30/3/04
SBC report 2/02 (tabled and adopted 20/3/02): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 20/3/02; extension of time to report 15/5/02; interim report presented 22/5/02 and tabled 18/6/02; report presented 5/6/02 and tabled 18/6/02
Committee amendments: 3 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 4 Opp/negatived; 4 Dem to Opp/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 1/4/04; Senate reported message 1/4/04]
PM Migration Legislation Amendment (Children and Families) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Ms Roxon — ALP)
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to release by Christmas 2003 all children detained in immigration detention centres.
Reps: Intro. 1/12/03; Read a 1st time 1/12/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 10/8/04
Migration Legislation Amendment (Identification and Authentication) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Migration Legislation Amendment (Identification and Authentication) Act 2004)
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to provide a legislative framework for the collection of personal identifiers, such as fingerprints and handprints, photographs, physical measurements, audio and video recordings, signatures, iris scans and any other identifiers prescribed in regulations, from certain non-citizens at key points in the immigration process.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 18/9/03
Senate: Intro. 7/10/03; Passed 10/2/04
SBC report 9/03 (tabled and adopted 20/8/03): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 20/8/03; extension of time to report 11/9/03; report tabled 18/9/03
Committee amendments: 20 Govt/passed; 1 Dem/negatived; 3 AG/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 11/2/04]
Assent: 27/2/04; Act No. 2, 2004
Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Agents Integrity Measures) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Agents Integrity Measures) Act 2004)
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to strengthen and improve the regulation of migration agents; and make minor technical and consequential amendments. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 17/9/03; Passed 8/10/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 8/10/03; Passed 23/3/04
SBC report 12/03 (tabled and adopted 8/10/03): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 8/10/03; report tabled 25/11/03
Committee amendments: 37 Govt (8 as amended by 18 Dem)/passed; 15 Dem/passed; 1 Subdivision negatived; 1 section negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 24/3/04]
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 48, 2004
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Bill 2003
(Act citation: Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004)
Introduced with the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003, the bill provides for a new military rehabilitation and compensation scheme for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who suffer an injury or disease, or die, as a result of ADF service on or after commencement of the proposed Act. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 18/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 31/3/04
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee upon introduction in Reps (4/12/03); extension of time to report 2/3/04; report tabled 22/3/04
Committee amendments: 43 Govt/passed
Committee requests: 7 Govt/passed; 1 Dem/passed
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments nos 2 to 8 and did not make Senate request for an amendment no. 1, 31/3/04; Senate did not press its request for an amendment no. 1, 31/3/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendments 1/4/04]
Assent: 27/4/04; Act No. 51, 2004
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004)
Introduced with the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Bill 2003, the bill makes transitional arrangements and amendments to 20 Acts consequential on the commencement of the new military rehabilitation and compensation scheme. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 18/2/04
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 31/3/04
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee upon introduction in Reps (4/12/03); extension of time to report 2/3/04; report tabled 22/3/04
Committee amendments: 26 Govt/passed
Committee requests: 2 Govt/passed
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 31/3/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendments 1/4/04]
Assent: 27/4/04; Act No. 52, 2004
PS Ministers of State (Post-Retirement Employment Restrictions) Bill 2002
(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
PS National Animal Welfare Bill 2003
(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. Also contains savings and application provisions and a regulation-making power.
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
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Budget Measures) Bill 2002 [No. 2]
(Act citation: National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Budget Measures) Act 2004)
Amends the National Health Act 1953 to increase Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme patient co-payments and safety net thresholds.
Reps: Intro. 13/11/02; Passed 4/12/02
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 5/12/02; Negatived at 2nd reading 4/3/03
SBC report 13/02 (tabled and adopted 4/12/02): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 24/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
2nd reading amendments: 1 Dem/negatived; 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 2 AG/negatived; 1 item negatived; 5 items opposed/items agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 25/6/04]
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 119, 2004
National Health Amendment (Prostheses) Bill 2004
Amends the National Health Act 1953 to require health funds to provide contributors a —no gap— and —gap permitted— range of prostheses in relation to every in-hospital procedure for which a Medicare benefit is payable.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
National Measurement Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: National Measurement Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the National Measurement Act 1960 to: establish the National Measurement Institute (including the establishment of the position of Chief Metrologist) within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and outline its functions and responsibilities; and dissolve the National Standards Commission. Also contains transitional provisions to provide for the transfer of assets and liabilities from the Commission and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation to the Commonwealth; amends the Science and Industry Research Act 1949 and National Measurement Regulations 1999; and contains a regulation-making power and an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/03; Passed 11/2/04
Senate: Intro. 12/2/04; Passed 11/3/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Assent: 25/3/04; Act No. 27, 2004
National Residue Survey Customs Levy Rate Correction (Lamb Exports) Bill 2003
(Act citation: National Residue Survey Customs Levy Rate Correction (Lamb Exports) Act 2004)
Validates levy already collected at the rate of 8 cents per head in respect of the export of lambs valued at more than $75, for the period 1 July 2000 to 30 May 2003.
Reps: Intro. 26/11/03; Passed 4/12/03
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 12/2/04
SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference
Assent: 27/2/04; Act No. 3, 2004
National Residue Survey Excise Levy Rate Correction (Lamb Transactions) Bill 2003
(Act citation: National Residue Survey Excise Levy Rate Correction (Lamb Transactions) Act 2004)
Validates levy already collected in respect of lambs with a sale price of more than $75, at the rate of 4 cents per head for the period 1 July 2000 to 16 November 2001 and for the period 16 November 2001 to 30 May 2003.
Reps: Intro. 26/11/03; Passed 4/12/03
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 12/2/04
SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference
Assent: 27/2/04; Act No. 4, 2004
National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Bill 2004
Introduced with the National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2004, the bill provides for the issue of an Attorney-General—s certificate to protect information from disclosure in federal criminal proceedings where the disclosure is likely to prejudice national security. Also contains an application provision and a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; 2nd reading adjourned 27/5/04
Senate:
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report presented 19/8/04 and tabled 30/8/04
National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2004
Introduced with the National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Bill 2004, the bill amends the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to limit a court—s jurisdiction to determine a defendant—s application for review; and to exclude a person from requesting a written statement of reasons from the Attorney-General; and Judiciary Act 1903 to give the relevant Supreme Court jurisdiction in respect of applications for writs of mandamus or prohibition, or injunctions.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; 2nd reading adjourned 27/5/04
Senate:
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report presented 19/8/04 and tabled 30/8/04
New International Tax Arrangements Bill 2003
(Act citation: New International Tax Arrangements Act 2004)
Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to: modify certain foreign investment fund rules; provide an interest withholding tax exemption for interest paid on certain debentures issued by eligible unit trusts; remove the need for certain income of a controlled foreign country resident to be included as notional assessable income; and prevent double taxation of royalties subject to withholding tax. Also makes consequential amendments and contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 4/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 8/3/04; Passed 16/6/04
SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 10/3/04; report tabled 12/5/04
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 73, 2004
New International Tax Arrangements (Managed Funds and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to modify the capital gains tax treatment of foreign residents with interests in Australian managed funds; International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to amend the rules for determining the source of income derived by certain residents of treaty partner countries; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Financial Corporations (Transfer of Assets and Liabilities) Act 1993 in relation to the imposition of interest withholding tax. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 11/8/04
Senate: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
New International Tax Arrangements (Participation Exemption and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: reduce the amount of the capital gain or capital loss that will be subject to capital gains tax rules where Australian companies and controlled foreign companies sell shares in a foreign company with an underlying active business; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to extend the current exemptions for foreign branch profits and foreign dividends to all countries from 1 July 2004; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to reduce the scope of tainted services income. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 16/6/04
CID amendments: 5 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 18/6/04; Passed 18/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 96, 2004
S Norfolk Island Amendment Bill 2003 [2004]
(Act citation: Norfolk Island Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the Norfolk Island Act 1979 to align electoral arrangements in Norfolk Island more closely to those of other Australian parliaments, including those of the other self-governing Territories.
Senate: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 3/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Reps: Intro. 3/3/04; Passed 4/3/04
Assent: 10/3/04; Act No. 6, 2004
Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment (Employee Involvement and Compliance) Bill 2002
(Act citation: Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment (Employee Involvement and Compliance) Act 2004)
Amends the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to provide improved health and safety protection for Commonwealth employees; and makes technical amendments and contains transitional, application and savings provisions. Also amends the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 to repeal certain redundant amendments.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/02; Passed 29/3/04
CID amendments: 40 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 30/3/04; Passed 12/8/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): Order varied — Referred to Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 31/3/04; report tabled 17/6/04
Committee amendments: 6 Govt/passed; 1 Schedule negatived; 2 Divisions negatived; 52 items negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 13/8/04]
Assent: 16/8/04; Act No. 122, 2004
Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment (Promoting Safer Workplaces) Bill 2004
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. 1/4/04; 2nd reading adjourned 1/4/04
Senate:
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): No reference
PS Parliamentary Approval of Treaties Bill 1995 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Bourne — AD)
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
PM Parliamentary (Choice of Superannuation) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Andren — Ind)
Amends the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 to allow senators and members of the House of Representatives to make contributions to a complying superannuation fund or retirement savings account of their choice instead of the compulsory parliamentary superannuation scheme.
Reps: Intro. 8/9/03; Read a 1st time 8/9/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 23/3/04
PS Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (Bali Bombings) Bill 2002
(Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Provides for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in relation to the operation of Australian security and intelligence services relating to the Bali terrorist attack on 12 October 2002. Also provides for a regulation-making power.
Senate: Intro. 4/12/02; 2nd reading adjourned 4/12/02
SBC report 1/03 (tabled and adopted 5/2/03): No reference
PS Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (Forest Practices) Bill 2002
(Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Provides for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in relation to Forestry Tasmania to investigate certain matters.
Senate: Intro. 20/6/02; 2nd reading adjourned 20/6/02
SBC report 5/02 (tabled and adopted 26/6/02): No reference
Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Amendment Bill 2002
Amends the Parliamentary Proceedings Act 1946 to alter gender specific references to non-gender specific references.
Reps: Intro. 12/2/02; Read a 1st time 12/2/02; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
PS Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill 2004
(Introduced by the President — Senator the Hon. Paul Calvert)
Amends the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to provide for the creation of a statutory position of Parliamentary Librarian. Also makes consequential amendments to the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 and Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
Senate: Intro. 21/6/04; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): No reference
Parliamentary Superannuation and Other Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Introduced with the Parliamentary Superannuation Bill 2004, the bill amends the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 to: close the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Scheme to new members from the next general election; and suspend retiring allowances being paid to former senators and members who are again elected at or after the next general election; and Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 and Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 to allow a limited salary sacrifice facility for senators and members who are entitled to superannuation under the new arrangements.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 12/5/04
CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived; 1 Ind (Andren)/negatived
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 16/6/04
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): Provisions of bill referred to Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 12/5/04; report tabled 15/6/04
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed; 7 Dem/negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 17/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments 18/6/04]
Assent: 25/6/04; Act No. 87, 2004
Parliamentary Superannuation Bill 2004
Introduced with the Parliamentary Superannuation and Other Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2004, the bill establishes new superannuation arrangements for persons who become members of the Federal Parliament at or after the next general election. The new arrangements will involve a 9 per cent contribution payable into a superannuation fund nominated by the senator or member.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 12/5/04
CID amendments: 2 AG/negatived; 1 Ind (Andren)/negatived
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 16/6/04
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): Provisions of bill referred to Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 12/5/04; report tabled 15/6/04
Committee amendments: 3 Dem/negatived; 2 AG/negatived
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 72, 2004
PS Patents Amendment Bill 1996 [2002]
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
PS Plastic Bag Levy (Assessment and Collection) Bill 2002 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Provides for the assessment and collection of a 25 cent levy on the use of plastic bags at retail points of sale. Also includes reporting requirements and a regulation-making power.
Senate: Intro. 21/10/02; 2nd reading adjourned 21/10/02
SBC report 2/03 (tabled and adopted 5/3/03): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 5/3/03; extensions of time to report 7/10/03, 29/10/03; report tabled 26/11/03; corrigendum tabled 1/3/04
PS Plastic Bag (Minimisation of Usage) Education Fund Bill 2002 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Brown — AG)
Establishes the Plastic Bag and Other Waste Minimisation of Usage and Education Fund, for the purpose of education about plastic bag damage to the environment and dangers posed by plastic bags to wildlife and marine life. Also includes reporting requirements.
Senate: Intro. 21/10/02; 2nd reading adjourned 21/10/02
SBC report 2/03 (tabled and adopted 5/3/03): Referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 5/3/03; extensions of time to report 7/10/03, 29/10/03; report tabled 26/11/03; corrigendum tabled 1/3/04
Postal Industry Ombudsman Bill 2004
Amends the Ombudsman Act 1976 to: establish the Postal Industry Ombudsman as a separate office within the office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman; and correct drafting errors. Also makes consequential amendments to the Migration Act 1958 and Privacy Act 1988, and contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
Postal Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: Postal Services Legislation Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the: Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 to: extend the responsibilities of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in relation to Australia Post; exclude document exchanges and aggregation services from Australia Post—s reserved services; provide for enforcement of infringement of Australia Post—s reserved services; allow performance standards in relation to Australia Post—s delivery arrangements to be prescribed; update a reference to a repealed Act; and establish a levy on Australia Post to fund the new functions conferred on the ACCC; and Trade Practices Act 1974 to allow the ACCC to delegate its powers under the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 to a member of the Commission. Also contains application and saving provisions.
Reps: Intro. 19/6/03; Passed 18/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; Passed 12/5/04
SBC report 7/03 (tabled and adopted 25/6/03): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 25/6/03; extension of time to report 18/8/03; report tabled 19/8/03
Committee amendments: 1 Govt (as amended by 7 Opp)/passed; 5 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 11 items negatived; 1 Division negatived; 4 items opposed/items agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1 to 5 and 10 to 12, disagreed to Senate amendments nos 6 to 9 and agreed to 1 Govt amendment in place of Senate amendment no. 9, 3/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments nos 6 to 9 and agreed to Reps amendment made in place of Senate amendment no. 9, 15/6/04]
Assent: 22/6/04; Act No. 69, 2004
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Wine Grapes) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Wine Grapes) Act 2004)
Amends the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 to increase the maximum allowable rate of the research and development component of the wine grapes levy from $3 to $10 per tonne, commencing on 1 July 2004.
Reps: Intro. 26/11/03; Passed 4/12/03
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 12/2/04
SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference
Assent: 27/2/04; Act No. 5, 2004
Privacy Amendment Bill 2004
(Previous title: Privacy Amendment Bill 2003)
Amends the Privacy Act 1988 to: ensure that the protections under the Act are available to all persons irrespective of nationality; provide the private sector with greater flexibility in relation to privacy codes; correct an unintended limitation on the provision of superannuation services to Commonwealth employees; and enable the Privacy Commissioner to audit acts and practices of Commonwealth agencies in relation to certain personal information. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/03; Passed 4/3/04
CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 9/3/04; Passed 25/3/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): No reference
Assent: 21/4/04; Act No. 49, 2004
PM Protection of Australian Flags (Desecration of the Flag) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mrs Draper and Mr Randall — LP)
Amends the Flags Act 1953 to protect the Australian National Flag or an Australian Ensign from unlawful desecration or destruction by inserting offence and penalty provisions.
Reps: Intro. 18/8/03; Read a 1st time 18/8/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 9/3/04
PS Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill 2002
(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
PM Racial and Religious Hatred Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr McClelland — ALP)
Amends the Crimes Act 1914 to create new offences for acts of racial and religious hatred.
Reps: Intro. 1/12/03; Read a 1st time 1/12/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 10/8/04
PS Racial and Religious Hatred Bill 2003 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Ludwig — ALP)
Amends the Crimes Act 1914 to create new offences for acts of racial and religious hatred.
Senate: Intro. 1/12/03; 2nd reading adjourned 1/12/03
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): Deferred
PS Reconciliation Bill 2001 [2002]
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
PS Renewable Energy Amendment (Increased MRET) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Senator Lees — Ind)
Increases the mandatory renewable energy target from 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent.
Senate: Intro. 17/6/04; 2nd reading adjourned 17/6/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): Deferred
Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2002
Amends the: Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 in relation to: clarification of definitions, including those related to eligible renewable energy sources, components of a power station, relevant acquisitions of electricity and penalty charges; extension of authorised officers; capacity of Renewable Energy Regulator to: vary certain decisions; suspend entitlements, including the accreditation of a power station, in certain limited circumstances; and gather information; and inclusion of administrative review provisions covering decisions by the Regulator to take action to vary or suspend; and Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to clarify the avenues for appeal in relation to assessment decisions under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/6/02; Passed 12/12/02
Senate: Intro. 13/12/02 a.m.; Passed 13/12/02 a.m.
SBC report 9/02 (tabled and adopted 25/9/02): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee 25/9/02; extension of time to report 14/11/02; interim report presented 28/11/02 and tabled 2/12/02; report tabled 2/12/02
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed; 1 Opp/negatived; 5 Dem/negatived; 5 AG/negatived; 1 item opposed/item agreed to
[Reps reported message 13/12/02 a.m.]
PS Republic (Consultation of the People) Bill 2001 [2002]
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
PS Resale Royalty Bill 2004
(Introduced by Senator Lundy — ALP)
Amends the Copyright Act 1968 to establish a Resale Royalty Scheme for the visual arts which will provide for a collecting society authorised to receive moneys on behalf of artists whose original work is resold through an art market intermediary.
Senate: Intro. 11/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/3/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): Deferred
Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004
Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Retirement Savings Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the retirement savings account providers supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; and alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
PM Royal Commission (House of Representatives elections) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Organ — AG)
Provides for the appointment of a royal commission of inquiry to determine an appropriate model and method of implementation of a system of proportional representation for House of Representatives elections.
Reps: Intro. 1/12/03; Read a 1st time 1/12/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 10/8/04
PM Same Sex Relationships (Ensuring Equality) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Mr Organ — AG)
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexuality.
Reps: Intro. 24/5/04; Read a 1st time 24/5/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Schools Assistance (Learning Together—Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Bill 2004
Provides financial assistance to the States and Territories for government and non-government schools for 2005-2008 by providing for: integration of Catholic system schools in the socioeconomic status (SES) funding model for non-government schools; a funding guarantee to independent non-government schools that would otherwise be disadvantaged from updating the SES scores for 2005-2008; additional funding for the Capital Grants Program for constructions and refurbishments in non-government schools in isolated locations in the Northern Territory; and establishment of the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Program for disadvantaged students. Also contains transitional provisions and a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 5/8/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 9/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 9/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Sex Discrimination Amendment Bill 2002
Amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to enable States and Territories to legislate to limit access to assisted reproductive technology services to married couples and couples in a de facto marriage.
Reps: Intro. 27/6/02; 2nd reading adjourned 27/6/02
Senate:
SBC report 6/02 (tabled and adopted 21/8/02): No reference
Sex Discrimination Amendment (Teaching Profession) Bill 2004
Amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to permit the provision of teaching scholarships to males, in order to address the imbalance in the number of male and female teachers in schools.
Reps: Intro. 10/3/04; Passed 25/3/04
Senate: Intro. 29/3/04; Negatived at 2nd reading 25/6/04
SBC report 5/04 (tabled and adopted 24/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 24/3/04; report tabled 11/5/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Sex Discrimination Amendment (Teaching Profession) Bill (No. 2) 2004
Amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to permit the provision of teaching scholarships to males, in order to address the imbalance in the number of male and female teachers in schools.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
PS Sexuality and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senator Greig — Dem)
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. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Senate: Intro. 25/11/03; 2nd reading adjourned 25/11/03
SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): No reference
PS Sexuality Anti-Vilification Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senator Greig — Dem)
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
Social Security Amendment (Further Simplification) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Social Security Amendment (Further Simplification) Act 2004)
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 to: repeal existing provisions in relation to rent assistance and consolidate and simplify them in one new part; and make minor amendments to: clarify the payments recoverable when customers receive economic loss compensation payments; apply the definition of —independence— to disability support pension youth customers; and clarify the operation of the income and assets test provisions. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 16/10/03; Passed 26/11/03
Senate: Intro. 27/11/03; Passed 10/3/04
SBC report 14/03 (tabled and adopted 29/10/03): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/passed
Assent: 25/3/04; Act No. 23, 2004
PS Social Security Amendment (Supporting Young Carers) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senator Lees — APA)
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 to extend the eligibility of persons under 25 years of age to the carer payment.
Senate: Intro. 26/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 26/6/03
SBC report 10/03 (tabled and adopted 10/9/03): No reference
PS State Elections (One Vote, One Value) Bill 2001 [2002]
R (Introduced by Senator Murray — AD)
Provides that the —one 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
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02
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
States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 2000 to: appropriate additional funding for the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies and Projects Programme for the Tutorial Credits Initiative in 2004; and correct a technical defect in the socioeconomic status funding phasing-in arrangements for non-government schools. Also repeals the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1992 and States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 5/8/04
Senate: Intro. 9/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 9/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Student Assistance Amendment Bill 2003
Amends the Student Assistance Act 1973 to: close the Student Financial Supplement Scheme to new applications from ABSTUDY students from 1 January 2004 and continue loan repayment arrangements for existing loans; and make a minor technical amendment to extend the regulation-making power relating to notifications.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 11/9/03
Senate: Intro. 15/9/03; 2nd reading adjourned 15/9/03, 25/11/03, 26/11/03
SBC report 9/03 (tabled and adopted 20/8/03): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/pending
Superannuation Budget Measures Bill 2004
Amends the: Superannuation (Government Co-contribution for Low Income Earners) Act 2003 to: increase the level of Government matching of personal superannuation contributions; increase the maximum amount of co-contribution available; increase the income level up to which the maximum co-contribution applies; and reduce the rate by which the maximum co-contribution phases out; and 3 Acts to reduce the maximum surcharge rates over the next 3 financial years; and 5 Acts to reduce the superannuation surcharge cap. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 26/5/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report tabled 21/6/04; corrigendum tabled 24/6/04
Committee amendments: 3 Ind (Murphy)/passed; 1 Ind (Murphy)/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 25/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments and agreed to 13 Ind (Murphy) amendments in place of those amendments 25/6/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendments made in place of amendments disagreed to by Reps, 25/6/04]
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 106, 2004
PM Superannuation (Entitlements of Same Sex Couples) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Mr Albanese — ALP)
Amends the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to ensure that same sex couples receive the same superannuation benefits as heterosexual couples.
Reps: Intro. 21/6/04; Read a 1st time 21/6/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Superannuation (Government Co-contribution for Low Income Earners) Bill 2002
Introduced with the Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2002, the bill establishes arrangements for government-funded superannuation co-contributions for eligible low income earners. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 27/6/02; Passed 23/10/02
CID amendments: 5 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/11/02; 2nd reading adjourned 11/11/02, 18/11/02
SBC report 6/02 (tabled and adopted 21/8/02): Provisions of bill referred to Select Committee on Superannuation 21/8/02; report tabled 26/9/02
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/pending
Superannuation Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 1) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Superannuation (Government Co-contribution for Low Income Earners) Act 2003 to: extend eligibility for the Government co-contribution for low income earners; and ensure that persons entitled to a co-contribution cannot also claim a tax deduction for personal superannuation contributions; and Superannuation (Government Co-contribution for Low Income Earners) Act 2003 to make administrative and technical amendments in relation to: interest on unpaid co-contribution amounts; provider repayment dates and general interest charge; reports to Parliament; and payments of co-contributions into the Superannuation Holding Accounts Account.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 2/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 23/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report tabled 21/6/04; corrigendum tabled 24/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 92, 2004
Superannuation Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 2) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to remove the requirement for certain pension providers to obtain an actuary—s certificate to qualify for tax exemptions; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to require taxpayers under age 18 to satisfy a work test in order to claim a tax deduction for personal superannuation contributions; Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997 to align the portability request time frame applying to retirement savings account providers with that of superannuation providers; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to simplify the superannuation guarantee earnings base arrangements; and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to correct a cross-referencing error in relation to cancellation of registrable superannuation entity licences. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 2/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 23/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report tabled 21/6/04; corrigendum tabled 24/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 23/6/04; Senate insisted on its amendments 24/6/04; Reps insisted on disagreeing to Senate amendments and agreed to 2 Govt amendments in place of those amendments 24/6/04; Senate did not further insist on its amendments and agreed to Reps amendments made in place of its amendments (2 Opp to Reps amendments/negatived) 24/6/04]
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 93, 2004
Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2002
Introduced with the Superannuation (Government Co-contribution for Low Income Earners) Bill 2002, the bill: makes consequential amendments to 9 Acts in relation to: eligibility for and taxation treatment of Government superannuation co-contributions; arrangements for certain Defence personnel and Commonwealth public servants; use of the Superannuation Holding Accounts Reserve; interest on late repayments of overpayments; and review of certain decisions; and amends 3 Acts to reduce the maximum superannuation and termination payments surcharge rates from 15 to 10.5 per cent over the next 3 years; 5 Acts to reduce the superannuation surcharge cap; and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to repeal the existing personal superannuation contribution taxation rebate for low income earners. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/6/02; Passed 23/10/02
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/11/02; 2nd reading adjourned 11/11/02, 18/11/02
SBC report 6/02 (tabled and adopted 21/8/02): Provisions of bill referred to Select Committee on Superannuation 21/8/02; report tabled 26/9/02
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending
Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
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. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Act 2004)
(Previous title: Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Bill 2002)
Amends the: Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to: require employers to make superannuation contributions on behalf of an employee to a complying superannuation fund or scheme or retirement savings account in compliance with the choice of fund requirements; and provide for penalties for breach of the choice of fund requirements; and Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997 to remove a redundant provision.
Reps: Intro. 27/6/02; Passed 5/12/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 39 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 10/2/04; Passed 22/6/04
SBC report 6/02 (tabled and adopted 21/8/02): Provisions of bill referred to Select Committee on Superannuation 21/8/02; extensions of time to report 19/9/02, 16/10/02; report tabled 12/11/02
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Committee amendments: 5 Govt/passed; 3 Opp/negatived; 1 Opp/withdrawn
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 23/6/04]
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 102, 2004
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law and Other Matters) Bill 2002
(Act citation: Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law and Other Matters) Act 2004)
(Previous title: Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law) Bill 2002)
Amends 7 Acts in relation to Commonwealth civilian and Australian Defence Force superannuation schemes as a consequence of new legislative arrangements for splitting superannuation on marriage breakdown. The bill provides for a framework within each relevant superannuation scheme for dealing with an agreement made by separating parties or a Family Court order that provides for an amount of the member—s superannuation to be allocated and paid to the member—s former spouse.
Reps: Intro. 12/12/02; Passed 14/5/03
Senate: Intro. 15/5/03; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 1/03 (tabled and adopted 5/2/03): No reference
Committee amendments: 11 Govt/passed
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 1/4/04]
Assent: 4/5/04; Act No. 58, 2004
Superannuation Safety Amendment Bill 2003
(Act citation: Superannuation Safety Amendment Act 2004)
Amends the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to strengthen the prudential regulation of superannuation, including providing for: the licensing of trustees of superannuation entities regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the registration of those entities; and enforcement powers and penalty provisions; and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997 to expand the reporting requirements for actuaries and auditors. Also contains transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/11/03; Passed 10/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 10/3/04
SBC report 16/03 (tabled and adopted 3/12/03): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 3/12/03; report presented 19/2/04 and tabled 1/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Committee amendments: 35 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/passed; 2 items negatived; 2 Opp/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1 to 25 and 28 to 39 and disagreed to Senate amendments nos 26 and 27, 31/3/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments nos 26 and 27, 31/3/04]
Assent: 27/4/04; Act No. 53, 2004
Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2004
Part of a package of seven bills to implement changes to the financial sector levy setting framework, the bill amends the Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to: separate the superannuation supervisory levy into a restricted and an unrestricted component; increase the statutory upper limit for the restricted levy component set for the 2005-06 financial year; alter the calculation of the indexation factor used to establish the statutory upper limits applying in later financial years; and allow for levy determinations for different classes of superannuation entity, thereby providing for separate lower minimum levy determinations for small superannuation funds. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
Surveillance Devices Bill 2004
The bill: establishes procedures for obtaining warrants, emergency authorisations and authorisations for the installation and use of surveillance devices in Australia and overseas in relation to criminal investigations and child recovery orders; and regulates the use, communication, publication, storage, destruction and making of records in connection with surveillance device operations. Also makes consequential amendments to the Australian Federal Police Act 1979, Criminal Code Act 1995, Customs Act 1901 and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987; and contains transitional and savings provisions and a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 24/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
Senate: Intro. 11/5/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/5/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 31/3/04; report presented 27/5/04 and tabled 15/6/04
Surveillance Devices Bill (No. 2) 2004
The bill: establishes procedures for federal, State and Territory law enforcement agencies to obtain warrants, emergency authorisations and authorisations for the installation and use of surveillance devices in Australia and overseas in relation to criminal investigations and child recovery orders; and regulates the use, communication, publication, storage, destruction and making of records in connection with surveillance device operations. Also makes consequential amendments to the Australian Federal Police Act 1979, Criminal Code Act 1995, Customs Act 1901 and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987; and contains transitional and savings provisions and a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Senate: Intro. 3/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 1) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to: broadening the list of eligible medical expenses to include payments in relation to guide dogs; rules for payments, loans and forgiven debts made by a trustee to a private company—s shareholder; and deductions for dividends on-paid to non-resident owners; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: income tax deductions for transport expenses for travel between workplaces; small business capital gains tax relief and discretionary trusts; net input tax credits and capital gains tax; and updating the list of deductible gift recipients; Energy Grants (Credits) Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 to clarify the treatment of claims for fuel purchased in the 3 years preceding the scheme—s introduction; A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 to clarify permitted disclosure of Australian Business Number information; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to income tax deductions for fund-raising event contributions; and 5 Acts to require that charities be endorsed in order to access relevant tax concessions. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 4/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 8/3/04; Passed 15/6/04
SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 10/3/04; report tabled 12/5/04
Committee amendments: 5 Govt/passed; 3 Dem/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 17/6/04]
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 95, 2004
Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 2) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 in relation to the operation of the income tax law affecting life insurance companies; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and 3 other Acts in relation to the consolidation regime; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: venture capital partnerships; and franked distributions received through certain partnerships and trusts; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 in relation to fringe benefits tax (FBT) housing benefits; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: capital gains tax event K6 and demergers; deductions for United Medical Protection Limited support payments; and alienation of personal services income provisions; A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 in relation to compulsory third party schemes; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to FBT treatment of public ambulance services; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to: taxation treatment of overseas superannuation payments; and technical corrections to foreign tax credit provisions. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 3/6/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 16/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 25/6/04; Act No. 83, 2004
Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 3) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Venture Capital Act 2002 in relation to the venture capital regime; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to extend the fringe benefits tax exemption transitional arrangements for certain contributions to worker entitlement funds; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to make technical corrections in relation to foreign tax credits. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 3/6/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report tabled 22/6/04
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 105, 2004
Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 4) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to clarify the operation of the consolidation regime and the interaction of the regime with other areas of the tax law; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to ensure that: copyright collecting societies are not taxed on copyright income they collect on behalf of members; and non-copyright income under prescribed limits is tax exempt; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Taxation Administration Act 1953 and Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 8) 2003 to: further implement the simplified imputation system, including anti-avoidance rules in relation to exempt entities that are eligible for a refund of imputation credits; and to replace and update certain references and terminology; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: include certain fire and emergency service bodies and other entities as specifically-listed deductible gift recipients; and extend an existing transitional rule in the debt/equity rules for at-call loans to 30 June 2005. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 11/8/04
Senate: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 5) Bill 2004
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: add certain organisations and include special schools as specifically-listed deductible gift recipients; give irrigation water providers and rural land irrigation water providers access to the water facilities and landcare tax concessions; enable an administrator (in addition to a liquidator) to declare worthless shares and other equity interests for capital gains tax purposes; and amend application of the first child tax offset provisions in relation to adoptive parents; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to extend the fringe benefits tax exemption to costs associated with purchase of a dwelling as a result of relocation; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to remove the superannuation guarantee (SG) reporting requirement, for employers to report to employees, from the SG arrangements; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to clarify operation of the consolidation regime; and Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 8) 2003 to correct a commencement provision. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2004
Amends the: A New Tax (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the Medicare levy low income thresholds and the Medicare levy surcharge low income thresholds for the 2003-2004 financial year and later financial years. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 2/6/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 17/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 25/6/04; Act No. 84, 2004
Tax Laws Amendment (Personal Income Tax Reduction) Bill 2004
Amends the Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to increase personal income tax thresholds for the 42 per cent and 47 per cent tax brackets in two stages, to apply to the 2004-05 and later income years.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 26/5/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 15/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 2 Dem/negatived; 1 item opposed/item agreed to
Assent: 22/6/04; Act No. 67, 2004
Tax Laws Amendment (Wine Producer Rebate and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the: A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 to: introduce a new wine produce rebate which will replace the existing cellar door rebate scheme; ensure that wine packaging is included in the tax base for assessing wine tax liability; ensure that payment of wine tax is not avoided by the export and re-entry of wine; amend the definition of rebatable wine to include cider, perry and sake; and correct a technical error; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to repeal accelerated depreciation for grapevine plantings. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 3/8/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 9/8/04; Passed 30/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 4/8/04; report tabled 11/8/04
Assent: 31/8/04; Act No. 129, 2004
PM Taxation Laws Amendment (A Simpler Business Activity Statement) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Latham — ALP)
Amends the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Administration) Act 1999 to simplify the business activity statement to allow small businesses to pay a goods and services tax (GST) payment based on a calculated GST ratio multiplied by their quarterly turnover and eliminate the need for quarterly and annual GST reconciliations.
Reps: Intro. 18/8/03; Read a 1st time 18/8/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 9/3/04
Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (No. 7) 2003
(Act citation: Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004)
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide tax exemptions for Australian residents receiving Second World War compensation payments from overseas funds; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: update and simplify the listing of specifically-listed deductible gift recipients; allow deductions for cash donations to deductible gift recipients to be spread over a period of up to 5 years; and provide an automatic capital gains tax roll-over for financial services providers during the financial services reform transitional period; Crimes (Taxation Offences) Act 1980 to correct a technical deficiency with the deeming mechanism; and clarify the interpretation of offences under the Criminal Code; Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to allow certain entities with foreign losses to be excluded from a consolidated group for a transitional period; A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to ensure that certain supplies made as a result of the consolidation regime are not taxable supplies; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to include imputation rules for life insurance companies; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to exclude from the overseas forces tax offset provisions periods of service for which an income tax exemption for foreign employment income is available; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to treat foreign hybrids as partnerships. Also makes technical amendments to 8 Acts to repeal redundant provisions and correct terminology, section references and cross-references and contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 10/9/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 14 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/9/03; Passed 8/10/03
SBC report 8/03 (tabled and adopted 13/8/03): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 13/8/03; extension of time to report 8/9/03; report tabled 10/9/03
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed; 72 items negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 14/10/03; Senate insisted on its amendments and agreed to 1 further Dem amendment (1 Opp/negatived) 22/6/04; Reps agreed to amendments insisted on by Senate and disagreed to Senate further amendment 23/6/04; Senate did not insist on its further amendment 24/6/04]
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 101, 2004
Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2004
(Previous title: Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (No. 9) 2003)
Amends the: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 in relation to first aid or life saving courses; Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to provide for a transitional exclusion for certain indirect value shifts involving services; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: personal services income; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to sugar industry exit grants; Taxation Administration Act 1953 in relation to application of foreign resident withholding arrangements to certain alienated personal services payments; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to: demutualisation of friendly societies; and eligibility for the research and development tax offset; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: optional roll-over relief for certain simplified tax system partnerships; and a technical correction; Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 in relation to: revocation of certain choices under the consolidation regime; and technical corrections. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 3/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 8/3/04; Passed 8/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): No reference
Assent: 23/3/04; Act No. 20, 2004
Taxation Laws Amendment (Superannuation Contributions Splitting) Bill 2003
Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Superannuation Contributions Tax (Assessment and Collection) Act 1997 to provide for the taxation treatment of split superannuation contributions between a fund-contributing member and their spouse. Details of the operation of superannuation contributions splitting will be specified in regulations under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.
Reps: Intro. 11/9/03; Passed 17/9/03
Senate: Intro. 18/9/03; 2nd reading adjourned 18/9/03
SBC report 11/03 (tabled and adopted 17/9/03): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 17/9/03; extensions of time to report 27/10/03, 3/12/03; report tabled 5/12/03
Taxation Laws (Clearing and Settlement Facility Support) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Taxation Laws (Clearing and Settlement Facility Support) Act 2004)
Ensures that there are no taxation consequences as a result of a payment out of the National Guarantee Fund under section 891A of the Corporations Act 2001 (which provides for payments to prescribed bodies to fund clearing and settlement facility support). Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 10/2/04
Senate: Intro. 11/2/04; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Referred to Economics Legislation Committee 3/3/04; report tabled 29/3/04
Assent: 27/4/04; Act No. 56, 2004
Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 to: extend the availability of telecommunications interception warrants to additional serious offences; extend the protections of the Act in relation to text-based communications; facilitate the recording of calls to publicly-listed Australian Security Intelligence Organisation numbers; and clarify the application of the Act to delayed access message services. Also contains a transitional provision.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 10/3/04
Senate: Intro. 11/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 3/3/04; report tabled 30/3/04
Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 6 items negatived; 1 Dem/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 1/4/04]
Assent: 27/4/04; Act No. 55, 2004
Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment (Stored Communications) Bill 2004
Amends the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 to exclude access to stored communications from the current prohibition against interception of communications.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/04; Passed 21/6/04
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; 2nd reading adjourned 22/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 16/6/04; report presented 22/7/04 and tabled 3/8/04
Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003 [No. 2]
Amends the Telstra Corporation Act 1991 in relation to: repeal of provisions which require the Commonwealth to retain 50.1 per cent of the equity in Telstra Corporation Limited; cessation of Ministerial directions and reporting obligations once the Commonwealth—s equity falls below certain percentages; foreign ownership limits; regular independent reviews of regional telecommunications; and sale provisions; Telecommunications Act 1997 to permit licence conditions on Telstra to ensure that it maintains a local presence in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia; Telstra Corporation Act 1991, Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Regulations and Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Regulations to preserve employee entitlements; Freedom of Information Act 1982, Archives Regulations, Freedom of Information (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 and Ombudsman Regulations to make transitional provisions and consequential amendments.
Reps: Intro. 4/3/04; Passed 11/3/04
Senate: Intro. 22/3/04; Negatived at 2nd reading 30/3/04
SBC report 5/04 (tabled and adopted 24/3/04): No reference
PS Textbook Subsidy Bill 2003
(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
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Act 1999 to establish an alternative cap for certain grants in respect of value-adding activities by leather and technical textile firms for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 financial years of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Scheme. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 18/2/04; Passed 9/3/04
Senate: Intro. 10/3/04; Passed 1/4/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 3/3/04; Order varied 22/3/04 — No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Assent: 20/4/04; Act No. 36, 2004
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Amendment (Post-2005 scheme) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Post-2005 Arrangements) Bill 2004 to extend the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Strategic Investment Program for another 10 years, the bill amends the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Act 1999 to extend the program, through the establishment of: the TCF Post-2005 Strategic Investment Program (SIP) Scheme to provide grants for eligible capital expenditure; and the TCF Small Business Fund focussing on grants to develop the business enterprise culture of small TCF entities unable to benefit from the TCF post-2005 (SIP) Scheme. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 16/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 3/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/8/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled and adopted 23/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 23/6/04; extension of time to report 12/8/04; report tabled 30/8/04
Tobacco Advertising Prohibition (Film, Internet and Misleading Promotion) Amendment Bill 2004
(Exposure draft tabled by Senator Allison — AD)
Amends the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 and Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to prohibit: tobacco advertising and the sale of tobacco products on the Internet; tobacco product placement in films and computer games; and Commonwealth expenditure if there is co-sponsorship by tobacco companies.
Senate: Tabled 10/3/04
Reference: Referred to Community Affairs Legislation Committee 13/5/04; extension of time to report 25/6/04; report presented 30/9/04
Tourism Australia Bill 2004
Establishes Tourism Australia, which will amalgamate the functions of the Australian Tourist Commission, See Australia, the Tourism Forecasting Council and the Bureau of Tourism Research, plus a new unit, Tourism Events Australia. Tourism Australia will be responsible for international and domestic tourism marketing and research. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 26/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 18/6/04
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 1/4/04; report tabled 13/5/04
Committee amendments: 2 Opp (1 as amended by Dem)/passed
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 21/6/04]
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 74, 2004
Tourism Australia (Repeal and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2004
Further to the Tourism Australia Bill 2004, the bill: repeals the Australian Tourist Commission Act 1987; and puts in place transitional arrangements to facilitate the merger of the operations and employees of the Australian Tourist Commission, the Bureau of Tourism Research and the Tourism Forecasting Council into Tourism Australia. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 26/5/04
Senate: Intro. 15/6/04; Passed 18/6/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
Assent: 23/6/04; Act No. 75, 2004
Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Energy Market) Bill 2004
Introduced with the Australian Energy Market Bill 2004 and in accordance with the intergovernmental Australian Energy Market Agreement, the bill amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to: establish the Australian Energy Regulator which will perform national energy market regulation and enforcement functions; and facilitate code change processes. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977.
Reps: Intro. 17/6/04; Passed 22/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
SBC report 9/04 (tabled and adopted 23/6/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 6 Dem/negatived
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 108, 2004
PS Trade Practices Amendment (Credit Card Reform) Bill 2002 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Conroy — ALP)
Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission power to deal with any price exploitation arising from changes in the regulation of credit card fees.
Senate: Intro. 23/9/02; 2nd reading adjourned 23/9/02
SBC report 10/02 (tabled and adopted 16/10/02): No reference
Trade Practices Amendment (Personal Injuries and Death) Bill 2003
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. 27/3/03; Passed 25/6/03
Senate: Intro. 25/6/03; Passed 1/12/03
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 18/6/03; report tabled 20/8/03
Committee amendments: 2 Opp-Dem/passed
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 2/12/03; Senate insisted on its amendments 11/2/04; Reps reported message 11/2/04]
Trade Practices Amendment (Personal Injuries and Death) Bill (No. 2) 2004
Further to the Trade Practices Amendment (Personal Injuries and Death) Bill 2003, the bill amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to ensure a nationally consistent approach in relation to limitation periods and constraints on damages arising from personal injury or death.
Reps: Intro. 19/2/04; Passed 25/3/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Senate: Intro. 29/3/04; Passed 11/5/04
SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): No reference
Committee amendments: 6 Opp/passed
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 21/6/04; Senate did not insist on its amendments and agreed to 4 Govt amendments in place of those amendments 25/6/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendments made in place of amendments disagreed to by Reps, 25/6/04]
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 113, 2004
PS Trade Practices Amendment (Public Liability Insurance) Bill 2002 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Conroy — ALP)
Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission power to monitor and deal with any price exploitation arising from changes in the law in relation to public liability.
Senate: Intro. 23/9/02; 2nd reading adjourned 23/9/02
SBC report 10/02 (tabled and adopted 16/10/02): No reference
PM Trade Practices Amendment (Public Liability Insurance) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Griffin — ALP)
Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission power to monitor and deal with any price exploitation arising from changes in the law in relation to public liability.
Reps: Intro. 18/8/03; Read a 1st time 18/8/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 9/3/04
Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
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 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. 24/6/04; Passed 4/8/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 5/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 5/8/04
SBC report 11/04 (tabled and adopted 11/8/04): No reference
Treasury Legislation Amendment (Professional Standards) Bill 2004
(Previous title: Treasury Legislation Amendment (Professional Standards) Bill 2003)
Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974, Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and Corporations Act 2001 to establish a structure under which the Commonwealth, by prescribing State professional standards legislation (PSL) schemes (via regulations), can support PSL by allowing liability under the relevant Commonwealth legislative provisions to be capped in accordance with the laws of the States and Territories.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/03; Passed 16/6/04
CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 21/6/04; Passed 25/6/04
SBC report 1/04 (tabled and adopted 11/2/04): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Legislation Committee 11/2/04; extension of time to report 1/4/04; report tabled 12/5/04
Committee amendments: 3 Opp/negatived
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 118, 2004
PS Truth in Food Labelling Bill 2003
(Introduced by Senator 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
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
PS Uranium Mining in or near Australian World Heritage Properties (Prohibition)
R Bill 1998 [2002]
(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
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill 2004
Introduced with the US Free Trade Agreement Implementation (Customs Tariff) Bill 2004, the bill amends 11 Acts, relating to customs, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, geographical wine indicators, life insurance, foreign acquisitions and takeovers, Commonwealth authorities and companies, therapeutic goods, patents and copyright, in order to implement Australia—s obligations under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement which is due to commence on 1 January 2005.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 3/8/04; Passed 13/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 4 Opp/passed; 15 Dem/negatived; 5 AG/negatived; 2 AG to 1 Opp/negatived; 9 Schedules opposed/Schedules agreed to; 2 sections opposed/sections agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 13/8/04]
Assent: 16/8/04; Act No. 120, 2004
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation (Customs Tariff) Bill 2004
Introduced with the US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill 2004, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to vary customs duty for certain goods and include a regulation-making power, in order to implement Australia—s obligations under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement which is due to commence on 1 January 2005.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
Senate: Intro. 3/8/04; Passed 13/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendments: 5 PHON/negatived
Assent: 16/8/04; Act No. 121, 2004
Veterans— Entitlements Amendment (Direct Deductions and Other Measures) Bill 2004
Amends the Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 in relation to: direct deduction arrangements; Victoria Cross allowance; automatic grant of income support supplement to age and wife pensioners; calculation of disability pension arrears; partner service pension for Norfolk Island residents; calculation of rent assistance; reduction in pension arrears payment resulting from overpayment of rent assistance and partner—s receipt of service pension; value of financial assets for purposes of deeming rules; clarification of deemed income and actual income from accrued returns on financial assets; means test exemption of certain superannuation assets; income and assets test treatment of small superannuation accounts and private rental income; adjustments to ceiling rate service pension; offence provisions; disposal of income and assets; compensation recovery; and minor and technical amendments. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 25/3/04; Passed 21/6/04
Senate: Intro. 22/6/04; Passed 24/6/04
SBC report 6/04 (tabled and adopted 31/3/04): No reference
Assent: 29/6/04; Act No. 94, 2004
Veterans— Entitlements Amendment (Electronic Delivery) Bill 2004
Amends the Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to provide for the electronic communication of claims, applications and other documents to the Department of Veterans— Affairs.
Reps: Intro. 4/3/04; Passed 25/3/04
Senate: Intro. 29/3/04; Passed 12/5/04
SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): No reference
Assent: 26/5/04; Act No. 63, 2004
Veterans— Entitlements (Clarke Review) Bill 2004
Provides for a once only payment to former prisoners-of-war of the North Koreans or their surviving spouse; and amends the Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to: index above general rate disability pensions; introduce a Defence Force Income Support Allowance; ensure appropriate rent assistance for war widows and widowers; increase funeral benefits; and extend operational service to minesweeping and bomb/mine clearance personnel. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 1/4/04; Passed 12/5/04
Senate: Intro. 13/5/04; Passed 23/6/04
SBC report 7/04 (tabled and adopted 12/5/04): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/passed
Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 3 Dem/negatived
Committee requests: 2 Govt/passed
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 22/6/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendments 24/6/04]
Assent: 30/6/04; Act No. 100, 2004
Vocational Education and Training Funding Amendment Bill 2004
Amends the Vocational Education and Training Funding Act 1992 to provide funds for vocational education and training in 2005 under the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) agreement; and update the current funding limits for 2004 to reflect the outcome of earlier negotiations on a new ANTA agreement.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/04; Passed 11/8/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Bill 2004
Provides for the establishment and operation of a scheme to apply national water efficiency labelling and minimum performance standards to certain water-use products. Also contains a regulation-making power.
Reps: Intro. 24/6/04; Passed 11/8/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 12/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 12/8/04
SBC report 10/04 (tabled and adopted 4/8/04): No reference
Workplace Relations Amendment (Award Simplification) Bill 2002
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to limit and clarify the allowable award matters and make related changes to the award making powers of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 13/11/02; Passed 1/4/04
Senate: Intro. 11/5/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/5/04
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 3/3/04; report tabled 17/6/04
Workplace Relations Amendment (Better Bargaining) Bill 2003
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 in relation to: industrial action before the expiration of an agreement; cooling-off periods; third party suspensions; and protected and unprotected industrial action. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 6/11/03; Passed 17/2/04
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 1/3/04
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 3/3/04; report tabled 17/6/04
Workplace Relations Amendment (Choice in Award Coverage) Bill 2004
(Previous title: Workplace Relations Amendment (Choice in Award Coverage) Bill 2002)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: provide all businesses with information about their rights and the processes involved with logs of claims; limit the ability of unions to involve small businesses which employ no union members into the federal jurisdiction; and require the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to inquire into views of unrepresented small business employers potentially affected by a logs of claims. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 13/11/02; Passed 11/2/04
CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 1/3/04
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 3/3/04; report tabled 17/6/04
Workplace Relations Amendment (Codifying Contempt Offences) Bill 2003
(Act citation: Workplace Relations Amendment (Codifying Contempt Offences) Act 2004)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: codify offences that amount to contempt of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission; create a new offence prohibiting the giving of false evidence to the Commission; update certain penalties; and insert legislative notes after certain provisions.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 19/8/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 20/8/03; Negatived at 3rd reading 3/3/04
SBC report 9/03 (tabled and adopted 20/8/03): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 20/8/03; extension of time to report 9/10/03; report tabled 30/10/03
Committee amendments (3/3/04): 3 Dem/passed; 4 items negatived; 8 Dem/negatived
Recommitted 21/6/04; Passed 26/6/04 a.m.
Committee amendments (26/6/04 a.m.): 3 Govt (1 as amended by 7 Dem)/passed; 6 Dem/passed; 5 Opp to Govt/negatived
[Amendment to motion that bill be read a 3rd time 26/6/04 a.m.: 1 Dem/passed (reference of a proposed amendment to committee]
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 26/6/04]
Assent: 13/7/04; Act No. 112, 2004
Workplace Relations Amendment (Compliance with Court and Tribunal Orders) Bill 2003
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: require officers and employees of registered organisations to comply with orders and directions of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and the Federal Court; and provide sanctions for failure to comply. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/03; Passed 13/8/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 14/8/03; Negatived at third reading 8/3/04
SBC report 6/03 (tabled and adopted 18/6/03): No reference
SBC report 9/03 (tabled and adopted 20/8/03): Order varied — Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 20/8/03; extension of time to report 9/10/03; report tabled 30/10/03
Workplace Relations Amendment (Extended Prohibition of Compulsory Union Fees) Bill 2004
Amends the freedom of association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to extend the prohibition on bargaining service fees clauses to State employment agreements to which a constitutional corporation is a party. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 11/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 11/8/04
Workplace Relations Amendment (Fair Dismissal) 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. Also contains an application provision.
Reps: Intro. 3/6/04; Passed 12/8/04
Senate: Intro. 30/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 30/8/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): No reference
PM Workplace Relations Amendment (Good Faith Bargaining) Bill 2004
(Introduced by Mr Emerson — ALP)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 in relation to good faith workplace negotiations.
Reps: Intro. 29/3/04; Read a 1st time 29/3/04; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Workplace Relations Amendment (Improved Remedies for Unprotected Action) Bill 2002
(Act citation: Workplace Relations Amendment (Improved Remedies for Unprotected Action) Act 2004)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to ensure that applications for orders to prevent unprotected industrial action are dealt with quickly and that, in dealing with applications, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission takes into account the undesirability of unprotected action.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/02; Passed 10/9/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/9/03; Passed 2/3/04
SBC report 6/02 (tabled and adopted 21/8/02): No reference
SBC report 11/03 (tabled and adopted 17/9/03): Order varied — Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 17/9/03; extension of time to report 9/10/03; report tabled 30/10/03
Committee amendment: 1 Dem/passed
[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 3/3/04]
Assent: 11/3/04; Act No. 11, 2004
PS Workplace Relations Amendment (Paid Maternity Leave) Bill 2002
(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
Workplace Relations Amendment (Protecting Small Business Employment) Bill 2004
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to restore the exemption for small business from redundancy payments by overturning the recent decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to impose redundancy pay obligations on small businesses.
Reps: Intro. 26/5/04; Passed 25/6/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 3/8/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/8/04
SBC report 8/04 (tabled and adopted 16/6/04): Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 16/6/04; interim report presented 14/9/04
Workplace Relations Amendment (Protecting the Low Paid) Bill 2003
Amends the objects of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to ensure that the primary focus of the award safety net is to address the needs of the low paid. Also requires the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to recognise this primary focus when performing its functions and exercising its powers in relation to awards. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/03; Passed 5/3/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 6/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 6/3/03
SBC report 3/03 (tabled and adopted 19/3/03): Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 19/3/03; interim report presented 2/5/03 and tabled 13/5/03; extension of time to report 13/5/03; report tabled 19/6/03
Workplace Relations Amendment (Simplifying Agreement-making) Bill 2004
(Previous title: Workplace Relations Amendment (Simplifying Agreement-making) Bill 2002)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: simplify agreement-making at the workplace level; reduce the delays, formality and cost involved in having an agreement certified; prevent interference by third parties in agreement-making; and provide for the extended operation of certified agreements of up to five years. Also contains application and saving provisions.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/02; Passed 12/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 19 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 1/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 1/3/04
SBC report 6/02 (tabled and adopted 21/8/02): No reference
SBC report 2/04 (tabled and adopted 3/3/04): Referred to Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee 3/3/04; report tabled 17/6/04
Workplace Relations Amendment (Termination of Employment) Bill 2002 [No. 2]
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: extend the operation of the federal unfair dismissal system to all employees of constitutional corporations; prevent employees from accessing remedies under comparable State unfair dismissal schemes; and make amendments to the operation of the unfair dismissal system. Also contains application provisions.
Reps: Intro. 6/11/03; Passed 11/2/04
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/2/04; Negatived at 3rd reading 22/3/04
SBC report 15/03 (tabled and adopted 26/11/03): No reference
Committee amendments: 21 Dem/negatived; 17 items opposed/items agreed to
Workplace Relations Amendment (Transmission of Business) Bill 2002
(Act citation: Workplace Relations Amendment (Transmission of Business) Act 2004)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to empower the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to make an order that a certified agreement does not bind a new employer as a result of a transfer of a business, or only binds the new employer to a specified extent.
Reps: Intro. 21/3/02; Passed 25/6/03
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 6 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 26/6/03; Passed 13/8/03
SBC report 3/02 (tabled and adopted 15/5/02): No reference
Committee amendments: 4 Opp (2 as amended by Govt)/passed; 2 Dem/passed; 3 items negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 19/8/03; Senate did not insist on its amendments and agreed to 3 Dem amendments in place of those amendments 1/3/04; Reps agreed to Senate amendments made in place of amendments disagreed to by Reps, 2/3/04]
Assent: 11/3/04; Act No. 10, 2004
PM Workplace Relations Amendment (Unfair Dismissal—Lower Costs, Simpler Procedures) Bill 2003
(Introduced by Mr Crean — ALP)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to simplify procedures for consideration of unfair dismissal cases by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission; and require claimants to seek reinstatement as one of their remedies.
Reps: Intro. 18/8/03; Read a 1st time 18/8/03; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 9/3/04