As at cob 18 December 2008
(2008 Final Edition)
Abbreviations
AD Australian Democrats [Dem]
AG Australian Greens
ALP Australian Labor Party [Govt]
FFP Family First Party
Ind Independent
LP Liberal Party of Australia [Opp]
NATS The Nationals [Opp]
CID Consideration in detail stage (House of Representatives)
ED Exposure draft
PM Private member—s bill
PS Private senator—s bill
R Restored to Notice Paper
S Senate bill
SBC Selection of Bills Committee
PS A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Improved Access to Baby Bonus) Amendment Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to abolish the age restriction to enable all adoptive parents access to the baby bonus scheme.
Senate: Intro. 20/3/08; 2nd reading adjourned 20/3/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax Imposition—Customs) Amendment Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills to increase the luxury car tax rate from 1 July 2008, the bill amends the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax Imposition—Customs) Act 1999 to impose a 33 per cent tax rate on taxable supplies and imported luxury cars, calculated on the value that exceeds the luxury car tax threshold, to the extent that it is a duty of customs.
Reps: Intro. 26/5/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 4/9/08 [but see below]
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 28/8/08
2nd reading moved again and agreed to 22/9/08; Passed 23/9/08
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 98, 2008
A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax Imposition—Excise) Amendment Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills to increase the luxury car tax rate from 1 July 2008, the bill amends the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax Imposition—Excise) Act 1999 to impose a 33 per cent tax rate on taxable supplies and imported luxury cars, calculated on the value that exceeds the luxury car tax threshold, to the extent that it is a duty of excise.
Reps: Intro. 26/5/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 4/9/08 [but see below]
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 28/8/08
2nd reading moved again and agreed to 22/9/08; Passed 23/9/08
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 99, 2008
A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax Imposition—General) Amendment Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills to increase the luxury car tax rate from 1 July 2008, the bill amends the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax Imposition—General) Act 1999 to impose a 33 per cent tax rate on taxable supplies and imported luxury cars, calculated on the value that exceeds the luxury car tax threshold, to the extent that it is neither a duty of customs nor a duty of excise.
Reps: Intro. 26/5/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 4/9/08 [but see below]
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 28/8/08
2nd reading moved again and agreed to 22/9/08; Passed 23/9/08
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 100, 2008
Aged Care Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008
Amends the Aged Care Act 1997, Aged Care (Bond Security) Act 2006 and Aged Care (Bond Security) Levy Act 2006 to: simplify the fees and charges paid by residents of aged care facilities and the subsidies paid by the Commonwealth Government for residents who are unable to meet their own care and accommodation costs; broaden eligibility for community care grants for providers of Community Aged Care Packages and to providers of certain flexible care types; extend the application of aged care legislation to include Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands; and make technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 13/2/08
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 14/2/08
Assent: 18/2/08; Act No. 1, 2008
Aged Care Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Bill 2008
Amends the Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care (Bond Security) Act 2006 to reflect business model changes to aged care services so that: approved provider status is linked to the allocation of funded aged care places; providers maintain appropriate expertise; —key personnel— includes anyone with authority for controlling activities of a provider; assessments by Aged Care Assessment Teams are minimised; and accommodation bonds and similar payments are protected under the Accommodation Bond Guarantee Scheme.
Reps: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 26/11/08
Senate: Intro. 26/11/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 14/08 (tabled and adopted 16/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee; report presented 20/11/08 and tabled 24/11/08
Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived; 4 items opposed/items agreed to
Assent: 9/12/08; Act No. 140, 2008
PS Alcohol Toll Reduction Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
Amends the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 to: establish the Responsible Advertising of Alcohol Division within the Australian Communications and Media Authority to monitor the advertising of alcohol; limit the times at which alcohol products are advertised on radio and television and impose a penalty for breaches; and provide for the labelling of alcohol products to include certain health information.
Senate: Intro. 19/9/07; 2nd reading adjourned 19/9/07
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/08
SBC report 1/08 (tabled and adopted 14/2/08): Referred to Community Affairs Committee; report tabled 18/6/08
Amendments Incorporation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Amendments Incorporation Act 1905 to provide for the publication of Acts in electronic form.
Reps: Intro. 12/2/08; Read a 1st time 12/2/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2007-2008
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2007-2008, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2008.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 20/2/08
Senate: Intro. 11/3/08; Passed 20/3/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/passed
Assent: 8/4/08; Act No. 15, 2008
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2007-2008
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2007-2008, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2008.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 20/2/08
Senate: Intro. 11/3/08; Passed 20/3/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Dem/passed
Assent: 8/4/08; Act No. 16, 2008
Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2007-2008
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sums appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2007-2008 and Appropriation Act
(No. 3) 2007-2008, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2008.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/08; Passed 19/6/08
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
Assent: 24/6/08; Act No. 34, 2008
Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2007-2008
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sums appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2007-2008 and Appropriation Act
(No. 4) 2007-2008, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2008.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/08; Passed 19/6/08
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
Assent: 24/6/08; Act No. 35, 2008
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2008-2009
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2009.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/08; Passed 19/6/08
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 55, 2008
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2008-2009
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2009.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/08; Passed 19/6/08
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 56, 2008
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2008-2009
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2008-2009, for the service of the year ending on 30 June 2009.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 4/12/08
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2008-2009
Appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, additional to the sum appropriated by Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2008-2009, for certain expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2009.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 4/12/08
Appropriation (Drought and Equine Influenza Assistance) Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008
Introduced with the Appropriation (Drought and Equine Influenza Assistance) Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008, the bill appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to provide assistance for drought relief and equine influenza measures.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 13/2/08
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 14/2/08
Assent: 18/2/08; Act No. 2, 2008
Appropriation (Drought and Equine Influenza Assistance) Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008
Introduced with the Appropriation (Drought and Equine Influenza Assistance) Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008, the bill appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to make payments to the states, territories and local government authorities for drought relief assistance and reimburses costs associated with the national response to eradicating equine influenza.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 13/2/08
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 14/2/08
Assent: 18/2/08; Act No. 3, 2008
Appropriation (Economic Security Strategy) Bill (No. 1) 2008-2009
Introduced with the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Economic Security Strategy) Bill 2008 and Appropriation (Economic Security Strategy) Bill (No. 2) 2008-2009, the bill appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to provide for payments through the Economic Security Strategy.
Reps: Intro. 11/11/08; Passed 13/11/08
Senate: Intro. 24/11/08; Passed 24/11/08
Assent: 1/12/08; Act No. 132, 2008
Appropriation (Economic Security Strategy) Bill (No. 2) 2008-2009
Introduced with the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Economic Security Strategy) Bill 2008 and Appropriation (Economic Security Strategy) Bill (No. 1) 2008-2009, the bill appropriates a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to make payments to states, territories and local government authorities for the Economic Security Strategy.
Reps: Intro. 11/11/08; Passed 13/11/08
Senate: Intro. 24/11/08; Passed 24/11/08
Assent: 1/12/08; Act No. 133, 2008
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2008-2009
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 2009.
Reps: Intro. 13/5/08; Passed 19/6/08
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 57, 2008
S Archives Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Archives Act 1983, Copyright Act 1968, Freedom of Information Act 1982 and Privacy Act 1988 to implement certain recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission report on Commonwealth record-keeping and the role of the National Archives of Australia.
Senate: Intro. 17/9/08; Passed 16/10/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): No reference
Reps: Intro. 20/10/08; Passed 23/10/08
Assent: 31/10/08; Act No. 113, 2008
PS ATMs and Cash Facilities in Licensed Venues Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Xenophon — Ind)
Imposes civil penalties on financial institutions, corporations, body corporates and persons who install, own or operate automatic teller machines or other cash facilities in licensed venues.
Senate: Intro. 4/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): Referred to Community Affairs Committee; report tabled 10/11/08
S Auditor-General Amendment Bill 2008
In response to certain recommendations of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit report on the Auditor-General Act (Report No. 386), the bill amends the Auditor-General Act 1997 to: clarify and extend the distribution of performance audit reports; provide for the inclusion of comments on proposed reports in final reports; clarify when audit information made available to entities and other parties in the course of a performance audit may be disclosed; clarify the powers of the Auditor-General when sensitive information is not to be included in a public report; and update penalty provisions.
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
AusLink (National Land Transport) Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the AusLink (National Land Transport) Act 2005 to: ensure that projects for the development of off road facilities used by heavy vehicles (such as a weigh station or rest area) may be funded as AusLink projects; enable the allocation of funds to a particular state while a receiving entity is determined; exempt the Roads to Recovery List from the sunsetting provisions of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003; and extend the Roads to Recovery Program until 30 June 2014.
Reps: Intro. 28/8/08; Passed 24/9/08
Senate: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 25/9/08
SBC report 9/08 (tabled and adopted 3/9/08): No reference
Assent: 18/10/08; Act No. 106, 2008
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Bill 2008
The bill: establishes the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority as an independent statutory authority responsible for the management of national curriculum, assessment and data management, and analysis and reporting for schools education; and provides for the authority—s governance, including a review of its role within six years of establishment.
Reps: Intro. 23/10/08; Passed 26/11/08
Senate: Intro. 26/11/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 15/08 (tabled and adopted 13/11/08): No reference
Assent: 8/12/08; Act No. 136, 2008
Australian Energy Market Amendment (Minor Amendments) Bill 2008
Amends the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977, Australian Energy Market Act 2004, Australian Energy Market Amendment (Gas Legislation) Act 2007 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to correct the year of enactment of South Australian and Western Australian gas legislation from 2007 to 2008. The amended legislation underpins the new national regime for the regulation of access to natural gas pipelines.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 19/6/08
Senate: Intro. 23/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 60, 2008
Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Bill 2008
Establishes the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority and the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Advisory Council to provide a legislative framework to implement measures for organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Reps: Intro. 18/9/08; Passed 25/9/08
Senate: Intro. 13/11/08; Passed 13/11/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): No reference
Assent: 25/11/08; Act No. 122, 2008
Australian Research Council Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Australian Research Council Act 2001 to provide the Australian Research Council with funding to implement the Future Fellowships scheme and apply indexation and continued funding for existing schemes.
Reps: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 17/9/08
Senate: Intro. 18/9/08; Passed 25/9/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): No reference
Assent: 18/10/08; Act No. 107, 2008
PS Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Fair Bank and Credit Card Fees) Amendment Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
Amends the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to: limit banking and credit card penalty fees by ensuring fees are for cost recovery only; prevent fees being charged for third party dishonoured cheques; and enhance the powers of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to monitor penalty fees and investigate customer complaints.
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): Referred to Economics Committee; report tabled 16/9/08
Aviation Legislation Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008
Amends the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and Civil Aviation Act 1988 to enable regulations to be made to permit Air Security Officers to lawfully discharge firearms on board an aircraft in Australian territory or an Australian aircraft in foreign territory.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 27/8/08
Senate: Intro. 28/8/08; Passed 4/9/08
SBC report 8/08 (tabled and adopted 27/8/08): No reference
Assent: 20/9/08; Act No. 86, 2008
Aviation Legislation Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Bill 2008
Amends the: Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 to: broaden information collection powers to enable the Secretary to require aviation industry participants to provide aviation security information; and allow the Secretary to delegate powers and functions to another agency whose responsibilities include functions relating to national security; Civil Aviation Act 1988 to allow for copying and disclosure of aircraft Cockpit Voice Recorder information for maintenance purposes; and Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 to amend penalty and offence provisions relating to failure to report prescribed aviation, marine and rail accidents and incidents and provide that extra information is required in relation to those accidents and incidents.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
Aviation Legislation Amendment (International Airline Licences and Carriers— Liability Insurance) Bill 2008
Amends the Air Navigation Act 1920 to: transfer the regulatory framework for international airline licences (IALs) to the Air Navigation Regulations; enable the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Local Government to grant, vary, suspend and cancel IALs; require decisions about certain IAL applications to be subject to merits review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; and makes consequential amendments to the Adelaide Airport Curfew Act 2000, Aircraft Noise Levy Collection Act 1995 and Civil Aviation Act 1988. Also amends the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation (Carriers— Liability) Act 1959 to enable the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to enforce a system of mandatory insurance for airline carriers; and makes amendments consequential on the Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (1999 Montreal Convention and Other Measures) Act 2008.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 27/8/08
Senate: Intro. 28/8/08; Passed 4/9/08
SBC report 8/08 (tabled and adopted 27/8/08): No reference
Assent: 20/9/08; Act No. 87, 2008
S Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2008
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to: extend the deadline for commercial broadcasters to commence digital radio services in the mainland state capital cities to 1 July 2009; remove the requirement for digital radio services to commence in Hobart by the extended deadline; and retain the option for community radio stations to take up shares in joint venture companies that own digital radio transmission infrastructure.
Senate: Intro. 17/9/08; Passed 16/10/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; report tabled 13/10/08
Reps: Intro. 20/10/08; Passed 23/10/08
Assent: 31/10/08; Act No. 114, 2008
S Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television Switch-over) Bill 2008
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: implement a staggered, region-by-region digital switch-over television timetable (to be completed by 31 December 2013); and specify the dates of two statutory reviews.
Senate: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 3/12/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; report tabled 25/11/08
Committee amendments: 3 Opp/passed
Reps: Intro. 4/12/08; Passed 4/12/08
CID amendments: 7 Govt/passed
[Senate agreed to Reps amendments nos 1 and 3, disagreed to Reps amendments nos 2 and 4 to 7 and agreed to an Opp consequential amendment 5/12/08 a.m; Reps did not insist on its amendments nos 2 and 4 to 7 and agreed to the Senate Opp consequential amendment 5/12/08]
Assent: 18/12/08; Act No. 158, 2008
PS Building and Construction Industry (Restoring Workplace Rights) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Siewert — AG)
Repeals the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 and Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2005.
Senate: Intro. 28/8/08; 2nd reading adjourned 28/8/08
SBC report 9/08 (tabled and adopted 3/9/08): Referred to Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee; report due 30/11/08; report presented 28/11/08 and tabled 1/12/08
Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (1999 Montreal Convention and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Civil Aviation (Carriers— Liability) Act 1959, Air Accidents (Commonwealth Government Liability) Act 1963 and Civil Aviation Act 1988 to give effect to the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (the Montreal Convention) by providing a framework for the liability of air carriers in relation to injury or death of a passenger, loss or damage to cargo and baggage, and damage caused by a delay in the arrival of a passenger, baggage and freight.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 79, 2008
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Assessments and Advertising) Bill 2008
Amends the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 to: replace the prohibition on advertising unclassified films and computer games with an industry based self-assessment scheme to allow for advertising subject to conditions to be set out in a legislative instrument; and amend the classification procedures for films that are compilations of episodes of a television series and require an application for classification of such a film to be accompanied by a report from an authorised assessor that complies with conditions set out in a legislative instrument.
Reps: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 13/5/08
Senate: Intro. 14/5/08; Passed 24/6/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 1 FFP/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed/Schedule agreed to
Assent: 1/7/08; Act No. 69, 2008
PM Climate Protection Bill 2008
(Introduced by Mr Windsor — Ind)
Provides for: a mandatory national target and strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which require public consultation and an annual report on the strategy; a scheme to be established to coordinate energy efficiency; government agencies to purchase accredited renewable energy; the preparation of Greenhouse Impact Statements and annual reporting; and recycling companies to be credited for emissions under any carbon pollution reduction scheme. Also amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Reps: Intro. 10/11/08; Read a 1st time 10/11/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
PS Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill 2006 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senators Allison and Bartlett — AD, Senator Bishop — ALP and Senator B Brown — AG)
Prohibits the manufacture, possession and use of cluster munitions and provides for decommissioning of cluster munitions held by the Australian Defence Force.
Senate: Intro. 5/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 5/12/06
SBC report 15/06 (tabled and adopted 7/12/06): Referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee; extensions of time to report 29/3/07, 10/5/07; report presented 31/5/07 and tabled 12/6/07
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
COAG Reform Fund Bill 2008
The bill: establishes the COAG Reform Fund as a special account for the purpose of making grants of financial assistance to the states and territories; and provides that the terms and conditions of grants are set out in written agreements between the Commonwealth and states and territories.
Reps: Intro. 23/10/08; Passed 1/12/08
CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee upon introduction in Reps (23/10/08); extension of time to report 10/11/08; report due 1/12/08; report tabled 2/12/08
Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Assent: 18/12/08; Act No. 156, 2008
Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 to: enable the Finance Minister to make General Policy Orders which are legislative instruments and listed on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments; align annual reporting requirements for Commonwealth authorities with the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; require all Commonwealth companies to provide annual reports to their responsible minister by specific deadlines and include information as required by Finance Minister Orders; clarify the use of credit cards, numbers and vouchers by Commonwealth authorities and introduce penalties for misuse; introduce a —control— test to determine whether the Commonwealth controls a company; align the Act with the Corporations Act in relation to offences, penalties and terminology; require Commonwealth company subsidiaries to provide audited financial statements and audit reports to the responsible minister; and clarify compliance requirements for officers of Commonwealth companies with statutory and other duties. Also makes consequential amendments to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983, Australian Industry Development Corporation Act 1970, Australian National University Act 1991, Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 19/3/08
Senate: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 15/5/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 26/5/08; Act No. 20, 2008
PS Commonwealth Electoral (Above-the-Line Voting) Amendment Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator B Brown — AG)
Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to repeal provisions relating to group voting tickets and provide for preferential above-the-line voting for Senate elections.
Senate: Intro. 14/5/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/5/08
Reference: Referred to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (as part of inquiry into the 2007 federal election) 14/5/08; report due not before June 2009
S Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: reduce the disclosure threshold to $1,000; require certain persons making gifts above the threshold to furnish a return within eight weeks after polling day; ensure that for the purposes of the disclosure threshold and the disclosure of gifts, related political parties are treated as one entity; prohibit the receipt of a gift of foreign property and all anonymous gifts by registered political parties, candidates and members of a Senate group; provide that public funding of election campaigning is limited to the lesser amount of either the actual electoral expenditure or the amount awarded per vote where the four percent threshold is satisfied; extend existing recovery powers; and introduce new offences and penalties and increase penalties for existing offences.
Senate: Intro. 15/5/08; 2nd reading adjourned 15/5/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Referred to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (as part of inquiry into the 2007 federal election) 18/6/08; report due 30/6/09; report tabled in Reps (23/10/08) and Senate (10/11/08)
PS Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management (Repeal and Consequential Amendment) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Ludlam — AG)
Repeals the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 and makes a consequential amendment to the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977.
Senate: Intro. 25/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 25/9/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; extensions of time to report 14/10/08, 2/12/08; report presented 18/12/08
Commonwealth Securities and Investment Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Commonwealth Inscribed Stock Act 1911 to: authorise the Treasurer to borrow money on behalf of the Commonwealth by issuing stock denominated in Australia currency (subject to the total face value amount not exceeding $75 billion); and provide for the creation of stock and securities for facilitating securities lending arrangements; Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to permit the Treasurer to invest public money in authorised investments for purposes other than —managing the public debt of the Commonwealth—; and Loans Securities Act 1919 to allow the Treasurer to enter into securities lending arrangements and specify the collateral that may be accepted in connection with such arrangements.
Reps: Intro. 4/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
Senate: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 23/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 78, 2008
S Communications Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to give the Australian Communications and Media Authority the discretion to consider late applications for renewals of community broadcasting licences up to the expiry date of the licence.
Senate: Intro. 12/3/08; Passed 17/3/08
Reps: Intro. 17/3/08; Passed 25/6/08
Assent: 3/7/08; Act No. 72, 2008
PS Constitution Alteration (Appropriations for the Ordinary Annual Services of the
R Government) 2001 [2008]
(Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Murray — AD)
Amends the Constitution to ensure that if the Senate fails to pass a proposed law appropriating revenue or moneys for the ordinary annual services of the government in respect of that year, an amount of money is appropriated for those services equal to the amount appropriated for those services in the preceding year.
Senate: Intro. 26/6/01; 2nd reading adjourned 26/6/01
SBC report 15/01 (tabled and adopted 26/9/01): Deferred
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Constitution Alteration (Electors— Initiative, Fixed Term Parliaments and
R Qualification of Members) 2000 [2008]
(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 four-year fixed term; holding of simultaneous elections for both Houses; recognition of the office of Prime Minister; dismissal of the Prime Minister; and qualification, and grounds for disqualification, of members of Parliament.
Senate: Intro. 4/4/00; 2nd reading adjourned 4/4/00
SBC report 6/00 (tabled and adopted 12/4/00): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
S Corporations Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2008
Amends the Corporations Act 2001 to provide a mechanism for recognising disqualifications from managing corporations that occur in prescribed foreign jurisdictions.
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
Corporations Amendment (Short Selling) Bill 2008
Amends the Corporations Act 2001 to: clarify the Australian Securities and Investments Commission—s powers to regulate short selling of financial products and other similar transactions; prohibit naked short selling; and require the disclosure of covered short sale transactions.
Reps: Intro. 13/11/08; Passed 26/11/08
CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 27/11/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 15/08 (tabled and adopted 13/11/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report tabled 27/11/08
Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 146, 2008
PS Crimes Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Child Protection from Predatory Tourism Offences) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Bernardi — LP)
Amends the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002, Crimes Act 1914 and Criminal Code Act 1995 in relation to child sex tourism offences, by: relocating existing offences (currently in the Crimes Act) to the Criminal Code; creating new grooming, procuring and preparatory offences; making penalties consistent with like offences in the Criminal Code; introducing new offences relating to Australians overseas accessing child pornography or child abuse material; and providing for forfeiture of such material. Also makes consequential amendments to the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
Senate: Intro. 17/6/08; 2nd reading adjourned 17/6/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill 2008
Amends the: Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to retrospectively re-insert the maximum penalty of two years imprisonment for the secrecy offence; Crimes Act 1914 to defer until November 2009 the second review of Part ID of the Act (relating to forensic procedures); and Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 to ensure standard criminal offences apply on relevant flights.
Reps: Intro. 4/6/08; Passed 23/6/08
Senate: Intro. 24/6/08; Passed 24/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 1/7/08; Act No. 70, 2008
S Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2008
Implements the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law by: establishing access to local courts by persons administering a foreign insolvency proceeding; establishing conditions for recognition of a foreign insolvency proceeding and granting relief to its participants; permitting participation by foreign creditors in such proceedings; enabling cooperation between courts and practitioners from different countries; enabling coordination of proceedings to take place concurrently in different countries; and empowering the Governor-General to make regulations under the Act.
Senate: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 11/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Reps: Intro. 11/3/08; Passed 13/5/08
Assent: 26/5/08; Act No. 24, 2008
Customs Amendment (Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2008 to give effect to Australia—s obligations under the Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to: provide preferential rates of duty for Chilean originating goods; and impose certain obligations on Australian exporters and producers of goods who claim preferential tariff treatment.
Reps: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 12/11/08
Senate: Intro. 12/11/08; Passed 13/11/08
SBC report 14/08 (tabled and adopted 16/10/08): No reference
Assent: 27/11/08; Act No. 127, 2008
Customs Amendment (Enhanced Border Controls and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Customs Act 1901 in relation to: arrival, stores and prohibited goods reporting requirements; infringement notices; failing to make a cargo report; missing goods and goods delivered without authority; harmonising the boarding powers with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea; impending arrival reporting requirements for pleasure craft; devices used to enable boarding of ships subject to a —hot pursuit—; powers to request aircraft to land; seizure of unaccounted goods without a warrant; powers of arrest; warrants; obstruction or interference with Customs equipment; powers to moor a Customs vessel to man-made structures; enabling Customs officers to board ships; entering places other than ports or airports; right of access for patrols; and technical corrections.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
Customs Amendment (Strengthening Border Controls) Bill 2008
Amends the Customs Act 1901 to allow: the surrender of certain prohibited imports that have not been concealed; the granting of post-importation permissions for certain prohibited imports; infringement notices to be served for certain offences including importing certain prohibited imports and border security related offences; and Customs officers boarding a ship or aircraft to conduct personal searches for, and take possession of, weapons or evidence of specified offences.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 74, 2008
Customs Legislation Amendment (Modernising) Bill 2008
Amends the: Customs Act 1901 in relation to: the new Certificate of Origin requirements for the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement; broker licensing provisions; and false or misleading declarations in using the new SmartGate automated passenger processing system; and Customs Act 1901 and Customs Legislation Amendment and Repeal (International Trade Modernisation) Act 2001 in relation to duty recovery and payments under protest and the treatment of certain refunds.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 75, 2008
Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Customs Amendment (Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2008 to give effect to Australia—s obligations under the Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: provide duty-free and preferential rates of customs duty for certain goods of Chilean origin; and phase the preferential rates of customs duty to zero by 2015.
Reps: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 12/11/08
Senate: Intro. 12/11/08; Passed 13/11/08
SBC report 14/08 (tabled and adopted 16/10/08): No reference
Assent: 27/11/08; Act No. 128, 2008
Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Content) Bill 2008
Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to insert a definition of —tobacco content— to clarify that the customs duty payable on tobacco and tobacco products is based on the total weight of the goods.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 24/6/08; Act No. 37, 2008
Dairy Adjustment Levy Termination Bill 2008
Amends the Dairy Produce Act 1986 to finalise the Dairy Industry Adjustment Program by terminating the dairy adjustment levy and winding-up the Dairy Structural Adjustment Fund and Dairy Adjustment Authority. Also makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 and Social Security Act 1991 to remove references to the Dairy Industry Adjustment Program; repeals the Dairy Adjustment Levy (Customs) Act 2000, Dairy Adjustment Levy (Excise) Act 2000 and Dairy Adjustment Levy (General) Act 2000 which set the dairy adjustment levy rate; and includes a regulation-making power to make transitional arrangements.
Reps: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 15/10/08
Senate: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 13/11/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): No reference
Assent: 25/11/08; Act No. 123, 2008
PS Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Amends the Defence Act 1903 to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force.
Senate: Intro. 13/2/08; 2nd reading adjourned 13/2/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
PS Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2008 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Ludlam — AG)
Amends the Defence Act 1903 to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force.
Senate: Intro. 17/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 17/9/08
SBC report 11/08 (tabled and adopted 18/9/08): No reference
Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Bill 2008
Introduced with the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008, the bill establishes a home ownership assistance scheme to provide a home loan interest subsidy to eligible members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who are serving on or after 1 July 2008. Also provides transitional eligibility for certain ADF members under existing home loan subsidy schemes.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 27, 2008
Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Bill 2008, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990 and Defence Service Homes Act 1918 to provide for eligible members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to transition into the new Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme and close the scheme established under the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990 to serving ADF members who have not yet exercised their rights under that scheme as at 30 June 2010.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 28, 2008
Defence Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
In further response to certain recommendations of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee—s report into the effectiveness of Australia—s military justice system, the bill amends the Defence Act 1903, Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 and Defence Force Discipline Appeals Act 1955 to redesign summary discipline procedures to include: an automatic right of appeal from a summary authority to a single Military Judge of the Australian Military Court (AMC); the right to elect trial by a Military Judge of the AMC for most disciplinary offences; simplified rules of evidence; a form of review for technical errors related to the awarding of punishments and orders; simplification of offences and punishments; and changed jurisdictions of Superior Summary Authorities and Discipline Officers.
Reps: Intro. 20/2/08; Passed 12/3/08
CID amendments: 14 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 13/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 6, 2008
Defence Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2008
Amends the: Geneva Conventions Act 1957 to establish a third universal emblem, the —Red Crystal—, for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement; Criminal Code Act 1995 to ensure the emblem is covered by existing offence provisions relating to the improper use of emblems of the Geneva Conventions; Defence Act 1903 to enable the making of regulations to provide medical and dental treatment (including pharmaceuticals) to an Australian Defence Force member or cadet or their family; and Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 to: provide that the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap is a special defence undertaking and a prohibited area; clarify that the Defence power is not the only constitutional basis relied upon to support the Act; and make technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Provisions of bill referred to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee; report due 20/2/09
Dental Benefits Bill 2008
Introduced with the Dental Benefits (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008, the bill establishes a framework for the payment of dental benefits to effect the Teen Dental Plan and a new Dental Benefits Schedule.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 17/6/08
Senate: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Committee amendment: 1 Opp/passed
[Reps agreed to Senate amendment 23/6/08]
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 41, 2008
Dental Benefits (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Dental Benefits Bill 2008, the bill makes consequential amendments to eight Acts to effect implementation of the Teen Dental Plan.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 17/6/08
Senate: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 42, 2008
Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends: the Age Discrimination Act 2004 to remove the —dominant reason— test; the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 and Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 to: provide an explicit and positive duty to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities (which responds to the 2003 High Court decision of Purvis); respond to the Full Federal Court case of Forest in relation to carers, assistants and aids; clarify the defence of unjustifiable hardship; and replace the —proportionality test— in the definition of indirect discrimination; 24 Acts to reflect the name change of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to the Australian Human Rights Commission; and the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to make technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; report due 24/2/09
PS Drink Container Recycling Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
Requires producers, distributors and industry groups to submit to the minister a beverage container stewardship plan to manage the collection and recycling of beverage containers. The bill also sets minimum recovery rates for containers; requires public consultation on draft plans; and provides for annual reporting.
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; 2nd reading adjourned 13/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): Deferred
Reference: Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee 20/3/08 (as part of inquiry into the management of Australia—s waste streams); order varied 17/6/08: report due 28/8/08; extension of time to report 27/8/08; report tabled 3/9/08
Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Introduced with the Schools Assistance Bill 2008, the bill amends the: Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to: provide additional funding for
2009-2013 to support Indigenous education outcomes; continue the —Away-From-Base— element of ABSTUDY; provide for transitional arrangements in the early childhood development and vocational education and training sectors; and cease funding from 2009 for six Indigenous education program elements; and Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia—s Skills Needs) Act 2005, Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 and Schools Assistance (Learning Together—Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 to make consequential, transitional and technical amendments. Also repeals the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 2000.
Reps: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 21/10/08
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 2/12/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee; report tabled 27/11/08
Assent: 9/12/08; Act No. 142, 2008
PS Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2003 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Murray — AD)
Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to prohibit political advertising that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent.
Senate: Intro. 27/3/03; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/03
SBC report 5/03 (tabled and adopted 14/5/03): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Electoral (Greater Fairness of Electoral Processes) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Murray — AD)
Amends the: Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 in relation to: accountability; political advertising; and electoral funding and disclosure; and Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 in relation to: voting by prisoners; closure of the electoral roll; nomination deposits; use of Commonwealth facilities; and conduct of state referenda and ballots.
Senate: Intro. 1/3/07; 2nd reading adjourned 1/3/07
SBC report 4/07 (tabled and adopted 21/3/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PM Emergency Assistance Fund for the Lower Lakes and Coorong Region of South Australia Bill 2008
(Introduced by Dr Nelson — LP)
Requires the responsible minister to determine, by legislative instrument, guidelines for the operation of the Lower Lakes and Coorong Assistance Scheme, and gives the secretary responsibility for the administration of the scheme.
Reps: Intro. 1/9/08; Read a 1st time 1/9/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
PS Emergency Assistance Fund for the Lower Lakes and Coorong Region of South Australia Bill 2008 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Minchin — LP)
Requires the responsible minister to determine, by legislative instrument, guidelines for the operation of the Lower Lakes and Coorong Assistance Scheme, and gives the secretary responsibility for the administration of the scheme.
Senate: Intro. 4/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/08
SBC report 11/08 (tabled and adopted 18/9/08): No reference
PS Emergency Water (Murray-Darling Basin Rescue) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Xenophon — Ind)
Provides the minister with power to direct the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to establish an Interim Basin Plan to provide for emergency measures to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of the Murray-Darling Basin.
Senate: Intro. 28/8/08; 2nd reading adjourned 28/8/08
Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 28/8/08 (as part of inquiry into the management of the Murray-Darling Basin system); extension of time to report 25/9/08; interim report presented 3/10/08 and tabled 13/10/08; final report presented 10/10/08 and tabled 13/10/08
Employment and Workplace Relations Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the: Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to increase lump sum compensation to $400,000 and to $110 a week (to be increased annually) for benefits paid to each prescribed child in the event of a work-related death; Social Security Act 1991 to: extend the Sickness Allowance and Parenting Payment (single) which prevents a person from receiving payment while there is an Assurance of Support in force; and clarify rent assistance entitlements for Austudy and ABSTUDY receipts. Also makes technical amendments to the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999 and Social Security Legislation Amendment (2007 Budget Measures for Students) Act 2007.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
PS Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Control of Power Station Emissions) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to: provide for a set greenhouse gas emission intensity threshold to apply to all new power stations and require the responsible minister to approve the operation or construction of those power stations which meet this condition; establish a monitoring regime; and include offence and penalty provisions.
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
PS Euthanasia Laws (Repeal) Bill 2004 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Repeals the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997 which prevents the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly and the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly from legalising voluntary euthanasia.
Senate: Intro. 3/3/04; 2nd reading adjourned 3/3/04
SBC report 3/04 (tabled and adopted 10/3/04): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Evidence Amendment Bill 2008
Implements recommendations made by the Australian Law Reform Commission, New South Wales Reform Commission and Victorian Law Reform Commission in their report into the operation of the uniform Evidence Acts (Uniform Evidence Law) by amending the: Evidence Act 1995 to implement model evidence provisions in relation to hearsay and opinion rules, the admissibility of expert evidence, admissions in criminal proceedings, coincidence evidence, credibility of witnesses, compellability provisions in relation to same-sex couples, advance rulings on evidentiary issues, warnings and directions to the jury, and the manner and form of questioning witnesses, and make consequential amendments and update certain cross references; Amendments Incorporation Act 1905 to: amend the long title of the Act and rename it as the Acts Publication Act 1905; provide for certain printed and electronic versions of Acts to be taken, unless the contrary is proven, to be an accurate record of those Acts; and provide that printed compilations of Acts include amendments by either Acts or legislative instruments. Also makes consequential amendments to four other Acts.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 18/6/08
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; report tabled 25/9/08
Assent: 4/12/08; Act No. 135, 2008
Excise Legislation Amendment (Condensate) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Excise Tariff Amendment (Condensate) Bill 2008, the bill amends the: Petroleum Excise (Prices) Act 1987 to ensure the method for determining the price of condensate (to calculate the excise payable) is the same as that used to determine the price of stabilised crude petroleum oil; and Excise Act 1901 and Petroleum Revenue Act 1985 to ensure condensate is treated consistently with stabilised crude petroleum oil for the purposes of the excise.
Reps: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 2/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 25/9/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 27/8/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Ind (Xenophon)/passed
Committee requests: 9 Govt/passed
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 25/9/08]
Assent: 18/10/08; Act No. 108, 2008
Excise Tariff Amendment (Condensate) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Excise Legislation Amendment (Condensate) Bill 2008, the bill amends the Excise Tariff Act 1921 to remove the current crude oil exemption and introduce a new regime applicable to condensate produced from petroleum fields located in the North West Shelf project area and onshore Australia.
Reps: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 2/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 25/9/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 27/8/08
Committee requests: 3 Govt/passed
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 25/9/08]
Assent: 18/10/08; Act No. 109, 2008
Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Australian Trade Commission Act 1985 and Export Market Development Grants Act 1997 to: increase the maximum grant to $200,000; add two claimable expense categories to the range of eligible expenses; expand the range of bodies able to access the scheme; lift the maximum turnover limit to $50 million; reduce the minimum threshold of expenditure to a $10,000 minimum; extend the limit on the number of annual grants to eight; remove the distinction between internal and external services to provide that all non-tourism services are eligible products; and introduce a performance measure for applicants claiming their third and subsequent grants.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 33, 2008
Fair Work Bill 2008
Implements a workplace relations system which provides for: the establishment of National Employment Standards, modern awards and national minimum wage orders; the establishment of the statutory offices of Fair Work Australia to administer the system and the Fair Work Ombudsman to promote compliance; fair work instruments; and the creation of Fair Work Divisions in the Federal Court and Federal Magistrate—s Court to hear workplace relations matters.
Reps: Intro. 25/11/08; Passed 4/12/08
Senate: Intro. 5/12/08 a.m.; 2nd reading adjourned 5/12/08 a.m.
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee 25/11/08; report due 27/2/09
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (2008 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to establish a $150,000 limit on primary earner income for family tax benefit Part B and related tax offsets; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 in relation to the baby bonus to: introduce a means test; provide for instalment payment; change the indexation date to 1 July each year; and extend the eligibility to certain adopted children; Data-matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Act 1990, Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to provide for the collection of tax file numbers as part of a new compliance regime for the seniors health card; Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to provide for a person to enter into a voluntary income management agreement; Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to increase the eligible age for partner service pension to qualifying age; and five Acts in relation to: child support reforms; family assistance; and technical amendments relating to family tax benefits and social security.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 5/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 25/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Referred to Finance and Public Administration Committee; report tabled 24/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 2 Schedules negatived; 2 items negatived; 2 AG/negatived
Committee request: 1 Govt/passed
[Reps made Senate request for an amendment 25/6/08; Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 and disagreed to Senate amendments nos 4 and 5, 25/6/08; Senate did not insist on its amendments 26/6/08]
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 63, 2008
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Emergency Response Consolidation) Bill 2008
Amends the: Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007 to prohibit certain pay television licensees from providing television channels that contain a large amount of R18+ programming to certain prescribed areas; Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 to permit the transportation of pornographic material through a prescribed area to a place outside the prescribed area; Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007 to repeal permit system amendments providing public access to certain Aboriginal land; and Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007 to enable community dependent roadhouses to be licensed as community stores.
Reps: Intro. 21/2/08; Passed 2/9/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 25 Govt/passed; 7 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee; interim report presented 7/5/08 and tabled 13/5/08; extension of time for final report 13/5/08; final report tabled 15/5/08
Committee amendments: 6 Opp/passed; 1 Schedule negatived; 12 items negatived; 1 AG/negatived; 1 clause opposed/clause agreed to
[Reps reported message 1/12/08]
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Further 2008 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 in relation to the maternity immunisation allowance to: restructure payment of the allowance; extend eligibility to certain adopted children; and modify the rules for determining entitlement; Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 in relation to the partner service pension to: cease eligibility for partners who are separated but not divorced from their veteran spouse and who have not reached pension age; and set the eligibility age for partners of veterans in receipt of certain pensions; and Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to amend the child support formula in relation to percentage of care, Social Security Appeals Tribunal decisions, departure from assessments, terminating events, minimum annual rates, overseas liabilities and crediting prescribed payments.
Reps: Intro. 18/9/08; Passed 25/9/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 1/12/08
SBC report 11/08 (tabled and adopted 18/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee; report tabled 10/11/08
Committee amendments: 7 Govt/passed; 1 Part negatived; 3 items (as amended) opposed/items agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 2/12/08]
Assent: 9/12/08; Act No. 143, 2008
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to enable: Centrelink to make oral submissions to Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) hearings; SSAT to give oral reasons on —affirmed— cases; and SSAT members to be appointed for a term of up to five years; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to repeal redundant references to disability wage supplement and rehabilitation allowance; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005, Native Title Amendment (Technical Amendments) Act 2007, Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to make technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 25/11/08; 2nd reading adjourned 25/11/08
Senate:
SBC report 16/08 (tabled and adopted 26/11/08): No reference
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: remove the minimum rate of child care benefit (CCB); increase the child care tax rebate (CCTR) to 50 per cent, provide for it to be paid quarterly and increase the annual limit to $7,500; and make amendments in relation to: weekly limits of hours for the purposes of CCB; automatic review of CCTR decisions; publishing information relating to sanctions or suspensions of approved child care service—s approval; allocation of child care places; approved child care services providing certain periodic statements; delegation of the secretary—s powers; infringement notices; and technical amendments relating to the Child Care Management System; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 in relation to: debt recovery; extension of the civil penalties and infringement notice schemes; and expanded entry powers for authorised officers.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 53, 2008
Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Family Law Act 1975 in relation to: opposite-sex and same-sex de facto couples accessing the federal family law courts on property and maintenance matters on relationship breakdown; financial agreements between married couples; separation declarations and superannuation splitting; and certificates provided during family dispute resolutions. Also makes consequential amendments to 10 Acts in relation to de facto financial matters; and makes a technical amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Reps: Intro. 25/6/08; Passed 28/8/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 1/9/08; Passed 10/11/08
SBC report 7/08 (tabled and adopted 26/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; extension of time to report 27/8/08; report tabled 28/8/08
Committee amendments: 34 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/negatived
Committee requests: 20 Govt/passed; 1 Opp to Govt/negatived
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 20/10/08; Reps agreed to Senate amendments 11/11/08]
Assent: 21/11/08; Act No. 115, 2008
Farm Household Support Amendment (Additional Drought Assistance Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: Farm Household Support Act 1992 and Social Security Act 1991 to: increase the maximum allowable income exemption for the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (ECRP); and extend the ECRP to more agriculture-dependent small business operators; and Farm Household Support Act 1992 to enable ECRP recipients to continue to receive payments while temporarily absent from Australia for specific family or humanitarian reasons.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 3/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 24/6/08; Act No. 39, 2008
Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Bill 2008, the bill amends the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983, Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 and Judiciary Act 1903 to enable the Federal Court to apply uniform indictable criminal procedure across Australia to deal with serious cartel offences. Also makes consequential and other amendments to five other Acts.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; report due 20/2/09
Federal Justice System Amendment (Efficiency Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2008
Amends the: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 to: allow the Federal Court to refer all or part of a proceeding to a referee for report; and allow a single Federal Court judge to make interlocutory orders in proceedings that would otherwise be heard and determined by a Full Court; International Arbitration Act 1974 to give the Federal Court concurrent jurisdiction with State and Territory Supreme Courts to enforce foreign arbitral awards; Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, Family Law Act 1975, Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 and Native Title Act 1993 to remove restrictions on Chief Justices and Presidents acquiring an interest in land for the purposes of the Lands Acquisition Act 1989; Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971 to allow authorised, non-judicial officers of the Federal Court power to make orders specifying that certain premises are —court premises—; and Family Law Act 1975 to respond to the Full Family Court of Australia decision in Black v Black relating to the satisfaction of technical requirements for binding financial and termination agreements.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; report due 17/2/09
Financial Claims Scheme (ADIs) Levy Bill 2008
Introduced with the Financial Claims Scheme (General Insurers) Levy Bill 2008 and Financial System Legislation Amendment (Financial Claims Scheme and Other Measures) Bill 2008, the bill provides for regulations to be made to impose a levy on authorised deposit-taking institutions in the event that liquidation funds are not sufficient to recover the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority—s costs of the Financial Claims Scheme.
Reps: Intro. 15/10/08; Passed 15/10/08
Senate: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 16/10/08
Assent: 17/10/08; Act No. 103, 2008
Financial Claims Scheme (General Insurers) Levy Bill 2008
Introduced with the Financial Claims Scheme (ADIs) Levy Bill 2008 and Financial System Legislation Amendment (Financial Claims Scheme and Other Measures) Bill 2008, the bill provides for regulations to be made to impose a levy on general insurers in the event that liquidation funds are not sufficient to recover the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority—s costs of the Financial Claims Scheme.
Reps: Intro. 15/10/08; Passed 15/10/08
Senate: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 16/10/08
Assent: 17/10/08; Act No. 104, 2008
Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to further simplify the internal government financial management framework and makes consequential amendments to the Albury-Wodonga Development Act 1973, Public Service Act 1999, Reserve Bank Act 1959 and Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Act 2008. Also effects a transfer of funding for the Water Smart Australia program from the National Water Commission to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 27/8/08
Senate: Intro. 27/8/08; Passed 4/9/08
SBC report 8/08 (tabled and adopted 27/8/08): No reference
Assent: 20/9/08; Act No. 90, 2008
S Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Review of Prudential Decisions) Bill 2008
Amends the: Banking Act 1959, Insurance Act 1973, Life Insurance Act 1995, Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997, Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Simplifying Regulation and Review) Act 2007 and Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Discretionary Mutual Funds and Direct Offshore Foreign Insurers) Act 2007 to introduce a court-based process for disqualifying an individual from operating an Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) regulated entity; Banking Act 1959, Insurance Act 1973 and Life Insurance Act 1995 in relation to APRA—s specific direction powers; Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to incorporate a materiality test into the trigger for APRA to issue a direction to freeze assets of a superannuation entity; Insurance Act 1973, Life Insurance Act 1995 and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to remove ministerial consent from administrative decisions made by APRA or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) under those Acts; and Banking Act 1959, Financial Sector Collection of Data Act 2001, Insurance Act 1973, Life Insurance Act 1995 and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to apply merits review to appropriate decisions made by APRA or the ATO. Also makes consequential amendments to other Acts.
Senate: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 11/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Reps: Intro. 11/3/08; Passed 13/5/08
Assent: 26/5/08; Act No. 25, 2008
Financial System Legislation Amendment (Financial Claims Scheme and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Financial Claims Scheme (ADIs) Levy Bill 2008 and Financial Claims Scheme (General Insurers) Levy Bill 2008, the bill amends the: Banking Act 1959 to establish the Early Access Facility for Depositors (EAFD) to provide access to deposit funds in a failed authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI); Insurance Act 1973 to establish the Policyholder Compensation Facility (PCF) to provide access to funds from insurance claims when a general insurer fails; Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998 to provide the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority with administration of the Financial Claims Scheme (comprising the EAFD and PCF); Banking Act 1959 to expand the duties, powers and functions of ADI statutory managers; Insurance Act 1973, Corporations Act 2001 and Life Insurance Act 1995 to provide for judicial management and recapitalisation of general and life insurers; and Financial Sector (Business Transfer and Group Restructure) Act 1999 to facilitate the transfer of assets and liabilities between institutions. Also makes consequential amendments to six Acts to provide for the usage of tax file numbers for the Scheme.
Reps: Intro. 15/10/08; Passed 15/10/08
Senate: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 16/10/08
Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Assent: 17/10/08; Act No. 105, 2008
Financial Transaction Reports Amendment (Transitional Arrangements) Bill 2008
Amends the Financial Transactions Reports Act 1988 to facilitate the transition to regulation under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter- Terrorism Financing Act 2006 to: authorise certain cash dealers to continue reporting suspicious transactions, international funds transfer instructions and significant cash transactions to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC); authorise solicitors, solicitor corporations and partnerships of solicitors to continue to provide AUSTRAC with cash transaction reports; and authorise certain cash dealers to enter transactions into their exemption register until 11 March 2010.
Reps: Intro. 18/9/08; Passed 13/10/08
Senate: Intro. 14/10/08; Passed 13/11/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): No reference
Assent: 25/11/08; Act No. 124, 2008
First Home Saver Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Bill 2008
Introduced with the First Home Saver Accounts (Further Provisions) Amendment Bill 2008 and further to the package of bills which established First Home Saver Accounts (FHSA), the bill imposes a levy on FHSA providers to provide funding for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to supervise financial institutions which offer FHSAs.
Reps: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 17/9/08
Senate: Intro. 17/9/08; Passed 24/9/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): No reference
Assent: 30/9/08; Act No. 93, 2008
First Home Saver Accounts Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills, the bill: establishes and governs the operation of First Home Saver Accounts; provides for the payment of Government contributions of 17 per cent on the first $5,000 of personal contributions made into an account each year; and provides for the prudential regulation of account providers.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 2/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 44, 2008
First Home Saver Accounts (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills, the bill: makes consequential amendments to: provide for the taxation treatment of First Home Saver Accounts and change certain references; and amends the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and Corporations Act 2001 to ensure that the financial services licensing, conduct, advice and disclosure rules apply appropriately to First Home Saver Accounts.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 2/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 45, 2008
First Home Saver Accounts (Further Provisions) Amendment Bill 2008
Introduced with the First Home Saver Account Providers Supervisory Levy Imposition Bill 2008 and further to the package of bills which established First Home Saver Accounts (FHSA), the bill amends 13 Acts in relation to: the treatment of unclaimed money; secrecy provisions and the disclosure of protected information between the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission; and makes minor and consequential amendments relating to the operation of the FHSA scheme and its interaction with existing legislation.
Reps: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 17/9/08
Senate: Intro. 17/9/08; Passed 24/9/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived
Assent: 30/9/08; Act No. 92, 2008
Fisheries Legislation Amendment (New Governance Arrangements for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Other Matters) Bill 2008
Following government endorsement of the recommendations of the Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Review), the bill amends the: Fisheries Administration Act 1991, Fisheries Management Act 1991 and Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 to implement changes to the governance arrangements of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority; Fisheries Management Act 1991 and Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 to require foreign fishing vessels to stow fishing equipment whilst transiting through the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ); and Fisheries Management Act 1991 and Migration Act 1958 to enable enforcement action to be taken against foreign vessels breaching international fishery management measures and boats supporting illegal fishing in the AFZ.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 4/6/08
Main Committee CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 24/6/08; Act No. 36, 2008
PS Flags (Protection of Australian Flags) Amendment Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Barnett — LP)
Amends the Flags Act 1953 to protect the Australian National Flag and proclaimed flags from unlawful desecration or destruction by inserting offence and penalty provisions.
Senate: Intro. 3/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/9/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): No reference
Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Foreign Evidence Act 1994 to: streamline the process for adducing foreign material that appears to consist of a business record; and make amendments in relation to: testimony obtained from foreign countries; non-conviction based proceeds of crime matters; court discretion when using foreign evidence; and the Attorney-General—s certification of foreign material. Also contains application and transitional provisions.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
PS Freedom of Information Amendment (Open Government) Bill 2003 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Murray — AD)
Amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Freedom of Information (Fees and Charges) Regulations to: extend access to information in the possession of the Commonwealth; and create an independent position of Freedom of Information Commissioner to be held by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Senate: Intro. 25/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 25/6/03
SBC report 8/03 (tabled and adopted 13/8/03): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04, 18/3/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
S Freedom of Information (Removal of Conclusive Certificates and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982, Archives Act 1983, Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 and Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 to: remove the power to issue conclusive certificates; revoke existing conclusive certificates if a new access request is received; implement measures to protect sensitive information in proceedings before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; and make consequential amendments.
Senate: Intro. 26/11/08; 2nd reading adjourned 26/11/08
SBC report 16/08 (tabled and adopted 26/11/08): Referred to Finance and Public Administration Committee; report due 10/3/09
PS Genetic Privacy and Non-discrimination Bill 1998 [2008]
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; report due 11/8/98; interim report presented 10/8/98 and tabled 10/11/98
Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee 23/11/98; extensions of time to report 10/12/98, 16/2/99, 30/3/99; report tabled 31/3/99
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 14/5/02, 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Governance Review Implementation (AASB and AUASB) Bill 2008
Amends the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to: implement new financial management and administrative governance arrangements by transferring the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board from the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 framework to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 framework; and make transitional amendments, including changes to the Financial Reporting Council—s functions.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 24/6/08
Senate: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 61, 2008
Governor-General Amendment (Salary and Superannuation) Bill 2008
Amends the Governor-General Act 1974 to: set the salary for the next Governor-General; and remove references to the superannuation surcharge discontinued in 2005.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 23/6/08
Senate: Intro. 24/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 62, 2008
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to provide a framework for the administration and management of the Great Barrier Reef Park which integrates with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and other legislation by: implementing environmental impact assessment and permitting processes; investigation and evidence collection; targeted approaches to enforcement; encouraging responsible use of the Park; and new emergency management powers.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 26/8/08
Senate: Intro. 27/8/08; Passed 11/11/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp-FFP (as amended by Govt)/passed (reference to committee—see below)
Reference: Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee 1/9/08; report tabled 15/9/08; additional comments tabled 18/9/08
Committee amendments: 6 Govt/passed; 1 Opp (as amended)/passed; 1 Macdonald-Boswell/passed; 3 Opp/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 12/11/08]
Assent: 25/11/08; Act No. 125, 2008
Guarantee Scheme for Large Deposits and Wholesale Funding Appropriation Bill 2008
The bill: establishes a standing appropriation to enable claims to be paid under the Australian Government Guarantee Scheme for Large Deposits and Wholesale Funding; and provides a borrowing power, to enable money to be borrowed to pay such claims, should there be insufficient funds in the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Reps: Intro. 25/11/08; Passed 25/11/08
Senate: Intro. 26/11/08; Passed 26/11/08
Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived
Assent: 27/11/08; Act No. 129, 2008
Health Care (Appropriation) Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Health Care (Appropriation) Act 1998 to: extend the appropriation period from five to six years; and increase the amount appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund by $10.25 billion.
Reps: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 3/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 52, 2008
Health Insurance Amendment (90 Day Pay Doctor Cheque Scheme) Bill 2008
Amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to allow specialists and consultant physicians access to the 90 Day Pay Doctor Cheque Scheme where the original claim for the Medicare benefit is submitted electronically to Medicare Australia.
Reps: Intro. 19/3/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 51, 2008
Higher Education Support Amendment (2008 Budget Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to: compulsory Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) repayments and a HECS-HELP benefit for certain graduates and teachers; funding amounts to reflect supplementation for indexation increases, budget measures, technical adjustments for 2009-12, and maximum grant amounts for 2012; transitional loading under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme; phasing out domestic undergraduate full fee paying places at public universities; and maximum contribution amounts for mathematics, statistics and science units of study.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 43, 2008
Higher Education Support Amendment (Removal of the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements and National Governance Protocols Requirements and Other Matters) Bill 2008
Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to: remove the requirement for higher education providers to meet the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements and the National Governance Protocols as a condition of Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding; and make minor technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 14/5/08
CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 4/9/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/negatived
Assent: 20/9/08; Act No. 89, 2008
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE-HELP Assistance) Bill 2008
Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to provide VET FEE-HELP assistance to full fee paying students in Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses accredited as VET qualifications and where credit toward a higher education award is available for Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses.
Reps: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 20/2/08
Senate: Intro. 11/3/08; Passed 13/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 11, 2008
Horse Disease Response Levy Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills to establish a horse disease response levy, the bill imposes a levy on the first registration of horses, to enable the horse industry to repay amounts paid by the Commonwealth on behalf of the horse industry in the event of an outbreak of an emergency horse disease.
Reps: Intro. 21/2/08; Passed 3/9/08
Senate: Intro. 3/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/9/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 4/9/08; interim report presented 3/10/08 and tabled 13/10/08; extension of time for final report 13/10/08; final report tabled 13/11/08
Horse Disease Response Levy Collection Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills to establish a horse disease response levy, the bill: enables the collection and administration of a horse disease response levy from horse registration bodies; imposes penalties for unpaid levies and the remission of any penalties resulting from late payments; introduces information gathering powers to allow for the collection of information and documents as specified by the Commonwealth; and provides for regulations to prescribe details for the collection of the levy.
Reps: Intro. 21/2/08; Passed 3/9/08
Senate: Intro. 3/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/9/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 4/9/08; interim report presented 3/10/08 and tabled 13/10/08; extension of time for final report 13/10/08; final report tabled 13/11/08
Horse Disease Response Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills to establish a horse disease response levy, the bill amends the Australian Animal Health Council (Live-stock Industries) Funding Act 1996 to enable horse disease response levies to be appropriated to the Australian Animal Health Council to repay amounts paid by the Commonwealth due to an outbreak of an emergency horse disease. Any excess levies are to be used for research and development activities or the promotion or maintenance of horse health.
Reps: Intro. 21/2/08; Passed 3/9/08
Senate: Intro. 3/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/9/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 4/9/08; interim report presented 3/10/08 and tabled 13/10/08; extension of time for final report 13/10/08; final report tabled 13/11/08
Income Tax (First Home Saver Accounts Misuse Tax) Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills, the bill imposes the First Home Saver Accounts misuse tax to be payable on any gain made by an account holder from the improper use of a First Home Saver Account.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 2/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 46, 2008
Income Tax (Managed Investment Trust Transitional) Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills, the bill imposes a transitional tax rate of 22.5 per cent for the first income year of the new withholding tax regime for distributions of managed investment trust income to foreign residents of certain jurisdictions and allows them to claim deductions for associated investment expenses.
Reps: Intro. 4/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
Senate: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 30, 2008
Income Tax (Managed Investment Trust Withholding Tax) Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills, the bill imposes: a tax rate of 15 per cent for the second income year, and 7.5 per cent for later income years, of the new withholding tax regime for distributions of managed investment trust income to foreign residents of certain jurisdictions; and a 30 per cent withholding tax rate on residents of countries with which Australia does not have effective exchange of information.
Reps: Intro. 4/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
Senate: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 31, 2008
PM Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Laws Bill 2008
(Introduced by Mr Georgiou — LP)
Provides for the appointment of an independent person to review the operation, effectiveness and implications of laws relating to terrorism.
Reps: Intro. 17/3/08; Read a 1st time 17/3/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 21/10/08
PS Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Laws Bill 2008 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senators Troeth and Humphries — LP)
Provides for the appointment of an independent person to review the operation, effectiveness and implications of laws relating to terrorism.
Senate: Intro. 23/6/08; Passed 13/11/08
SBC report 7/08 (tabled and adopted 26/6/08): No reference
Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 2/9/08; order varied 2/9/08: report due 24/9/08; extension of time to report 22/9/08; report tabled 14/10/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendments: 11 Troeth (1 as amended by AG, 1 as amended by 4 AG)/passed; 2 AG/passed; 1 AG/negatived
Reps: Intro. 24/11/08; Read a 1st time 24/11/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the: Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 to: allow for township leases to be for a period of between 40 and 99 years and provide for rights of renewal; expand the functions of the Executive Director of Township Leasing; allow for the grant of 13 areas of Aboriginal land which will be operated as national parks; and make minor amendments; and Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007 to: provide processes for payments to landholders for the acquisition of five-year leases; and make minor and technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 5/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 23/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 1/7/08; Act No. 67, 2008
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (2008 Budget Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to appropriate additional funding for Indigenous students to: expand intensive literacy and numeracy programs; enable teachers to develop individual learning plans; and establish three new boarding accommodation facilities in the Northern Territory.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 47, 2008
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008
Amends the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to appropriate additional funding to enable the employment of 200 additional teachers in Northern Territory Indigenous communities affected by the Northern Territory Emergency Response.
Reps: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 11/3/08
Senate: Intro. 12/3/08; Passed 12/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 4, 2008
Infrastructure Australia Bill 2008
Establishes Infrastructure Australia to advise governments, investors and owners of Australia—s future infrastructure needs and other related infrastructure issues.
Reps: Intro. 21/2/08; Passed 17/3/08
CID amendments: 5 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 18/3/08; Passed 19/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 5 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 3 AG/negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 19/3/08; Senate did not insist on its amendments 20/3/08]
Assent: 8/4/08; Act No. 17, 2008
PM Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2008
(Introduced by Mr Billson — LP)
Amends the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to prohibit subscription television based interactive gambling.
Reps: Intro. 2/6/08; Read a 1st time 2/6/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Removed from Notice Paper 25/11/08
International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2008
Amends the International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to give legislative authority to agreements between Australia and Japan, in relation to the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion.
Reps: Intro. 27/8/08; Passed 15/9/08
Senate: Intro. 15/9/08; Passed 18/9/08
SBC report 9/08 (tabled and adopted 3/9/08): No reference
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 102, 2008
International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008
Amends the International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to give legislative authority to agreements between Australia and the Republic of South Africa, in relation to the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion.
Reps: Intro. 17/9/08; Passed 24/9/08
Senate: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 16/10/08
SBC report 11/08 (tabled and adopted 18/9/08): No reference
Assent: 31/10/08; Act No. 111, 2008
Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill 2008
Introduced with the Road Transport Charges (Australian Capital Territory) Repeal Bill 2008, the bill amends the Interstate Road Transport Charge Act 1985 to enable regulations to be made to implement national heavy vehicle charges set out in the 2007 Heavy Vehicle Charges Determination under the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme for registered vehicles.
Reps: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 19/3/08
Senate: Intro. 19/3/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 19/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008
Introduced with the Road Charges Legislation Repeal and Amendment Bill 2008, the bill amends the Interstate Road Transport Charge Act 1985 to enable regulations to be made to implement national heavy vehicle charges set out in the 2007 Heavy Vehicle Charges Determination under the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme for registered vehicles.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 23/10/08
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee; report presented 21/11/08 and tabled 24/11/08
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 147, 2008
Judiciary Amendment Bill 2008
Responds to the High Court decision in British American Tobacco v Western Australia by amending the Judiciary Act 1903 to provide that nothing in the Act prevents state and territory laws related to the recovery of invalid state and territory taxes from applying in federal jurisdiction in proceedings for the recovery of a tax or an amount paid in connection with a tax invalidly imposed by a law of a state or territory.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 23/6/08
Senate: Intro. 24/6/08; Passed 24/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 1/7/08; Act No. 71, 2008
Lands Acquisition Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 to: allow states and territories to administer exploration and/or mining on Commonwealth land through regulations that incorporate or adopt state/territory mining legislation; provide for a penalty regime for breaches of the regulations; enable the minister to make offers of compensation to interest holders without a claim being made; and remove the requirement for commercial acquisitions in the market of an interest in land to be tabled in Parliament. Also repeals the Lands Acquisition (Defence) Act 1968.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 13/5/08
Senate: Intro. 14/5/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 82, 2008
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Identity Crimes and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: Criminal Code Act 1995 to: insert three new identity crime offences in relation to identification information; and allow a victim of identity crime to obtain a certificate which may assist in re-establishing their credit history; Crimes Act 1914 in relation to the administration of justice offences and makes consequential amendments to eight other Acts; Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983 (DPPA) to: allow for the delegation of functions and powers to facilitate joint trial arrangements; and provide legal immunity for persons carrying out functions and duties under the DPPA; Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 in relation to certain written notices and the disclosure of sensitive information held by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre; Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to: enable the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to use alcohol screening as a preliminary test for all random, targeted investigation and certain incident alcohol testing; and allow the Commissioner to confer awards on other AFP employees; and Judiciary Act 1903 to repeal redundant provisions in relation to eligibility to practice law in the territories. Also makes miscellaneous amendments to the Australian Federal Police Act 1979, Crimes Act 1914, Criminal Code Act 1995 and Privacy Act 1988.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
Law Officers Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Law Officers Act 1964 and Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 to enable Solicitors-General to access long service leave entitlements.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 3/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 24/6/08; Act No. 40, 2008
PS Marriage (Relationships Equality) Amendment Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Nettle — AG)
Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to amend the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Migration Amendment (Notification Review) Bill 2008
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to clarify and provide certainty to certain notification procedures to minimise errors and ensure that visa applicants and holders are effectively notified of matters relating to their dealings with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Reps: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 24/9/08
CID amendments: 12 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 13/10/08; Passed 14/10/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): No reference
Assent: 31/10/08; Act No. 112, 2008
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Access to Judicial Review of Migration
R Decisions) Bill 2007 [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Amends the Migration Act 1958 in relation to access to judicial review of migration decisions.
Senate: Intro. 1/3/07; 2nd reading adjourned 1/3/07
SBC report 4/07 (tabled and adopted 21/3/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
S Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2008
Amends the: Migration Act 1958 to: reinstate time limits for applying to courts for judicial review of migration decisions; streamline procedures for notifying parties of Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal decisions; amend border protection provisions in relation to advance passenger and crew reports, —round trip cruises— and special purpose visas; amend visa provisions in relation to the status of certain non-citizen children and bridging visas and offences; respond to Moore v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2007] FCA 626 by clarifying character cancellation provisions; ensure illegal foreign fishers and environmental offenders are removed from Australia when they become unlawful non-citizens; give the minister discretion when providing documents to a non-registered migration agent; and Australian Citizenship Act 2007 and Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Act 2007 to: clarify provisions and remove inconsistencies; and ensure the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 is consistent with obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness 1961.
Senate: Intro. 25/6/08; Passed 28/8/08
SBC report 7/08 (tabled and adopted 26/6/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 10 Govt/passed; 8 items negatived
Reps: Intro. 1/9/08; Passed 4/9/08
Assent: 15/9/08; Act No. 85, 2008
S Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: clarify that the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal may invite either orally or in writing, review applicants or third parties to give information; reinstate uniform time limits for applying for judicial review of a migration decision in the Federal Magistrates Court, Federal Court and High Court; and limit the appeals against judgments by the Federal Magistrates Court and the Federal Court that make an order or refuse to make an order to extend time to apply for judicial review of migration decisions.
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Complementary Protection Visas) Bill 2006
R [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to introduce a class of complementary protection visas which will provide protection for those people who do not meet the definition of a refugee under the Refugee Convention but who have compelling humanitarian or safety reasons to not return to their country of origin.
Senate: Intro. 13/9/06; Negatived at 2nd reading 20/3/08
SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (End of Mandatory Detention) Bill 2006 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to end the mandatory detention of visa applicants and asylum seekers.
Senate: Intro. 7/9/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/9/06
SBC report 10/06 (tabled and adopted 14/9/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal) Bill 2006
R [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Introduced with the Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2006, the bill amends the Migration Act 1958 to repeal provisions which provide for the excision from the migration zone of certain offshore places and prevent a person who arrives unlawfully at an —excised offshore place— from making a valid visa application unless the minister determines it is in the public interest to do so.
Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/06
SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal)
R (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2006 [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Introduced with the Migration Legislation Amendment (Migration Zone Excision Repeal) Bill 2006, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Migration Act 1958 in relation to the repeal of the excision from the migration zone of certain offshore places.
Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/06
SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Provisions Relating to Character and
R Conduct) Bill 2006 [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Amends the Migration Act 1958 in relation to ministerial discretion to assess the character or conduct of a non-citizen for the purposes of refusing a visa application or cancelling an existing visa.
Senate: Intro. 14/8/06; 2nd reading adjourned 14/8/06
SBC report 9/06 (tabled and adopted 7/9/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Rights and Procedural
R Fairness) Bill 2007 [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Amends the: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 and Migration Act 1958 to remove the privative clause mechanism restricting access to Federal and High Court judicial review of administrative decisions made under the Migration Act; and Migration Act 1958 in relation to: immigration detainees; the natural justice hearing rule; the refusal or cancellation of visas on character grounds; and mandatory migration detention.
Senate: Intro. 8/8/07; 2nd reading adjourned 8/8/07
SBC report 13/07 (tabled and adopted 16/8/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Migration Legislation Amendment (Temporary Protection Visas Repeal) Bill 2006
R [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to remove the category of Temporary Protection Visa.
Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 22/6/06
SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
S Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Bill 2008
Amends the: Migration Act 1958 to establish a framework for the sponsorship of non-citizens seeking entry to Australia which will: define sponsorship obligations for employers and other sponsors; expand powers to monitor and investigate possible non-compliance by sponsors; and introduce a civil penalty regime for non-compliance; and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to authorise the disclosure and sharing of certain information between the Commissioner of Taxation and migration officers.
Senate: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; interim report presented 7/11/08 and tabled 10/11/08; final report tabled 10/11/08
Reps: Intro. 1/12/08; Passed 3/12/08
Assent: 18/12/08; Act No. 159, 2008
Military Memorials of National Significance Bill 2008
Recognises the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat as a Military Memorial of National Significance and provides that other memorials which meet specified criteria will be similarly recognised.
Reps: Intro. 19/3/08; Passed 23/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 24/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 80, 2008
PS Ministers of State (Post-Retirement Employment Restrictions) Bill 2002 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Murray — AD)
Regulates certain pre and post-retirement conduct of, and places post-retirement employment restrictions on, ministers and ministerial advisers; and includes offence and penalty provisions.
Senate: Intro. 13/3/02; 2nd reading adjourned 13/3/02
SBC report 2/02 (tabled and adopted 20/3/02): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Nation-building Funds Bill 2008
Introduced with the Nation-building Funds (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 and further to the COAG Reform Fund Bill 2008, the bill establishes three financial asset funds to provide capital investment in transport, communications, energy, water, higher and vocational education and health infrastructure: the Building Australia Fund, the Education Investment Fund and the Health and Hospitals Fund. The funds will be established as special accounts in the Consolidated Revenue Fund and will be managed by the Future Fund Board of Guardians.
Reps: Intro. 13/11/08; Passed 1/12/08
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee upon introduction in Reps (13/11/08); extension of time to report 10/11/08; report due 1/12/08; report tabled 2/12/08
Committee amendments: 67 Opp/passed; 9 AG-Opp/passed; 2 clauses negatived; 3 AG/negatived; 1 Opp to AG-Opp/negatived; 1 AG to AG-Opp/negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 4/12/08; Senate did not insist on its amendments 5/12/08 a.m.]
Assent: 18/12/08; Act No. 154, 2008
Nation-building Funds (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Nation-building Funds Bill 2008 and further to the COAG Reform Fund Bill 2008, the bill: repeals the Higher Education Endowment Fund Act 2007; repeals Part 9C of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Services Standards) Act 1999 which establishes the Communications Fund; transfers the balance of these funds to the Education Investment Fund and the Building Australia Fund, respectively; makes consequential amendments to the Future Fund Act 2006, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Telstra Corporation Act 2001; and makes transitional arrangements.
Reps: Intro. 13/11/08; Passed 1/12/08
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee upon introduction in Reps (13/11/08); extension of time to report 10/11/08; report due 1/12/08; report tabled 2/12/08
Committee amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 6 items negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 4/12/08; Senate did not insist on its amendments 5/12/08 a.m.]
Assent: 18/12/08; Act No. 155, 2008
PS National Commissioner for Children Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
Establishes the Office of the National Commissioner for Children and Young People to promote and protect the rights, interests and wellbeing of all Australian children under 18 years of age, and appoints and outlines the functions and responsibilities of the Commissioner. Also establishes an Advisory Committee on Children and sets out membership, function, procedure and membership conditions.
Senate: Intro. 18/3/08; 2nd reading adjourned 18/3/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
National Film and Sound Archive Bill 2008
Establishes the National Film and Sound Archive as a statutory body, sets out functions and powers, and establishes a governing board and management.
Reps: Intro. 20/2/08; Passed 12/3/08
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 13/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 14, 2008
National Fuelwatch (Empowering Consumers) Bill 2008
Introduced with the National Fuelwatch (Empowering Consumers) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008, the bill establishes a National Fuelwatch Scheme to be implemented and administered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) which requires petrol retailers to notify the ACCC of their next day—s fuel prices by 2 pm each day and maintain this notified price for a 24-hour period from 6 am the next day. Also confers compliance and enforcement powers upon the ACCC.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 5/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 12/11/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; interim report tabled 27/8/08; final report tabled 14/10/08
National Fuelwatch (Empowering Consumers) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Introduced with the National Fuelwatch (Empowering Consumers) Bill 2008, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974 in relation to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission—s functions and powers for the operation and enforcement of the National Fuelwatch Scheme.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 5/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 12/11/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; interim report tabled 27/8/08; final report tabled 14/10/08
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 in relation to: mandatory public disclosure of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions; the calculation and publication of the alternative methods used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions; registration of corporations; compliance by corporations with external auditors; and reporting of greenhouse gas projects and offsets of emissions.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 27/8/08
Senate: Intro. 28/8/08; Passed 2/9/08
SBC report 8/08 (tabled and adopted 27/8/08): No reference
Assent: 15/9/08; Act No. 84, 2008
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical and Other Benefits—Cost Recovery) Bill 2008
Amends the National Health Act 1953 to enable regulations to be made for the cost recovery of services provided by the Commonwealth in relation to the exercise of powers for listing medicines, vaccines and other products or services on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and designation of vaccines for the National Immunisation Program.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 5/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 28/8/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Community Affairs Committee 18/6/08; report due not before 18/8/08; report presented 22/8/08 and tabled 26/8/08
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2008
Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: expand the criteria for determining that brands of pharmaceutical items are co-marketed; provide access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for government officers (and accompanying spouses and dependants) working overseas; enable married or de facto couples living apart permanently due to illness or infirmity to use the PBS safety net jointly; and make minor technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 5/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 17/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 49, 2008
PS National Market Driven Energy Efficiency Target Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to create a market for energy savings, additional to energy efficiency activities set by minimum energy performance regulation, by: setting a National Market Driven Energy Efficiency Target; and providing for the creation, acquisition and trading of Energy Efficiency Certificates.
Senate: Intro. 14/8/07; 2nd reading adjourned 14/8/07
SBC report 13/07 (tabled and adopted 16/8/07): Referred to Economics Committee; interim report tabled 17/9/07; extension of time to report 17/9/07; further interim report tabled 12/2/08
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): Referred to Economics Committee; report presented 30/5/08 and tabled 16/6/08
National Measurement Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the National Measurement Act 1960 to implement a national trade measurement system based on the current trade measurement systems of the states and territories.
Reps: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 13/11/08
Senate: Intro. 24/11/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): No reference
Assent: 8/12/08; Act No. 137, 2008
National Rental Affordability Scheme Bill 2008
Introduced with the National Rental Affordability Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008, the bill provides for regulations to prescribe the National Rental Affordability Scheme which will provide refundable tax offsets or cash payment incentives to providers of new dwellings on the condition that they are rented to low and moderate income households at 20 per cent below market rates.
Reps: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 23/10/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 24/11/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee; report due 20/11/08; report presented 12/11/08 and tabled 13/11/08
2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp — Question divided: paragraphs (a) to (e)/negatived; paragraphs (f) and (g)/passed; 1 AG/negatived
Assent: 25/11/08; Act No. 121, 2008
National Rental Affordability Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Introduced with the National Rental Affordability Scheme Bill 2008, the bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to entities participating in the scheme to: enable entities to claim a refundable tax offset; ensure that state and territory contributions to entities are non-assessable and non-exempt income for taxation purposes; and ensure that there are no capital gains tax consequences from the receipt of incentives under the scheme.
Reps: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 23/10/08
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 24/11/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee; report due 20/11/08; report presented 12/11/08 and tabled 13/11/08
Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 24/11/08]
Assent: 28/11/08; Act No. 130, 2008
Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Datum) Bill 2008
Amends the Offshore Petroleum Act 2006 to correct a technical error resulting from the Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2008 in relation to geodetic data references.
Reps: Intro. 27/8/08; Passed 3/9/08
Senate: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 4/9/08
SBC report 9/08 (tabled and adopted 3/9/08): No reference
Assent: 20/9/08; Act No. 88, 2008
Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills, the bill amends the Offshore Petroleum Act 2006 to enable the transportation by pipeline and injection and storage of greenhouse gas substances in Commonwealth offshore waters by: providing for the release of offshore acreage over which greenhouse gas titles may be obtained, establishing a system of titles to authorise title-holders to engage in greenhouse gas related operations and conferring on the minister regulatory powers in relation to those titles and activities, and adapting existing petroleum provisions relating to administrative, regulatory and process matters to greenhouse gas titles and operations. Also amends the existing regime of petroleum titles to accommodate the new kinds of activity being authorised by the Act; amends the long title of the Act and renames it as the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006; and makes consequential amendments to 27 other Acts.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 18/9/08
CID amendments: 93 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 10/11/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 16/10/08; report tabled 23/9/08
Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 11 Opp/passed; 11 AG/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 11/11/08]
Assent: 21/11/08; Act No. 117, 2008
Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Offshore Petroleum Act 2006 to: convert certain geodetic data references of area descriptions to Geocentric Datum of Australia (GOA94); remove certain ministerial emergency powers in part of Bass Strait; and make technical corrections.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 13/5/08
Senate: Intro. 14/5/08; Passed 15/5/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 26/5/08; Act No. 21, 2008
Offshore Petroleum (Annual Fees) Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills, the bill amends the Offshore Petroleum (Annual Fees) Act 2006 to: require the registered holder of titles to pay an annual fee for the term of the title; and amend the long title of the Act and rename it as the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Annual Fees) Act 2006.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 18/9/08
Senate: Intro. 22/9/08; Passed 10/11/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 16/10/08; report tabled 23/9/08
Assent: 21/11/08; Act No. 118, 2008
Offshore Petroleum (Registration Fees) Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills, the bill amends the Offshore Petroleum (Registration Fees) Act 2006 to: impose fees for the registration of the transfer of a title or of an approval of a dealing in a title; and amend the long title of the Act and rename it as the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Registration Fees) Act 2006.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 18/9/08
Senate: Intro. 22/9/08; Passed 10/11/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 16/10/08; report tabled 23/9/08
Assent: 21/11/08; Act No. 119, 2008
Offshore Petroleum (Safety Levies) Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills, the bill amends the Offshore Petroleum (Safety Levies) Act 2003 to: impose a safety investigation levy, safety case levy and pipeline safety management plan levy in relation to greenhouse gas facilities and pipelines in Commonwealth offshore waters; and amend the long title of the Act and rename it as the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety Levies) Act 2003.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 18/9/08
Senate: Intro. 22/9/08; Passed 10/11/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 16/10/08; report tabled 23/9/08
Assent: 21/11/08; Act No. 120, 2008
PS Parliamentary Charter of Rights and Freedoms Bill 2001 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Lees — AD)
Provides for a Parliamentary Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect all Australians against violations of their fundamental civil and political rights by governments.
Senate: Intro. 27/9/01; 2nd reading adjourned 27/9/01
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 9/11/05, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Kirk — ALP)
Establishes an independent Commission to hear and determine matters concerning alleged judicial misconduct or incapacity, and requires the Commission to report its findings and make recommendations to Parliament.
Senate: Intro. 11/9/07; 2nd reading adjourned 11/9/07
SBC report 16/07 (tabled and adopted 20/9/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/5/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Passenger Movement Charge Act 1978 to increase the rate of passenger movement charge to $47 from 1 July 2008.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 25/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; report tabled 24/6/08
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 58, 2008
PS Patents Amendment Bill 1996 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Amends the Patents Act 1990 to prohibit the patenting of naturally occurring genes or gene sequences.
Senate: Intro. 27/6/96; 2nd reading adjourned 27/6/96
SBC report 10/96 (tabled and adopted 12/9/96): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 14/5/02, 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Peace and Non-Violence Commission Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Establishes a Peace and Non-Violence Commission, an independent statutory body, to promote peace and non-violence and advance Australia—s obligations under international humanitarian law.
Senate: Intro. 18/6/07; 2nd reading adjourned 18/6/07
SBC report 12/07 (tabled and adopted 9/8/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
ED Personal Property Securities Bill 2008
(Exposure draft tabled by Senator Crossin — ALP)
Establishes a national regime for the registration of security interests in personal property, other than land, supported by a national online register of personal property securities.
Senate: Tabled 13/11/08
Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 13/11/08; report due 24/2/09
PS Plastic Bag Levy (Assessment and Collection) Bill 2002 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator B 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; extensions of time to report 7/10/03, 29/10/03; report tabled 26/11/03; corrigendum tabled 1/3/04
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/5/08
SBC report 11/08 (tabled and adopted 18/9/08): No reference
PS Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator B Brown — AG)
Provides for a national plebiscite to be held in conjunction with the next House of Representatives election on whether Australia should become a republic.
Senate: Intro. 11/11/08; 2nd reading adjourned 11/11/08
SBC report 15/08 (tabled and adopted 13/11/08): Referred to Finance and Public Administration Committee; extension of time to report 25/11/08; report due 15/6/09
PS Poker Machine Harm Minimisation Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
The bill seeks to promote responsible gaming practices by: imposing technical requirements on corporations which manufacture, sell and supply gaming and poker machines, manufacture or supply cash-back terminals, and on financial institutions which own or operate automatic teller machines; and imposing penalties for contraventions of the requirements.
Senate: Intro. 19/6/08; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): Referred to Community Affairs Committee; report tabled 10/11/08
PS Poker Machine Harm Reduction Tax (Administration) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
The bill: provides for the administration of a poker machine harm reduction tax to be payable by a licensed operator on revenue derived from licensed poker machines; establishes the Poker Machine Harm Reduction Transition Fund Supervisory Board to determine grants to be made from the Fund for the purposes of funding community activities, rehabilitation and prevention programs; and provides for promotional educational programs highlighting the risks of gambling.
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): Referred to Community Affairs Committee; extensions of time to report 18/3/08, 26/6/08; report tabled 10/11/08
PS Pregnancy Counselling (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2006 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja — AD, Troeth — LP, Nettle — AG and C Brown — ALP)
Prohibits misleading or deceptive advertising or notification of pregnancy counselling services.
Senate: Intro. 7/12/06; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/06, 14/6/07
SBC report 1/07 (tabled and adopted 8/2/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/6/08 (by Senators Stott Despoja and Nettle)
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
PS Privacy (Data Security Breach Notification) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Amends the Privacy Act 1988 to require organisations and Commonwealth Government agencies to notify affected individuals of a data security breach where their personal information is accessed by, or disclosed to, an unauthorised person.
Senate: Intro. 16/8/07; 2nd reading adjourned 16/8/07
SBC report 16/07 (tabled and adopted 20/9/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Privacy (Extension to Political Acts and Practices) Amendment Bill 2006 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Amends the Privacy Act 1988 to remove the exemption in the Act for political acts and practices.
Senate: Intro. 22/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 22/6/06
SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the: Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, Corporations Act 2001, Insurance Act 1973 and Insurance Contracts Act 1984 to remove the 1 July 2008 requirement for health-related business conducted through health benefits funds to be subject to dual regulation by the Private Health Insurance Administration Council and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; and Private Health Insurance Act 2007 to: enable restricted access insurers to specify their eligibility requirements in constitutions or operational rules; require all private health insurers to be companies under the Corporations Act by January 2010; clarify that discounted corporate products offered by private health insurers are not a breach of community rating; and provide that a pilot project conducted as specified in the Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules does not breach community rating.
Reps: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 3/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 54, 2008
PS Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising Bill 2006 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to impose restrictions on: food and beverage advertising on television during children—s viewing times; and advertising in schools by companies whose principal activity is the manufacture, distribution or sale of junk food.
Senate: Intro. 30/3/06; 2nd reading adjourned 30/3/06
SBC report 7/06 (tabled and adopted 9/8/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising (Broadcasting Amendment) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator B Brown — AG)
Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Schools Assistance (Learning Together—Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 to: impose restrictions on food and beverage advertising on television during children—s viewing times; and provide that financial assistance to schools is conditional upon schools not displaying advertisements or sponsorship announcements by companies whose principal activity is the manufacture, distribution or sale of junk food.
Senate: Intro. 4/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): Referred to Community Affairs Committee; extension of time to report 11/11/08; report tabled 2/12/08
Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008, the bill implements the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage which establishes a liability and compensation regime to apply in cases of pollution damage following the leakage of bunker oil from a ship that is not an oil tanker.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 26/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 76, 2008
Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Amends the Admiralty Act 1988, Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Act 1981 and Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981 to make amendments consequential on the Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) Bill 2008.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 26/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 77, 2008
Protection of the Sea Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the: Protection of the Sea (Imposition of Contributions to Oil Pollution Compensation Fund—Customs) Act 1993, Protection of the Sea (Imposition of Contributions to Oil Pollution Compensation Fund—Excise) Act 1993, Protection of the Sea (Imposition of Contributions to Oil Pollution Compensation Fund—General) Act 1993 and Protection of the Sea (Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Act 1993 to implement Australia—s obligations to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1992 to provide further compensation for pollution damage resulting from oil spills from an oil tanker; Navigation Act 1912 and Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 to: implement changes to Annexes I, III and IV to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (MARPOL), make miscellaneous amendments to the requirements for maintenance of garbage record books, and allow for regulations to be made to prescribe penalties; Marine Navigation Levy Collection Act 1989, Maritime Navigation (Regulatory Functions) Levy Collection Act 1991 and Protection of the Sea (Shipping Levy Collection) Act 1981 to amend certain definitions; and Protection of the Sea (Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Act 1993 to make minor technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 25/6/08
Senate: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 28/8/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 94, 2008
PS Public Interest Disclosures Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Murray — AD)
Creates a framework to facilitate the disclosure of information in the public interest by protecting public officials and others who make such disclosures.
Senate: Intro. 14/6/07; 2nd reading adjourned 14/6/07
SBC report 12/07 (tabled and adopted 9/8/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Qantas Sale (Keep Jetstar Australian) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
Amends the Qantas Sale Act 1992 to ensure that restrictions about foreign ownership and other matters that apply to Qantas also apply to Jetstar and other Qantas subsidiaries.
Senate: Intro. 27/2/07; 2nd reading adjourned 27/2/07
SBC report 3/07 (tabled and adopted 1/3/07): Referred to Economics Committee; report tabled 20/3/07; corrected comments tabled 28/3/07
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Quarantine Amendment (National Health Security) Bill 2008
Amends the Quarantine Act 1908 to give further effect to the International Health Regulations 2005 by: requiring persons and travellers subject to quarantine to submit themselves to vaccination or other prophylaxis, as necessary, and for the issue of certificates to provide proof of vaccination; and enabling charges to be levied on some travellers for the cost of certain health measures provided for public health reasons. Also makes minor technical and consequential amendments.
Reps: Intro. 19/3/08; Passed 29/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 1/7/08; Act No. 68, 2008
PS Renewable Energy Amendment (Feed-in-Tariff for Electricity) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Milne — AG)
Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to establish a national feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme to provide financial support for the commercialisation of prospective renewable energy technologies by providing: that the minister sets and reviews a FiT rate for renewable energy technology and a FiT levy rate to fund payments under the scheme; that qualifying generators be allowed to connect and feed into the grid; that the Renewable Energy Regulator establish a Feed-in-Tariff Register; and for the preparation and tabling of an independent report on the operation of the scheme.
Senate: Intro. 11/11/08; 2nd reading adjourned 11/11/08, 13/11/08
SBC report 15/08 (tabled and adopted 13/11/08): No reference
PS Renewable Energy Amendment (Increased Mandatory Renewable Energy Target) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Milne — AG)
Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to increase the mandatory renewable energy target from 9,500GWh to 45,000GWh and require the minister to review the targets annually.
Senate: Intro. 27/11/08; 2nd reading adjourned 27/11/08
PS Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Feed-in-Tariff) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Milne — AG)
Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to establish a national feed-in tariff scheme to provide financial support for the commercialisation of prospective renewable energy technologies. Also provides for an annual review of the operation of the Act.
Senate: Intro. 15/5/08; Discharged from Notice Paper 11/11/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; extension of time to report 25/9/08; report tabled 10/11/08
PS Renewable Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Power Percentage) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 to expand interim targets by increasing the renewable energy power percentages from 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2020.
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): Referred to Economics Committee; report presented 30/5/08 and tabled 16/6/08
PS Repatriation of Citizens Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senators Allison and Stott Despoja — AD)
Provides for the repatriation of Australian citizens held in detention overseas if there is a risk of infringement of their human rights.
Senate: Intro. 29/3/07; 2nd reading adjourned 29/3/07
SBC report 10/07 (tabled and adopted 21/6/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS Republic (Consultation of the People) Bill 2001 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Provides for electors to be consulted, at the same time as the next House of Representatives general election, on whether Australia should become a republic and on whether they should vote again, if applicable, to choose from different republic models.
Senate: Intro. 26/9/01; 2nd reading adjourned 26/9/01
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/5/02, 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2008
Establishes a resale royalty right for visual artists and an accompanying statutory scheme. The resale royalty right will entitle visual artists to a royalty payment on the sale price of any commercial resale of their original works of art valued over $1,000, be inalienable and endure for the life of the artist plus 70 years.
Reps: Intro. 27/11/08; 2nd reading adjourned 27/11/08
Reference: Referred to Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts Committee 27/11/08; report due 20/2/09
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Deferred
Reserve Bank Amendment (Enhanced Independence) Bill 2008
Amends the Reserve Bank Act 1959 to give the Governor-General authority to appoint, suspend and terminate the positions of Governor or Deputy-Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia. Terminations of these positions requires parliamentary approval.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 26/5/08
CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 23/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 31/5/08; interim report presented 30/5/08 and tabled 16/6/08; final report presented 11/6/08 and tabled 16/6/08
Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed; 1 Dem/passed; 1 FFP to Opp/negatived
[Reps reported message 24/6/08]
PS Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator B Brown — AG)
Amends the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978, Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 and Norfolk Island Act 1979 to remove the prohibition on legalising voluntary euthanasia. Also repeals the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997.
Senate: Intro. 17/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 17/9/08
SBC report 11/08 (tabled and adopted 18/9/08): No reference
PS Rights of the Terminally Ill (Euthanasia Laws Repeal) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator B Brown — AG)
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. 14/2/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; extensions of time to report 18/3/08, 23/6/08, 25/6/08; report tabled 26/6/08
Road Charges Legislation Repeal and Amendment Bill 2008
Introduced with the Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008, the bill repeals the Road Transport Charges (Australian Capital Territory) Act 1993 and repeals provisions of the Road Transport Reform (Heavy Vehicles Registration) Act 1997 to allow the Australian Capital Territory Government to introduce the new heavy vehicle registration charges. Also amends the Fuel Tax Act 2006 to: increase the road user charge rate to 21 cents per litre from 1 January 2009; and enable regulations to be made to adjust the charge.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 23/10/08
CID amendments: 5 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee; report presented 21/11/08 and tabled 24/11/08
Committee requests: 8 Govt/passed; 2 Opp/passed; 1 FFP/passed; 2 Opp/negatived
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 4/12/08]
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 148, 2008
Road Transport Charges (Australian Capital Territory) Repeal Bill 2008
Introduced with the Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill 2008, the bill repeals the Road Transport Charges (Australian Capital Territory) Act 1993 and repeals provisions of the Road Transport Reform (Heavy Vehicles Registration) Act 1997 to allow the Australian Capital Territory Government to introduce the new heavy vehicle registration charges.
Reps: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 19/3/08
Senate: Intro. 19/3/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 19/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Safe Work Australia Bill 2008
Introduced with the Safe Work Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2008, the bill establishes Safe Work Australia (SWA) as a statutory body, with power to make recommendations directly to the Workplace Relations Ministers— Council in relation to occupational health and safety outcomes and workers— compensation arrangements. SWA will replace the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.
Reps: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 22/9/08
Senate: Intro. 23/9/08; Passed 14/10/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 8 Opp/passed; 1 AG/passed; 3 Ind (Xenophon)/passed; 1 Division negatived; 13 subclauses negatived
[Reps disagreed to Senate amendments 20/10/08; Senate insisted on its amendments 10/11/08; Reps insisted on disagreeing to Senate amendments 11/11/08; Senate again insisted on its amendments 4/12/08; Reps laid bill aside 4/12/08]
Safe Work Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2008
Introduced with the Safe Work Australia Bill 2008, the bill repeals the Australian Workplace Safety Standards Act 2005 and amends three Acts consequent upon the establishment of Safe Work Australia.
Reps: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 22/9/08
Senate: Intro. 23/9/08; Passed 14/10/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): No reference
Assent: 18/12/08; Act No. 157, 2008
PS Same-Sex Marriages Bill 2006 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senators Stott Despoja and Bartlett — AD)
Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to ensure that same-sex marriages are given equal status to heterosexual marriages, including repealing the definition of —marriage— as the union between a man and a woman and repealing provisions which prevent same-sex marriages entered into under the law of another country from being recognised in Australia.
Senate: Intro. 15/6/06; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/06
SBC report 6/06 (tabled and adopted 22/6/06): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Bill 2008
Amends 68 Acts to: extend the meaning of —de facto partner—, —child— and —parent— to include same-sex relationships; introduce a tracing rule to identify family relationships; and provide for transitional arrangements, including empowering the Governor-General to make regulations of a transitional nature.
Reps: Intro. 4/9/08; Passed 24/9/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 26/11/08
SBC report 10/08 (tabled and adopted 4/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; extensions of time to report 22/9/08, 25/9/08; report tabled 14/10/08
Committee requests: 2 Govt/passed
Committee amendments: 91 Govt/passed; 3 Parts negatived; 24 items negatived; 5 AG/negatived
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 25/11/08; Reps agreed to Senate amendments 27/11/08]
Assent: 9/12/08; Act No. 144, 2008
Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—Superannuation) Bill 2008
Amends 14 Acts in relation to Commonwealth civilian and military (defined benefit) superannuation schemes, parliamentary, judicial and statutory legal officer pension schemes and the Governor-General—s pension scheme to ensure that same-sex partners and their children are able to access reversionary superannuation benefits upon the death of a scheme member and in related taxation treatment of superannuation benefits.
Reps: Intro. 28/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 24/11/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 18/6/08; extensions of time to report 22/9/08, 25/9/08; report tabled 14/10/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Committee requests: 2 Govt/passed
Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 1 Govt/negatived; 2 AG/negatived; 2 AG to Govt/negatived
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 24/11/08; Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 2, 3 and 4, disagreed to Senate amendment no. 1 and agreed to 4 Govt amendments in place of Senate amendment no. 1, 25/11/08; Senate did not insist on its amendment no. 1 and agreed to Reps amendments in its place 26/11/08]
Assent: 4/12/08; Act No. 134, 2008
PS Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senators Allison, Bartlett, Murray and Stott Despoja — AD)
Implements recommendations of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission report Same-Sex: Same Entitlements to remove from Commonwealth law relating to taxation, superannuation, employment and family law, provisions which discriminate against same-sex couples and their children.
Senate: Intro. 14/8/07; 2nd reading adjourned 14/8/07
SBC report 13/07 (tabled and adopted 16/8/07): No reference [Report of inquiry (conducted by Democrat senators) tabled 20/9/07]
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PM Save Our Solar (Solar Rebate Protection) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Mr Hunt — LP)
Requires the responsible minister to determine, by legislative instrument, new guidelines for the operation of the Solar Homes and Communities Plan, and gives the secretary general responsibility for the administration of the plan.
Reps: Intro. 23/6/08; Read a 1st time 23/6/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
PS Save Our Solar (Solar Rebate Protection) Bill 2008 [No. 2]
(Introduced by Senator Johnston — LP)
Requires the responsible minister to determine, by legislative instrument, new guidelines for the operation of the Solar Homes and Communities Plan, and gives the secretary general responsibility for the administration of the plan.
Senate: Intro. 24/6/08; 2nd reading adjourned 24/6/08, 25/9/08
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee 25/6/08; interim report presented 15/8/08 and tabled 26/8/08; final report presented 25/8/08 and tabled 26/8/08
PM Saving the Goulburn and Murray Rivers Bill 2008
(Introduced by Ms Bailey — LP)
Amends the Water Act 2007 to: prohibit the unauthorised extraction of water from the Murray-Darling Basin; prevent the construction of water infrastructure or river flow control work; ensure the states of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales comply with their obligations to allocate audited, saved water to the Living Murray Initiative and Water for Rivers; and ensure water is not used for any other purpose other than the Living Murray Initiative and Water for Rivers.
Reps: Intro. 1/12/08; Read a 1st time 1/12/08; 2nd reading order of day for next sitting
Schools Assistance Bill 2008
Introduced with the Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, the bill provides financial assistance to the states and territories for non-government schools for
2009-2012 to: maintain the current socioeconomic status funding and indexation arrangements to ensure that total recurrent funding for schools will not fall below 2008 levels; provide recurrent funding for Indigenous Supplementary Assistance and an Indigenous Funding Guarantee; provide a remoteness loading; provide funding for capital grants; provide for establishment assistance grants in 2009; implement a school performance information and reporting framework; and require authorities and schools to implement the National Curriculum before the 2012 school year commences.
Reps: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 21/10/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 3 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 2/12/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee; report tabled 27/11/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Committee amendments: 4 Govt/passed; 4 Opp/passed; 1 clause negatived; 4 AG/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1 to 3 and 5 to 9 and disagreed to Senate amendment no. 4, 3/12/08; Senate did not insist on its amendment (1 FFP/negatived) 4/12/08]
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 153, 2008
Screen Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2008
Amends the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to make amendments consequential upon, and transitional to, the establishment of Screen Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive. Also repeals the Australian Film Commission Act 1975.
Reps: Intro. 20/2/08; Passed 12/3/08
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 13/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 13, 2008
Screen Australia Bill 2008
Establishes Screen Australia (SA) as a body corporate, sets out functions and powers, and establishes a governing board and management. SA will replace the Australian Film Commission, the Film Finance Corporation Australia Limited and Film Australia Limited.
Reps: Intro. 20/2/08; Passed 12/3/08
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 13/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 12, 2008
Skills Australia Bill 2008
Establishes Skills Australia as a statutory body to provide advice on Australia—s current, emerging and future workforce development and skills needs.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 11/3/08
Senate: Intro. 12/3/08; Passed 12/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): Deferred
Committee amendment: 1 Dem/negatived
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 10, 2008
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Economic Security Strategy) Bill 2008
Amends the Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986, A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to provide for economic security strategy payments (to be made as lump sum payments from 8 December 2008) to age, disability support, wife, widow B and veterans— service pensioners and people receiving income support supplements, carer payments, and partner, widow and bereavement allowances. Also establishes administrative schemes to provide for payments in certain circumstances; and makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986.
Reps: Intro. 11/11/08; Passed 13/11/08
Senate: Intro. 24/11/08; Passed 24/11/08
SBC report 15/08 (tabled and adopted 13/11/08): No reference
2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived
Assent: 1/12/08; Act No. 131, 2008
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Employment Entry Payment) Bill 2008
Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to cease eligibility and payment of the employment entry payment, from 1 July 2008.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 23/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 64, 2008
Social Security and Veterans— Affairs Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Allowances) Bill 2008
Amends the: Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to: extend the qualification for, and increase the rate of, the utilities allowance; and increase the annual rate of seniors— concession allowance; and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to increase the rate of telephone allowance for certain income support recipients who have an internet connection at home.
Reps: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 20/2/08
Senate: Intro. 11/3/08; Passed 12/3/08
Committee request: 1 AG/negatived
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 5, 2008
Social Security and Veterans— Entitlements Legislation Amendment (One-off Payments and Other Budget Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 and seven other Acts to provide one-off payments to certain older Australians, veterans and carers; and Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 and proposed Veterans— Entitlements Legislation Amendment (2007 Election Commitments) Act 2008 to provide for concession cards to remain current for up to 13 weeks when the cardholder travels overseas. Also establishes administrative schemes to provide payments in circumstances where the one-off payment regime does not produce an appropriate result.
Reps: Intro. 14/5/08; Passed 14/5/08
Senate: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 15/5/08
Assent: 26/5/08; Act No. 19, 2008
Social Security and Veterans— Entitlements Legislation Amendment (Schooling Requirements) Bill 2008
Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Student Assistance Act 1973 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to make receipt of income support payments conditional on parents ensuring their children of compulsory school age are enrolled in school and attending regularly.
Reps: Intro. 27/8/08; Passed 4/9/08
Senate: Intro. 15/9/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 9/08 (tabled and adopted 3/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Community Affairs Committee; report tabled 13/11/08
Committee amendments: 3 AG/negatived
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 149, 2008
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Employment Services Reform) Bill 2008
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to: implement a job seeker compliance system to apply to certain job seekers in receipt of newstart allowance, parenting payment, youth allowance and special benefit; give effect to employment pathway plans; remove references to the Personal Support Programme; and make minor technical and consequential amendments.
Reps: Intro. 24/9/08; Passed 24/11/08
CID amendments: 7 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 25/11/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 4/12/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee; report tabled 24/11/08
PS Special Broadcasting Service Amendment (Prohibition of Disruptive Advertising) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Amends the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 to prohibit advertising during programs on SBS television.
Senate: Intro. 12/3/08; 2nd reading adjourned 12/3/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
PS State Elections (One Vote, One Value) Bill 2001 [2008]
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
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending
Reference: Referred to Legal and Constitutional References Committee 9/9/03; extension of time to report 28/10/03; interim report tabled 1/3/04; extension of time to report 1/3/04; report tabled 3/3/04
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/02, 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
S Statute Law Revision Bill 2008
The bill: amends 40 Acts to correct clerical and drafting errors; repeals 27 obsolete Acts; and amends 88 Acts to replace gender-specific language with gender-neutral language.
Senate: Intro. 19/3/08; Passed 15/5/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Reps: Intro. 26/5/08; Passed 25/6/08
Assent: 3/7/08; Act No. 73, 2008
PS Stolen Generation Compensation Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Bartlett — AD)
The bill: provides for compensation payments for certain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons removed from their families; establishes the Stolen Generations Tribunal and Stolen Generations Fund and their functions and powers; and provides for additional support services.
Senate: Intro. 14/2/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; report tabled 16/6/08
PS Stolen Generations Reparations Tribunal Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Siewert — AG)
Establishes a Stolen Generations Reparations Tribunal to decide and make recommendations on claims for reparation.
Senate: Intro. 24/9/08; 2nd reading adjourned 24/9/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): No reference
Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Amendment Bill 2008
Introduced with the Temporary Residents— Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, the bill amends the Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Act 2007 to increase the departing Australia superannuation payment withholding tax rates by five per cent.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 22/10/08
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 20/11/08; report presented 18/11/08 and tabled 24/11/08; minority report tabled 24/11/08
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 152, 2008
S Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Amends: 29 Acts to reflect the introduction of the Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan (PSSAP) and establishment of the Australian Reward Investment Alliance to administer the Commonwealth Superannuation and Public Sector Superannuation Schemes and PSSAP; five superannuation Acts to reflect the new regime for legislative instruments under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003; and the Superannuation Act 1976 and Superannuation (Productivity Benefit) Act 1988 to meet a change to the superannuation guarantee requiring employers to use ordinary time earnings as the earnings base for employees. Also repeals the Schedule to the Superannuation Act 1990.
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 15/5/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Reps: Intro. 26/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 26, 2008
Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Sydney Airport Demand Management Act 1997 to: clarify certain aspects of the operation of the Slot Management Scheme; enable the minister to vary the operation of the Compliance Scheme regime; and enable the minister to delegate his or her power to appoint members to the Compliance Committee.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 83, 2008
Tax Agent Services Bill 2008
The bill: establishes a national Tax Practitioners Board as a statutory authority within the Australian Taxation Office; requires certain entities that provide tax agent services and Business Activity Statement (BAS) services to be registered; introduces a Code of Professional Conduct to govern tax and BAS agents; provides for disciplinary sanctions to be imposed by the Board; and replaces criminal penalties for certain misconduct by agents and unregistered entities with civil penalties and injunctions.
Reps: Intro. 13/11/08; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/08
Senate:
SBC report 16/08 (tabled and adopted 26/11/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 12/2/09
Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: removing tax deductibility for contributions and gifts to political parties, members and candidates; and extensions of the beneficiary tax offset to the Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 in relation to tax-free superannuation lump sums paid to persons with a terminal medical condition; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: deductions for capital expenditure for the establishment of trees in carbon sink forests; and tax-free grants under the Tobacco Growers Adjustment Assistance Programme 2006 to certain tobacco growers; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to the farm management deposit scheme.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 21/2/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 11/3/08; Negatived at 3rd reading 26/6/08
Reference: Provisions of Schedule 1 referred to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters 19/3/08; report tabled 17/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 5 Schedules negatived; 4 AG/negatived
[Amendments to motion to adopt report from committee 26/6/08: 1 Opp/passed (reference to committee—see below); 1 AG to Opp/negatived]
Reference: Matters relating to carbon sink forests referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 26/6/08; interim report presented 22/8/08 and tabled 26/8/08; extensions of time for final report 26/8/08, 28/8/08, 3/9/08; final report tabled 23/9/08
Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Bill 2008
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to: amounts misappropriated by an employee or agent; the capital gains tax market value substitution rule for interests in certain companies and trusts; exempting from income tax the Endeavour Executive Award and research fellowships under the Awards program; early completion bonuses for apprentices; the list of deductible gift recipients; deductions for capital expenditure for the establishment of trees in carbon sink forests; tax-free grants under the Tobacco Growers Adjustment Assistance Programme 2006 to certain tobacco growers; and income tax exemptions for rent assistance paid to Austudy recipients and Carer Adjustment Payment recipients; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 in relation to extending the superannuation guarantee late payment offset; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 in relation to tax-free superannuation lump sums paid to persons with a terminal medical condition; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to extensions of the beneficiary tax offset to the Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to the farm management deposit scheme.
Reps: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 14/5/08
CID amendments: 6 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 17/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 3 Govt/passed
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 23/6/08]
Assent: 24/6/08; Act No. 38, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 3) Bill 2008
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to the tax treatment of shareholder and unitholder rights (to restrospectively apply to rights issued on or after 1 July 2001); and Taxation Administration Act 1953 in relation to: the restriction on goods and services tax refunds; and time limits for the recovery and refund of indirect tax.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 5/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 1/9/08
Reference: Provisions of Schedules 1 and 2 referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 28/8/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
Assent: 20/9/08; Act No. 91, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 4) Bill 2008
Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: provide private health insurance policy holders with capital gains tax relief when insurers demutualise; limit lineal descendants to children or grandchildren of the test individual or their spouse; and remove the ability for family trusts to make a variation to the test individual specified in a family trust election. Also makes technical amendments to eight other Acts.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 28/8/08
Senate: Intro. 1/9/08; Passed 3/9/08
SBC report 7/08 (tabled and adopted 26/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 27/8/08; report tabled 26/8/08
Committee amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 Schedule negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 17/9/08]
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 97, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 5) Bill 2008
Amends the: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 in relation to the margin scheme and the sale of real property; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to modify the thin capitalisation regime in relation to the use of accounting standards for identifying and valuing an entity—s assets, liabilities and equity capital; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to extend eligibility for exemption from interest withholding tax to certain bonds; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 in relation to income earning assets held jointly with a third party; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to the eligible investment business rules for managed funds.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 24/11/08
Senate: Intro. 25/11/08; Passed 1/12/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; interim report tabled 13/10/08; extension of time to report 13/10/08; final report tabled 10/11/08; additional comments tabled 24/11/08
Committee amendments: 2 AG-Joyce-Xenophon/negatived
Assent: 9/12/08; Act No. 145, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 6) Bill 2008
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to roll-overs for corporate restructures; Taxation Administration Act 1953 in relation to the collection or conservation of tax debts owed in foreign countries; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 in relation to the late payment offset for superannuation guarantee contributions. Also makes minor amendments to six other Acts and repeals the Pay-roll Tax Act 1941.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
Tax Laws Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to remove the fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for food and drink provided as part of a salary sacrifice arrangement; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to restrict FBT exemptions for certain work-related items; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in relation to the tax treatment of employee share scheme arrangements; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to increase to four years the period over which depreciable in-house software can be written off for tax purposes.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/08; Passed 28/5/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 25/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Referred to Economics Committee; report tabled 24/6/08
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 59, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Education Refund) Bill 2008
Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to establish the Education Tax Refund, a 50 per cent refundable tax offset for eligible education expenses (up to $750 for primary school studies and up to $1,500 for secondary studies). Also makes consequential amendments to the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Student Assistance Act 1973 and Taxation Administration Act 1953.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 11/11/08
Senate: Intro. 12/11/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report tabled 13/10/08
Assent: 9/12/08; Act No. 141, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Election Commitments No. 1) Bill 2008
Part of a package of three bills, the bill amends the: Income Tax Act 1986, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to introduce a new withholding tax regime for distributions of managed investment trust income to residents of countries with which Australia has effective exchange of information for tax matters; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to exempt from income tax the Prime Minister—s Literary Award.
Reps: Intro. 4/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 32, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Luxury Car Tax) Bill 2008
Part of a package of four bills to increase the luxury car tax rate from 1 July 2008, the bill amends the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999 to increase the tax rate from 25 per cent to 33 per cent.
Reps: Intro. 26/5/08; Passed 28/5/08
CID amendment: 1 Ind (Windsor)/negatived
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 4/9/08 [but see below]
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 28/8/08
2nd reading moved again and agreed to 22/9/08; Passed 25/9/08
Committee requests: 1 Govt/passed; 2 Ind (Xenophon)/passed; 1 FFP/passed; 4 Opp/negatived
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 24/9/08]
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 101, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Luxury Car Tax—Minor Amendments) Bill 2008
Amends the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999, Taxation Administration Act 1953 and Tax Laws Amendment (Luxury Car Tax) Act 2008 to clarify that: vehicle financing arrangements and contracts for such arrangements entered into before Budget night do not affect luxury car tax refunds being claimed by eligible businesses; and refunds are to be paid directly to claimants.
Reps: Intro. 25/11/08; Passed 27/11/08
Senate: Intro. 1/12/08; Passed 4/12/08
SBC report 16/08 (tabled and adopted 26/11/08): No reference
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 150, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2008
Amends the A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the Medicare levy and Medicare levy surcharge low income threshold amounts for individuals, families and pensioners below age pension age and increase the phase-in limits as a result of the increased threshold amounts, from the 2007-08 financial year.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/08; Passed 28/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 18/6/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 50, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy Surcharge Thresholds) Bill 2008
Amends the A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the Medicare levy surcharge threshold to $100,000 for individuals and to $150,000 for families.
Reps: Intro. 27/5/08; Passed 29/5/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Negatived at 2nd reading 24/9/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Deferred
Reference: Bill and related matters referred to Economics Committee 18/6/08; report tabled 27/8/08
Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy Surcharge Thresholds) Bill (No. 2) 2008
Amends the A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the Medicare levy surcharge threshold to $75,000 for individuals (with annual indexation) and to $150,000 for families (to be twice the individual rate in future years). Also provides for transitional arrangements so that individuals who obtain private health cover before 1 January 2009 avoid the surcharge for the period 1 July to 31 December 2008.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 13/10/08
Senate: Intro. 14/10/08; Passed 16/10/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): No reference
Committee amendments: 1 AG/passed; 6 AG-Ind (Xenophon)/passed; 6 Ind (Xenophon)/withdrawn
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 16/10/08]
Assent: 31/10/08; Act No. 110, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Personal Income Tax Reduction) Bill 2008
Amends the: Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to increase the threshold for the 30 per cent marginal tax rate (from 1 July 2008) and phase-in a decrease to the 40 per cent marginal tax rate commencing 1 July 2009; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to increase the maximum amount of low income tax offset; and Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the income threshold that applies to taxpayers who are eligible for the senior Australians tax offset.
Reps: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 12/3/08
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 16/6/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report presented 1/5/08 and tabled 13/5/08
Committee amendments: 34 Dem/negatived; 28 AG/negatived
Assent: 23/6/08; Act No. 29, 2008
Tax Laws Amendment (Political Contributions and Gifts) Bill 2008
Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to remove tax deductibility for contributions and gifts to political parties, independent members and independent candidates; and A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to make consequential amendments to ensure political parties, independent members and independent candidates continue to access goods and services tax concessions.
Reps: Intro. 27/8/08; Passed 13/10/08
Senate: Intro. 14/10/08; 2nd reading adjourned 14/10/08
SBC report 9/08 (tabled and adopted 3/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 5/11/08; report presented 20/10/08 and tabled 10/11/08
Tax Laws Amendment (Taxation of Financial Arrangements) Bill 2008
Amends taxation laws to establish a set of principles and rules for the tax-timing and character treatment of gains and losses from financial arrangements.
Reps: Intro. 4/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 4/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 20/2/09
PS Taxation Laws Amendment (Scholarships) Bill 2005 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to: abolish the distinction between full-time and part-time scholarships and make all scholarships which satisfy certain criteria tax free; and extend the exemption for fee-waiver, fee-pay and Commonwealth Learning Scholarships from the social security personal income test to University Equity Scholarships.
Senate: Intro. 21/6/05; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/05
SBC report 7/05 (tabled and adopted 10/8/05): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to extend sunset provisions relating to network protection activities undertaken by network administrators in law enforcement and security agencies; clarify reporting requirements for warrants; clarify that multiple telecommunications devices can be intercepted on a one named person warrant; and make consequential and technical amendments.
Reps: Intro. 20/2/08; Passed 12/3/08
Senate: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 14/5/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): Referred to Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; interim report presented 1/5/08 and tabled 13/5/08; final report presented 6/5/08 and tabled 13/5/08
Committee amendments: 20 Govt/passed; 1 subsection negatived; 1 Dem/negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 14/5/08]
Assent: 26/5/08; Act No. 23, 2008
Telecommunications Interception Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Responds to the Full Federal Court decision in Hong Kong Bank of Australia Ltd v Australian Securities Commission (1992) by amending the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to ensure officeholders can validly authorise others to act on their behalf in performing legislative functions. Also makes minor technical amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
Reps: Intro. 25/6/08; Passed 28/8/08
Senate: Intro. 28/8/08; Passed 28/8/08
SBC report 7/08 (tabled and adopted 26/6/08): No reference
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 95, 2008
Telecommunications Interception Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008
Amends the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to introduce the Queensland Public Interest Monitor (PIM) into the telecommunications interception regime to enable Queensland to legislate for the PIM to be given specific oversight functions for the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission. Also makes minor and technical amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and Surveillance Devices Act 2004.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Communications Fund) Bill 2008
Amends the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 to: allow money in the Communications Fund to be used for the deployment of a National Broadband Network; and make consequential and transitional amendments.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 19/3/08
Senate: Intro. 20/3/08; Discharged from Notice Paper 17/6/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): Provisions of bill referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; report presented 30/4/08 and tabled 13/5/08
S Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network) Bill 2008
Amends the Telecommunications Act 1997 to require telecommunications carriers to disclose certain information to the Commonwealth which can be disclosed to companies considering responding to a proposal for the development of a National Broadband Network. The requirement to provide information ceases 12 months after the legislation commences.
Senate: Intro. 19/3/08; Passed 14/5/08
Reference: Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee 20/3/08; interim report presented 7/5/08 and tabled 13/5/08; final report presented 9/5/08 and tabled 13/5/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/passed
Committee amendments: 13 Govt/passed; 16 Opp (1 as amended by Dem)/passed; 2 Govt/negatived
Reps: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 15/5/08
CID amendments: 18 Govt/passed
[Senate agreed to Reps amendments 15/5/08]
Assent: 26/5/08; Act No. 22, 2008
Temporary Residents— Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Superannuation (Unclaimed Money and Lost Members) Act 1999, Taxation Administration Act 1953 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: require that the superannuation of a temporary resident becomes unclaimed and payable to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) once the individual has ceased to be a temporary visa holder, has departed Australia and has not claimed their superannuation within six months; and provide that departed temporary visa holders may recover their superannuation benefits, subject to withholding tax, from the ATO.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 22/10/08
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 5/12/08 a.m.
SBC report 12/08 (tabled and adopted 25/9/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 20/11/08; report presented 18/11/08 and tabled 24/11/08; minority report tabled 24/11/08
Committee amendments: 11 Govt/passed; 1 item negatived; 1 Ind (Xenophon)/withdrawn
Committee requests: 3 Govt/passed
[Reps made Senate requests for amendments 4/12/08; Reps agreed to Senate amendments 5/12/08]
Assent: 11/12/08; Act No. 151, 2008
PS Textbook Subsidy Bill 2003 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Extends the Educational Textbook Subsidy Scheme beyond 30 June 2004 (when it was due to lapse).
Senate: Intro. 18/6/03; 2nd reading adjourned 18/6/03
SBC report 7/03 (tabled and adopted 25/6/03): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
S Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medical Devices and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to: exempt medical devices from the operation of the Act to enable goods to be stockpiled for use in a health emergency and remove the requirement that such exemptions are disallowable instruments; adjust the test of whether a person is a —fit and proper person— to hold a manufacturing licence or a medical device conformity assessment certificate; adopt the European Pharmacopoeia and United States Pharmacopoeia as additional default standards; enable public access to information held by the Therapeutic Goods Administration; ensure controls over restricted and prohibited representations apply to advertisements in all media; and align penalties with current policy formulations.
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): No reference
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Poisons Standard) Bill 2008
Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to address legal consequences arising from the Federal Court decision in Roche Products v National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee [2007] FCA 1352 (30 August 2007) by: providing that the Poisons Standard and its amendments are legislative instruments for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003; retrospectively reinstating certain amendments made to the Standard before the Roche decision; exempting the Standard from section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 relating to disallowance; and providing for —just terms— compensation in the event that these measures could result in any acquisition of property.
Reps: Intro. 14/2/08; Passed 11/3/08
CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed
Senate: Intro. 12/3/08; Passed 13/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 9, 2008
Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (Annual Charges) Bill 2008
Amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Act 1989 in relation to the collection and imposition of annual charges and the granting of exemptions from a liability to pay annual charges, and makes technical and consequential amendments.
Reps: Intro. 18/6/08; Passed 27/8/08
Senate: Intro. 27/8/08; Passed 28/8/08
SBC report 6/08 (tabled and adopted 25/6/08): No reference
Assent: 3/10/08; Act No. 96, 2008
Trade Practices Amendment (Access Declarations) Bill 2008
Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to provide that telecommunications access declarations and extension notices which extend the period of access declarations are not legislative instruments for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 11/3/08
Senate: Intro. 12/3/08; Passed 13/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 7, 2008
Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to establish criminal offences and civil sanctions for serious cartel conduct. Also makes minor and technical amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 20/2/09
Trade Practices Amendment (Clarity in Pricing) Bill 2008
Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to: prohibit corporations from advertising a component price (a price as the sum of multiple component parts) of a good or service without also prominently specifying the single figure price (to the extent that it is quantifiable at the time of advertising); update cross references relating to pyramid selling schemes; clarify that certain breaches of product safety and information standards may be a criminal offence; and provide for the concurrent operation of certain state and territory fair trading laws.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 15/10/08
Senate: Intro. 16/10/08; Passed 11/11/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): No reference
Assent: 25/11/08; Act No. 126, 2008
PS Trade Practices (Creeping Acquisitions) Amendment Bill 2007 [2008]
R (Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
Amends the Trade Practices Act 1974 to prohibit large businesses from acquiring shares, assets or other companies through buyouts or takeovers which result in reducing fair competition.
Senate: Intro. 20/9/07; 2nd reading adjourned 20/9/07
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/2/08
SBC report 7/08 (tabled and adopted 26/6/08): Referred to Economics Committee; report due 27/8/08; report tabled 26/8/08
Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
In response to certain recommendations of the Senate Economics References Committee—s report into the effectiveness of the Trade Practices Act 1974 in protecting small business, the bill amends section 46 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 to: address predatory pricing; clarify the role of recoupment in predatory pricing cases; clarify the meaning of —take advantage—; confer jurisdiction on the Federal Magistrates Court in matters arising under the section; and amend the competition code similarly. Also amends the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to: require a Deputy Chairperson of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to have a small business background; remove the price thresholds applicable to unconscionable conduct cases; and clarify the ACCC—s information gathering powers.
Reps: Intro. 26/6/08; Passed 1/9/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
Senate: Intro. 2/9/08; Passed 16/9/08
SBC report 7/08 (tabled and adopted 26/6/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 27/8/08; report tabled 26/8/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Ind (Xenophon)/passed
Committee amendments: 1 Ind (Xenophon)/passed; 8 items negatived
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, disagreed to Senate amendments nos 2 and 5 and agreed to 6 Govt further amendments 16/10/08; Senate did not insist on its amendments nos 2 and 5 and agreed to Reps further amendments 10/11/08]
Assent: 21/11/08; Act No. 116, 2008
Tradex Scheme Amendment Bill 2008
Amends the Tradex Scheme Act 1999 to separate the Act from provisions of the Customs Regulations that allow for the drawback of customs duty (the Drawback Regulations). Also makes administrative changes.
Reps: Intro. 21/2/08; Passed 19/3/08
Senate: Intro. 20/3/08; Passed 20/3/08
SBC report 2/08 (tabled and adopted 12/3/08): No reference
Assent: 8/4/08; Act No. 18, 2008
Transport Security Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008
Amends the: Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 to allow aviation and maritime industry participants to have multiple security programs or plans operating at the same time for different locations and operations; and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Securities Act 2003 to: extend the operation of the Act to external Australian territories; allow for the approval of maritime, ship or offshore security plans to exist for up to five years (but no less than 12 months); and enable regulations to be made to prescribe consistent mapping standards for maritime security zones and security regulated port boundaries and standards for the presentation of information detailing offshore security zones.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 11/11/08
Senate: Intro. 12/11/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): No reference
Assent: 8/12/08; Act No. 138, 2008
PS Unit Pricing (Easy comparison of grocery prices) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Fielding — FFP)
Amends the National Measurement Act 1960 to: require grocery retailers to display unit prices of products sold by measure, weight or volume; provide for a penalty regime for breaches; appoint unit pricing inspectors to monitor compliance; and require the secretary to undertake certain guidance functions.
Senate: Intro. 15/5/08; 2nd reading adjourned 15/5/08
SBC report 5/08 (tabled and adopted 18/6/08): Referred to Economics Committee; report due 2/9/08; report tabled 1/9/08
PS Uranium Mining in or near Australian World Heritage Properties (Prohibition)
R Bill 1998 [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Allison — AD)
Prohibits the mining, extraction, treatment and transport of any uranium or uranium ore in or near any property in Australia on the World Heritage List.
Senate: Intro. 28/5/98; 2nd reading adjourned 28/5/98
SBC report 8/98 (tabled and adopted 24/6/98): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 23/11/98, 11/12/02, 17/11/04, 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Uranium Royalty (Northern Territory) Bill 2008
Applies a profits-based mineral royalty regime to new projects containing designated substances, including uranium, on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal land.
Reps: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
Senate:
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Provisions of bill referred to Economics Committee; report due 30/4/09
PS Urgent Relief for Single Age Pensioners Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Coonan — LP)
Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to increase the single age pension, single age service pension and the Widow B pension by $30 per week.
Senate: Intro. 22/9/08; Passed 22/9/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 FFP/negatived
Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived; 8 FFP/negatived
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): No reference
Reps: Message reported 23/9/08
Veterans— Affairs Legislation Amendment (International Agreements and Other Measures) Bill 2008
Amends the: Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to: give effect to arrangements for entering into international agreements in relation to the payment of pensions and providing assistance and benefits to eligible persons; authorise the use of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for those purposes; and align the veterans— entitlements means test with the social security means test; Legislative Instruments Act 2003 to make minor and technical consequential amendments; Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006 to extend the period for which the Commonwealth or Australian Federal Police may be considered as a nuclear test participant for the purposes of the Act; and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 to make minor amendments in relation to a definition and clarifying compensation matters.
Reps: Intro. 19/3/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 26/6/08
SBC report 4/08 (tabled and adopted 14/5/08): No reference
Assent: 12/7/08; Act No. 81, 2008
Veterans— Entitlements Legislation Amendment (2007 Election Commitments) Bill 2008
Amends the: Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to extend the automatic grant of intermediate and temporary special rate disability pensions to eligible dependants of veterans or members; Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 and Social Security Act 1991 to extend eligibility for income support supplements to certain war widows and widowers; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Veterans— Entitlements Act 1986 to extend a tax exempt bereavement payment to the estate of certain single pensioners who die in indigent circumstances.
Reps: Intro. 13/3/08; Passed 14/5/08
Senate: Intro. 15/5/08; Passed 19/6/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
Assent: 25/6/08; Act No. 48, 2008
Water Amendment Bill 2008
Gives effect to the intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform between New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory by amending the Water Act 2007 to: transfer the powers and functions of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority; expand the Basin Plan to include arrangements for critical human water needs for communities dependent on the River Murray System; extend the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission—s role in relation to water market rules and water charge rules; provide for the appointment of the Chair to the Basin Officials Committee; effect a revised Agreement which establishes a Ministerial Council and Basin Officials Committee; and make transitional amendments. Also makes consequential and technical amendments to the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, Trade Practices Act 1974 and Water Act 2007 and repeals the Murray-Darling Basin Act 1993.
Reps: Intro. 25/9/08; Passed 16/10/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived
CID amendments: 8 Govt/passed; 1 Ind (Windsor)/negatived
Senate: Intro. 10/11/08; Passed 27/11/08
SBC report 13/08 (tabled and adopted 15/10/08): Provisions of bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee; interim report presented 19/11/08 and tabled 24/11/08; final report presented 21/11/08 and tabled 24/11/08; corrigendum tabled 27/11/08
Committee amendments: 4 Opp (1 as amended by AG)/passed; 2 Opp-AG (1 as amended by Opp)/passed; 7 AG (1 as amended by 2 Opp)/passed; 3 Ind (Xenophon)/passed; 4 Opp/negatived; 32 AG/negatived; 3 Ind (Xenophon)/negatived; 1 AG to Opp/negatived; 1 Ind (Xenophon) to Opp/negatived; 1 item opposed/item agreed to; 2 Opp/withdrawn; 1 AG/withdrawn
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments nos 1, 9 and 12 (2 Ind (Windsor) to Senate amendment no. 12 negatived), disagreed to Senate amendments nos 2 to 8, 10, 11 and 13 to 15 and agreed to Senate amendment no. 16 with a Govt amendment 1/12/08; Senate did not insist on its amendments nos 2 to 8, 10, 11 and 13 to 15 and agreed to Reps amendment to Senate amendment no. 16 (motion that report from committee be adopted amended by 1 Opp (as amended by 1 AG and 1 Ind (Xenophon)) 4/12/08]
Assent: 8/12/08; Act No. 139, 2008
PS Water Amendment (Saving the Goulburn and Murray Rivers) Bill 2008
(Introduced by Senator Birmingham — LP)
Amends the Water Act 2007 to: prohibit the unauthorised extraction of water from the Murray-Darling Basin; prevent the construction of water infrastructure or river flow control work; ensure the states of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales comply with their obligations to allocate audited, saved water to the Living Murray Initiative and Water for Rivers; and ensure water is not used for any other purpose other than the Living Murray Initiative and Water for Rivers.
Senate: Intro. 3/12/08; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/08
SBC report 17/08 (tabled and adopted 4/12/08): Referred to Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; report due 27/3/09
ED Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008
(Exposure draft tabled by Senator Sherry — ALP)
Establishes Wheat Exports Australia as a statutory entity to regulate the export of bulk wheat through a Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme.
Senate: Tabled 11/3/08
Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 12/3/08; extension of time to report 13/3/08; interim report presented 24/4/08 and tabled 13/5/08; final report presented 30/4/08 and tabled 13/5/08
Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008
Establishes Wheat Exports Australia as a statutory entity to regulate the export of bulk wheat through a Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
Committee amendments: 9 Opp/passed
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 23/6/08]
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 65, 2008
ED Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
(Exposure draft tabled by Senator Sherry — ALP)
Consequential on the Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008, the bill: repeals the Wheat Marketing Act 1989; makes consequential amendments to four Acts and two regulations; and makes transitional amendments.
Senate: Tabled 11/3/08
Reference: Referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee 12/3/08; extension of time to report 13/3/08; interim report presented 24/4/08 and tabled 13/5/08; final report presented 30/4/08 and tabled 13/5/08
Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008
Consequential on the Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008, the bill: repeals the Wheat Marketing Act 1989; makes consequential amendments to four Acts and two regulations; and makes transitional amendments.
Reps: Intro. 29/5/08; Passed 4/6/08
Senate: Intro. 16/6/08; Passed 19/6/08
Assent: 30/6/08; Act No. 66, 2008
Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to: abolish Australian Workplace Agreements; provide transitional arrangements through Individual Transitional Employment Agreements (ITEAs); introduce a no-disadvantage test for ITEAs and collective agreements and ensure no agreement is approved until it passes the test; remove the requirement for a Workplace Relations Fact Sheet; provide that all parties agree to terminate collective workplace agreements; and enable award modernisation processes to be undertaken by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Also makes consequential amendments to 16 Acts.
Reps: Intro. 13/2/08; Passed 17/3/08
Senate: Intro. 17/3/08; Passed 18/3/08
SBC report 1/08 (tabled and adopted 14/2/08): No reference
Reference: Provisions of bill referred to Employment, Education and Workplace Relations Committee 14/2/08; report due 28/4/08; report tabled 17/3/08
2nd reading amendment: 1 FFP/negatived
Committee amendments: 37 Govt/passed; 16 Dem/negatived; 29 AG/negatived; 2 Subdivisions opposed/Subdivisions agreed to
[Reps agreed to Senate amendments 19/3/08]
Assent: 20/3/08; Act No. 8, 2008
PS Workplace Relations (Guaranteeing Paid Maternity Leave) Amendment Bill 2007
R [2008]
(Introduced by Senator Stott Despoja — AD)
Amends the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to provide for a 14-week government funded, paid maternity leave scheme available to all women in the Australian workforce.
Senate: Intro. 13/9/07; 2nd reading adjourned 13/9/07
SBC report 16/07 (tabled and adopted 20/9/07): No reference
Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 14/2/08
SBC report 3/08 (tabled and adopted 19/3/08): No reference
For further information about the consideration of legislation in the Senate: |