As at cob 13 December 2017

(2017 Final Edition)

Abbreviations

AC Australian Conservatives

AG Australian Greens

ALP Australian Labor Party [Opp]

CLP Country Liberal Party [Govt]

DHJP Derryn Hinch—€™s Justice Party

FFP Family First Party

Ind Independent

KAP Katter—€™s Australian Party

JLN Jacqui Lambie Network

LDP Liberal Democratic Party

LP Liberal Party of Australia [Govt]

Nats The Nationals [Govt]

NXT Nick Xenophon Team

PHON Pauline Hanson—€™s One Nation

CID Consideration in detail stage (House of Representatives)

PM Private member—€™s bill

PS Private senator—€™s bill

S Senate bill

SBC Senate Selection of Bills Committee

SC House of Representatives Selection Committee

Note: Each bill summary reflects the content of the bill as first introduced into the Parliament.

PS A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Amendment (Make Electricity GST Free) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP)

Amends the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to remove goods and services tax from the supply of electricity.

Senate: Intro. 5/9/17; Negatived at 2nd reading 7/9/17

S Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 to: enable certain Kakadu and Urapunga land to be granted as Aboriginal land; and provide for the leaseback of the Kakadu land to the Director of National Parks.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

PS Aged Care Amendment (Ratio of Skilled Staff to Care Recipients) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Hinch —€“ DHJP)

Amends the Aged Care Act 1997 to prescribe a mandated ratio of skilled staff to care recipients in government-funded aged care residential facilities.

Senate: Intro. 6/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/9/17, 7/9/17

PM Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Amendment (Review) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Ms Collins MP —€“ ALP)

Amends the Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Act 2013 to provide for an independent review of the operation of Part 2.4 of the Aged Care Act 1997, the Classification Principles 2014 and the Aged Care Funding Instrument.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/10/16; Removed from Notice Paper 28/3/17

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Operational Efficiency) Bill 2017

Amends the: Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Products (Collection of Levy) Act 1994 and Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 to simplify reporting requirements for annual returns; Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 to: enable the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to manage errors in an application at the preliminary assessment stage, grant part of a variation application, and vary a label approval where that approval is suspended; enable the APVMA and Food Standards Australia New Zealand to agree on appropriate timeframes for notifications about variations to the Maximum Residue Limits Standard; and clarify that the —€˜expiry date—€™ is the date after which a chemical product must not be used; and Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 and Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 to: establish civil pecuniary penalties for providing false or misleading information; and make minor and technical amendments, including the removal of redundant provisions.

House of Representatives: Intro. 25/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 25/10/17

Agriculture and Water Resources Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Introduced with the Excise Levies Legislation Amendment (Honey) Bill 2016, the bill amends the: Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 to cease the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Advisory Board; Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 to: amend the information that the APVMA is required to provide to Food Standards Australia New Zealand; and amend an incorrect reference in the Agvet Code; Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 to: remove the requirements for an export licence to export meat by-products and for certain documents to be tabled; and repeal obsolete provisions; Biosecurity Act 2015 to make minor technical amendments; Dairy Produce Act 1986, Forestry Marketing and Research and Development Services Act 2007 and Sugar Research and Development Services Act 2013 to remove the requirements for certain documents to be tabled; Farm Household Support Act 2014 to remove the ability of the secretary to delegate their general rule-making power; Fisheries Administration Act 1991 to cease the Fishing Industry Policy Council; Fisheries Management Act 1991 to: enable the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to renew an existing permit without existing permit holders needing to re-apply; transfer the functions of the Statutory Fishing Rights Allocation Review Panel to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and cease the panel; and remove the text of the Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America; Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 to enable the secretary to delegate certain powers; Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 to remove the requirement for the minister to organise an annual co-ordination meeting for the chairs of the statutory research and development corporations; and Water Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Act 2016 to clarify dates for water-related reviews and change a commencement date. Also repeals the Rural Adjustment Act 1992 to cease the National Rural Advisory Council, makes consequential amendments to the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 and repeals 12 redundant Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; Passed 13/2/17

Senate: Intro. 14/2/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/17

PM Air Services Amendment Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

Amends the: Air Services Act 1995 to: include in the functions of Airservices Australia (AA) the protection of community amenity and residential areas from the effects of the operation and use of aircraft; require AA to consult and cooperate with government, sectors of the aviation industry and communities when modifying or creating flight paths; require AA to provide a complaints mechanism during the consultation process; provide that AA publish details of consultations; provide that AA must request the minister to appoint a Community Aviation Advocate to represent communities possibly affected by changed flight paths; provide for the composition of the AA Board; require AA to include details of any complaints in the annual report; and provide for the establishment of an Aircraft Noise Ombudsman; and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to require the minister to appoint a Community Aviation Advocate in certain circumstances.

House of Representatives: Intro. 28/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 15/8/17

Airports Amendment Bill 2016

Amends the Airports Act 1996 to: implement a differential master plan submission cycle for federal leased airports (excluding Mount Isa and Tennant Creek); mandate the inclusion of an Australian Noise Exposure Forecast in each new master plan; increase the monetary trigger for major development plans (MDPs) from $20 million to $35 million and enable the minister to review and revise the monetary trigger every three years; specify a 15 business day statutory timeframe within which the minister must consider applications from airport-lessee companies for reduced consultation periods for MDPs, with such applications deemed approved if there is no ministerial decision within this timeframe; enable the minister to extend more than once the period that approved MDPs are required to be substantially completed; enable airport-lessee companies to notify the minister if an approved MDP is not able to proceed on the basis of exceptional circumstances; and make technical amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; 2nd reading adjourned 1/12/16

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 9/2/17 (SBC report 1/17); interim report tabled 28/3/17; extension of time for final report 28/3/17; report due first sitting day in March 2018 (19/3/18)

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 to: expand the objects of the Act to reflect the domestic objectives of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulation; expand the scope of the Act to include regulation of digital currency exchange providers; clarify due diligence obligations relating to correspondent banking relationships and broaden the scope of these relationships; qualify the term —€˜in the course of carrying on a business—€™; allow related bodies corporate to share information; expand the range of regulatory offences for which the AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is able to issue infringement notices; allow the CEO to issue a remedial direction to a reporting entity to retrospectively comply with an obligation that has been breached; give police and customs officers broader powers to search and seize physical currency and bearer negotiable instruments and establish civil penalties for failing to comply with questioning and search powers; revise certain definitions; and clarify certain powers and obligations of the CEO; and Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 and Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 to de-regulate the cash-in-transit sector, insurance intermediaries and general insurance providers.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 6/12/17

Federation Chamber CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 7/12/17; Passed 7/12/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Assent: 13/12/17; Act No. 130, 2017

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2016-2017

Appropriates additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the government, in addition to the appropriations provided for by the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2016-2017.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 29/3/17

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 29/3/17

Assent: 12/4/17; Act No. 29, 2017

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2016-2017

Appropriates additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure, in addition to the appropriations provided for by the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2016-2017.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 29/3/17

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 29/3/17

Assent: 12/4/17; Act No. 30, 2017

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2017-2018

Appropriates money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the government.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/5/17; Passed 15/6/17

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 60, 2017

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2017-2018

Appropriates money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/5/17; Passed 15/6/17

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 61, 2017

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2017-2018

Appropriates money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/5/17; Passed 15/6/17

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 62, 2017

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Amendment Bill 2017

Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 5) Bill 2017, the bill amends the ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Act 2017 to add benchmark administrator licensees to the list of entities from which the Australian Securities and Investments Commission may recover its regulatory costs.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/9/17

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Bill 2017

Part of a package of three bills to enable the recovery of the regulatory costs of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the bill imposes a levy on persons regulated by ASIC.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 30/5/17

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 19/6/17; Act No. 43, 2017

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Collection) Bill 2017

Part of a package of three bills to enable the recovery of the regulatory costs of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the bill: provides for the collection of the levy; and requires entities regulated by ASIC to submit annual returns.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 30/5/17

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 19/6/17; Act No. 44, 2017

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017

Part of a package of three bills to enable the recovery of the regulatory costs of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, Corporations Act 2001, Corporations (Fees) Act 2001 and National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 30/5/17

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 19/6/17; Act No. 45, 2017

PM Australian Bill of Rights Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Seeks to give effect to certain provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child by: declaring an Australian Bill of Rights; providing that any Commonwealth, state or territory law that is inconsistent with the Bill of Rights is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency; specifying that Commonwealth, state and territory laws must be interpreted consistently with the Bill of Rights; and providing the Australian Human Rights Commission with a range of additional powers and functions in relation to the rights and freedoms in the Bill of Rights.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/8/17

Australian Border Force Amendment (Protected Information) Bill 2017

Amends the: Australian Border Force Act 2015 to: amend the definition of —€˜protected information—€™ so that only specific kinds of information are covered by the secrecy and disclosure provisions of the Act; remove the current requirements for bodies to which information can be disclosed and classes of information to be prescribed in the Australian Border Force (Secrecy and Disclosure) Rule 2015; and add new permitted purposes for which certain Immigration and Border Protection information that contains personal information can be disclosed under the Act; and Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting Act 2017 to make a consequential amendment.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/8/17; Passed 11/9/17

CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 12/9/17; Passed 16/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 10/8/17 (SBC report 8/17); report tabled 12/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived

Assent: 30/10/17; Act No. 115, 2017

S Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Fair and Balanced) Bill 2017

Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to expand the existing statutory duty of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Board by including the requirement to be —€˜fair—€™ and —€˜balanced—€™ in relation to the gathering and presentation of news and information by the ABC.

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17); report due 9/2/18

PS Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Regional Australia) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Burston —€“ PHON)

Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to provide that at least 35 per cent of the money of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation applied in a financial year is applied in making payments to persons in regional, rural or remote parts of Australia.

Senate: Intro. 9/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 9/8/17

PS Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Restoring Shortwave Radio) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Xenophon —€“ NXT)

Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to: require the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to maintain three domestic shortwave transmission services for the Northern Territory that were operating up until 31 January 2017; and maintain an international shortwave radio transmission service for Papua New Guinea and parts of the Pacific.

Senate: Intro. 13/2/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/2/17, 17/8/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 16/2/17 (SBC report 2/17); extension of time to report 9/5/17; report tabled 9/8/17

PS Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and Regional Advocacy) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator McKenzie —€“ Nats)

Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to: amend the Australian Broadcasting Corporation—€™s (ABC) Charter in relation to the delivery of services to rural and regional Australia in each state and territory; impose certain requirements on the ABC and the ABC Board; and provide for the establishment, functions and membership of the Rural and Regional Advisory Council.

Senate: Intro. 1/12/15; 2nd reading adjourned 1/12/15

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 3/12/15 (SBC report 16/15); interim report presented out of sitting 5/5/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 13/9/16

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 15/9/16 (SBC report 6/16); extensions of time to report 8/11/16, 7/2/17, 21/3/17; interim report presented out of sitting 31/3/17; final report presented out of sitting 13/4/17

S Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and Regional Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to: amend the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Charter to require the ABC to broadcast programs that contribute to a sense of regional and national identity, and inform and entertain, and reflect the geographic and cultural diversity of, the Australian community; require the ABC Board to have two members with a substantial connection to, or substantial experience in, a regional area through business, industry or community involvement; establish a Regional Advisory Council to advise the ABC Board; and require the ABC Board to report annually on a range of additional matters, including the total number of individuals employed in regional and metropolitan areas, and the journalist to support staff ratio of employees.

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17); report due 16/2/18

S Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 to: establish the National Capital Authority (NCA) as the accountable authority for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; empower the NCA to provide the Chief Executive of the NCA with specific directions in relation to its operations; and make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

PS Australian Centre for Social Cohesion Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Milne —€“ AG)

Establishes the Australian Centre for Social Cohesion and provides for: the director to develop and implement programs to improve social cohesion and prevent violent extremism; the director—€™s powers, appointment and terms and conditions of employment; and deputy directors, staff, consultants and delegations.

Senate: Intro. 9/2/15; 2nd reading adjourned 9/2/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the: Australian Citizenship Act 2007 in relation to: strengthened citizenship requirements, including in relation to permanent residency and English language proficiency; the definition of —€˜spouse—€™ and —€˜de facto partner—€™; citizenship by adoption; automatic acquisition of citizenship; citizenship by conferral; residence requirements for citizenship; good character requirements; the bar on approval of citizenship where there are related criminal offences; offence provisions; mandatory and discretionary cancellation of approval of citizenship; ministerial discretion to delay the making of the pledge of allegiance; the maximum period of deferral for making the pledge of allegiance; revocation of citizenship by descent, conferral or under intercountry adoption arrangements; ministerial power to make legislative instruments; use and disclosure of personal information; and consequential amendments; and Migration Act 1958 to enable the use and disclosure of personal citizenship information.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 14/8/17

Senate: Intro. 15/8/17; Discharged from Notice Paper 18/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); extension of time to report 4/9/17; report tabled 5/9/17

Australian Crime Commission Amendment (Criminology Research) Bill 2016

Merges the functions of the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) by: amending the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 to enable the ACIC to perform the AIC—€™s functions, including carrying out, sharing and publishing of criminology research, and carrying out commissioned research; and repealing the Criminology Research Act 1971 to abolish the AIC as a statutory agency.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/16; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/16

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 13/10/16 (SBC report 7/16); report tabled 9/11/16

Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Australian Education Act 2013 to: update the preamble and objects of the Act; retain the Schooling Resource Standard (SRC); provide that government schools receive 20 per cent and non-government schools receive 80 per cent of the Commonwealth share of the SRS; ensure that all schools transition to their relevant share of the SRS by 2027; provide for transition adjustment funding; update the per-student base funding amounts for 2018; allow for the indexation of base amounts to be tied to an indexation rate; change the calculation of the —€˜student with disability—€™ loading; require the minister to determine each non-government school—€™s socio-economic status score for the purpose of its capacity to contribute percentage; reduce the benefit afforded to non-government primary schools under capacity to contribute calculations; and make technical amendments in relation to the number of students at a school, school education information, reviewable decisions, former approved authorities and the making of regulations; and Australian Education Act 2013 and Australian Education (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2013 to: stipulate certain conditions of financial assistance on the states and territories; require the states and territories to maintain their 2017 per-student funding levels as a condition of Commonwealth funding; stipulate certain ongoing policy requirements for approved authorities for non-government schools; remove the distinction between participating and non-participating schools; remove certain requirement for approved authorities; and include additional annual reporting requirements in relation to Commonwealth funding.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/5/17; Passed 29/5/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 23/6/17 a.m.

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 11/5/17 (SBC report 5/17); report tabled 14/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Committee amendments: 8 Govt (1 as amended by 3 AG)/passed; 4 Opp/negatived; 10 AG/negatived; 1 AG/withdrawn; 2 AC/negatived; 4 LDP/negatived; 5 items opposed (4 Opp; 1 LDP)/items agreed to

Committee requests for amendments: 16 Govt/passed; 6 Opp/negatived; 5 AG/negatived

[House made Senate requests for amendments 23/6/17 a.m.; House agreed to Senate amendments 23/6/17 a.m.]

Assent: 27/6/17; Act No. 78, 2017

S Australian Grape and Wine Authority Amendment (Wine Australia) Bill 2017

Amends the: Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 to: enable the Australian Grape and Wine Authority to implement, facilitate and administer programs for cider and in relation to international wine tourism, and to administer grant programs for wine; change the authority—€™s name to Wine Australia; and amend the short title of the Act to the Wine Australia Act 2013; and Freedom of Information Act 1982, Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999, Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 and Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 5/9/17; Passed 19/10/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; Passed 26/10/17

Assent: 6/11/17; Act No. 122, 2017

PS Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Preliminary Assessment Process) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Burston —€“ PHON)

Amends the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 to: require the Australian Human Rights Commission to undertake a preliminary assessment of a complaint before proceeding to a full inquiry and attempt to conciliate; set out the steps of the preliminary assessment process; and provide for the termination of a complaint at any time during the preliminary assessment process.

Senate: Intro. 7/2/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/2/17, 16/2/17

Australian Immunisation Register and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 to: allow the assessments of medical exemptions to immunisation by paediatricians, public health physicians, infectious diseases physicians and clinical immunologists to be recognised by the Australian Immunisation Register; and make explicit that certain vaccination information can be provided only by recognised vaccination providers, and not members of the public; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 9/8/17

Senate: Intro. 9/8/17; Passed 10/8/17

Assent: 16/8/17; Act No. 81, 2017

PM Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Amendment) (Tagging Live-stock) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 to provide that all live-stock exported from Australia are fitted with an electronic tag and that data from the tag is captured at all stages of the export supply chain.

House of Representatives: Intro. 28/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 15/8/17

S Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987 to provide greater flexibility to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in its activities, including the use of its property, facilities and resources for science, technology, innovation and training purposes.

Senate: Intro. 20/6/17; Passed 14/8/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/8/17; Passed 14/9/17

Assent: 18/9/17; Act No. 109, 2017

PM Australian Postal Corporation (Unsolicited Political Communications) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 to prevent Australia Post from delivering unaddressed political material to a premises where a sticker or sign specifically requests that unaddressed mail or political material not be delivered.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/10/16; Removed from Notice Paper 23/5/17

PS Automotive Transformation Scheme Amendment (Securing the Automotive Component Industry) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senators Rice and Simms —€“ AG)

Amends the: Automotive Transformation Scheme Act 2009 to: broaden the objects of the Act; and apply principles to encourage investment in manufacturing sustainable transport options; and Automotive Transformation Scheme Regulations 2010 to: broaden the eligibility for Australian motor vehicle and automotive component manufacturers for assistance under the Automotive Transformation Scheme (ATS); and enable the minister to grant permission to certain persons to apply for registration under the ATS.

Senate: Intro. 10/11/15; 2nd reading adjourned 10/11/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

PM Banking Amendment (Establishing an Effective Code of Conduct) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Banking Act 1959 to: require the minister to make, by legislative instrument, a Banking Code of Conduct; and provide for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to receive and investigate complaints in relation to non-compliance with the code by authorised deposit-taking institutions.

House of Representatives: Intro. 27/3/17; Removed from Notice Paper 24/10/17

PS Banking and Financial Services Commission of Inquiry Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Whish-Wilson —€“ AG, Senators Hanson and Roberts —€“ PHON, Senator Xenophon —€“ NXT, Senator Hinch —€“ DHJP and Senator Lambie —€“ JLN)

Establishes a parliamentary inquiry into banking and financial services to report to Parliament on particular matters.

Senate: Intro. 22/3/17; Passed 15/6/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/17

PM Banking Commission of Inquiry Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Requires the Treasurer to establish a Banking Commission of Inquiry with the same powers as a royal commission.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/10/16; Removed from Notice Paper 28/3/17

S Bankruptcy Amendment (Enterprise Incentives) Bill 2017

Amends the Bankruptcy Act 1966 to: provide that, where a bankrupt becomes a bankrupt again, the income contribution obligations and contribution assessment period for the first bankruptcy will cease; provide that ceasing income contributions to a trustee in an earlier bankruptcy in the event of a second bankruptcy does not limit the ability of the trustee in the later bankruptcy to exercise certain powers; amend notification requirements to provide that a bankrupt or discharged bankrupt must notify the trustee within 10 business days of changes to their name, address and phone number during the —€˜prescribed period—€™; clarify the period for which eligible discharged bankrupts must continue to make income contribution payments to the bankrupt estate; extend the requirement to make certain income contribution payments to persons who are eligible to make these payments, but have been automatically discharged after one year; ensure that a bankrupt or discharged bankrupt will ordinarily be liable for income contributions for at least three contribution assessment periods; provide that determinations regarding supervised account regimes apply post discharge and throughout the contribution assessment periods, and only cease when the bankrupt is no longer liable to pay a contribution; extend the obligations and duties on a bankrupt to keep and produce records of income, employment and financial transactions or dealings; provide for an automatic discharge after one year of bankruptcy and related transitional arrangements; and enable the extension of a period of bankruptcy on the basis of an objection by a trustee or official receiver.

Senate: Intro. 19/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 30/11/17 (SBC report 14/17); report due 19/3/18

Biosecurity Amendment (Ballast Water and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Biosecurity Act 2015 to: implement the Ballast Water Convention and regulate the ballast water and sediment of certain vessels in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to manage the risk of invasive marine pests entering Australian waters; alter and standardise the type of legislative instruments that set out matters and exceptions relating to ballast water discharge in Australian seas; broaden the existing power to destroy exotic vectors of human diseases of concern on vessels and aircraft arriving in Australia; and reinstate a previous power from the superseded Quarantine Act 1908 for human health officials to direct a private property to undertake control activities if an exotic vector incursion is detected.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 28/3/17

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 9/5/17

Assent: 17/5/17; Act No. 34, 2017

Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Broadcasting Reform) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Commercial Broadcasting (Tax) Bill 2017, the bill amends: the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: abolish the —€˜75% audience reach rule—€™, which prohibits commercial television broadcasting licensees from controlling licences whose combined licence area populations exceed 75 per cent of the Australian population; abolish the —€˜2 out of 3 cross-media control rule—€™, which prohibits control over more than two out of three regulated media platforms in any one commercial radio licence area; provide additional local programming obligations for regional commercial television broadcasting licensees; and require the Australian Communications and Media Authority to undertake a review by 1 July 2021; the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Broadcasting Services (Events) Notice (No. 1) 2010 to amend measures relating to the anti-siphoning scheme and the anti-siphoning notice, including extending the automatic delisting period and removing the multi-channelling rule; and five Acts to provide for collection and assessment arrangements for the new transmitter licence tax. Also establishes a transitional support payment scheme for certain commercial broadcasters; and repeals the Broadcasting Services (Datacasting Charge) Regulations 2001, Datacasting Charge (Imposition) Act 1998, Datacasting Transmitter Licence Fees Act 2006, Radio Licence Fees Act 1964 and Television Licence Fees Act 1964 to abolish broadcasting licence fees, datacasting charges and apparatus licence fees paid by commercial broadcasters.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 21/6/17

CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 14/9/17

2nd reading amendments: 2 AG/passed

Committee amendments: 2 NXT/passed; 1 Opp/negatived; 5 AG/negatived; 3 AC/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed (Opp)/Schedule agreed to

[House agreed to Senate amendments 16/10/17]

Assent: 16/10/17; Act No. 113, 2017

S Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2017

Amends the: Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to remove the requirement for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to provide written notice of its intention to declare a digital radio start-up day for a licence area; and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to: remove requirements that the ACMA must consult before preparing or varying a digital radio channel plan; shorten timeframes associated with the formation of eligible joint venture and digital community radio broadcasting representative companies, and clarify the invitation and acceptance process for the formation of such companies; shorten timeframes associated with issuing a foundation digital radio multiplex transmitter licence (DRMT) in accordance with a price-based allocation system and DRMT licensees giving the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission access undertakings; and clarify how excess multiplex capacity on foundation DRMT licences is determined.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

S Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Foreign Media Ownership and Community Radio) Bill 2017

Amends the: Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: establish a Register of Foreign Ownership of Media Assets to be administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA); provide for a new assessment criterion for the applications for, and renewals of, community radio broadcasting licences relating to material of local significance; and make consequential amendments; and Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to enable the ACMA to delegate the power to issues certain notices.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Media Reform) Bill 2016

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: abolish the —€˜75% audience reach rule—€™, which prohibits commercial television broadcasting licensees from controlling licences whose combined licence area populations exceed 75 per cent of the population of Australia; abolish the —€˜2 out of 3 cross-media control rule—€™, which prohibits control over more than two out of three regulated media platforms in any one commercial radio licence area; and provide additional local programming obligations for regional commercial television broadcasting licensees.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Passed 30/11/16

CID amendments: 2 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 1/12/16; 2nd reading adjourned 1/12/16

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 1/9/16 (SBC report 5/16); report tabled 7/11/16

Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 to: bring forward to the end of 31 August 2017 the expiry of the exemption from any relevant enterprise agreement content rules for building industry participants covered by non-code compliant enterprise agreements made before 2 December 2016; and limit the scope of the exemption to enable such participants to submit expressions of interest or tenders for, but not to be awarded, building work funded by the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth Authority.

House of Representatives: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 14/2/17

Senate: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 15/2/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 9/2/17 (SBC report 1/17); report tabled 15/2/17

Committee amendments: 3 Opp/negatived

Assent: 16/2/17; Act No. 1, 2017

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 to: remove the obligation to obtain consent of eligible interest holders from existing area-based emissions-avoidance projects; clarify that state and territory government Crown lands ministers and Commonwealth ministers responsible for land rights legislation have consent rights for projects conducted on exclusive possession native title land that is Torrens system land or land rights land; provide for legislative rules or regulations to allow parts of a sequestration offsets project to be removed and credits surrendered for the carbon stored in that area; ensure a sequestration project—€™s net total liability under the scheme does not include credits issued for emissions avoidance or credits that have already been relinquished; clarify that requirements to relinquish carbon credits if carbon stores are lost apply to sequestration projects that store carbon and avoid emissions; provide for projects to transfer between methods so as to move between emissions-avoidance and sequestration; ensure that relinquishment requirements apply to projects whose crediting period extends beyond their permanence period; and allow legislative rules or regulations to provide for the removal of regulatory approval or consent conditions on declarations obtained after the end of the first reporting period for the project.

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 23/3/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 30/3/17 (SBC report 4/17); report tabled 9/5/17

PS Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment (Intergenerational Report) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Milne —€“ AG)

Amends the: Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to: require the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) to prepare an intergenerational report for the Treasurer every five years; and enable the PBO to request a Commonwealth body to provide information that is relevant to the preparation of that report; and Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 17/3/15; 2nd reading adjourned 17/3/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

PM Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment (Regional Australia Statements) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Ms McGowan MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 to require the Treasurer to release and table regular regional Australia statements to allow assessment of the impact of government policy decisions on regional Australia.

House of Representatives: Intro. 28/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 15/8/17

S Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 and Legislation Act 2003 to clarify the validity of ministerial acts and the operation of provisions about the management of compilations prepared for the Federal Register of Legislation; Archives Act 1983 to: provide the National Archives of Australia with tools to manage high-volume applicants requesting access to records; and make other minor technical amendments; Bankruptcy Act 1966 to clarify that the Family Court of Australia has bankruptcy jurisdiction when a trustee applies to have a financial agreement set aside under the Family Law Act 1975; Domicile Act 1982 to provide that it applies to territories currently specified in the Domicile Regulations 1982; Evidence Act 1995 to amend the presumption about when postal articles sent by prepaid post are received; Family Law Act 1975 to: introduce new offences relating to international parental child abduction and to allow a person to request a location order for the purposes of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction; clarify who may perform the powers of the registry managers; align financial and other provisions for de facto and married couples; make various amendments relating to the operation of the family law courts; and make minor and technical amendments; International Arbitration Act 1974 to: specify the meaning of —€˜competent court—€™ for the purpose of the Model Law; clarify procedural requirements for enforcement of an arbitral award; modernise provisions governing certain arbitrators—€™ powers; and clarify the application of certain confidentiality provisions; Marriage Act 1961 to: remove outdated concepts and ensure consistency with the Family Law Act 1975 in relation to parental consent for the marriage of minors; and make minor and technical amendments; and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to remove the exemption for discrimination against women employed, engaged or appointed in Australian Defence Force positions involving combat duties. Also makes consequential amendments to nine Acts.

Senate: Intro. 22/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 22/3/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 30/3/17 (SBC report 4/17); report tabled 10/5/17

Clean Energy Finance Corporation Amendment (Carbon Capture and Storage) Bill 2017

Amends the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act 2012 to remove the prohibition on the Clean Energy Finance Corporation investing in carbon capture and storage technologies.

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/5/17; 2nd reading adjourned 31/5/17

PS Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Di Natale —€“ AG)

Prohibits the Commonwealth government or its agencies from funding the refurbishment, building or purchase, or assisting in the transfer of ownership, of a coal-fired power station.

Senate: Intro. 17/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 17/10/17

PM Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017 [No. 2]

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

Prohibits the Commonwealth government or its agencies from funding the refurbishment, building or purchase, or assisting in the transfer of ownership, of a coal-fired power station.

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 23/10/17

Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 to: remove the five-voyage minimum requirement to apply for a temporary licence; allow the minister to determine that consultation must be undertaken on the movement of certain kinds of cargoes and passengers when applied for under a temporary licence or a variation to a temporary licence; create a single variation process for temporary licences; provide that notifications are only required when voyage details have changed from that approved on a licence; amend the tolerance provisions for temporary licence voyages; allow for temporary licences to be issued in emergency situations; amend the definition of —€˜coastal trading—€™ to include voyages commencing and concluding at the same port, ships engaged in dry-docking, and voyages between ports and other defined places in Australian waters; allow vessels to be covered by a coastal trading licence while dry-docking; clarify that applications for a variation to a temporary licence must be made by the temporary licence holder and that agents may apply for a temporary licence on behalf of vessel owners or masters; and require temporary licence holders to provide a vessel—€™s International Maritime Organization number in voyage reports; and Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993 and Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/9/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 19/10/17 (SBC report 12/17); report tabled 4/12/17

Comcare and Seacare Legislation Amendment (Pension Age and Catastrophic Injury) Bill 2017

Amends the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 to: align workers—€™ compensation arrangements for the Seacare and Comcare schemes with minimum benchmarks to be set by the proposed National Injury Insurance Scheme; and ensure that persons in receipt of incapacity payments can continue to receive those payments until they reach pension age.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/5/17; Passed 14/6/17

Senate: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 48, 2017

Commercial Broadcasting (Tax) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Broadcasting Reform) Bill 2017, the bill imposes an interim tax on transmitter licences that are associated with commercial broadcasting licences.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 21/6/17

Senate: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 14/9/17

Assent: 18/9/17; Act No. 110, 2017

PM Commission of Inquiry (Coal Seam Gas) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Establishes a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the coal seam gas industry.

House of Representatives: Intro. 4/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/17

PS Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Donation Reform and Transparency) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Farrell —€“ ALP)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: reduce the disclosure threshold to $1000; 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 declared expenditure incurred by the eligible political party, candidate or Senate group, or the sum payable calculated on the number of first preference votes received where they have satisfied the four per cent threshold, whichever is the lesser; provide for the recovery of gifts of foreign property, anonymous gifts and undisclosed gifts; introduce new offences and penalties; and increase penalties for existing offences.

Senate: Intro. 28/11/16; 2nd reading adjourned 28/11/16

PM Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Donation Reform and Transparency) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Shorten MP —€“ ALP)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: reduce the disclosure threshold to $1000; 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 declared expenditure incurred by the eligible political party, candidate or Senate group, or the sum payable calculated on the number of first preference votes received where they have satisfied the four per cent threshold, whichever is the lesser; provide for the recovery of gifts of foreign property, anonymous gifts and undisclosed gifts; introduce new offences and penalties; and increase penalties for existing offences.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/2/17; Removed from Notice Paper 5/9/17

PS Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Donations Reform) Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to prohibit political donations from certain industries and from industry representative organisations whose majority members are prohibited donors.

Senate: Intro. 4/12/14; 2nd reading adjourned 4/12/14, 3/3/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

PM Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Foreign Political Donations) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: prohibit the receipt of a gift which exceeds $1000 by a political party or candidate from a foreign person; provide that a gift received in these circumstances is a debt owing to the Commonwealth and may be recovered by the Commonwealth; and provide that a gift received in these circumstances is not unlawful if it is returned within 30 days after its receipt.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/10/16; Removed from Notice Paper 28/3/17

PS Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: reduce the disclosure threshold to $1000; require certain persons making gifts at or 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; extend existing recovery powers; and introduce new offences and penalties and increase penalties for existing offences.

Senate: Intro. 2/3/16; 2nd reading adjourned 2/3/16

Bill referred to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 3/3/16 (SBC report 3/16); report due 17/6/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

PM Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Protect the Eureka Flag) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Ms King MP —€“ ALP)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to enable the Australian Electoral Commission to consider the historical and cultural context of flags and other symbols when assessing their use in political party logos.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 20/6/17

PS Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Reducing Barriers for Minor Parties) Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to decrease to $500 and $1000, respectively, the nomination deposit that must be paid by or on behalf of candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Senate: Intro. 4/3/14; 2nd reading adjourned 4/3/14

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Bill 2017

Introduced with the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017, the bill implements the Commonwealth—€™s response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse—€™s Redress and Civil Litigation Report by: establishing the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse to operate for a 10-year period from 1 July 2018; providing a payment of up to $150 000 to survivors; providing access to counselling and psychological services to survivors; and facilitating a direct personal response to survivors from the responsible institution, should the survivor request one.

House of Representatives: Intro. 26/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 26/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 30/11/17 (SBC report 14/17); report due 13/3/18

Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to provide that payments made under the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse are exempt from the income test; Bankruptcy Act 1966 to ensure that payments made under the Commonwealth redress scheme are quarantined from the divisible property of a bankrupt; and Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1997 to exempt decisions made under the Commonwealth redress scheme from judicial review.

House of Representatives: Intro. 26/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 26/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 30/11/17 (SBC report 14/17); report due 13/3/18

Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the: Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: amend account keeping and licence fee administration arrangements for commercial broadcasters and datacasting transmitter licensees; remove duplicative requirements for licensees, publishers and controllers to notify the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) of certain changes in control of regulated media assets; provide a consistent classification arrangement for all television programs, including films; and amend two statutory publication requirements; National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011 to provide that NBN Co may dispose of surplus non-communications goods; Telecommunications Act 1997 to: correct a technical error in relation to the admissibility of certain evidence in court proceedings; remove the requirement for the ACMA to consult with an advisory committee before declaring a submarine cable protection zone; and remove the ability of NBN Co to issue and keep a register of statements that it will not be installing fibre in a new real estate development; Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 and Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to remove duplication in the complaints handling and information gathering functions of the ACMA; Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to remove the ability of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to issue tariff filing directions to certain carriers and carriage service providers; Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Telecommunications Act 1997 to amend the statutory information collection powers of the ACMA and the ACCC; Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983, Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 and Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 to make technical amendments; and Telecommunications Act 1997 and three other Acts to enable the development of an industry-based scheme for the management of telephone numbering resources. Also repeals 53 Acts and removes redundant provisions in four Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 29/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 29/3/17

PS Communications Legislation Amendment (Executive Remuneration) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Hanson —€“ PHON)

Amends the: Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989, Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 and Remuneration Tribunal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1976 to make the Remuneration Tribunal the responsible body for setting the remuneration of the Managing Director of Australia Post; and National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011 to make the tribunal the responsible body for setting the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer of NBN Co.

Senate: Intro. 21/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 21/3/17, 17/8/17

S Communications Legislation Amendment (Online Content Services and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the: Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: enable the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to make online content service provider rules which impose gambling promotions restrictions on online content service providers; and provide the ACMA with the power to determine program standards about gambling promotional content which apply to certain broadcasters and subscriptions providers; Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to: require the ACMA to monitor compliance with online content service provider rules; and enable the ACMA to delegate the power to issues certain notices; and Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 7/12/17 (SBC report 15/17); report due 12/2/18

S Communications Legislation Amendment (Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund) Bill 2017

Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: enable the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to make a grant of financial assistance to a publisher of a newspaper, magazine or other periodical, or a content service provider; provide that the ACMA may only make a grant of financial assistance in the three financial years commencing on 1 July 2018, with the total amount of financial assistance not exceeding $50 100 000; require the ACMA to enter into an agreement with the recipient setting out the terms and conditions of the grant; enable the minister to establish an advisory committee to advise the ACMA in relation to the exercise of its powers to make grants of financial assistance; and provide for annual reporting requirements.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 7/12/17 (SBC report 15/17); report due 12/2/18

Communications Legislation Amendment (SBS Advertising Flexibility) Bill 2017

Amends the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 to: adjust the restriction of no more than five minutes per hour of advertising to no more than 10 minutes of advertising in any hour of broadcasting on the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS); and clarify SBS—€™s ability to earn revenue through the broadcast of programs containing product placement.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/3/17; Discharged from Notice Paper 10/8/17

Competition and Consumer Amendment (Abolition of Limited Merits Review) Bill 2017

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: prevent the Australian Competition Tribunal from reviewing decisions made under the National Electricity Law, the National Gas Law and the National Energy Retail Law, other than decisions relating to the disclosure of confidential or protected information; and provide that decisions made by the Australian Energy Regulator under those laws are not subject to merits review by any other state or territory body.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 5/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 5/9/17; Passed 16/10/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 7/9/17 (SBC report 10/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Assent: 30/10/17; Act No. 116, 2017

PS Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Country of Origin Food Labelling) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Milne —€“ AG and Senator Xenophon —€“ Ind)

Amends the: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: create specific requirements for country of origin labelling for food; extend country of origin labelling to all packaged and unpackaged food for retail sale; restrict the range of labelling to three kinds of claim; and create penalties and defences; and Imported Food Control Act 1992 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 12/2/15; 2nd reading adjourned 12/2/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Competition and Consumer Amendment (Competition Policy Review) Bill 2017

Amends the: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: clarify that —€˜competition—€™ includes competition from goods and services that are capable of importation, in addition to those actually imported; confine the application of cartel conduct provisions to conduct affecting competition in Australian markets; change the scope of the joint venture exceptions; remove provisions relating to the anti-competitive disclosure of pricing and other information (known as price signalling); prohibit a corporation from engaging in a concerted practice that has the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition; remove the separate prohibition on exclusionary provisions; define —€˜contract—€™ and —€˜party—€™ to include covenants; increase the maximum penalty applying to breaches of the secondary boycott provisions; prohibit third line forcing only where it has the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition; enable a corporation or person to notify the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of resale price maintenance conduct, as an alternative to seeking authorisation from the commission for such conduct; provide an exemption from the resale price maintenance prohibition for conduct between related bodies corporate; consolidate authorisation provisions, including those relating to mergers, into a single authorisation process; grant the ACCC with —€˜class exemption—€™ and —€˜stop notice—€™ powers; provide for reviews by the Australian Competition Tribunal of merger authorisation determinations by the ACCC; enable a party bringing certain proceedings to rely on both admissions of fact and finding of fact made in certain other proceedings; extend the ACCC—€™s power to obtain information, documents and evidence in relation to investigations of alleged contraventions or court enforceable undertakings and merger authorisation determinations, and introduce a —€˜reasonable search—€™ defence in relation to the failure or refusal to comply with a notice to produce such documents; implement recommendations made by the Productivity Commission in relation to the National Access Regime; streamline administration of the Act, particularly in relation to requirements of the Australian Consumer Law; and make consequential amendments; and Radiocommunications Act 1992 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 5/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 6/9/17; Passed 16/10/17

Committee amendment: 1 Schedule negatived (Opp)

[House agreed to Senate amendment 18/10/17]

Assent: 27/10/17; Act No. 114, 2017

Competition and Consumer Amendment (Country of Origin) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Competition and Consumer Amendment (Country of Origin) Act 2017)

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to clarify the country of origin labelling requirements by amending the definition of —€˜substantial transformation—€™ as it applies to the safe harbour provisions and removing the 50 per cent production cost test.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Passed 28/11/16

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 29/11/16; Passed 8/2/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 15/9/16 (SBC report 6/16); report tabled 10/10/16

2nd reading amendment: 1 NXT/negatived

Committee amendments: 2 NXT/negatived

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 5, 2017

PM Competition and Consumer Amendment (Exploitation of Indigenous Culture) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: prohibit the supply in trade or commerce of anything that includes an Indigenous cultural expression, unless it is done in accordance with an arrangement with the relevant Indigenous community and artist and the thing is made in Australia; and create an offence for the supply of anything that includes an Indigenous cultural expression without an arrangement with the relevant Indigenous community and artist.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/2/17; Removed from Notice Paper 5/9/17

PM Competition and Consumer Amendment (Exploitation of Indigenous Culture) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: prohibit the supply in trade or commerce of anything that includes an Indigenous cultural expression, unless it is done in accordance with an arrangement with the relevant Indigenous community and artist and the thing is made in Australia; and create an offence for the supply of anything that includes an Indigenous cultural expression without an arrangement with the relevant Indigenous community and artist.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 11/9/17

Competition and Consumer Amendment (Misuse of Market Power) Bill 2017

(Previous title: Competition and Consumer Amendment (Misuse of Market Power) Bill 2016)

Amends the: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: strengthen the prohibition on corporations with substantial market powers from engaging in conduct that has the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition in markets in which they directly or indirectly participate; remove provisions in relation to telecommunications-specific anti-competitive conduct and the competition notices and exemption order regime; and make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; Passed 28/3/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed; 9 KAP/negatived

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 14/8/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 1/12/16 (SBC report 10/16); report tabled 16/2/17

Committee amendments: 1 AG/passed; 2 NXT/negatived

[House agreed to Senate amendment 15/8/17]

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 87, 2017

PM Competition and Consumer Amendment (Paper Bills and Statements) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: ensure that, when a supplier provides a customer with an itemised bill or proof of transaction, the document is given in paper form unless the customer consents to receiving it electronically; and ensure that customers are not charged a fee for receiving the document in paper.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/17

PM Competition and Consumer Amendment (Safeguarding the Reputation of Australian Beef) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Ms Sharkie MP —€“ NXT)

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to impose a penalty on Australian cattle exporters who do not take reasonable steps to ensure that Australian cattle that is slaughtered, or processed after slaughter, in a foreign country is not marketed as Australian beef.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/17

PS Competition and Consumer Amendment (Truth in Labelling—€”Palm Oil) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Xenophon —€“ NXT)

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to require the minister to make an information standard for goods containing palm oil and ensure that the information standard is in force at all times.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/17, 17/8/17

PS Competition and Consumer Legislation Amendment (Small Business Access to Justice) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Gallagher —€“ ALP)

Amends the: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Act 2015 to: allow the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman to provide assistance in advising and preparing a person—€™s case for a no adverse costs order in proceedings in relation to contraventions of Part IV of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010; and require the number of requests for assistance in relation to an application for a no adverse costs order to be included in the ombudsman—€™s annual report; and Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: allow for a no adverse costs order to be sought, at any time during proceedings, by a person bringing an action in relation to loss or damage by conduct of another person that was done in contravention of Part IV of the Act; and specify the circumstances in which the court is able to make a no adverse costs order.

Senate: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 10/8/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 16/10/17

Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Copyright Act 1968 to: replace the exception for persons with a disability and others acting on their behalf with a fair dealing exception; replace the current statutory licences for institutions assisting persons with a print or intellectual disability with a single exception; harmonise and modernise the preservation exceptions for copyright material in libraries, archives and key cultural institutions; consolidate and simplify the statutory licences that allow educational institutions to use works and broadcasts; allow copyright material to be incorporated into educational assessments conducted online; set new standard terms of protection for published and unpublished materials and for Crown copyright in original materials; and update references to ministers and preconditions for making regulations extending or restricting the operation of the Act in relation to foreign countries.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/3/17; Passed 28/3/17

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 49, 2017

S Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017

Amends the Copyright Act 1968 to extend the operation of the safe harbour scheme to a broader range of service providers, including educational institutions, libraries, archives, key cultural institutions and organisations assisting persons with a disability.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 7/12/17 (SBC report 15/17); report due 19/3/18

Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding) Act 2017)

Amends the: Corporations Act 2001 to: establish a framework to facilitate crowd-sourced funding offers by small unlisted public companies; provide new public companies that are eligible to crowd fund with temporary relief from certain reporting and corporate governance requirements; and enable the minister to provide that certain financial market and clearing and settlement facility operators are exempt from specified parts of the Australian Market Licence and clearing and settlement facility licencing regimes; and Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/11/16; Passed 8/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 20/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 1/12/16 (SBC report 10/16); report tabled 13/2/17

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

[House agreed to Senate amendment 22/3/17]

Assent: 28/3/17; Act No. 17, 2017

Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding for Proprietary Companies) Bill 2017

Amends the Corporations Act 2001 to: extend the crowd-sourced funding (CSF) framework for public companies to eligible proprietary companies, subject to additional reporting requirements and accountability standards; provide that proprietary companies with shareholders who acquire shares through a CSF offer are not subject to the takeovers rules; introduce special investor protections for proprietary companies accessing the CSF regime; and remove the temporary corporate governance concessions for proprietary companies that convert to or register as public companies to access the CSF regime.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/17

Corporations Amendment (Life Insurance Remuneration Arrangements) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Corporations Amendment (Life Insurance Remuneration Arrangements) Act 2017)

Amends the Corporations Act 2001 to: remove the exemption from the conflicted remuneration ban on benefits paid in relation to certain life risk insurance products; enable regulations to prescribe other circumstances where a benefit paid in relation to life insurance is conflicted remuneration even where no advice is provided; enable the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to permit benefits in relation to life risk insurance products when certain requirements are met; and ban volume based payments in life risk products.

House of Representatives: Intro. 12/10/16; Passed 29/11/16

Senate: Intro. 30/11/16; Passed 9/2/17

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 6, 2017

PS Corporations Amendment (Modernisation of Members Registration) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Xenophon —€“ NXT)

Amends the Corporations Act 2001 to require an email address to be included on a register of members of a company or registered scheme.

Senate: Intro. 15/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 15/6/17

Bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); report tabled 11/9/17

Corporations Amendment (Professional Standards of Financial Advisers) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Corporations Amendment (Professional Standards of Financial Advisers) Act 2017)

Amends the: Corporations Act 2001 to: require that certain financial advisers meet specified education and training standards and comply with a code of ethics; apply transitional arrangements to existing financial advisers; impose an obligation on an Australian financial services licensee to ensure that its financial advisers comply with the education standards and are covered by a compliance scheme; restrict the use of the titles —€˜financial adviser—€™ and —€˜financial planner—€™; amend the content requirements for the register of financial advisers; provide for sanctions where a financial adviser or licensee fails to comply with the new obligations; and establish a standards body which will approve foreign qualifications and develop and set the education standards and code of ethics; and Tax Agent Services Act 2009 to provide for the Tax Practitioners Board and monitoring bodies to share information.

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/11/16; Passed 7/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 9/2/17

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 7, 2017

Crimes Amendment (Penalty Unit) Bill 2017

Amends the Crimes Act 1914 to: increase the amount of the Commonwealth penalty unit from $180 to $210 from 1 July 2017; delay the first automatic Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment of the penalty unit until 1 July 2020; and provide for CPI indexation to occur on 1 July every three years thereafter.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 28/3/17

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 11/5/17

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 35, 2017

S Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Corporate Crime) Bill 2017

Amends: the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: amend the offence of bribery of a foreign public official to extend the definition of foreign public official to include a candidate for office, remove the requirement that the foreign official must be influenced in the exercise of the official—€™s duties, replace the requirement that a benefit and business advantage must be —€˜not legitimately due—€™ with the concept of —€˜improperly influencing—€™ a foreign public official, and extend the offence to cover bribery to obtain a personal advantage; and create a new offence of failure of a body corporate to prevent foreign bribery by an associate; the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983 to implement a Commonwealth Deferred Prosecution Agreement scheme which will enable the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to invite a person that has engaged in serious corporate crime to negotiate an agreement to comply with a range of specified conditions; and five Acts to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 7/12/17 (SBC report 15/17); report due 20/4/18

Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016

Amends: six Acts to ensure that assistance that Australia can currently provide to foreign countries can also be provided to the International Criminal Court and international war crimes tribunals; the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 to: amend provisions in relation to proceeds of crime search warrants; clarify which foreign proceeds of crime orders can be registered in Australia; clarify the roles of judicial officers in domestic proceedings to produce documents or articles for a foreign country; and make minor and technical amendments; the Extradition Act 1988 to ensure that magistrates and judges have powers to make orders necessary for the conduct of extradition proceedings; the Foreign Evidence Act 1994 to: ensure foreign evidence can be appropriately certified; and extend the application of foreign evidence rules to proceedings in the external territories and the Jervis Bay territory; the Crimes Act 1914 to ensure the offence of identifying a child witness or vulnerable adult complainant extends to identifying a child complainant; the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Law Enforcement Integrity, Vulnerable Witness Protection and Other Measures) Act 2013 to clarify the application of supports and protections for victims and witnesses to future criminal proceedings, regardless of when the alleged conduct occurred; the Crimes Act 1914, Criminal Code Act 1995 and Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to clarify the operation of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like offences; the War Crimes Act 1945 to streamline reporting arrangements; the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to: ensure that the Australian Federal Police—€™s alcohol and drug testing program and integrity framework apply to the entire workforce; ensure that the most up to date testing standards can be employed at the time a sample is provided; and clarify the processes for resignation in cases of serious misconduct or corruption; the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 to: enable travellers departing Australia to report cross-border movements of physical currency electronically; and enable the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission to access AUSTRAC information; the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 to clarify the use of the Australian Crime Commission—€™s prescribed alternative name; and the AusCheck Act 2007 to enable AusCheck to conduct and coordinate background checks in relation to major national events.

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/11/16; 2nd reading adjourned 23/11/16

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 1/12/16 (SBC report 10/16); extension of time to report 16/2/17; report tabled 23/3/17

Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the: Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to clarify the functions of the Australian Federal Police to enable cooperation with international organisations and non-government organisations; Crimes Act 1914 to: clarify the custody notification obligations of investigating officials when they intend to question an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander; create separate offence regimes for —€˜insiders—€™ and —€˜outsiders—€™ for the disclosure of information relating to controlled operations; remove an obsolete reference to the death penalty; amend procedural requirements relating to protecting the identity of a vulnerable witness or complainant in a criminal proceeding; authorise collection, use and disclosure of information for the purposes of preventing, detecting, investigating or dealing with fraud or corruption against the Commonwealth; and enable the New South Wales Enforcement Conduct Commission to use and disclose spent conviction information; and Criminal Code Act 1995 to increase the maximum applicable penalties for breach of the general dishonesty offences.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 30/3/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 11/5/17 (SBC report 5/17); report tabled 8/8/17

Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the: Crimes Act 1914 to: insert community safety as a factor that can be taken into account to revoke the parole of a federal offender without notice; remove the requirement to seek leave before a recorded interview of a vulnerable witness can be admitted as evidence in chief; remove the requirement for vulnerable witnesses to be available to give evidence at committal proceedings; introduce mandatory minimum penalties for certain Commonwealth child sex offences and offenders; require a court to state and record the reasons for granting bail; insert a presumption against bail for certain Commonwealth child sex offenders; insert additional factors which must be taken into account when sentencing federal offenders; require the court to have regard to certain rehabilitation considerations when sentencing Commonwealth child sex offenders; insert presumptions in favour of cumulative sentences and actual terms of imprisonment for Commonwealth child sex offenders; impose certain requirements on Commonwealth child sex offenders under a recognizance release order; add —€˜residential treatment orders—€™ as a sentencing alternative for intellectually disabled offenders; allow certain information to be withheld from an offender in national security circumstances; reduce the amount of —€˜clean street time—€™ that can be credited against the outstanding sentence following commission of an offence by a person on parole and licence; and require a period of time to be served in custody if a federal offender—€™s parole order is revoked; Criminal Code Act 1995 to: clarify the scope of the definition of —€˜engage in sexual activity—€™; insert a range of new aggravated offences for child sexual abuse; insert new offences relating to —€˜grooming—€™ and the provision of electronic services to facilitate dealings with child abuse material online; increase the maximum penalties for certain Commonwealth child sex offences and breaches of reporting requirements; and insert new additional factors for mandatory consideration at sentencing; and Crimes Act 1914, Criminal Code Act 1995, Customs Act 1901 and Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to replace references to —€˜child pornography material—€™ in Commonwealth legislation with —€˜child abuse material—€™.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/9/17; Passed 19/10/17

Senate: Intro. 19/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); report tabled 16/10/17

PS Criminal Code Amendment (Animal Protection) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Back —€“ LP)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: insert new offences in relation to failure to report a visual recording of malicious cruelty to domestic animals, and interference with the conduct of lawful animal enterprises; and make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 11/2/15; 2nd reading adjourned 11/2/15

Bill referred to Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 12/2/15 (SBC report 1/15); interim report presented out of sitting 29/5/15; final report presented out of sitting 12/6/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

S Criminal Code Amendment (Firearms Trafficking) Bill 2017

(Previous title: Criminal Code Amendment (Firearms Trafficking) Bill 2016)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to provide for a mandatory minimum sentence and increased maximum penalties for the offences of trafficking firearms or firearms parts within Australia, and into and out of Australia.

Senate: Intro. 15/9/16; Passed 13/2/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 13/10/16 (SBC report 7/16); report tabled 7/11/16

Committee amendments: 3 Opp (2 as amended by 6 NXT)/passed; 3 items negatived (Opp)

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 25/10/17

CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed

[Senate reported message from House returning bill with amendments 13/11/17]

Criminal Code Amendment (Impersonating a Commonwealth Body) Bill 2017

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: introduce new offences for a person recklessly or intentionally representing themselves to be, or to be acting on behalf of, or with the authority of, a Commonwealth entity or service; and introduce a new injunction power to allow authorised persons to seek injunctive relief to prevent a person from engaging in conduct in contravention of the new offences.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/9/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); report tabled 13/11/17

PS Criminal Code Amendment (Misrepresentation of Age to a Minor) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senators Kakoschke-Moore, Griff and Xenophon —€“ NXT and Senator Hinch —€“ DHJP)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: create a criminal offence for a person over 18 years of age to intentionally misrepresent their age in online communications to a person they reasonably believe to be under 16 years of age for the purposes of encouraging a physical meeting, or with the intention of committing an offence; and impose penalties.

Senate: Intro. 12/10/16; 2nd reading adjourned 12/10/16, 10/11/16

PM Criminal Code Amendment (Private Sexual Material) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Watts MP and Ms Butler MP —€“ ALP)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert new offences in relation to the use of a carriage service for private sexual material (image-based sexual exploitation, or —€˜revenge porn—€™).

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/10/16; Removed from Notice Paper 23/5/17

PS Criminal Code Amendment (Prohibition of Full Face Coverings in Public Places) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Lambie —€“ JLN)

Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to prohibit the wearing of full face coverings in public places under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth if the threat level under the National Terrorism Threat Advisory System is higher than —€˜possible—€™.

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; 2nd reading adjourned 8/2/17, 16/2/17, 14/9/17

Criminal Code Amendment (Protecting Minors Online) Bill 2017

Amends the: Criminal Code Act 1995 to introduce an offence criminalising acts done using a carriage service to prepare or plan to cause harm to, procure, or engage in sexual activity with, a person under the age of 16; and Crimes Act 1914 and Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 13/6/17

Senate: Intro. 14/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 30/3/17 (SBC report 4/17); report tabled 13/6/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 50, 2017

Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Customs Act 1901 to: specify additional methodologies by which the minister may determine an export price during a review of anti-dumping measures for exporters who have not exported goods, or have exported low volumes of goods such that the export price cannot be reliably determined, during the period examined for the purpose of the review.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/9/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 17/10/17; Passed 19/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); report presented out of sitting 6/10/17

Assent: 30/10/17; Act No. 119, 2017

PS Customs Amendment (Safer Cladding) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Xenophon —€“ NXT)

Amends the Customs Act 1901 to prohibit the importation of polyethylene core aluminium composite panels.

Senate: Intro. 11/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 11/9/17

Customs Amendment (Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement Amendment Implementation) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement Amendment Implementation) Bill 2017 to give effect to Australia—€™s obligations under new chapters of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to: provide preferential rates of duty for certain Singaporean originating goods; and impose certain obligations on exporters and producers of Australian goods who claim preferential tariff treatment.

House of Representatives: Intro. 6/9/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; Passed 19/10/17

Committee amendments: 5 Govt/passed

[House agreed to Senate amendments 19/10/17]

Assent: 30/10/17; Act No. 120, 2017

Customs and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

(Act citation: Customs and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017)

Amends the: Customs Act 1901 to: enable regulations to be made to provide that export permits for defence and strategic goods can be revoked where, in the opinion of the Defence Minister, the exportation of those goods would prejudice Australia—€™s national security, defence or international relations; remove the requirement that the Comptroller-General of Customs enter into an interim trusted trader agreement with an entity; enable the minister to exempt certain persons from liability to pay the import declaration processing charge; extend the circumstances in which an application can be made to move, alter or interfere with goods for export that are subject to customs control; remove certain requirements and clarify provisions in relation to the making of tariff concession orders for made-to-order capital equipment; and remove unnecessary and outdated provisions; Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905 to: enable an officer to inspect and examine imported goods that they believe are goods prescribed by the Commerce (Imports) Regulations 1940; and enable the regulations to prescribe penalties for offences against those regulations; and Maritime Powers Act 2013 to clarify that powers under the Act are able to be exercised in the course of passage through or above the waters of another country in a manner consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Also repeals the Customs (Tariff Concession System Validations) Act 1999 and Import Processing Charges (Amendment and Repeal) Act 2002.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/11/16; Passed 13/2/17

Senate: Intro. 14/2/17; Passed 27/3/17

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 19, 2017

Customs Tariff Amendment Bill 2016

(Act citation: Customs Tariff Amendment Act 2017)

Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: remove the list of countries and places to which special non-reciprocal rates of customs duty apply and instead include it in the Customs Tariff Regulations 2004; remove expired safeguard provisions relating to the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement; clarify the tariff classification of certain fruits, vegetables and pastas; and clarify the end date of the Enhanced Project By-law Scheme.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/11/16; Passed 13/2/17

Senate: Intro. 14/2/17; Passed 27/3/17

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 20, 2017

Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposal and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: incorporate Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2017 to correct the customs duty rate for mosaic tiles; simplify the classification of machining centres able to perform two or more machining operations with an automatic tool change; reclassify paraquat dichloride; extend the concession for automotive prototypes and components to automotive service providers; remove the $12 000 special customs duty on used and second-hand motor vehicles; and make technical amendments to certain tariff subheadings.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/6/17; Passed 8/8/17

Senate: Intro. 9/8/17; Passed 10/8/17

Assent: 16/8/17; Act No. 82, 2017

Customs Tariff Amendment (Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement Amendment Implementation) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Customs Amendment (Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement Amendment Implementation) Bill 2017 to give effect to Australia—€™s obligations under new chapters of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: provide duty-free access for most eligible Singaporean originating goods; maintain customs duty rates for certain Singaporean originating goods; provide for excise-equivalent rates of duty on certain alcohol, tobacco and petroleum products; and repeal after three years provisions in the Act that provide for excise-equivalent rates of duty on certain alcohol, tobacco, fuel and petroleum products.

House of Representatives: Intro. 6/9/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; Passed 19/10/17

Assent: 30/10/17; Act No. 121, 2017

Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Duty Harmonisation) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Duty Harmonisation) Bill 2017, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to adjust the rate of excise-equivalent customs duty on tobacco other than stick form over four years to align it with the amount of duty applying to the average per stick tobacco content of cigarettes.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 8/8/17

Senate: Intro. 8/8/17; Passed 10/8/17

Assent: 15/8/17; Act No. 79, 2017

PS Defence Amendment (Fair Pay for Members of the ADF) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Lambie —€“ JLN)

Amends the Defence Act 1903 to link annual wage increases for members of the Australian Defence Force to whichever is the higher of increases in parliamentary allowance or the consumer price index.

Senate: Intro. 16/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 16/8/17

Defence Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017

Amends the: Defence Act 1903 to enable a policy framework to broaden and expand the conditions under which a positive test result of prohibited substances must be disregarded; Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 to: extend the application of employment, partnership and education protections to all types of Reserve service; extend the application of financial liability and bankruptcy protections to full time service that is operational service; protect reservists in the workplace from harassment or detriment including victimisation relating to their status or service as a reservist; and introduce a civil penalty regime to complement existing criminal offences; Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 and the proposed Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Act 2017 to make amendments contingent on the commencement of the Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Act 2017; Intelligence Services Act 2001, Navigation Act 2012 and Telecommunications Act 1997 to transfer hydrographic, meteorological and oceanographic functions from the Royal Australian Navy to the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation; and Australian Defence Force Cover Act 2015 to: align certain provisions with other military superannuation schemes; and clarify the definition of an eligible child of a member or invalid.

House of Representatives: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 13/9/17

Senate: Intro. 14/9/17; Passed 16/10/17

Assent: 30/10/17; Act No. 117, 2017

Defence Legislation Amendment (Instrument Making) Bill 2017

Amends the Defence Act 1903 to: replace a number of inquiry-specific regulation-making powers with a consolidated provision relating to inquiries concerning the Defence Force; repeal existing regulation-making powers to prescribe affected land in which buildings and other objects hazardous to aviation can be regulated; enable the minister to declare by legislative instrument an area to be a defence aviation area in which buildings and objects can be regulated for the purposes of removing and reducing hazards to defence aviation; subject certain regulations made in relation to defence aviation areas to monitoring under the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014; and allow for the establishment of infringement notice schemes in declared public areas by reference to standard provisions in the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; Passed 16/11/17

Assent: 30/11/17; Act No. 125, 2017

PS Defence Legislation Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2015

(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; and Air Force Act 1923 and Naval Defence Act 1910 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 4/3/15; 2nd reading adjourned 4/3/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16; 2nd reading adjourned 9/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 PHON/pending

Disability Services Amendment (Linking Upper Age Limits for Disability Employment Services to Pension Age) Bill 2017

Amends the Disability Services Act 1986 to link the upper age limit of the Disability Employment Services —€“ Disability Management Service program to the age pension eligibility age under the Social Security Act 1991.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 28/3/17

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 11/5/17

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 36, 2017

Diverted Profits Tax Bill 2017

Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Multinational Tax Avoidance) Bill 2017, the bill imposes a diverted profits tax at a rate of 40 per cent on the amount of a significant global entity—€™s diverted profits.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 21/3/17

Senate: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 16/2/17 (SBC report 2/17); report tabled 20/3/17

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 21, 2017

Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2017

Amends the: Ombudsman Act 1976 to: establish the office of the VET Student Loans Ombudsman; prescribe the functions of the ombudsman and the manner in which he or she is able to perform those functions; allow for the ombudsman to receive and investigate complaints, investigate complaints on his or her own initiative and refer complaints to other bodies; require the ombudsman to report to VET student loan scheme providers in certain circumstances; require the minister to table reports about VET loan scheme providers in the Parliament if requested to do so by the ombudsman; require the ombudsman to provide annual and certain other reports to the minister; and enable the ombudsman to provide evidence to a VET student loan provider principal executive officer that a VET student loan officer of the provider has engaged in misconduct; VET Student Loans Act 2016 to: allow the minster to specify, by legislative instrument, that the ombudsman is an external dispute resolution scheme for the purposes of the Act; and provide that all approved course providers are deemed to be members of the ombudsman if it is specified as an external dispute resolution scheme by the minister; and Australian Research Council Act 2001 to: update indexation against appropriation funding caps for existing legislated amounts; and include an additional forward estimate amount for the financial year starting on 1 July 2019.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 22/3/17

Senate: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Assent: 12/4/17; Act No. 31, 2017

Education and Training Legislation Repeal Bill 2017

Repeals the Australian Research Council (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2001, Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia—€™s Skills Needs) Act 2005, Skilling Australia—€™s Workforce Act 2005 and Skilling Australia—€™s Workforce (Repeal and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005. Also makes a consequential amendment to the Social Security Act 1991.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 17/8/17

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

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 88, 2017

Education Legislation Amendment (Provider Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to: enable the minister to specify additional matters which may be taken into consideration for the fit and proper person requirements for registration purposes; expand the scope of events that a provider must report to education services for overseas students agencies; extend information sharing provisions; and enable a 30-day payment period for late payment penalties; Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 to: enable the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) to take additional matters into account in its regulatory decision-making; introduce a requirement that providers must be fit and proper persons; expand the scope of matters about which providers must notify TEQSA; enable TEQSA to delegate its functions or powers to the Chief Executive Officer; require the accreditation of certain diplomas and certificates; and increase financial viability and transparency requirements; and Higher Education Support Act 2003 to: prohibit unscrupulous marketing practices and barriers to withdrawal from study; define a —€˜genuine student—€™ for the purposes of reporting and claiming FEE-HELP liabilities; enable the minister to vary conditions of approval for providers and determinations relating to advance payments in certain circumstances; provide for civil penalties in cases of non-compliance; subject the Act to monitoring under the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014; provide for more stringent provider application requirements; and increase financial viability and transparency requirements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 8/8/17

Senate: Intro. 9/8/17; Passed 10/8/17

Assent: 16/8/17; Act No. 83, 2017

Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2017

Introduced with the Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Amendment Bill 2017, the bill amends the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to: provide that the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) Director is responsible for working out, as opposed to setting, the amount of the TPS levy each year; and provide that the TPS Director must determine the TPS levy amount in accordance with the Act.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 6/9/17

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

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 97, 2017

Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Amendment Bill 2017

Introduced with the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2017, the bill amends the Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Act 2012 to: enable the minister to set the administrative and base fee components of the TPS levy by legislative instrument; allow an annual indexed amount to be applied to the dollar amounts for the administrative and base fee components worked out by the minister; set an upper limit which the minister cannot exceed in determining the administrative and base fee components; and require the minister to cause the amount of the indexed administrative and base fee components to be published in any manner he or she considers appropriate.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 6/9/17

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

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 98, 2017

PM Electoral Amendment (Banning Foreign Political Donations) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: prohibit the receipt of a gift which exceeds $1000 by a political party or candidate from a foreign person or a person who has not provided a statutory declaration stating that they are not a foreign person; provide that a gift received in these circumstances is a debt owing to the Commonwealth and may be recovered by the Commonwealth; and provide that a gift received in these circumstances is not unlawful if it is returned within 30 days after its receipt.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/8/17

Electoral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Implements the Government—€™s response to the recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters—€™ report The 2016 Federal Election: Interim Report on the authorisation of voter communication by amending the: Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: apply the electoral authorisation requirements to modern communication channels; require all paid electoral advertising to be authorised; require entities subject to the electoral funding and financial disclosure regime to include this information in their political communications; ensure the obligation to authorise electoral and referendum matter primarily rests with those responsible for the decision to communicate it; and replace the current criminal non-compliance regime with a civil penalty regime to be administered by the Australian Electoral Commission; Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1993, Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 to harmonise authorisation requirements across broadcasting, electoral and referendum legislation; Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act 1946 to make consequential amendments; and Criminal Code Act 1995 to introduce an offence which criminalises false representations in relation to a Commonwealth body.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 6/9/17

CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 11/9/17

Committee amendments: 5 AG/negatived; 4 NXT/negatived

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 99, 2017

S Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017

Amends the: Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to: establish public registers for key non-party political actors; require non-financial particulars, such as senior staff and discretionary government benefits, to be reported; prohibit donations from foreign governments and state-owned enterprises being used to finance public debate; require wholly political actors to verify that donations over $250 come from an organisation incorporated in Australia, or with its head office or principal place of activity in Australia, or an Australian citizen or Commonwealth elector; prohibit other regulated political actors from using donations from foreign sources to fund reportable political expenditure; limit public election funding to demonstrated electoral spending; amend the enforcement and compliance regime for political finance regulation; and enable the Electoral Commissioner to prescribe certain matters by legislative instrument; and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

Bill referred to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters 6/12/17; report due 2/3/18

PS End Cruel Cosmetics Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

Amends the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 to: prohibit the developing, manufacturing, selling, advertising or importing into Australia of cosmetics, or ingredients in cosmetics, which have been tested on live animals; and make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 18/3/14; 2nd reading adjourned 18/3/14

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015 to: amend the short title of the Act to the Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015; change the title of the Children—€™s e-Safety Commissioner to the e-Safety Commissioner; expand the role and function of the commissioner to cover Australians more generally rather than only Australian children; permit the commissioner to disclose a broader class of information to specified Commonwealth authorities; and make consequential amendments. Also makes consequential amendments to five other Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 13/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 NXT/passed

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 51, 2017

S Enhancing Online Safety (Non-consensual Sharing of Intimate Images) Bill 2017

Amends the: Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 to: prohibit the posting of, or threatening to post, an intimate image without consent on a social media service, relevant electronic service or a designated internet service; establish a complaints and objections system to be administered by the eSafety Commissioner; provide the commissioner with powers to issue removal notices or remedial directions; establish a civil penalty regime to be administered by the commissioner; and enable the commissioner to seek a civil penalty order from a relevant court, issue an infringement notice, obtain an injunction or enforce an undertaking, or issue a formal warning for contraventions of the civil penalty provisions; and Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to make a consequential amendment.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

PS Environment and Infrastructure Legislation Amendment (Stop Adani) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Waters —€“ AG)

Amends the: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to impose additional obligations on the minister in making decisions on approvals and conditions; and Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016 to: require the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to assess whether an entity is a suitable person for the purposes of providing financial assistance for Northern Australia economic infrastructure; and provide that, in undertaking an assessment, the facility consults with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Crime Commission. Also provides for a review of certain existing approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in relation to the Adani group.

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/6/17, 15/6/17, 19/10/17

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); report tabled 14/9/17

PS Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Prohibition of Live Imports of Primates for Research) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to prohibit the import of live primates for research purposes.

Senate: Intro. 17/9/15; 2nd reading adjourned 17/9/15

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 15/10/15 (SBC report 13/15); report tabled 15/3/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

Excise Levies Legislation Amendment (Honey) Bill 2016

Introduced with the Agriculture and Water Resources Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, the bill amends the National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Act 1998 and Primary Industries (Excise) Levy Act 1999 to remove obsolete regulatory requirements in relation to the sale of honey.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; Passed 13/2/17

Senate: Intro. 14/2/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/2/17

Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Duty Harmonisation) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Duty Harmonisation) Bill 2017, the bill amends the Excise Tariff Act 1921 to adjust the rate of excise duty on tobacco other than stick form over four years to align it with the amount of duty applying to the average per stick tobacco content of cigarettes.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 8/8/17

Senate: Intro. 8/8/17; Passed 10/8/17

Assent: 15/8/17; Act No. 80, 2017

S Export Control Bill 2017

Streamlines and consolidates existing legislation to create a framework for regulating the export of goods, including agricultural products and food, from Australian territory.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Support for Commonwealth Entities) Bill 2017

(Previous title: Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Support for Commonwealth Entities) Bill 2016)

Amends the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act 1991 to: expand the functions of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (Efic) to include the provision of services to Commonwealth entities and companies, subject to ministerial approval; and expand Efic—€™s powers to enable direct lending to a wider range of small to medium sized enterprises.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/11/16; Passed 22/6/17

CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 8/8/17; Passed 6/9/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 24/11/16 (SBC report 9/16); report tabled 7/2/17

Committee amendments: 5 Opp/passed; 4 AG/negatived

[House agreed to Senate amendments 6/9/17]

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 100, 2017

Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting Benefits) Bill 2017

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: introduce a criminal offence for giving a registered organisation, or person associated with a registered organisation, a corrupting benefit; introduce a criminal offence for receiving or soliciting a corrupting benefit; introduce a criminal offence for certain national system employers to provide, offer or promise to provide cash or in kind payments, other than certain legitimate payments, to employee organisations or prohibited beneficiaries; introduce a criminal offence for soliciting, receiving, obtaining or agreeing to obtain any such prohibited payment; and require bargaining representatives for a proposed enterprise agreement to disclose certain financial benefits.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/3/17; Passed 23/5/17

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 AG to Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 9/8/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 23/3/17 (SBC report 3/17); report tabled 9/5/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 17 Opp (2 as amended by 3 Govt)/passed; 3 LDP/passed; 2 subsections negatived (LDP); 3 Opp/negatived; 2 PHON/negatived

[House agreed to Senate amendments 10/8/17]

Assent: 16/8/17; Act No. 84, 2017

PS Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Waters —€“ AG)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: remove restrictions on employees—€™ rights to disclose the amount of, or information about, their pay or earnings; and prohibit employers from taking adverse action against employees for disclosing this information.

Senate: Intro. 17/9/15; 2nd reading adjourned 17/9/15

Bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 15/10/15 (SBC report 13/15); report due 12/5/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

Bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 1/9/16 (SBC report 5/16); extension of time to report 10/11/16; report tabled 30/11/16

PM Fair Work Amendment (Pay Protection) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to require employers to pay a base rate of pay, full rate of pay and any casual loading that is not less than the relevant award or national minimum wage for employees covered by an enterprise agreement.

House of Representatives: Intro. 28/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 15/8/17

PS Fair Work Amendment (Pay Protection) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to require employers to pay a base rate of pay, full rate of pay and any casual loading that is not less than the relevant award or national minimum wage for employees covered by an enterprise agreement.

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 29/3/17

Bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 30/3/17 (SBC report 4/17); extensions of time to report 15/6/17, 4/9/17; report tabled 6/9/17

Provisions of bill and related matters referred to Senate Education and Employment References Committee 19/6/17; report presented out of sitting 4/10/17

PS Fair Work Amendment (Penalty Rates Exemption for Small Businesses) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP and Senator Day —€“ FFP)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to remove the requirement that certain small businesses pay penalty rates unless the work is performed on a weekend and is in addition to 38 hours of work over a seven day period, is in addition to ten hours of work in a 24-hour period, or is performed on a public holiday.

Senate: Intro. 13/8/15; 2nd reading adjourned 13/8/15, 17/9/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

PS Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Australian Workers) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Cameron —€“ ALP)

Amends the: Fair Work Act 2009 to: clarify the application of the Act to migrants; require Fair Work Information Statements to contain certain information; provide additional protection from adverse action in certain circumstances; introduce a —€˜reasonable person—€™ test in determining whether an employer has engaged in sham contracting; enable the court to make orders requiring directors of phoenix companies to pay amounts owed by failed companies and orders disqualifying certain persons from managing corporations; increase maximum penalties for certain breaches of the Act; and introduce new offences for serious contraventions of the Act that involve the use of coercion or threats; and Corporations Act 2001 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 15/3/16; 2nd reading adjourned 15/3/16

Bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 17/3/16 (SBC report 4/16); report due 10/5/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

PM Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Christmas) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to amend the National Employment Standards to require that people who work on Christmas Day and New Year—€™s Day receive public holiday penalty rates, regardless of whether the state or territory in which they reside has declared these dates as public holidays.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 20/6/17

PM Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Shorten MP —€“ ALP)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: ensure that modern awards cannot be varied to reduce penalty rates or the hours to which penalties rates apply if the variation is likely to result in a reduction in the take-home pay of an employee; and provide that any such determination made by the Fair Work Commission made on or after 22 February 2017 is of no effect.

House of Representatives: Intro. 20/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 20/3/17, 27/3/17, 22/5/17, 29/5/17, 19/6/17

Federation Chamber: Referred 4/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/17; 2nd reading amendment: 1 Nats/pending

PS Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take-Home Pay) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Cameron —€“ ALP, Senator Di Natale —€“ AG and Senator Lambie —€“ JLN)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: ensure that modern awards cannot be varied to reduce penalty rates or the hours to which penalties rates apply if the variation is likely to result in a reduction in the take-home pay of an employee; and provide that any such determination made by the Fair Work Commission made on or after 22 February 2017 is of no effect.

Senate: Intro. 21/3/17; Passed 30/3/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/3/17; Read a 1st time 31/3/17

PM Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay of All Workers) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Christensen MP —€“ Nats)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: ensure that penalty rates in a modern award cannot be varied to make the penalty rate lower than that in force under the award on 30 June 2017; provide that any such determination made by the Fair Work Commission made on or after 22 February 2017 is of no effect; and ensure that penalty rates cannot be reduced in any future greenfields or non-greenfields enterprise agreement if an employee is worse off than they would have been under the award, by virtue of the fact that the employee works only or mainly on days on which penalty rates are paid.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/17

Bill referred to House Employment, Education and Training Committee 22/6/17 (SC report no. 13)

Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: increase maximum civil penalties for certain serious contraventions of the Act; hold franchisors and holding companies responsible for certain contraventions of the Act by their franchisees or subsidiaries where they knew or ought reasonably to have known of the contraventions and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent them; clarify the prohibition on employers unreasonably requiring their employees to make payments in relation to the performance of work; provide the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) with evidence-gathering powers similar to those available to corporate regulators such as the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission; and prohibit the hindering or obstructing of the FWO or an inspector in the performance of his or her functions or powers, or the giving of false or misleading information or documents.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/3/17; Passed 11/5/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 18 AG/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 4/9/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 23/3/17 (SBC report 3/17); report tabled 9/5/17

Committee amendments: 5 Govt/passed; 16 Opp (1 as amended)/passed; 25 Opp/negatived; 3 AG/negatived; 6 LDP-AC/negatived; 1 Opp/withdrawn

[House agreed to Senate amendments 5/9/17]

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 101, 2017

PM Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Weekend Pay and Penalty Rates) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: ensure that penalty rates in a modern award cannot be varied to make the penalty rate lower than that in force under the award on 1 January 2017; and provide that any such determination made by the Fair Work Commission made on or after 22 February 2017 is of no effect.

House of Representatives: Intro. 20/3/17; Removed from Notice Paper 17/10/17

PM Fair Work Amendment (Recovering Unpaid Superannuation) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Ms Sharkie MP —€“ NXT)

Amends the: Fair Work Act 2009 to: allow for minimum standards under the National Employment Standards to relate to superannuation contributions; and require employers to provide information to employees in relation to employer superannuation contributions for each pay period; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to: clarify that amounts contributed to a superannuation fund by an employee or Retirement Savings Account under a salary sacrifice arrangement are not employer contributions; remove the current exemption for employers not to make superannuation contributions to employees who are paid less than $450 in a calendar month; remove certain restrictions on choice of superannuation fund; and provide for a review of employers—€™ compliance with superannuation payment obligations by the Commissioner of Taxation; Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to create a duty for trustees of superannuation entities to take reasonable steps to notify their members when it could reasonably have expected them to have received a contribution from an employer, but did not; and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to require additional information to be provided to the commissioner in annual member information statements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 11/9/17

Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Reviews and Other Measures)
Bill 2017

Amends the: Fair Work Act 2009 to respond to recommendations of the Productivity Commission—€™s final report into the Workplace Relations Framework by: removing the requirement for the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to conduct 4 yearly reviews of modern awards from the beginning of 1 January 2018; and enabling the FWC to overlook minor procedural or technical errors when approving an enterprise agreement, if it is satisfied that those errors were not likely to have disadvantaged employees; and Fair Work Act 2009 and Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 to respond to recommendations of the Report of Inquiry into Complaints about the Honourable Vice President Michael Lawler of the Fair Work Commission and Related Matters by applying the complaint-handling powers of the Minister for Employment and the President of the FWC to FWC members who formerly held office in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, and applying the Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Act 2012 in relation to FWC members.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/3/17; Passed 20/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 4 Govt/passed; 4 Opp/negatived; 3 AG/negatived

Senate: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 4/12/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 23/3/17 (SBC report 3/17); report presented out of sitting 22/5/17

Committee amendments: 2 Opp/passed

[House reported message from Senate returning bill with amendments 4/12/17]

PM Fair Work Amendment (Terminating Enterprise Agreements) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: provide that the Fair Work Commission must not consider it appropriate to terminate an enterprise agreement if the terms and conditions of employment of any employee covered by the agreement would, immediately after the termination, be less favourable than the employee—€™s terms and conditions of employment immediately before the termination; and invalidate any decision of the commission to terminate an agreement since 22 April 2015, if the decision would not have met the new requirements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 11/9/17

Fair Work Laws Amendment (Proper Use of Worker Benefits) Bill 2017

Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to: prohibit terms of a modern award or an enterprise agreement requiring or permitting contributions for the benefit of an employee to be made to any fund other than a superannuation fund, a registered worker entitlement fund or a registered charity; require any term of a modern award or enterprise agreement that names a worker entitlement fund or insurance product to provide for an employee to choose another fund or insurance product; prohibit any term of a modern award, enterprise agreement or contract of employment permitting or requiring employee contributions to an election fund for an industrial association; and prohibit any action with the intent to coerce an employer to pay amounts to a particular worker entitlement fund, superannuation fund, training fund, welfare fund or employee insurance scheme; Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 to: require registered organisations to adopt, and periodically review, financial management policies; require registered organisations to keep credit card records and report certain loans, grants and donations; require specific disclosure by registered organisations and employers of the financial benefits obtained by them and persons linked to them in connection with employee insurance products, welfare fund arrangements and training fund arrangements; and introduce a range of new penalties relating to compliance with financial management, disclosure and reporting requirements; and Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; Passed 26/10/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 19/10/17 (SBC report 12/17); report presented out of sitting 10/11/17

Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2017

Amends the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 to: include certain serious criminal offences as a new category of —€˜prescribed offence—€™ for the purposes of the automatic disqualification regime in relation to registered organisations; establish an offence for a disqualified person to continue to act as an official or in a way that influences the affairs of an organisation; allow the Federal Court to prohibit officials from holding office in certain circumstances or if they are otherwise not a fit and proper person; allow the Federal Court to cancel the registration of an organisation on a range of grounds; allow applications to be made to the Federal Court for a range of other orders; expand the grounds on which the Federal Court may order remedial action to deal with governance issues in an organisation; expressly provide that the Federal Court may appoint an administrator to an organisation or part of an organisation as part of a remedial scheme; introduce a public interest test for amalgamations of registered organisations; and make minor and technical amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/8/17; Passed 16/10/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 17/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 17/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); interim report presented out of sitting 6/10/17; final report presented out of sitting 12/10/17

Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill 2016

Amends the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 to: provide that parental leave pay under the Paid Parental Leave scheme will only be provided to parents who have no employer-provided paid primary carer leave, or whose employer-provided paid primary carer leave is for a period less than 18 weeks or is paid at a rate below the full-time national minimum wage; remove the requirement for employers to provide paid parental leave to eligible employees, unless an employer chooses to manage the payment to employees and the employees agree for the employer to pay them; extend the application of the four-week backdating rule; modify the paid parental leave work test to take into account the circumstances of pregnant women in hazardous occupations and to extend the permissible break from eight to 12 weeks; and make amendments contingent on the commencement of the proposed Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Act 2016.

House of Representatives: Intro. 20/10/16; Discharged from Notice Paper 10/5/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 15/2/17

Family Assistance and Child Support Legislation Amendment (Protecting Children) Bill 2017

Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 to: extend the interim period that applies for recently-established court-ordered care arrangements; and provide incentives for the person with increased care to take reasonable action to participate in family dispute resolution where a care dispute relates to an older court order, a parenting plan or a written agreement; Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 to: allow the Child Support Registrar to take into account an amended tax assessment in an administrative assessment of child support in certain circumstances; allow courts to set aside child support agreements made before 1 July 2008; and allow all child support agreements to be set aside without having to go to court if certain circumstances change; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 and Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 to: align the methods for recovery of a child support overpayment from a payee with the methods for recovering a child support debt from a payer; provide that all backdated reductions to a child support assessment collected will be recoverable; and insert new backdating provisions for retrospectively creating a child support overpayment or underpayment due to a change of circumstances; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: provide that an individual will have their FTB Part A daily rate reduced by approximately $2.02 per day if their child does not meet the health check requirements under the Healthy Start for School initiative before their fifth birthday or if they do not comply with the immunisation requirements for their child; and allow the secretary to require that requests for certain exemptions from the immunisation requirements be made in a particular form and manner, contain any information and be accompanied by any documents required by the secretary.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/17

Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Act 2017)

Introduced with the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Family Payments Structural Reform and Participation Measures) Bill 2016, the bill amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: cease the child care benefit (CCB) and child care rebate; introduce a child care subsidy (CCS) which is subject to both an income and activity test; introduce various rates of additional child care subsidy (ACCS) that are available in certain circumstances; and make amendments in relation to CCS and ACCS claims, reviews of decisions, provider approvals, and compliance obligations of approved providers of child care services; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to provide that the current vaccination and immunisation details and schedules may be applied, adopted or incorporated in a minister—€™s determination; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 in relation to: circumstances in which applications for approval of a child care service are taken not to have been made; backdating of CCB service approvals; reassessments of child care service conditions of continued approval; and cessation of enrolment advances; A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 in relation to goods and services tax treatment of new child care funding programs; and A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999, Early Years Quality Fund Special Account Act 2013, Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Passed 22/3/17

Senate: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 23/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 15/9/16 (SBC report 6/16); report tabled 10/10/16; corrigendum presented out of sitting 20/10/16

Committee amendments: 14 DHJP/passed; 5 LDP/negatived

Committee requests for amendments: 8 AG/negatived

[House agreed to Senate amendments 27/3/17]

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 22, 2017

S Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the: Family Law Act 1975 to: provide for courts to be prescribed in regulations as having the same family law parenting jurisdiction as state and territory courts of summary jurisdiction; provide for regulations to prescribe an increased total property value under which relevant courts can hear contested family law property matters without the parties—€™ consent; provide that a court may give short-form reasons for decisions relating to interim parenting orders; provide family law courts with an explicit power to dismiss unmeritorious applications; provide judges the discretion to dispense with requirements to explain an order or injunction to a child where it would be in the best interests of the child; remove the 21 day time limit on the revival, variation or suspension of family law orders by state and territory courts in family violence order proceedings; provide that a breach of a family law injunction for personal protection is a criminal offence; remove self-induced intoxication as a defence against charges relating to family violence; provide that criminal responsibility does not extend to the person protected by an injunction for personal protection if their conduct results in a breach of the injunction; provide for state and territory courts to revive, vary or suspend an injunction for personal protection when hearing a proceeding for a breach of that injunction; and repeal a redundant provision that permits a court to make an order relieving a party to a marriage from an obligation to perform marital services or render conjugal rights; and Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999 to make a consequential amendment.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 7/12/17 (SBC report 15/17); report due 20/4/18

S Family Law Amendment (Parenting Management Hearings) Bill 2017

Amends: the Family Law Act 1975 to: establish the Parenting Management Hearings Panel as an independent statutory authority to provide self-represented litigants with an alternative to the court process for resolving parenting disputes; 11 Acts to make consequential amendments; and various Acts contingent on the commencement of the proposed Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2017, proposed Family Assistance and Child Support Legislation Amendment (Protecting Children) Act 2017 and proposed Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2017.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 7/12/17 (SBC report 15/17); report due 26/3/18

Family Trust Distribution Tax (Primary Liability) Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Family Trust Distribution Tax (Primary Liability) Act 1998 to increase from 47 per cent to 47.5 per cent the rate of family trust distribution tax.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Farm Household Support Act 2014 to: provide that recipients of Farm Household Allowance (FHA) are not required to serve an ordinary waiting period or liquid assets waiting period (if applicable) before they can commence receiving the FHA; broaden the meaning of a —€˜farm asset—€™ to include any asset which is used or held wholly or mainly for the purpose of a farm enterprise; specify water entitlement rights as a newly included class of farm asset; provide for the minister to make rules to exclude certain kinds of asset from the definition of a farm asset; and define the meaning of —€˜water entitlement right—€™.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 1/3/17

Senate: Intro. 20/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 23, 2017

Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Crisis Resolution Powers and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Banking Act 1959, Insurance Act 1973, Life Insurance Act 1995 and five other Acts to give the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority additional powers for crisis resolution and resolution planning in relation to regulated entities, including in relation to: statutory and judicial management; directions powers; transfer powers; conversion and write-off of capital instruments; stay provisions; foreign branches; the Financial Claims Scheme; and wind-up and other matters.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17); report due 9/2/18

First Home Super Saver Tax Bill 2017

Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 1) Bill 2017 to establish the First Home Super Saver Scheme, the bill imposes a first home super saver tax on individuals who have not entered into a contract to purchase or construct their first home or recontributed the required amount into superannuation.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 18/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; Passed 5/12/17

Assent: 13/12/17; Act No. 133, 2017

S Fisheries Legislation Amendment (Representation) Bill 2017

Amends the: Fisheries Administration Act 1991 to: provide that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) must have regard to the objective of ensuring that the interests of commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishers are taken into account in the performance of its functions; provide an additional eligibility criteria for AFMA commissioners of expertise in matters relating to recreational or Indigenous fishing; provide restrictions on the appointment of commissioners who hold an executive position in a fishing representative organisation; increase the maximum size of management advisory committees from seven to ten (in addition to the Chair and the AFMA staff member); and require AFMA to try as far as practical to have memberships of commercial and recreational fishers on management advisory committees; and Fisheries Management Act 1991 to provide that the minister, AFMA and Joint Authorities established under the Act must have regard to ensuring that the interests of commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishers are taken into account in the performance of their functions.

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 10/8/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/8/17; Passed 26/10/17

Assent: 6/11/17; Act No. 123, 2017

PS Foreign Acquisitions Amendment (Agricultural Land) Bill 2010 [2013]

(Introduced by Senator Xenophon —€“ Ind and Senator Milne —€“ AG)

Amends the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 to: implement a national interest test to be applied against proposed foreign acquisitions of agricultural land; require any interest in agricultural land greater than five hectares to be notified to the Treasurer; require online publication of information about foreign acquisitions of interest in agricultural land; and impose penalties for not notifying the Treasurer of a proposed acquisition.

Senate: Intro. 24/11/10; 2nd reading adjourned 24/11/10, 22/9/11, 28/2/13

Bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 10/2/11 (SBC report 1/11); report tabled 16/6/11

Lapsed due to prorogation of 43rd Parliament 11/11/13

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 10/12/13

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

PM Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment (Strategic Assets) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Amends the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 to prevent foreign persons or entities from acquiring a 10 per cent or greater interest in Australian land, water or other assets that are of strategic economic or strategic defensive significance to Australia.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/10/16; Removed from Notice Paper 28/3/17

Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Fee Streamlining and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Act 2015 to: simplify the commercial fee framework; and increase fees for residential property purchases by 10 per cent for acquisitions of $10 million or less.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 20/6/17

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

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 69, 2017

Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Vacancy Fees) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017, the bill amends the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Act 2015 to impose vacancy fees on foreign acquisitions of residential land.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 18/10/17

Senate: Intro. 19/10/17; Passed 15/11/17

Assent: 30/11/17; Act No. 127, 2017

Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017

Introduced with the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Charges Imposition) Bill 2017, the bill establishes the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme to: require registration by certain persons undertaking certain activities on behalf of a foreign principal; require registrants to disclose information about the nature of their relationship with the foreign principal and activities undertaken pursuant to that relationship; place additional disclosure requirements on registrants during elections and other voting periods; establish a register of scheme information and provide for certain information to be made publicly available; provide the secretary with powers to obtain information and documents; and establish various penalties for non-compliance with the scheme.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

Bill referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 8/12/17; report due by February 2018

Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Charges Imposition) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017, the bill imposes a charge on applications for registration or renewal of registration under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

PS Freedom to Marry Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP)

Amends the: Marriage Act 1961 to: define marriage as a union of two people; clarify that authorised celebrants are not bound to solemnise marriage; and remove the prohibition of the recognition of same sex marriages solemnised in a foreign country; and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to make consequential amendments. Also includes a regulation making power so that consequential amendments can be made to other Acts.

Senate: Intro. 13/9/16; 2nd reading adjourned 13/9/16

Fringe Benefits Tax Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Fringe Benefits Tax Act 1986 to increase from 47 per cent to 47.5 per cent the rate of fringe benefits tax.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Bill 2017

Enables the Federal Circuit Court of Australia or the Federal Court of Australia to grant an injunction or order payment of compensation in relation to a contravention of the relevant Commonwealth Procurement Rules, so far as those rules relate to a covered procurement.

House of Representatives: Intro. 25/5/17; 2nd reading adjourned 25/5/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 15/6/17 (SBC report 6/17); report presented out of sitting 4/8/17

PS Great Australian Bight Environment Protection Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Hanson-Young —€“ AG)

Prohibits mining activities, including prospecting or exploring for minerals or other geological material, in the Great Australian Bight marine area.

Senate: Intro. 15/9/16; 2nd reading adjourned 15/9/16

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 13/10/16 (SBC report 7/16); report tabled 30/3/17

S Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Authority Governance and Other Matters) Bill 2017

Amends the: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to: replace the existing full-time Chairperson of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority position with a part-time Chairperson and full-time Chief Executive Officer; establish an additional part-time member position; specify the skills required for the appointment of members; limit the number of consecutive terms able to be served by an individual member; provide for termination of members by the Governor-General for underperformance; require that any other paid work undertaken by a part-time member does not conflict with the proper performance of their duties as a member of the authority; and make a minor technical amendment; and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 to rectify an unintended consequence of the sunsetting regime established under the Legislation Act 2003 by providing that plans of management are not revoked when regulations giving effect to the enforcement provisions of the plan are repealed.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 15/8/17

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/negatived; 1 AG to Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 16/8/17; Passed 16/8/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 89, 2017

PS Guardian for Unaccompanied Children Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Hanson-Young —€“ AG)

The bill: establishes the Office of the Guardian for Unaccompanied Non-citizen Children and provides for the appointment, functions and powers of the guardian, and for staff, consultants and reporting requirements; and amends the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 and Migration Act 1958 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 16/7/14; 2nd reading adjourned 16/7/14

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 28/8/14 (SBC report 10/14); interim report presented out of sitting 5/2/15; final report tabled 9/2/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Amendment Bill 2016

(Act citation: Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Amendment Act 2017)

Introduced with the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Levy Bill 2016, the bill amends the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 to: enable full cost recovery under the hazardous waste permit scheme; remove the requirement for particulars of certain export applications to be specified in the regulations prior to a decision being made; remove the requirement to specify the place of export in a Basel export permit; remove the $8000 cap on the prescribed fee amount for permit applications; enable indexation of permit fees; provide that certain permit and application information currently required to be published in the Commonwealth Gazette will instead be published on the Department of Environment and Energy—€™s website; introduce new permit and notification arrangements for the bringing of hazardous waste into Australia; enable the minister to delegate any or all of his or her functions and powers under the Act to Executive Level 2 employees; remove the text of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal; provide that permit applications must be accompanied by a levy; and make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/11/16; Passed 7/2/17

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 9/2/17

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 8, 2017

Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Levy Bill 2016

(Act citation: Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Levy Act 2017)

Introduced with the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Amendment Bill 2016, the bill imposes a levy on hazardous waste permit applications under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/11/16; Passed 7/2/17

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 9/2/17

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 9, 2017

Health Insurance Amendment (National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2017

Amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to: provide for the appointment and functions of a National Rural Health Commissioner to develop and advise the minister responsible for rural health on a National Rural Generalist Pathway; provide for the commissioner—€™s office to cease on 1 July 2020; abolish the Medical Training Review Panel; and remove the requirement for reviews of the Medicare provider number legislation.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 20/3/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 1 Ind (McGowan)/passed; 2 Ind (McGowan)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 14/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/passed

Committee amendments: 6 Govt/passed

[House agreed to Senate amendments 21/6/17]

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 70, 2017

PM High Speed Rail Planning Authority Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Albanese MP —€“ ALP)

Establishes a High Speed Rail Planning Authority to advise on, plan and develop high speed rail on the east coast of Australia.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 20/6/17

PS High Speed Rail Planning Authority Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Farrell —€“ ALP)

Establishes a High Speed Rail Planning Authority to advise on, plan and develop high speed rail on the east coast of Australia.

Senate: Intro. 4/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/17

Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017

Amends the: Higher Education Support Act 2003 to: increase the maximum student contributions by 1.8 per cent for four years from 2018; adjust the Commonwealth contribution amounts from 2018 to 2021 to reflect the increased student contribution amounts; apply an efficiency dividend of 2.5 per cent per annum to grants under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS) in 2018 and 2019; extend the medical student loading to include veterinary science and dentistry units of study from 2018; expand the demand driven funding system to include approved sub-bachelor courses at public universities from 2018; require enabling course students to pay a student contribution amount for any units of study with census dates on or after 1 January 2018; allocate enabling courses on a cyclical basis through a three-year tender process from 2019; introduce performance-contingent funding under the CGS; reduce the Higher Education Loan Program minimum repayment income to $41 999 and replace the current repayment thresholds with new ones, including additional repayment thresholds and rates; index repayment thresholds to the consumer price index rather than average weekly earnings; restructure the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program to include new student loading for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, annual performance funding and grants for a National Priorities Pool; and make minor and technical amendments; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to make consequential amendments; and Higher Education Support Act 2003 and VET Student Loans Act 2016 to: extend access to student loans to most Australian permanent residents and most New Zealand citizens while removing their entitlement to a Commonwealth supported place from 1 January 2018; and preserve current eligibility arrangements for several cohorts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/5/17; Passed 13/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 3 Ind (McGowan)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 11/5/17 (SBC report 5/17); report tabled 9/8/17

Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Act 2010, Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 and Intelligence Services Act 2001 to: give effect to the allocation of certain ministerial powers following the establishment of a new Home Affairs portfolio; and make changes relating to the Attorney-General—€™s oversight of intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

Bill referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 8/12/17; report due by February 2018

S Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to: amend section 18C, which prohibits offensive behaviour based on racial hatred, to replace the words —€˜offend—€™, —€˜insult—€™ and —€˜humiliate—€™ with —€˜harass—€™ (resulting in the formulation —€˜harass or intimidate—€™); and provide that an assessment of whether an act is reasonably likely to harass or intimidate a person or group of persons is made against the standard of a reasonable member of the Australian community; Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 to: replace the defined term of —€˜alleged unlawful discrimination—€™ with —€˜alleged acts, omissions or practices—€™; repeal the requirement for the President and commissioners to act in a way that promotes the collegiate nature of the Australian Human Rights Commission; provide that certain powers to report to the minister must be exercised by the President; expressly provide that the President is responsible for managing the administrative affairs, and is the accountable authority, of the commission; remove mandatory requirements to report to the minister on certain matters and replace them with discretionary reporting powers; provide that the President cannot delegate certain powers; introduce new grounds on which the commission or the President may or must close inquiries or terminate complaints; require the commission to act fairly in the performance of its inquiry functions; increase the threshold for lodging complaints; require the President to consider whether a complaint should be terminated on certain grounds before starting to inquire into the complaint; require the President to act fairly in his or her handling of complaints; allow the President to terminate complaints lodged more than six months after the alleged unlawful discrimination; require the inclusion of a note about the costs jurisdiction of the Federal Court (FC) and the Federal Circuit Court (FCC) in a notice of termination; prescribe procedures for voluntary conciliation conferences; and provide that applications may be made to the FC or FCC in relation to complaints terminated on certain grounds; and Native Title Act 1993 to replace the mandatory requirement for the Social Justice Commissioner to provide an annual report to the minister with a discretion to report when he or she sees fit.

Senate: Intro. 22/3/17; Passed 31/3/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 23/3/17 (SBC report 3/17); report tabled 28/3/17

Committee amendments: 11 Govt/passed; 1 Schedule negatived (Opp); 2 Govt/negatived; 4 Opp/negatived; 3 AG/negatived; 7 items opposed (AG)/items agreed to

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/3/17; Passed 31/3/17

Assent: 12/4/17; Act No. 32, 2017

Imported Food Control Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Imported Food Control Act 1992 to: require a food safety management certificate from importers of certain foods where at-border testing alone is insufficient to provide assurance of food safety; enable food to be held at the border where there is uncertainty about the safety of a particular food and where the scientific approach to verify its safety is not established; provide additional powers to monitor and manage new and emerging risks; recognise a foreign country—€™s food safety regulatory system where it is equivalent to Australia—€™s food safety system; establish differentiated enforcement provisions to enable a graduated approach to non-compliance; require importers of food to keep records to enable traceability of food; and make technical amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 1/6/17

Imported Food Control Amendment (Country of Origin) Bill 2017

Amends the Imported Food Control Act 1992 to incorporate the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016 by reference.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/17

Income Tax Rates Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to increase from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent the rate of tax imposed on superannuation contributions when no tax file number has been provided.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Income Tax Rates Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Reform) Bill 2016

see also Income Tax Rates Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Reform) Bill 2016 (No. 2)

Part of a package of four bills in relation to tax arrangements for working holiday makers, the bill amends the Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to apply a 19 per cent income tax rate to assessable income derived by working holiday makers on amounts up to $37 000, with ordinary tax rates applying for taxable income exceeding this amount.

House of Representatives: Intro. 12/10/16; Passed 17/10/16

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/11/16; Agreed to subject to requests 24/11/16

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 13/10/16 (SBC report 7/16); extension of time to report 7/11/16; report tabled 9/11/16

Committee requests for amendments: 2 JLN/passed; 2 AG/negatived

[House did not make Senate requests for amendments 24/11/16; Senate reported message from House informing that it had not made the Senate requests for amendments 28/11/16]

Income Tax (TFN Withholding Tax (ESS)) Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Income Tax (TFN Withholding Tax (ESS)) Act 2009 to increase from 47 per cent to 47.5 per cent the rate of tax imposed on employees who receive an employee share scheme (ESS) interest under an ESS and have not provided an Australian Business Number or tax file number.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

PS Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (Improved Oversight and Resourcing) Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Wright —€“ AG)

Amends the: Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Act 2010 to: enable the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor to review proposed counter-terrorism and national security legislation; require the monitor to consider whether counter-terrorism and national security legislation is a proportionate response to the national security threat faced; enable Legal and Constitutional Affairs Senate committees and the Human Rights Commission to refer matters to the monitor for inquiry; require all reports of the monitor to be tabled and the government to respond to any recommendations within six months; ensure that the position of monitor is a full time position; establish the Office of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor as a statutory agency and a listed entity; and provide for staff; and Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 to enable the Human Rights Commission to refer matters to the monitor for inquiry.

Senate: Intro. 3/12/14; 2nd reading adjourned 3/12/14

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 4/12/14 (SBC report 16/14); report tabled 17/6/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Bill 2017

Introduced with the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017, the bill: establishes the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority as an independent statutory authority with responsibilities in relation to expenses and allowances of parliamentarians and their staff; provides for the Authority—€™s functions, powers, liabilities, membership, and appointment of a chief executive officer and staff; and provides for an independent review of the Authority.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 15/2/17

CID amendments: 5 NXT/negatived

Senate: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 16/2/17

2nd reading amendments: 4 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived; 6 NXT/negatived; 18 Macdonald/negatived

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 2, 2017

Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Bill 2017, the bill amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to provide exemptions for the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority in relation to documents requesting that the Authority give personal advice relating to parliamentary work-related travel expenses to parliamentarians and their staff, and any other documents in relation to the performance of those functions.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 15/2/17

Senate: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 16/2/17

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 3, 2017

Industrial Chemicals Bill 2017

Part of a package of six bills to establish a new national regulatory scheme for industrial chemicals, the bill establishes a legislative framework for the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) by: establishing the scheme and an Executive Director; defining an industrial chemical; requiring introducers of industrial chemicals to be registered; establishing a system of risk-based categorisation of industrial chemical introductions; providing a framework for the initiation of evaluations of industrial chemicals; establishing the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals; specifying certain information and reporting obligations; enabling the protection of confidential business information; enabling AICIS to monitor compliance; implementing Australian obligations under certain international agreements; and establishing the power for the minister to make rules. Also bans animal testing for new chemical ingredients of cosmetics from 1 July 2018.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 17/10/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 9 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/6/17; extensions of time to report 13/6/17, 15/6/17; report tabled 8/8/17

Industrial Chemicals Charges (Customs) Bill 2017

Part of a package of six bills to establish a new national regulatory scheme for industrial chemicals, the bill imposes an annual charge on the registration of introducers of industrial chemicals, to the extent that it is a duty of customs.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/6/17; extensions of time to report 13/6/17, 15/6/17; report tabled 8/8/17

Industrial Chemicals Charges (Excise) Bill 2017

Part of a package of six bills to establish a new national regulatory scheme for industrial chemicals, the bill imposes an annual charge on the registration of introducers of industrial chemicals, to the extent that it is a duty of excise.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/6/17; extensions of time to report 13/6/17, 15/6/17; report tabled 8/8/17

Industrial Chemicals Charges (General) Bill 2017

Part of a package of six bills to establish a new national regulatory scheme for industrial chemicals, the bill imposes an annual charge on the registration of introducers of industrial chemicals, to the extent that it is neither a duty of customs nor a duty of excise.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/6/17; extensions of time to report 13/6/17, 15/6/17; report tabled 8/8/17

Industrial Chemicals (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017

Part of a package of six bills to establish a new national regulatory scheme for industrial chemicals, the bill: repeals the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989, Industrial Chemicals (Registration Charge—€”Customs) Act 1997, Industrial Chemicals (Registration Charge—€”Excise) Act 1997 and Industrial Chemicals (Registration Charge—€”General) Act 1997; makes consequential amendments to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994, Criminal Code Act 1995 and Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997; and provides for transitional arrangements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/6/17; extensions of time to report 13/6/17, 15/6/17; report tabled 8/8/17

Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Amendment Bill 2017

Part of a package of six bills to establish a new national regulatory scheme for industrial chemicals, the bill amends the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 to: amend the definition of a new synthetic polymer to align it with international approaches to regulation; amend the notification requirements for new chemicals; exempt polymers of low concern from notification requirements; remove certain annual reporting requirements; and make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 17/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 1/6/17; extensions of time to report 13/6/17, 15/6/17; report tabled 8/8/17

PM Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Social Sustainability) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Ms McGowan MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 to require Infrastructure Australia to consider the social and economic needs of rural and regional communities when providing advice on nationally significant infrastructure.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/2/17; Removed from Notice Paper 5/9/17

Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016

(Act citation: Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017)

Implements the Government—€™s response to the recommendations of the 2015 Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering, the bill amends the: Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to: clarify the services to which the Act applies by recognising prohibited interactive gambling services and regulated interactive gambling services; prohibit a person providing regulated interactive gambling services to Australians unless the person holds a licence under the law of an Australian state and territory; introduce a civil penalty regime to be enforced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA); prohibit —€˜click to call—€™ in-play betting services; streamline complaints handling and investigation processes; establish a register of eligible regulated interactive gambling services to be published on the ACMA website; and enable the minister to determine by legislative instrument that a specific thing is, or is not, a sporting event for the purposes of the Act; Interactive Gambling Regulations 2001 to make consequential amendments; and Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to enable the ACMA to disclose certain information to foreign regulators and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/11/16; Passed 8/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 1 KAP/negatived; 21 NXT/negatived; 4 Ind (Wilkie)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 21/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 30/11/16

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 2 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 7 NXT/passed; 31 NXT/negatived; 2 PHON/negatived; 4 LDP/negatived

[House disagreed to Senate amendments and agreed to 2 Govt amendments in their place 21/6/17; Senate did not insist on its amendments and agreed to the amendments made by the House in their place 9/8/17]

Assent: 16/8/17; Act No. 85, 2017

PS Interactive Gambling Amendment (Sports Betting Reform) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Xenophon —€“ Ind)

Amends the: Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to: require gambling services to provide prescribed training to certain employees; enable the Federal Circuit Court of Australia to grant injunctions for the purposes of transaction blocking; place restrictions on the conduct of restricted wagering services in relation to sports betting and provide for offences and civil penalties if they are contravened; place restrictions on the broadcasting of restricted wagering service advertisements and provide for offences and civil penalties if they are contravened; provide for the compliance and enforcement of the new offences and civil penalty provisions; require the Interactive Gambling Regulator to keep a register of individuals who wish to self-exclude from restricted wagering services and provide for the administration of, and the protection of information in, the register; and provide for the appointment of the Interactive Gambling Regulator and the functions of the position; and Privacy Act 1988 to provide that Australian Privacy Principle 7 (direct marketing) does not apply to the extent that restricted wagering services provisions of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 apply.

Senate: Intro. 24/11/15; 2nd reading adjourned 24/11/15

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 26/11/15 (SBC report 15/15); extension of time to report 2/5/16; report due 20/6/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 1/9/16 (SBC report 5/16); extensions of time to report 10/10/16, 28/11/16, 14/2/17; report tabled 29/3/17

International Monetary Agreements Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947 to: establish a standing appropriation and authority to borrow for payments to meet drawings made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a new bilateral loan agreement entered into by Australia and the IMF; and make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 25/5/17; Passed 14/6/17

Senate: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 52, 2017

International Monetary Agreements Amendment (New Arrangements to Borrow) Bill 2017

Amends the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947 to provide a standing appropriation and authority to borrow for payments to meet drawings made by the International Monetary Fund under the decision to renew the New Arrangements to Borrow.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 5/9/17

Senate: Intro. 6/9/17; Passed 11/9/17

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 102, 2017

Investigation and Prosecution Measures Bill 2017

Amends the: Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and Surveillance Devices Act 2004 to make amendments consequential on the restructure of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of New South Wales; and Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983 to extend the functions, powers and duties of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to the laws of Norfolk Island.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/9/17

PS Judiciary Amendment (Commonwealth Model Litigant Obligations) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP)

Amends the: Judiciary Act 1903 to: require the Attorney-General to issue directions applying generally to Commonwealth legal work that contain requirements for Commonwealth litigants to act as model litigants (model litigant obligations); and enable a court to order a stay of proceedings or make orders in relation to contraventions of model litigant obligations; and Ombudsman Act 1976 to: require the Commonwealth Ombudsman to investigate complaints in relation to contraventions of model litigant obligations; and provide for annual reporting requirements.

Senate: Intro. 15/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 15/11/17

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 7/12/17 (SBC report 15/17); report due 8/5/18

PS Landholders—€™ Right to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Waters —€“ AG)

The bill: provides that Australian landholders have the right to refuse the undertaking of gas and coal mining activities by corporations on their land without prior written authorisation; sets out the requirements of a prior written authorisation; provides for relief which a court may grant a land owner when prior written authorisation is not provided; prohibits hydraulic fracturing for coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas by corporations; and provides for civil penalties.

Senate: Intro. 4/3/15; 2nd reading adjourned 4/3/15

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 5/3/15 (SBC report 2/15); report presented out of sitting 30/9/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16; 2nd reading adjourned 24/11/16

PS Lands Acquisition Amendment (Public Purpose) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Hanson —€“ PHON)

Amends the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 to provide that the minister may not make a declaration of acquisition by compulsory process unless the acquisition of the interest is for the direct benefit of the Australian public, or to provide necessary services to members of the Australian public which would not be provided if the acquisition did not occur.

Senate: Intro. 13/9/17; Negatived at 2nd reading 14/9/17

Liquid Fuel Emergency Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 to enable the Australian Government to enter into commercial oil stockholding contracts, also known as ticketing contracts, with either foreign or Australian entities.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 4/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 4/9/17; Passed 11/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/passed

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 103, 2017

PM Live Animal Export Prohibition (Ending Cruelty) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the: Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 to: prohibit the export of live-stock for slaughter on or after 1 July 2020; and provide in the interim that export licence holders ensure all live-stock are treated satisfactorily prior to slaughter; and Export Control Act 1982 to: prohibit the export of live-stock for slaughter unless the secretary is satisfied that the live-stock will be treated satisfactorily prior to slaughter; and prohibit the export of live-stock for slaughter on or after 1 July 2020.

House of Representatives: Intro. 20/3/17; Removed from Notice Paper 17/10/17

PS Live Animal Export (Slaughter) Prohibition Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

Amends the Export Control Act 1982 to prohibit the export of live-stock for slaughter.

Senate: Intro. 21/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/17

Major Bank Levy Bill 2017

Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Major Bank Levy) Bill 2017, the bill imposes a levy on authorised deposit-taking institutions with total liabilities of more than $100 billion.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/5/17; Passed 19/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 13/6/17; report tabled 19/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee requests for amendments: 5 NXT/negatived

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 63, 2017

PS Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Smith —€“ LP)

Amends the: Marriage Act 1961 to: redefine marriage as —€˜a union of two people—€™; introduce non-gendered language so that the requirements of the Act apply equally to all marriages; enable same-sex marriages that have been, or will be, solemnised under the law of a foreign country to be recognised in Australia; amend the definition of —€˜authorised celebrant—€™ to include new categories of religious marriage celebrants and certain Australian Defence Force officers; enable ministers of religion, religious marriage celebrants, chaplains and bodies established for religious purposes to refuse to solemnise or provide facilities, goods and services for marriages on religious grounds; and make amendments contingent on the commencement of the proposed Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2017; and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to provide that a refusal by a minister of religion, religious marriage celebrant or chaplain to solemnise marriage in prescribed circumstances does not constitute unlawful discrimination.

Senate: Intro. 15/11/17; Passed 29/11/17

Committee amendments: 8 Brandis/passed; 10 AG/negatived; 7 PHON/negatived; 3 LDP (1 as amended)/negatived; 2 Brandis-Canavan/negatived; 72 Fawcett-Paterson/negatived; 1 Part opposed (PHON)/Part agreed to; 21 items opposed (12 PHON; 9 Fawcett-Paterson)/items agreed to; 2 sections opposed (1 AG; 1 Fawcett-Paterson)/sections agreed to; 2 subsections opposed (1 AG; 1 Fawcett-Paterson)/subsections agreed to

House of Representatives: Intro. 4/12/17; Passed 7/12/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Abbott/negatived

CID amendments: 12 Bandt/negatived; 8 Broad/negatived; 11 Hastie/negatived; 13 Hawke/negatived; 2 Henderson/negatived; 3 Morrison/negatived; 44 Sukkar/negatived

Assent: 8/12/17; Act No. 129, 2017

PS Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2013

(Introduced by Senator Hanson-Young —€“ AG)

Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to: define marriage as a union of two people; clarify that ministers of religion are not bound to solemnise marriage by any other law; remove the prohibition of the recognition of same sex marriages solemnised in a foreign country; and include a regulation making power so that consequential amendments can be made to other Acts.

Senate: Intro. 12/12/13; 2nd reading adjourned 12/12/13, 12/11/15, 17/3/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16; 2nd reading adjourned 15/9/16

S Marriage Law Survey (Additional Safeguards) Bill 2017

Implements measures relating to public communications in the conduct of the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, including: requiring authorisations on all forms of communication of marriage law survey matter and providing the Electoral Commissioner with related information-gathering powers; imposing obligations on broadcasters to give reasonable opportunities for broadcasting opposing views; providing for offences for bribery and threats and civil penalties in relation to vilification, interference, discrimination and misleading or deceptive publications; providing for injunctive relief in relation to the statistics collection process and related activities; and enabling the Electoral Commissioner to make rules prescribing certain matters.

Senate: Intro. 13/9/17; Passed 13/9/17

Committee amendments: 8 AG/negatived

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/9/17; Passed 13/9/17

Assent: 13/8/17; Act No. 96, 2017

PM Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Shorten MP —€“ ALP)

Amends the: Marriage Act 1961 to: define marriage as a union of two people; clarify that ministers of religion or chaplains are not bound to solemnise marriage; and remove the prohibition of the recognition of same sex marriages solemnised in a foreign country; and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to make a consequential amendment. Also includes a regulation making power so that consequential amendments can be made to other Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 12/9/16; Removed from Notice Paper 21/3/17

PM Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 [No. 2]

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG, Ms McGowan MP and Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the: Marriage Act 1961 to: define marriage as a union of two people; clarify that ministers of religion or chaplains are not bound to solemnise marriage; and remove the prohibition of the recognition of same sex marriages solemnised in a foreign country; and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to make a consequential amendment. Also includes a regulation making power so that consequential amendments can be made to other Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 12/9/16; Removed from Notice Paper 20/6/17

Medicare Guarantee Bill 2017

Introduced with the Medicare Guarantee (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017, the bill establishes the Medicare Guarantee Fund for the purposes of funding Medicare benefits and payments under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 20/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 71, 2017

Medicare Guarantee (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Medicare Guarantee Bill 2017, the bill amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 and National Health Act 1953 to make amendments consequential on the establishment of the Medicare Guarantee Fund.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 20/6/17

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 72, 2017

Medicare Levy Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the Medicare levy from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent of a person—€™s taxable income.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 4 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

PS Medicinal Cannabis Legislation Amendment (Securing Patient Access) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Di Natale —€“ AG)

Amends the: Customs Act 1901 to: provide that prohibited goods intended to be used as medicinal cannabis products are, for the purpose of satisfying import conditions, taken to be drugs required for medical purposes; and provide that goods permitted to be supplied for the purposes stated in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 for the Special Access Scheme Category-B, relating to clinical trials and authorised prescribers, will also be permitted to be supplied for the Special Access Scheme Category-A, relating to seriously ill patients with a condition from which death is reasonably likely to occur within a matter of months; and Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 to allow the secretary to grant a licence to manufacture medicinal cannabis if satisfied it is to be supplied to a seriously ill person in accordance with certain regulatory and notification requirements.

Senate: Intro. 12/9/17; Passed 19/10/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; Read a 1st time 19/10/17

Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Amendment (Rates of Charge) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Bill 2017, the bill amends the Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997 to ensure that a migration agent who paid the non-commercial registration application charge in relation to their current period of registration, but gives immigration assistance otherwise than on a non-commercial basis, is liable to pay an adjusted charge.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 10/8/17 (SBC report 8/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Act 2017)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to give full effect to the Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Act 2014 in relation to mandatory visa cancellation-related powers and the lawful disclosure of non-citizens—€™ identifying information where a non-citizen is suspected of being of character concern.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Passed 10/10/16

Senate: Intro. 10/10/16; Passed 13/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 10, 2017

Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to establish a sponsorship framework for the sponsored family visa program to: separate sponsorship assessment from the visa application process for family sponsored visas; require the approval of persons as family sponsors before any relevant visa applications are made; impose statutory obligations on persons who are or were approved as family sponsors and provide for sanctions if those obligations are not satisfied; facilitate the sharing of personal information between parties identified in a sponsorship application; enable the refusal of a sponsorship application and the cancellation or barring of a family sponsor in certain circumstances; enable the regulations to prescribe details for, and in relation to, the operation of the sponsorship framework; and make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Passed 10/10/16

Senate: Intro. 10/10/16; 2nd reading adjourned 10/10/16, 16/10/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 15/9/16 (SBC report 6/16); report tabled 10/10/16

PS Migration Amendment (Free the Children) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Hanson-Young —€“ AG)

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: provide that the minister must determine that a detained minor is to reside at a specified place within the community rather than being held in a detention facility; and ensure that the minister can only designate a country as a regional processing country if the minister is satisfied that the country complies with relevant international laws, meets relevant human rights standards, is a safe and appropriate place for minors to reside and will release any detained person subsequently identified as a minor from detention.

Senate: Intro. 2/3/16; 2nd reading adjourned 2/3/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2017

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: enable the minister to determine, by legislative instrument, prohibited things in relation to immigration detention facilities; allow authorised officers and assistants to search Commonwealth immigration detention facilities without a warrant; strengthen the screening and seizure powers of authorised officers; and allow the use of dogs for screening detainees and persons about to enter a Commonwealth immigration detention facility, and for searching these facilities.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/9/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); extension of time to report 13/11/17; report tabled 16/11/17

PM Migration Amendment (Putting Local Workers First) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Shorten MP —€“ ALP)

Amends the: Migration Act 1958 to: require employers nominating 457 visa workers under labour agreements, and as standard business sponsors, to meet certain labour market testing requirements; require certain sponsors in specified sectors to employ their guest workers under a Labour Agreement; and introduce an Australian Jobs Test that requires employers to demonstrate their contribution to local employment and skills development as part of their application to sponsor temporary workers; and Migration Regulations 1994 to: require the minister to publish policy guidelines relating to the negotiation of certain agreements; require certain 457 visa applicants to hold a relevant licence or undertake a mandatory skills assessment; and make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 28/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 15/8/17

Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Amendment (Rates of Charge) Bill 2017, the bill amends the Migration Act 1958 to: remove legal practitioners from regulation by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA); provide that the time period in which a person can be considered an applicant for repeat registration as a migration agent is set out in delegated legislation; remove the 12-month time limit within which a person must apply for registration following completion of a prescribed course; remove redundant regulatory provisions; enable the MARA to refuse an application to become a registered migration agent where the applicant does not respond to requests for further information; require migration agents to notify the MARA that they have ceased acting on a non-commercial basis and commenced acting on a commercial basis; and ensure that the definitions of —€˜immigration assistance—€™ and —€˜immigration representations—€™ include assisting a person in relation to a request to the minister to revoke a character-related visa refusal or cancellation decision.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 10/8/17 (SBC report 8/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017, the bill amends the Migration Act 1958 to: provide for the collection of the nomination training contribution charge; enable nominations to be accepted from persons who have applied to be an approved sponsor or have entered into negotiations for a work agreement; enable the minister to determine the manner in which labour market testing for a nominated position must be undertaken and the kinds of evidence that must accompany a nomination; and make amendments contingent on the commencement of the proposed Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2017.

House of Representatives: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17); report due 9/2/18

Migration Amendment (Validation of Decisions) Bill 2017

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to preserve section 501 character decisions made relying on information provided by gazetted law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which is protected, or purportedly protected, from disclosure under section 503A.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/6/17; Passed 16/8/17

Senate: Intro. 16/8/17; Passed 4/9/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 10/8/17 (SBC report 8/17); report tabled 4/9/17

Assent: 5/9/17; Act No. 95, 2017

Migration Amendment (Visa Revalidation and Other Measures) Bill 2016

Amends the Migration Act 1958 to: establish a framework which requires certain visa holders to revalidate certain information, either within a specified period (a routine revalidation check) or if the minister determines that it is in the public interest (a public interest revalidation check); provide that certain events that cause a visa that is in effect to cease will, as a general rule, cause a visa that is held, but not in effect, to be taken to cease; and enable the use of contactless technology to clear travellers through the immigration clearance system (SmartGate).

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/16; Passed 9/2/17

Senate: Intro. 9/2/17; 2nd reading adjourned 9/2/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 28/11/16

Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Integrity) Bill 2017

Amends the: Migration Act 1958 to: enable the publication of information in relation to sponsor sanctions; clarify the circumstances in which merits review is available for visas that require an approved nomination; and correct certain references to the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Migration Act 1958 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to enable the department to collect, record, store and use tax file numbers for prescribed purposes in relation to prescribed visas.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 16/8/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 17/10/17

Migration Legislation Amendment (Code of Procedure Harmonisation) Bill 2016

Further to the Tribunals Amalgamation Act 2015, the bill amends the: Migration Act 1958 to: harmonise and streamline provisions in relation to the code of procedure for review of decisions by the Migration and Refugee Division (MRD) of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; clarify the operation of certain provisions relating to the conduct of review; clarify the notification requirements in relation to oral decisions of the MRD; and make technical amendments in relation to the giving of documents and the mechanism for review of decisions by the Immigration Assessment Authority in relation to family groups; and Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/11/16; 2nd reading adjourned 30/11/16

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 1/12/16 (SBC report 10/16); report tabled 14/2/17

Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2016

Amends the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994 to: prevent unauthorised maritime arrivals or transitory persons (referred to as members of the designated regional processing cohort) who were at least 18 years of age and were taken to a regional processing country after 19 July 2013 from making a valid application for an Australian visa; enable the minister to permit a member of the designated regional processing cohort, or a class of persons within the designated regional processing cohort, to make a valid application for a visa if the minister thinks it is in the public interest to do so; and prevent a member of the designated regional processing cohort from being deemed to have been granted a special purpose visa or being deemed to have applied for particular visas under the Migration Regulations 1994.

House of Representatives: Intro. 8/11/16; Passed 10/11/16

2nd reading amendment: 1 Ind (Wilkie)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 10/11/16; 2nd reading adjourned 10/11/16

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 22/11/16; corrigendum presented out of sitting 14/12/16

Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017

Introduced with the Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017, the bill imposes a nomination training contribution charge (to be known as the Skilling Australians Fund levy) on employers nominating workers under the temporary and permanent employer sponsored migration programs.

House of Representatives: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17); report due 9/2/18

PS Mining Subsidies Legislation Amendment (Raising Revenue) Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Milne —€“ AG)

Amends the Fuel Tax Act 2006 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to abolish fossil fuel subsidies for the mining industry from 1 January 2015, including: the diesel fuel rebate; accelerated asset depreciation for aircraft, the oil and gas industry and vehicles; and immediate deductibility for exploration and prospecting expenses.

Senate: Intro. 27/8/14; 2nd reading adjourned 27/8/14, 26/11/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

PS Motor Vehicle Standards (Cheaper Transport) Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Milne —€“ AG)

The bill: sets carbon emissions standards that certain manufacturers, importers or sellers of passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles are required to meet as the average across its fleet; and provides for charges on sellers whose fleet averages exceed the vehicle carbon emissions standard.

Senate: Intro. 10/7/14; 2nd reading adjourned 10/7/14

Bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 20/8/15 (SBC report 10/15); interim report presented out of sitting 23/10/15; final report tabled 25/11/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Nation-building Funds Repeal (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill: repeals the Nation-building Funds Act 2008; and makes consequential amendments to five Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

S National Broadcasters Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Transparency) Bill 2017

Amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 and Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 to require the ABC and SBS to report details of annual salaries and allowances of their employees and amounts paid to —€˜on-air talent—€™, in excess of $200 000.

Senate: Intro. 6/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 6/12/17

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Quality and Safeguards Commission and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 to establish the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission with functions in relation to: registration and regulation of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers, including Practice Standards and a Code of Conduct; compliance monitoring, investigation and enforcement action; responding to complaints and reportable incidents including abuse and neglect of a person with disability; national policy setting for the screening of workers; national oversight and policy in relation to behaviour support and monitoring restrictive practices within the NDIS; and information sharing arrangements. Also amends the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 to make minor administrative amendments in response to an independent review of the Act.

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/5/17; Passed 21/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 23/6/17 a.m.; Passed 29/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 15/6/17 (SBC report 6/17); extensions of time to report 17/8/17, 13/9/17; interim report presented out of sitting 13/10/17; extension of time to report 16/10/17; final report presented out of sitting 8/11/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/passed

Committee amendments: 10 Govt/passed; 1 Schedule negatived (Govt); 14 AG/negatived; 1 section opposed (AG)/section agreed to

[House agreed to Senate amendments 4/12/17]

Assent: 13/12/17; Act No. 131, 2017

National Disability Insurance Scheme Savings Fund Special Account Bill 2016

Establishes the National Disability Insurance Scheme Savings Fund Special Account to assist the Commonwealth to meet its funding obligations in relation to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/8/16; Passed 2/3/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 20/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 20/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 15/9/16
(SBC report 6/16); report tabled 7/11/16

National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2016

(Act citation: National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Act 2017)

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: enable the minister, the secretary or the Chief Executive Medicare to arrange for the use of computer programs to make decisions and determinations, exercise powers or comply with obligations and do anything else related to those actions; enable approved pharmacists whose premises have been affected by disaster or exceptional circumstances to supply pharmaceutical benefits at alternative premises in the same locality for a limited period and be paid for claims at the full rate; and ensure that entitlements for concessional beneficiaries and their dependants will apply for pharmaceutical benefits until midnight on the day of a person—€™s death.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/11/16; Passed 20/3/17

Senate: Intro. 21/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Assent: 28/3/17; Act No. 16, 2017

National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—€”Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: increase the current statutory price reduction that applies when the first new brand of an existing pharmaceutical item is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); extend and introduce statutory price reductions applying on certain anniversaries of an F1 formulary drug being listed on the PBS; introduce ministerial discretion in relation to the application of statutory price reductions in certain circumstances; make minor amendments to price disclosure arrangements; provide new circumstances whereby a new presentation of a brand of pharmaceutical item may be listed without being subject to a new brand statutory price reduction; continue the operation of the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority and the pharmacy location rules beyond 30 June 2020; and make technical amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

PS National Integrity Commission Bill 2013

(Introduced by Senator Milne —€“ AG)

Establishes a National Integrity Commission as an independent statutory agency which will consist of the National Integrity Commissioner, the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner and the Independent Parliamentary Advisor and provide for: the investigation and prevention of misconduct and corruption in all Commonwealth departments and agencies, and in relation to federal parliamentarians and their staff; the investigation and prevention of corruption in the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission; and independent advice to ministers and parliamentarians on conduct, ethics and matters of propriety. Also provides for the establishment of a Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Integrity Commission; and makes consequential amendments to the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006, Ombudsman Act 1976, Privacy Act 1988 and Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013.

Senate: Intro. 13/11/13; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/13, 15/5/14, 13/8/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16; 2nd reading adjourned 10/11/16, 9/2/17

PM National Integrity Commission Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

Establishes a National Integrity Commission as an independent statutory agency which will consist of the National Integrity Commissioner, the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner and the Independent Parliamentary Advisor and provide for: the investigation and prevention of misconduct and corruption in all Commonwealth departments and agencies, and in relation to federal parliamentarians and their staff; the investigation and prevention of corruption in the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission; and independent advice to ministers and parliamentarians on conduct, ethics and matters of propriety. Also provides for the establishment of a Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Integrity Commission; and makes consequential amendments to the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006 and Ombudsman Act 1976.

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 23/10/17

PM National Land Transport Amendment (Best Practice Rail Investment) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Ms McGowan MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the National Land Transport Act 2014 to: include additional matters which the minister must consider when approving a project as an Investment Project; and provide for the publishing and tabling of the project approval instrument for an Investment Project and a summary of the evidence on which the minister—€™s decision to approve the project is based.

House of Representatives: Intro. 20/3/17; Removed from Notice Paper 17/10/17

National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017

Amends: the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: amend existing, and introduce new, espionage offences relating to a broad range of dealings with information, including solicitation and preparation and planning offences; introduce new offences relating to foreign interference with Australia—€™s political, governmental or democratic processes; replace the existing sabotage offence with new sabotage offences relating to conduct causing damage to a broad range of critical infrastructure that could prejudice Australia—€™s national security; introduce a new offence relating to theft of trade secrets on behalf of a foreign government; amend existing, and introduce new, offences relating to treason and other threats to national security, such as interference with Australian democratic or political rights by conduct involving the use of force, violence or intimidation; introduce a new aggravated offence where a person provides false or misleading information relating to an application for, or maintenance of, an Australian Government security clearance; eight Acts to make consequential amendments; the Crimes Act 1914 and Criminal Code Act 1995 to replace certain existing, and introduce new, offences relating to secrecy of information; 20 Acts to make consequential amendments; the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to amend the definition of a —€˜serious offence—€™ to include the offences provided for by the bill; and the proposed Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2017 to amend the definitions of —€˜electoral donations threshold—€™, —€˜general political lobbying—€™ and —€˜political or governmental influence—€™.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

Bill referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 8/12/17; report due by February 2018

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Annual Registration Charge) Bill 2017

Introduced with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Charges) Amendment (Annual Registration Charge) Bill 2017, the bill amends the: National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 to clarify that National VET Regulator (NVR) registered training organisations and certain providers registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students are liable to pay the NVR annual registration charge; and National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Transitional Provisions) Act 2011 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 20/6/17

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

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 65, 2017

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Charges) Amendment (Annual Registration Charge) Bill 2017

Introduced with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Annual Registration Charge) Bill 2017, the bill amends the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Charges) Act 2012 to: impose a National VET regulator (NVR) annual registration charge as a tax; and validate annual registration fees collected by the Australian Skills and Quality Authority from NVR registered training organisations and certain providers registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students before 1 July 2017.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 20/6/17

CID amendments: 3 Govt/passed

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

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 66, 2017

Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Bill 2017

Amends the Native Title Act 1993 to respond to the Federal Court—€™s decision in McGlade v Native Title Registrar [2017] FCAFC 10 by: confirming the legal status and enforceability of agreements which have been registered by the Native Title Registrar on the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements without the signature of all members of a registered native title claimant (RNTC); enabling the registration of agreements which have been made but have not yet been registered; and ensuring that area Indigenous Land Use Agreements can be registered without requiring every member of the RNTC to be a party to the agreement.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 16/2/17

Senate: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 14/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 16/2/17 (SBC report 2/17); interim report presented out of sitting 17/3/17; final report tabled 20/3/17

2nd reading amendments: 1 Opp/passed; 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 3 items negatived (Govt); 3 AG/negatived; 1 item opposed (AG)/item agreed to

[House agreed to Senate amendments 14/6/17]

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 53, 2017

PS Nuclear Fuel Cycle (Facilitation) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Bernardi —€“ AC)

Amends the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to remove prohibitions on the construction or operation of certain nuclear installations.

Senate: Intro. 14/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/11/17, 30/11/17

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Petroleum Pools and Other Measures) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Petroleum Pools and Other Measures) Act 2017)

Amends the: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987 to ensure the ongoing validity of apportionment agreements, where it becomes apparent that an agreement relates to an area which contains multiple petroleum pools, rather than a single discrete pool; and Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to: include a regulation making power to ensure there is a legal basis for the regulations to provide for the refund and remittal of environment plan (EP) levies; provide for the retrospective commencement of this regulation making power to ensure the validity of refunds of EP levies previously made to offshore petroleum titleholders; and clarify that regulations can provide for the remittal and refund of safety case levies.

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/9/16; Passed 7/11/16

Senate: Intro. 8/11/16; Passed 8/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 NXT/negatived

Committee amendments: 2 AG/negatived

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 11, 2017

Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Act 1995, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Act 1995 to: implement Australia—€™s commitment to phase-down import, export and production of hydrofluorocarbons from 1 January 2018, in advance of the global phase-down implemented under the Montreal Protocol, as amended by the Kigali Amendment; amend provisions in relation to the hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) phase-out and prohibit the use of new HCFCs from 1 January 2020 other than for permitted uses; implement Australia—€™s obligations under the Kyoto Protocol to regulate two newly listed synthetic greenhouse gases; amend provisions in relation to equipment bans and ensure that the provisions apply consistently to all entities regulated under the Act; and amend provisions in relation to licensing and reporting requirements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 13/6/17

Senate: Intro. 14/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 67, 2017

PS Parliamentary Business Resources Amendment (Voluntary Opt-out) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Roberts —€“ PHON)

Amends the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 to enable Senators and Members to opt-out of receiving any or all of their parliamentary entitlements.

Senate: Intro. 12/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 12/9/17

Parliamentary Business Resources Bill 2017

Introduced with the Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017 to establish a new framework governing the use of public resources by members of Parliament, the bill consolidates much of the existing parliamentary work expenses framework and imposes greater obligations concerning the use of public resources.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 10/5/17

CID amendments: 4 NXT/negatived

Senate: Intro. 11/5/17; Passed 11/5/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 30/3/17 (SBC report 4/17); extension of time to report 9/5/17; report tabled 10/5/17

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 37, 2017

Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Parliamentary Business Resources Bill 2017 to establish a new framework governing the use of public resources by members of Parliament, the bill: makes consequential amendments to 10 Acts; repeals the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952 and Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990; and provides for transitional arrangements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 10/5/17

Senate: Intro. 11/5/17; Passed 11/5/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 30/3/17 (SBC report 4/17); extension of time to report 9/5/17; report tabled 10/5/17

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 38, 2017

Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) Act 2002 to: amend the short title of the Act to the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002; impose certain limits on access to the parliamentary retirement travel entitlement; reduce the number of trips available under the entitlement; remove the ability of spouses or de facto partners (other than those of a former prime minister) to access the entitlement; reduce the entitlement of spouses or de facto partners of a former prime minister; and require that all travel under the entitlement be subject to a public benefit test; Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 to: apply a 25 per cent loading to any adjustment to a prescribed travel benefit; and limit the domestic travel entitlement of dependent children of senior officers to those under 18 years of age; and Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 and Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) Act 2002 to enable the recovery of payments made which are beyond the entitlement.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 15/2/17

CID amendment: 1 NXT/negatived

Senate: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 16/2/17

Committee amendments: 22 AG/negatived; 24 PHON/negatived; 1 NXT/negatived; 4 AC/negatived; 15 Macdonald/negatived; 1 item opposed (AG)/item agreed to

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 4, 2017

PM Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment (Ending the Rorts) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 to: require parliamentarians, when claiming travel benefits, to provide details of business undertaken while travelling; provide for an annual audit of parliamentarians—€™ travel; provide for an audit of all parliamentarians—€™ travel from 8 September 2013 to date; and require the audit body to report possible offences in relation to the travel claims or benefits.

House of Representatives: Intro. 27/2/17; Removed from Notice Paper 12/9/17

PS Parliamentary Expenses Amendment (Transparency and Accountability) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Xenophon —€“ Ind)

Amends the: Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 to: require an explanatory statement to be provided with certain types of travel entitlement claims by members, parliamentary office-holders and ministers; and provide for penalties if claims are made in excess of entitlement; and Ombudsman Act 1976 to expand the powers of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to include the scrutiny of parliamentary entitlements claims.

Senate: Intro. 13/8/15; 2nd reading adjourned 13/8/15

Bill referred to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 20/8/15 (SBC report 10/15); report tabled 26/11/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 8/2/17

PS Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Amendment Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Wong —€“ ALP)

Amends the: Intelligence Services Act 2001 to change the membership, powers and functions of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS); and Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Act 2010 and Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 in relation to the provision of certain reports to the PJCIS.

Senate: Intro. 10/8/15; 2nd reading adjourned 10/8/15, 3/3/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/16

Passports Legislation Amendment (Overseas Travel by Child Sex Offenders) Bill 2017

Amends the: Australian Passports Act 2005 and Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005 to require the Minister for Foreign Affairs to deny a passport or demand the surrender of a foreign travel document when an Australian citizen is on a state or territory child sex offender register with reporting obligations; and Criminal Code Act 1995 to create an offence for a registered child sex offender with reporting obligations to travel, or attempt to travel, overseas without permission from a relevant authority.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/6/17; Passed 20/6/17

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

Committee amendments: 2 NXT/negatived

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 73, 2017

PM People of Australia—€™s Commission of Inquiry (Banking and Financial Services) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Establishes a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into unethical, unlawful and improper conduct in the banking, financial services and related sectors.

House of Representatives: Intro. 27/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/17

Federation Chamber: Referred 6/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 11/9/17

Personal Property Securities Amendment (PPS Leases) Bill 2017

Amends the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 to: extend the minimum duration of personal property securities (PPS) leases from more than one year to more than two years; and provide that leases of an indefinite term will not be deemed to be PPS leases unless and until they run for a period of more than two years.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/3/17; Passed 29/3/17

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 11/5/17

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 39, 2017

Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting Bill 2017

Introduced with the Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017, the bill establishes a mandatory reporting regime to enable the production of statistics on petroleum, other fuels such as biofuels, and fuel-related products.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 15/8/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 16/8/17; Passed 16/8/17

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 90, 2017

Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting Bill 2017, the bill amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to enable the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Taxation Office to share fuel information with the department.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 15/8/17

Senate: Intro. 16/8/17; Passed 16/8/17

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 91, 2017

Primary Industries Research and Development Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 to: enable statutory research and development corporations to undertake marketing activities funded by voluntary contributions; remove the requirement that the corporations can undertake marketing only where a marketing levy is attached to the corporation; and enable corporations to undertake incidental activities such as consulting about, or planning, marketing activities.

House of Representatives: Intro. 29/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 29/3/17

Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017

Amends the: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 to remove the requirement for the Indigenous Business Australia—€™s corporate plan to be tabled; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2005 to enable the appropriate consenting authority to waive the exercise of its statutory consent power by providing written notice; Auditor-General Act 1997 to align the annual reporting requirements of the Auditor-General with his or her responsibility to the Parliament; and Royal Commissions Act 1902 to: enable commissioners to compel the provision of a written statement; increase the penalty for failure to comply with a summons or notice to produce; replace references to penalties expressed as a number of dollars with penalties expressed as a number of penalty units; and enable the Secretary of the Attorney-General—€™s Department to be given custody of Royal Commission records by regulation. Also repeals the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Reserves and Communities Self-management) Act 1978 and Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991; and amends the Age Discrimination Act 2004 and Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1983 to make amendments consequential on the repeal of those Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 8/8/17

Senate: Intro. 9/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 9/8/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee 11/5/17 (SBC report 5/17); report tabled 13/6/17

Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches) Act 2017)

Implements recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security—€™s Advisory report on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2014 and the Australian Law Reform Commission—€™s report For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and Practice by amending the Privacy Act 1988 to require agencies, organisations and certain other entities to provide notice to the Australian Information Commissioner and affected individuals of an eligible data breach.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/16; Passed 7/2/17

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 13/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 4 AG (1 as amended)/negatived

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 12, 2017

S Privacy Amendment (Re-identification Offence) Bill 2016

Amends the: Privacy Act 1988 to prohibit conduct related to the re-identification of de-identified personal information published or released by Commonwealth entities; and Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 to make a consequential amendment.

Senate: Intro. 12/10/16; 2nd reading adjourned 12/10/16

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 7/2/17

PS Private Health Insurance Amendment (GP Services) Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Di Natale —€“ AG)

Amends the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 to clarify that private health insurers may not enter into agreements or arrangements with primary care providers that provide preferential treatment to their members.

Senate: Intro. 27/3/14; 2nd reading adjourned 27/3/14

Bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 17/6/14 (SBC report 6/14); report tabled 4/9/14

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

Proceeds of Crime Amendment (Proceeds and Other Matters) Bill 2017

Amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to: expand the unexplained wealth regime to cover wealth that is derived or realised, directly or indirectly, from certain offences; clarify that property becomes —€˜proceeds—€™ or an —€˜instrument—€™ where encumbrances, securities, liabilities or improvements on the property are funded using —€˜proceeds—€™ or an —€˜instrument—€™ of an offence; clarify that property will only be —€˜lawfully acquired—€™ in situations where the property or wealth is not —€˜proceeds—€™ or an —€˜instrument—€™ of an offence; and provide that —€˜improvements—€™ extends to additions to, altering, repairing, restoring, structuring, restructuring or any other change to property or wealth (whether or not it results in an increase in the value of the property or wealth).

House of Representatives: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17)

Product Emissions Standards Bill 2017

Part of a package of four bills to introduce national emission standards for new non-road spark ignition engines and equipment, the bill: enables the minister to prescribe products as emissions-controlled products and make rules relating to those products; provides mechanisms in the rules for emissions-controlled products to be certified to specified emissions standards; provides that the rules may exempt persons or products from the operation of one or more provisions of the bill; establishes offences and civil penalty provisions relating to the import or supply of certain emissions controlled products; triggers the compliance and enforcement provisions of the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 (regulatory powers Act) and provides additional compliance and enforcement powers; enables the sharing of information with other agencies and the publication of certain information relating to an emissions-controlled product; enables the delegation of the minister—€™s and the secretary—€™s functions and powers under the proposed Act or the regulatory powers Act; and requires a review of the operation of the proposed Act at regular intervals.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 6/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 11/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 AC/negatived; 2 LDP/negatived

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 104, 2017

Product Emissions Standards (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2017

Part of a package of four bills to introduce national emission standards for new non-road spark ignition engines and equipment, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to clarify that emissions-controlled products imported or exported in contravention of the proposed Product Emissions Standards Act 2017 are not forfeited to the Crown under section 229 of the Act.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 6/9/17

Senate: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 11/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 107, 2017

Product Emissions Standards (Customs) Charges Bill 2017

Part of a package of four bills to introduce national emission standards for new non-road spark ignition engines and equipment, the bill imposes a charge on the import of emissions-controlled products.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 6/9/17

Senate: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 11/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 105, 2017

Product Emissions Standards (Excise) Charges Bill 2017

Part of a package of four bills to introduce national emission standards for new non-road spark ignition engines and equipment, the bill imposes a charge on the domestic manufacture of emissions-controlled products.

House of Representatives: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 6/9/17

Senate: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 11/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 106, 2017

PS Productivity Commission Amendment (Addressing Inequality) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator McAllister —€“ ALP)

Amends the Productivity Commission Act 1998 to: expand the functions of the Productivity Commission to include the undertaking of research on inequality and its effects on the Australian economy and community; require the commission to have regard in the exercise of its functions to the need to mitigate the negative effects of inequality; and provide for reporting requirements.

Senate: Intro. 14/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/6/17, 22/6/17, 10/8/17

Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment (Polar Code) Bill 2017

Amends the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 to implement amendments to Annexes I, II, IV and V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to restrict the discharge of oil, noxious liquid substances, sewage and garbage from certain ships operating in polar waters.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 28/3/17

Senate: Intro. 29/3/17; Passed 11/5/17

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 40, 2017

Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2017

Amends: the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 and Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to prescribe the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and the National Competition Council as listed entities for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act); nine Acts to align and harmonise their operation with the PGPA Act; the PGPA Act to correct a typographical error; and the Health Insurance Commission (Reform and Separation of Functions) Act 1997, Privacy Act 1988 and Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 to make amendments consequential on the sale of Medibank Private Limited in 2014.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 16/8/17

Senate: Intro. 16/8/17; Passed 17/8/17

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 92, 2017

PS Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Executive Remuneration) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Whish-Wilson —€“ AG)

Amends the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 to: set a cap on the remuneration of senior executives of Commonwealth entities or companies, inclusive of any performance payments or other bonuses, at five times the full-time adult average weekly earnings of employees of Commonwealth entities or companies; and provide for annual reporting requirements.

Senate: Intro. 15/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 15/11/17

Bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17); report due 26/3/18

PM Public Service Amendment (Supporting a Regional Workforce) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Ms McGowan MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the Public Service Act 1999 to facilitate the increased use of telecommuting (working remotely) in the Australian Public Service.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/5/17; Removed from Notice Paper 5/12/17

PS Racial Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senators Bernardi, Abetz, Back, Bushby, Duniam, Fawcett, Macdonald, Paterson, Reynolds and Smith —€“ LP, Senators McKenzie, O—€™Sullivan and Williams —€“ Nats, Senators Burston, Culleton, Hanson and Roberts —€“ PHON, Senator Hinch —€“ DHJP, Senator Day —€“ FFP and Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP)

Amends the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to amend section 18C (which makes unlawful certain offensive acts that are done because of race, colour or national or ethnic origin) to remove the words —€˜offend—€™ and —€˜insult—€™.

Senate: Intro. 31/8/16; 2nd reading adjourned 31/8/16

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 23/3/17 (SBC report 3/17); report tabled 9/5/17

PS Racial Discrimination Law Amendment (Free Speech) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP, Senators Burston, Culleton, Hanson and Roberts —€“ PHON, Senator Hinch —€“ DHJP and Senator Day —€“ FFP)

Amends the: Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to repeal Part IIA which prohibits offensive behaviour based on racial hatred; and Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 and Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 15/9/16; 2nd reading adjourned 15/9/16, 24/11/16

PS Recognition of Foreign Marriages Bill 2014

(Introduced by Senator Hanson-Young —€“ AG)

Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to: remove the prohibition of the recognition of same sex marriages solemnised in a foreign country; and provide that these marriages are recognised under the laws of Australia.

Senate: Intro. 15/5/14; 2nd reading adjourned 15/5/14, 4/2/16

Bill referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee 15/5/14 (SBC report 5/14); report tabled 25/9/14

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 15/9/16

PS Regional Forest Agreements Legislation (Repeal) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Rice —€“ AG)

The bill: repeals the Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002; and makes consequential amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Senate: Intro. 7/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/9/17

Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017

The bill: establishes the Regional Investment Corporation to administer farm business loans and financial assistance granted to states and territories in relation to water infrastructure projects, and any future programs prescribed by rules; provides for the corporation—€™s functions, operating mandate, ministerial directions, board membership and appointment of a chief executive officer and staff; and provides for miscellaneous matters, including the recovery of costs, delegations, power to make rules, and an independent review of the operation of the Act before 1 July 2024.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/6/17; Passed 17/8/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 4 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 4/9/17; In committee 17/10/17, 18/10/17, 6/12/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); report tabled 14/8/17

Committee amendments: 2 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 10 Opp/negatived; 1 paragraph opposed (Opp)/paragraph agreed to

S Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Act 2017)

Amends: 15 Acts to remove current provisions providing for regulatory regimes and to apply the standard provisions of the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014; and the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 in relation to: the ability to secure evidence of a contravention when exercising monitoring powers; the age of photographs for identity cards; the time period for the making of a civil penalty order; and the cap on the amount to be stated in an infringement notice.

Senate: Intro. 12/10/16; Passed 9/2/17

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 26/10/17

Assent: 6/11/17; Act No. 124, 2017

PM Renew Australia Bill 2016

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

The bill: establishes Renew Australia as a statutory authority to oversee the transition of Australia—€™s electricity system to one based on renewable energy and provides for its functions and powers; establishes the Board of Renew Australia and provides for its functions, members and meetings; provides for the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer and staff, consultants and committees; provides for financial arrangements; and sets out a timetable for the phased closure of coal-fired power stations.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/11/16; Removed from Notice Paper 20/6/17

PS Renew Australia Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Di Natale —€“ AG)

The bill: establishes Renew Australia as a statutory authority to oversee the transition of Australia—€™s electricity system to one based on renewable energy and provides for its functions and powers; establishes the Board of Renew Australia and provides for its functions, members and meetings; provides for the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer and staff, consultants and committees; provides for financial arrangements; and sets out a timetable for the phased closure of coal-fired power stations.

Senate: Intro. 28/3/17; 2nd reading adjourned 28/3/17

PM Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Continuing the Energy Transition) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Bandt MP —€“ AG)

Amends the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to increase the large scale renewable energy target in each year from 2021 to 2030 to arrive at a target of 55 500 GWh in 2030.

House of Representatives: Intro. 4/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/17

PM Renewable Energy Legislation Amendment (Supporting Renewable Communities) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Ms McGowan MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the: Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011 to: enable the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to fund the planning, development or implementation of community energy projects, and development of innovative business and financing models by the community energy sector; provide that ARENA—€™s role in collecting, analysing, interpreting and disseminating information and knowledge extends to community energy models and advising the minister on such matters; and introduce an explicit reference to ARENA—€™s capacity to jointly support projects with state and territory governments and other authorities; and Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act 2012 to: insert a definition of —€˜community energy project—€™; and require the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to consider investments in community joint partnerships or other community energy models.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 16/10/17

PM Renewable Fuel Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Katter MP —€“ KAP)

Amends the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to: provide for the regulation of renewable fuel content in fuel supplied for use in motor vehicles; provide that the ethanol volume percentage be mandated at a minimum of 5 per cent from 1 July 2019 and a minimum of 10 per cent from 1 July 2022; establish an office of Renewable Fuel Program Administrator and provide for the appointment and functions of the administrator; and include record keeping and reporting requirements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 11/9/17

PS Restoring Territory Rights (Assisted Suicide Legislation) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP)

The bill: amends the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 and Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 to remove the prohibition on legalising voluntary euthanasia; and repeals the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997.

Senate: Intro. 2/12/15; 2nd reading adjourned 2/12/15, 3/3/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 31/8/16, 2nd reading adjourned 16/2/17

PS Restoring Territory Rights (Dying with Dignity) Bill 2016

(Introduced by Senator Di Natale —€“ AG and Senator Gallagher —€“ ALP)

The bill: amends the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 and Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 to remove the prohibition on legalising voluntary euthanasia; and repeals the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997.

Senate: Intro. 1/3/16; 2nd reading adjourned 1/3/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 1/9/16

Safe Work Australia Amendment (Role and Functions) Bill 2017

Amends the Safe Work Australia Act 2008 to: implement recommendations of the Review of Safe Work Australia—€™s Role and Functions by clarifying Safe Work Australia—€™s role and the relationships between its role and function, and updating and consolidating its functions; replace certain outdated terms; and clarify that work health and safety (WHS) ministers will continue to approve the model WHS legislative framework and other key documents.

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/5/17; Passed 10/8/17

Senate: Intro. 10/8/17; Passed 10/8/17

Assent: 16/8/17; Act No. 86, 2017

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment (Defence Force) Bill 2017

(Previous title: Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment (Defence Force) Bill 2016)

Creates the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988, which will be a re-enacted version of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 that is modified to apply only to members of the Defence Force and their dependants; and amends: the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to remove entitlement to compensation for members of the Defence Force and their dependants; eight Acts to make consequential amendments; and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 in relation to interactions between compensation and other benefits provided to members of the Defence Force and their dependants.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/11/16; Passed 4/9/17

CID amendments: 5 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 5/9/17; Passed 7/9/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 9/2/17 (SBC report 1/17); report tabled 20/3/17

Committee amendments: 2 JLN/negatived; 1 item opposed (JLN)/item agreed to

Assent: 14/9/17; Act No. 108, 2017

Seafarers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Part of a package of three bills in relation to the Seacare scheme, the bill amends the: Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 to: introduce a new test to clarify coverage of the Seacare scheme; and implement amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention relating to insurance obligations of employers of seafarers; Seafarers, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to: align workers—€™ compensation arrangements for the Seacare and Comcare schemes with minimum benchmarks to be set by the proposed National Injury Insurance Scheme; and ensure that persons in receipt of incapacity payments can continue to receive those payments until they reach pension age; Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to clarify the application of the Act; and Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 and Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to make consequential amendments. Also: repeals the Financial Management and Accountability (Establishment of Special Account) Determination 2002/06, Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993, Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Act 1992 and Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Collection Act 1992; and integrates the functions currently performed by the Seacare Authority into Comcare, abolishes the Seacare Authority and splits the functions between Comcare and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC), and enables an advisory group to be appointed to support the SRCC and Comcare.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/10/16; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/16

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 7/2/17

Seafarers Safety and Compensation Levies Bill 2016

Part of a package of three bills in relation to the Seacare scheme, the bill imposes a seafarers insurance levy (to support a safety net fund where an employer cannot meet its workers—€™ compensation obligations) and a seafarers cost recovery levy (to enable the recovery of the costs of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, Comcare and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in performing their respective regulatory functions) on seafarer berths.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/10/16; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/16

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 7/2/17

Seafarers Safety and Compensation Levies Collection Bill 2016

Part of a package of three bills in relation to the Seacare scheme, the bill provides for the collection of the seafarers insurance levy and the seafarers cost recovery levy by: requiring employers of seafarers to lodge returns in relation to the number of seafarer berths aboard a prescribed vessel and make levy payments quarterly; providing for a late payment penalty; providing for the appointment of authorised persons and the manner in which authorised persons may have access to premises and books for the purpose of examining certain matters; and enabling the transfer of funds raised by the cost recovery levy to Comcare and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/10/16; 2nd reading adjourned 13/10/16

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 7/2/17

S Security of Critical Infrastructure Bill 2017

Introduced with the Security of Critical Infrastructure (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017, the bill provides for the management of the national security risks of espionage, sabotage and coercion arising from foreign involvement in Australia—€™s critical infrastructure by: establishing a Register of Critical Infrastructure Assets; providing the minister with a power to direct a reporting entity or operator of a critical infrastructure asset to do, or refrain from doing, an act or thing within a specified period of time; empowering the secretary to request certain information from reporting entities and operators of critical infrastructure assets; and providing that the minister can privately declare an asset to be a critical infrastructure asset in certain circumstances.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

Bill referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 11/12/17; report due by March 2018

S Security of Critical Infrastructure (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Security of Critical Infrastructure Bill 2017 to provide for the management of the national security risks of espionage, sabotage and coercion arising from foreign involvement in Australia—€™s critical infrastructure, the bill makes consequential amendments to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

PS Social Security Amendment (Caring for People on Newstart) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Siewert —€“ AG)

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 to: increase the single rate of newstart and single independent rate of youth allowance by $110 a week; and standardise the indexation arrangements for certain pensions and allowances; and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to provide that these payments are made from monies appropriated by the Parliament.

Senate: Intro. 9/8/17; Negatived at 2nd reading 14/8/17

PM Social Security Legislation Amendment (Fair Debt Recovery) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to prevent the recovery of a social security or family tax benefit debt from an individual if the debt is being reviewed.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/2/17; Removed from Notice Paper 5/9/17

Social Security Legislation Amendment (Youth Jobs Path: Prepare, Trial, Hire) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Social Security Legislation Amendment (Youth Jobs Path: Prepare, Trial, Hire) Act 2017)

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to provide that fortnightly incentive payments made to young job seekers undertaking internships under the Youth Jobs PaTH do not affect social security payments or veterans—€™ entitlements; and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to provide that young job seekers employed by a Youth Jobs PaTH employer may have their social security payments suspended rather than cancelled in certain circumstances.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/10/16; Passed 23/11/16

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 24/11/16; Passed 10/5/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); extension of time to report 21/11/16; report tabled 28/11/16

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

Committee amendment: 1 NXT/passed

[House agreed to Senate amendment 11/5/17]

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 42, 2017

S Social Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 to: pause for three years the indexation of various income thresholds that apply to certain social security benefits and allowances and the income test free area for parenting payment single; extend the ordinary waiting period to youth allowance (other) and parenting payment; include additional evidentiary requirements for the —€˜severe financial hardship—€™ exemption from the ordinary waiting period; and remove the ability for claimants to serve the ordinary waiting period concurrently with other waiting periods; Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to enable automation of the regular income stream review process; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to maintain the standard family tax benefit (FTB) child rates for two years, from 1 July 2017, in the maximum and base rate of FTB Part A and the maximum rate of FTB Part B.

Senate: Intro. 22/3/17; Passed 23/3/17 a.m.

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 3 Schedules opposed (Opp)/Schedules agreed to

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 29/3/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 7 Opp/negatived

Assent: 12/4/17; Act No. 33, 2017

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Better Targeting Student Payments) Bill 2017

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 to: restrict access to the relocation scholarship to students relocating within Australia and students studying in Australia; align pensioner education supplement fortnightly rates with the amount of study undertaken by eligible students; and provide that payments of the pensioner education supplement cease during semester breaks and holiday periods; and Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to align education entry payment rates with the amount of study undertaken by eligible students.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/6/17; Passed 23/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); report presented out of sitting 1/9/17

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Budget Repair) Bill 2016

Amends: the Social Security Act 1991 to: reduce from 26 to six weeks the period during which age pension and other payments with unlimited portability can be paid outside Australia at the means-tested rate; and pause for three years the indexation of various income thresholds that apply to certain social security benefits and allowances and the income test free area for parenting payment single; the Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to abolish the pensioner education supplement; the Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to abolish the education entry payment; and seven Acts to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Discharged from Notice Paper 10/5/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 15/9/16
(SBC report 6/16); report tabled 10/10/16

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card) Bill 2017

Amends the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to remove certain restrictions on the cashless debit card trial and thereby allow the extension of trial arrangements in current sites and to further sites.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 17/8/17, 26/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); extensions of time to report 13/11/17, 27/11/17; report tabled 6/12/17

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Ending Carbon Tax Compensation) Bill 2017

Amends five Acts to prevent new recipients of welfare payments or concession cards from being paid the energy supplement from 20 September 2017.

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/5/17; 2nd reading adjourned 31/5/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 15/6/17 (SBC report 6/17); report tabled 9/8/17

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Energy Assistance Payment and Pensioner Concession Card) Bill 2017

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide a one-off energy assistance payment to recipients of the age pension, disability support pension, parenting payment single and certain veterans—€™ payments who are payable and residing in Australia on 20 June 2017; and Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to provide a pensioner concession card to certain social security pensioners and veterans—€™ payments recipients whose payment or pension was cancelled on 1 January 2017 due to changes in the assets test parameters.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/5/17; Passed 31/5/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 19/6/17; Act No. 46, 2017

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Family Payments Structural Reform and Participation Measures) Bill 2016

Introduced with the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Bill 2016, the bill amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to: increase family tax benefit (FTB) Part A fortnightly rates by $10.08 for each FTB child in the family up to 19 years of age; restructure FTB Part B by: increasing the standard rate by $1000.10 per year for families with a youngest child aged under one; maintaining certain standard rates for families, single parents who are at least 60 years of age, grandparents and great-grandparents; introducing a reduced rate of $1000.10 per year for individuals with a youngest child aged 13 to 16 years of age who are not single parents aged 60 or more or grandparents or great-grandparents; and removing the entitlement for single parent families who are not single parents aged 60 or more or grandparents or great-grandparents from the start of the calendar year their youngest child turns 17 years of age; and phase out the FTB Part A and Part B end-of-year supplements; Social Security Act 1991 to increase certain youth allowance and disability support pension fortnightly rates by approximately $7.48 for recipients under 18 years of age; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Discharged from Notice Paper 10/5/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee 15/9/16 (SBC report 6/16); report tabled 10/10/16; corrigendum presented out of sitting 20/10/16

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Housing Affordability) Bill 2017

Amends the: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to provide that lessors of social housing may request the secretary to deduct payments of rent and certain other costs from the social security or family tax benefit payments of tenants and certain other adult household members; Social Security Act 1991 to make consequential amendments; and National Rental Affordability Scheme Act 2008 to: clarify that the rent charged for a National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) dwelling must be at least 20 per cent lower than the market value rent on each occasion rent is charged; provide greater flexibility in how maximum vacancy periods are prescribed; provide for the variation of a condition of an NRAS allocation; and allow the regulations to provide for the transfer of an NRAS allocation to another rental dwelling in certain circumstances.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 19/10/17 (SBC report 12/17); extension of time to report 27/11/17; report tabled 6/12/17

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017

Amends: the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to: increase family tax benefit (FTB) Part A fortnightly rates by $20.02 for each FTB child in the family up to 19 years of age; remove the entitlement to FTB Part B for single parent families who are not single parents aged 60 or more or grandparents or great-grandparents from the start of the calendar year their youngest child turns 17 years of age; and phase out the FTB Part A and Part B end-of-year supplements; the Social Security Act 1991 to: increase certain youth allowance and disability support pension fortnightly rates by approximately $19.37 for recipients under 18 years of age; reduce from 26 to six weeks the period during which age pension and other payments with unlimited portability can be paid outside Australia at the means-tested rate; pause for three years the indexation of various income thresholds that apply to certain social security benefits and allowances and the income test free area for parenting payment single; extend and simplify the ordinary waiting period for all working age payments; extend youth allowance (other) to 22 to 24 year olds in lieu of newstart allowance and sickness allowance; and provide for a four-week waiting period for certain persons aged under 25 years applying for youth allowance (other) or special benefit and require these job seekers to complete certain pre-benefit activities; the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: cease the child care benefit (CCB) and child care rebate; introduce a child care subsidy (CCS) which is subject to both an income and activity test; introduce various rates of additional child care subsidy (ACCS) that are available in certain circumstances; and make amendments in relation to CCS and ACCS claims, reviews of decisions, provider approvals, and compliance obligations of approved providers of child care services; the Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to abolish the pensioner education supplement; the Social Security Act 1991, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to abolish the education entry payment; six Acts to prevent new recipients of welfare payments or concession cards from being paid the energy supplement from 20 September 2017; the Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to cease the payment of pension supplement after six weeks temporary absence overseas and immediately for permanent departures; the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to enable automation of the regular income stream review process; the Social Security Act 1991, Farm Household Support Act 2014 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to trial a social security income test incentive aimed at increasing the number of job seekers who undertake specified seasonal horticultural work, such as fruit picking; the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 to: provide that parental leave pay under the Paid Parental Leave scheme will only be provided to parents who have no employer-provided paid primary carer leave, or whose employer-provided paid primary carer leave is for a period less than 20 weeks or is paid at a rate below the full-time national minimum wage; remove the requirement for employers to provide paid parental leave to eligible employees, unless an employer chooses to manage the payment to employees and the employees agree for the employer to pay them; and make amendments contingent on the commencement of the proposed Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Act 2017; and 11 Acts to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 1/3/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Ind (McGowan)/negatived

Senate: Intro. 20/3/17; Discharged from Notice Paper 23/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 9/2/17 (SBC report 1/17); extension of time to report 20/3/17; report tabled 21/3/17

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Payment Integrity) Bill 2017

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 to: amend the residency requirements for the age pension and the disability support pension by changing certain timeframes which need to be met before claims will be deemed payable to eligible recipients; and increase the maximum liquid assets waiting period for youth allowance, austudy, newstart allowance and sick allowance from 13 weeks to 26 weeks; Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to cease payment of the pension supplement after six weeks temporary absence overseas and immediately for permanent departures; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to align the income test taper rates so that all income above the higher income free area is treated equally when calculating an individual—€™s rate of family tax benefit Part A.

House of Representatives: Intro. 21/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 21/6/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); report tabled 7/9/17

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Queensland Commission Income Management Regime) Bill 2017

Amends the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to enable income management to continue in Cape York and Doomadgee for a further two years until 30 June 2019.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/5/17; Passed 20/6/17

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

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 13/6/17; report tabled 20/6/17

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 74, 2017

PM Social Services Legislation Amendment (Relieving Domestic Violence Victims of Debt) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Mr Wilkie MP —€“ Ind)

Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 and Social Security Act 1991 to enable social security and family assistance debts to be waived in cases of domestic or family violence.

House of Representatives: Intro. 29/5/17; 2nd reading adjourned 29/5/17

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Seasonal Worker Incentives for Jobseekers) Bill 2017

Amends the Social Security Act 1991, Farm Household Support Act 2014 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to trial a social security income test incentive aimed at increasing the number of job seekers who undertake specified seasonal horticultural work, such as fruit picking.

House of Representatives: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 29/3/17

Senate: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 14/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 54, 2017

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Simplifying Student Payments) Bill 2017

(Previous title: Social Services Legislation Amendment (Simplifying Student Payments) Bill 2016)

Amends the Social Security Act 1991 to: remove the assets test exemption for youth allowance and austudy payment recipients whose partner receives certain income support payments; extend the means test rules used to assess interests in trusts and companies to independent youth allowance and austudy payment recipients; align income test treatment of gift payments from immediate family members with existing pension rules; harmonise the family tax benefit and youth allowance parental income tests by including tax free pensions and benefits as income for the parental income test; ensure that all students receiving income support receive a health care card; and enable the Australian Statistical Geography Standard remoteness structure used to assess eligibility for student payments to be automatically updated.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/16; Passed 21/3/17

CID amendments: 2 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 13/10/16 (SBC report 7/16); report tabled 7/11/16

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 24, 2017

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Transition Mobility Allowance to the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Bill 2016

Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to: tighten the eligibility criteria for mobility allowance for new claims and reduce the period for which the allowance is continued when a person ceases to be qualified; provide that the allowance will no longer be payable to individuals who transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); and close the mobility allowance program from 1 July 2020. Also makes consequential amendments to five Acts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 13/10/16; Passed 21/11/16

Senate: Intro. 22/11/16; 2nd reading adjourned 22/11/16

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 13/10/16 (SBC report 7/16); extensions of time to report 21/11/16, 23/11/16; report tabled 24/11/16

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill 2017

Amends: seven Acts to create a jobseeker payment to replace seven existing payments as the main payment for people of working age from 20 March 2020; 10 Acts to provide for the cessation of the widow B pension, wife pension, bereavement allowance, sickness allowance, widow allowance and partner allowance; the Social Security Act 1991 to: remove the ability of newstart allowance and certain special benefit recipients aged 55 to 59 to satisfy the activity test by engaging in voluntary work for at least 30 hours per fortnight; and remove certain exemptions for drug or alcohol dependence; the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to: provide that a job seeker—€™s newstart allowance or youth allowance be payable from the date they attend their initial appointment with their employment services provider; ensure that job seekers are not able to use drug or alcohol dependency as an excuse for failing to meet their requirements; introduce a new compliance framework for mutual obligation requirements in relation to participation payments; and enable the Department of Human Services to require applicants to provide their tax file number at the time of a claim; the Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to: provide that claimants receive payments from the date they lodge a complete claim; and establish a two year drug testing trial in three regions for 5000 new recipients of newstart allowance and youth allowance; the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, Paid Parental Leave Act 2010, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Student Assistance Act 1973 to enable certain information obtained in the course of an administrative action to be used in subsequent investigations and criminal proceedings; and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to exempt three social security laws from the operation of the Act. Also: enables the minister to make rules of a transitional nature in relation to the cessation of payments; and makes consequential amendments to the Farm Household Support Act 2014, Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 11/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 22 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 12/9/17; In committee 7/12/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); extension of time to report 4/9/17; report tabled 6/9/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/passed

Committee amendments: 13 Govt/passed; 1 Schedule negatived (Govt); 1 Part negatived (Govt); 1 AG/pending

Committee requests for amendments: 5 Govt/passed

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Youth Employment) Bill 2016

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 to: extend and simplify the ordinary waiting period for all working age payments; extend youth allowance (other) to 22 to 24 year olds in lieu of newstart allowance and sickness allowance; and provide for a four-week waiting period for certain persons aged under 25 years applying for youth allowance (other) or special benefit and require these job seekers to complete certain pre-benefit activities; and Farm Household Support Act 2014 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Discharged from Notice Paper 10/5/17

Statute Law Revision Bill 2016

Amends 15 Acts to correct technical errors.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/8/16; Read a 1st time 30/8/16

Statute Update (A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Regulations) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Statute Update (A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Regulations) Act 2017)

Amends: 18 Acts to incorporate modifications made by the A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Regulations; and the A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Regulations to remove certain provisions.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/11/16; Passed 7/2/17

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 9/2/17

Assent: 22/2/17; Act No. 13, 2017

Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017

Amends: the Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000 to abolish the Oil Stewardship Advisory Council; the Product Stewardship Act 2011 to abolish the Product Stewardship Advisory Group; the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006 to abolish the Advisory Group of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority; the Plant Breeder—€™s Rights Act 1994 to abolish the Plant Breeder—€™s Rights Advisory Committee; the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to abolish the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee; and five Acts to make consequential amendments. Also repeals the: Tradespersons—€™ Rights Regulation Act 1946 to remove the redundant Australian Recognised Trade Certificate Program; and Development Allowance Authority Act 1992 and Infrastructure Certificate Cancellation Tax Act 1994 to: abolish the Development Allowance Authority; and cease the tax exempt infrastructure borrowing concession.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 13/9/17

Senate: Intro. 14/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/17, 29/11/17

Statute Update (Winter 2017) Bill 2017

Amends: 18 Acts to modernise language and correct technical errors; six Acts to make amendments consequential on the Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) Act 2015; and five Acts to repeal spent and obsolete provisions. Also repeals the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Township Leasing) Act 2007, Governor-General Amendment Act 2003, Stevedoring Industry Act 1961 and Stevedoring Industry (Temporary Provisions) Act 1968.

House of Representatives: Intro. 25/5/17; Passed 17/8/17

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

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 93, 2017

Superannuation Amendment (PSSAP Membership) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Superannuation Amendment (PSSAP Membership) Act 2017)

Amends the Superannuation Act 2005 to enable members of the Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan (PSSAP) who move to non-Commonwealth employment to remain in the scheme as contributory members.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; Passed 13/2/17

Senate: Intro. 14/2/17; Passed 20/6/17

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 68, 2017

Superannuation (Excess Non-concessional Contributions Tax) Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Superannuation (Excess Non-concessional Contributions Tax) Act 2007 to increase from 47 per cent to 47.5 per cent the rate at which excess non-concessional contributions tax is payable on an individual—€™s excess non-concessional contributions.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Superannuation (Excess Untaxed Roll-over Amounts Tax) Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Superannuation (Excess Untaxed Roll-over Amounts Tax) Act 2007 to increase from 47 per cent to 47.5 per cent the rate at which excess untaxed roll-over amounts tax is payable on an individual—€™s excess untaxed roll-over amounts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

S Superannuation Laws Amendment (Strengthening Trustee Arrangements) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to require registrable superannuation licensees to have at least one-third independent directors and for the Chair of the Board of directors to be one of these independent directors; and Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Act 2011 to enable the trustee board of the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation to comply with the new independence requirements.

Senate: Intro. 14/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/17, 15/11/17, 16/11/17, 4/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); report presented out of sitting 23/10/17

Superannuation (Objective) Bill 2016

Requires bills and regulations relating to superannuation to be accompanied by a statement of their compatibility with the defined primary and subsidiary objectives of the superannuation system.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/11/16; Passed 22/11/16

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 23/11/16; 2nd reading adjourned 23/11/16

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 10/11/16 (SBC report 8/16); report tabled 14/2/17

Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2016 Measures No. 2) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2016 Measures No. 2) Act 2017)

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to establish a remedial power so that the Commissioner of Taxation can make a disallowable legislative instrument to modify the operation of a taxation law in certain circumstances; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to enable primary producers to access income tax averaging 10 income years or more after they opted out; and A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999 to provide an exemption from luxury car tax to certain public institutions that import or acquire luxury cars for the sole purpose of public display. Also makes technical amendments to 10 Acts and repeals 45 excise Acts and the Income Tax (War-time Arrangements) Act 1942.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/16; Passed 7/2/17

Senate: Intro. 8/2/17; Passed 9/2/17

Assent: 28/2/17; Act No. 15, 2017

PS Taxation Administration Amendment (Corporate Tax Entity Information) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Gallagher —€“ ALP)

Amends the Taxation Administration Act 1953 to provide that the threshold for the public reporting of corporate entity tax information by the Australian Taxation Office for private corporate entities is $100 million.

Senate: Intro. 14/8/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/8/17

Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 1) Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) Act (No. 1) 2007 to increase from 47 per cent to 47.5 per cent the rate of trustee beneficiary non-disclosure tax where a share of the net income of a trust is distributed to the trustee of a closely held trust.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 2) Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) Act (No. 2) 2007 to increase from 47 per cent to 47.5 per cent the rate of trustee beneficiary non-disclosure tax where a share of the net income of a trust is distributed to the trustee of a closely held trust.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

PM Telecommunications Amendment (Guaranteeing Mobile Phone Service in Bushfire Zones) Bill 2017

(Introduced by Ms Sharkie MP —€“ NXT)

Amends the Telecommunications Act 1997 to enable the Australian Communications and Media Authority to determine an industry standard which requires that mobile base stations (mobile telephone towers) in high bushfire risk communities have at least 24 hours of standby power capability at all times.

House of Representatives: Intro. 4/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 4/9/17

S Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

(Previous title: Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016)

Amends the Telecommunications Act 1997, Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 and Australian Security Intelligence Organisations Act 1979 to establish a regulatory framework to manage national security risks of espionage, sabotage and foreign interference to Australia—€™s telecommunications networks and facilities.

Senate: Intro. 9/11/16; Passed 14/8/17

Bill referred to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 9/11/16; report presented out of sitting 30/6/17; report tabled in House 8/8/17

Committee amendments: 9 Govt/passed

House of Representatives: Intro. 15/8/17; Passed 14/9/17

Assent: 18/9/17; Act No. 111, 2017

Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Telecommunications (Regional Broadband Scheme) Charge Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Telecommunications Act 1997 to: remove regulation of networks servicing small business customers; enable new superfast networks to operate on a functionally separated basis with the approval of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC); enable the ACCC to exempt small start-up networks from separation regulation; provide that all services supplied on networks that are wholesale-only or functionally separated will be subject to clear non-discrimination obligations; amend the enforcement regime, including conferring additional powers on the ACCC; and introduce a statutory infrastructure provider regime; Carrier Licence Conditions (Networks supplying Superfast Carriage Services to Residential Customers) Declaration 2014 and Legislation (Exemptions and Other Matters) Regulation 2015 in relation to sunsetting arrangements; Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Telecommunications Act 1997 and Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 to implement the administrative arrangements for the Regional Broadband Scheme; and Telecommunications Act 1997 to extend the —€˜designated day—€™ for the purposes of Telstra—€™s structural separation to 1 January 2020. Also repeals four declarations.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 22/6/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); extension of time to report 8/8/17; report tabled 6/9/17

Telecommunications (Regional Broadband Scheme) Charge Bill 2017

Introduced with the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer) Bill 2017, the bill establishes an ongoing funding arrangement for fixed wireless and satellite infrastructure (the Regional Broadband Scheme) by imposing a monthly charge on carriers, including NBN Co Ltd, in relation to each premises connected to their network that has an active fixed-line superfast broadband service during the month.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 22/6/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); extension of time to report 8/8/17; report tabled 6/9/17

Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Act 2017)

Amends the: Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to: enable certain variations that do not impact the quality, safety or efficacy of medicines to be made by notification to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA); enable Australian designated bodies to undertake conformity assessment of manufacturers of medical devices; alter the requirements for the minister to consult with committees; provide review and appeal rights for persons applying to have new ingredients permitted for use in listed complementary medicines; enable priority approval of therapeutic goods, biologicals and medical devices; specify timeframes within which the secretary must complete actions or make decisions in relation to listed complementary medicines; amend record-keeping arrangements to assist with post-marketing monitoring of medicines and medical devices; provide further grounds on which applications to vary an entry in the register will not be considered to be effective; update terminology and provide for certain public notifications in relation to the recall of therapeutic goods; enable the secretary to obtain certain information from sponsors of listed medicines; and make miscellaneous amendments in relation to powers to approve unapproved goods in the event of a shortage, alignment of cancellation powers, revoking the cancellation of goods cancelled for non-payment of annual charges, information-gathering powers in relation to holders of manufacturing licences, and conditions of inclusion in the register of medical devices; and A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 and Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to enable health practitioners to supply certain therapeutic goods not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods to patients under a notification scheme.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; Passed 27/3/17

Senate: Intro. 27/3/17; Passed 14/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 9/2/17 (SBC report 1/17); report tabled 27/3/17

Assent: 19/6/17; Act No. 47, 2017

Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to: introduce a new approval pathway for prescription medicines by creating a class of therapeutic good to be known as —€˜provisionally registered goods—€™; allow the minister to specify, by legislative instrument, permitted indications for use with listed medicines; establish an additional pathway for intermediate risk medicines through a new application and assessment process for sponsors of listed complementary medicines seeking to use indications that fall outside the permitted indications list; strengthen monitoring powers in relation to biologicals; implement stronger compliance and enforcement powers and graduated penalties for non-compliant behaviours; remove the distinctions between advertisements for therapeutic goods for which an approval is, or is not, required; enable the secretary to utilise the work of comparable overseas regulators in the course of making assessments of medical devices; enable the secretary to publish information in relation to Australian conformity assessment bodies; align the secretary—€™s powers relating to conformity assessment certificates issued by Australian conformity assessment bodies and conformity assessment certificates issued by the secretary; clarify that the secretary has the power to refuse an application for including medicines, biologicals and medical devices in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods prior to evaluating the application if it does not meet the application requirements; and make minor amendments to achieve consistency of regulatory requirements between different types of therapeutic goods and make other minor changes; and Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; Passed 4/12/17

Senate: Intro. 4/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 4/12/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 30/11/17 (SBC report 14/17); report due 2/2/18

Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2017

Introduced with the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017, the bill amends the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Act 1989 to: enable regulations to be made prescribing an annual charge for a conformity assessment body determination payable by the Australian corporation that is the subject of the determination; provide that the obligation for a conformity assessment body to pay an annual charge continues during a period in which the conformity assessment body determination is suspended; and ensure that the annual charges prescribed for provisionally registered goods also apply to provisionally registered goods entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; Passed 4/12/17

Senate: Intro. 4/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 4/12/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 30/11/17 (SBC report 14/17); report due 2/2/18

Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill 2016

(Previous title: Transport Security Amendment (Serious or Organised Crime) Bill 2016)

Amends the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 to: prevent the use of aviation and maritime transport or offshore facilities in connection with serious or organised crime; establish a regulatory framework to implement harmonised eligibility criteria for the aviation security identification card (ASIC) and maritime security identification card (MSIC) schemes; clarify and align the legislative basis for undertaking security checking of ASIC and MSIC applicants and holders; provide for regulations to prescribe penalties for offences; and insert an additional severability provision to provide guidance to a court as to Parliament—€™s intention.

House of Representatives: Intro. 31/8/16; Passed 13/2/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendments: 12 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/2/17; Passed 27/3/17

Committee amendments: 12 Opp/passed; 2 LDP/passed

[House disagreed to Senate amendments and agreed to 10 Govt amendments in place of Senate amendments nos 1 to 6 and 9 to 12, 30/3/17; Senate reported message from House 31/3/17]

Transport Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

(Act citation: Transport Security Legislation Amendment Act 2017)

Amends the: Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 to enable people, vehicles and goods to undergo aviation security screening within an airside area or zone at a security controlled airport; and Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 to enable the secretary to delegate his or her powers to lower level Australian Public Service employees.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; Passed 13/2/17

Senate: Intro. 13/2/17; Passed 20/3/17

Committee amendments: 2 PHON/negatived

Assent: 28/3/17; Act No. 18, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Treasury Laws Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Act 2017)

Amends the: Terrorism Insurance Act 2003 to clarify that losses attributable to terrorist attacks using chemical or biological means are covered by the terrorism insurance scheme; Corporations Act 2001 to: provide that employee share scheme disclosure documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission are not made publicly available for certain start-up companies; and provide protection for retail client money and property held by financial services licensees in relation to over-the-counter derivative products; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to update the list of deductible gift recipients; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide income tax relief to eligible New Zealand special category visa holders who are impacted by disasters in Australia.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/12/16; Passed 13/2/17

Senate: Intro. 14/2/17; Passed 27/3/17

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 25, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 1) Bill 2017

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: supplement the —€˜same business test—€™ with a —€˜similar business test—€™ for the purposes of working out whether a company—€™s tax losses and net capital losses from previous income years can be used as a tax deduction in a current income year; and make consequential amendments; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide taxpayers with the choice to self-assess the effective life of certain intangible depreciating assets they start to hold on or after 1 July 2016.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 22/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 23/6/17 a.m.; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/17 a.m.

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 2) Bill 2017

Amends the: Corporations Act 2001 to: create a safe harbour for company directors from personal liability for insolvent trading if the company is undertaking a restructure outside formal insolvency; and Corporations Act 2001 and Payment Systems and Netting Act 1998 to make certain contractual rights unenforceable while a company is restructuring under certain formal insolvency processes.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 22/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 23/6/17 a.m.; Passed 11/9/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 15/6/17 (SBC report 6/17); report tabled 8/8/17

Committee amendments: 20 Govt/passed; 1 Opp/passed; 15 Opp/negatived

[House agreed to Senate amendments 12/9/17]

Assent: 18/9/17; Act No. 112, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to ensure that investors who invest through an interposed trust are able to access the capital gain concessions provided by the tax incentives for early stage investors and venture capital investment measures; and Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to specify that the sharing of confidential information by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission with the Commissioner of Taxation is authorised use and disclosure of that information.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 2/3/17

Senate: Intro. 20/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 26, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 2) Bill 2017

Amends: six Acts to make amendments arising out of the enactment of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fair and Sustainable Superannuation) Act 2016 in relation to: the transfer balance cap; concessional and non-concessional contributions; limited recourse borrowing arrangements; objective of superannuation; transition to retirement income streams; capital gains tax relief for superannuation funds; and administrative processes; the Bankruptcy Act 1966 and Corporations Act 2001 to enable a single approval to cover a profit or advantage received by an external administrator or trustee even when the benefit is passed on to multiple related entitles; and the Corporations Act 2001 to: ensure that annual and end-of-control returns by controllers are included on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission—€™s public register; and make technical amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 25/5/17; Passed 15/6/17

Senate: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 25/5/17; report presented out of sitting 30/5/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 55, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 3) Bill 2017

Amends the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and Corporations Act 2001 to validate certain agreements to employ or engage Australian Securities and Investments Commission staff that were purportedly made before the end of 9 March 2017.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/6/17; Passed 21/6/17

Senate: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 22/6/17

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 75, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 4) Bill 2017

Amends the: A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 to: introduce additional eligibility criteria for the wine equalisation tax (WET) producer rebate; provide that a purchaser of wine is only able to claim a WET credit for WET included in the purchase price of that wine if it makes a taxable dealing with the wine; reduce the WET producer rebate cap from $500 000 to $350 000; amend the timing of the application of the associated producers rule; and remove the earlier producer rebate rule; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide asset roll-over relief for mandatory transfers within a superannuation fund in the transition to a MySuper product.

House of Representatives: Intro. 22/6/17; Passed 16/8/17

Senate: Intro. 16/8/17; Passed 17/8/17

Assent: 23/8/17; Act No. 94, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 5) Bill 2017

Introduced with the ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Amendment Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Corporations Act 2001 to: establish a new licensing regime requiring administrators of designated significant financial benchmarks to obtain a benchmark administrator licence from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); enable ASIC to make rules imposing a regulatory framework for licensed benchmark administrators and related matters; and create offences and penalties for manipulation of financial benchmarks; Productivity Commission Act 1998 to provide for the appointment of an additional commissioner to oversee the work of the Productivity Commission in relation to the evaluation of policies and programs that have an impact on Indigenous persons; and Corporations Act 2001 and Treasury Laws Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Act 2017 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/9/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 6) Bill 2017

Amends the: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to ensure that supplies of digital currency receive equivalent goods and services tax treatment to supplies of money, particularly foreign currency; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to include the Centre For Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation on the list of deductible gift recipients.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; Passed 18/10/17

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; Passed 19/10/17

Assent: 30/10/17; Act No. 118, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (Accelerated Depreciation For Small Business Entities) Bill 2017

Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business Measures No. 2) Act 2015 to extend by 12 months to 30 June 2018 the period during which small business entities can access expanded accelerated depreciation rules.

House of Representatives: Intro. 25/5/17; Passed 31/5/17

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 25/5/17; report presented out of sitting 30/5/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 56, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (Banking Executive Accountability and Related Measures) Bill 2017

Amends the: Banking Act 1959 to: establish the Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) to impose accountability, remuneration, key personnel and notification obligations on authorised deposit-taking institutions and persons in director and senior executive roles; and provide the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) with additional powers to investigate potential breaches of the BEAR and extend these powers to APRA—€™s other supervisory functions; and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998 and Banking Act 1959 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 19/10/17 (SBC report 12/17); report presented out of sitting 24/11/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Banking Measures No. 1) Bill 2017

Amends the: Banking Act 1959 to: enable the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to makes rules and directions relating to the provision of finance by non-authorised deposit-taking institution lenders which APRA has identified may materially contribute to risks of instability in the Australian financial system; remove restrictions on the use of the term —€˜bank—€™; and insert an objects provision; National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 to: require that the suitability of a credit card contract is assessed on the consumer—€™s ability to repay the credit limit within a certain period; prohibit providers from making unsolicited credit limit offers in relation to credit card contracts and from retrospectively charging interest on credit card balances; and enable consumers to reduce credit card limits and terminate credit card contracts, including by online means; and Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001, Insurance Act 1973, Life Insurance Act 1995 and National Consumer Credit Protection (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2009 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Bourke Street Fund) Bill 2017

Amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to include the Bourke Street Fund on the list of deductible gift recipients.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 15/2/17

Senate: Intro. 15/2/17; Passed 16/2/17

Assent: 28/2/17; Act No. 14, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Multinational Tax Avoidance) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Diverted Profits Tax Bill 2017, the bill amends: five Acts to provide for a diverted profits tax from 1 July 2017 to ensure that significant global entities are not able to avoid their tax obligations by diverting profits generated in Australia offshore; the Taxation Administration Act 1953 to increase the administrative penalties that can be imposed by the Commissioner of Taxation on significant global entities for breaching their tax reporting obligations; and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to update the reference to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) transfer pricing guidelines in Australia—€™s cross-border transfer pricing rules to include the 2016 OECD amendments to the guidelines.

House of Representatives: Intro. 9/2/17; Passed 21/3/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

CID amendment: 1 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 23/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 16/2/17 (SBC report 2/17); report tabled 20/3/17

Committee amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 27, 2017

S Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Bill 2017

Amends the: Corporations Act 2001 to consolidate and broaden the existing protections and remedies for corporate and financial sector whistleblowers; Taxation Administration Act 1953 to create a whistleblower protection regime for disclosures of information by individuals regarding breaches of the tax laws or misconduct relating to an entity—€™s tax affairs; and Banking Act 1959, Insurance Act 1973, Life Insurance Act 1995 and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 7/12/17; 2nd reading adjourned 7/12/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan Base Rate Entities) Bill 2017

Amends the: Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to provide that a corporate tax entity will not qualify for the lower 27.5 per cent corporate tax rate if more than 80 per cent of its assessable income is income of a passive nature; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan) Bill 2016

(Act citation: Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan) Act 2017)

Amends the: Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to: reduce the corporate tax rate for small businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million to 27.5 per cent for the 2016-17 financial year and progressively extend that lower rate to all corporate tax entities by the 2023-24 financial year; and further reduce the corporate tax rate in stages so that by the 2026-27 financial year, the corporate tax rate for all entities will be 25 per cent; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: increase the small business income tax offset to 16 per cent of an eligible individual—€™s basic income tax liability that relates to their total net small business income from the 2026-27 financial year; and enable small businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million to access most small business tax concessions, and small businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $5 million to access the small business income tax offset; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/9/16; Passed 27/3/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 27/3/17; Passed 31/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 15/9/16 (SBC report 6/16); report tabled 10/10/16

Committee amendments: 5 Govt/passed; 1 Part negatived (Govt); 3 Opp/negatived; 4 JLN/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed (Opp)/Schedule agreed to; 16 Parts opposed (12 Opp; 4 JLN)/Parts agreed to; 11 subitems opposed (8 Opp; 3 JLN)/subitems agreed to; 21 table items opposed (14 Opp; 7 JLN)/table items agreed to

[House agreed to Senate amendments 9/5/17]

Assent: 19/5/17; Act No. 41, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017

Further to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan) Act 2017, the bill amends the: Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to: progressively extend the lower 27.5 per cent corporate tax rate to all corporate tax entities by the 2023-24 financial year; and further reduce the corporate tax rate in stages so that by the 2026-27 financial year, the corporate tax rate for all entities will be 25 per cent; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Multinational Tax Avoidance) Act 2017 and Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan) Act 2017 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 11/5/17; 2nd reading adjourned 11/5/17, 11/9/17, 13/9/17, 14/9/17

Federation Chamber: Referred 18/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 18/10/17, 19/10/17; 2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/pending

Treasury Laws Amendment (Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding Payments) Bill 2017

Amends the Taxation Administration Act 1953 to modify the foreign resident capital gains withholding payments regime to: increase the withholding rate from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent; and reduce the withholding threshold from $2 million to $750 000.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 1/6/17; extension of time to report 13/6/17; report tabled 14/6/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 57, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (GST Integrity) Bill 2017

Amends the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to: introduce a reverse charge for business to business transactions between suppliers and purchasers of gold, silver and platinum to remove the opportunity for a supplier to avoid paying goods and services tax (GST) by liquidating; and ensure that entities cannot exploit the special GST treatment for second-hand goods to claim input tax credits by changing the form of a precious metal.

House of Representatives: Intro. 1/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 20/6/17

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 76, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (GST Low Value Goods) Bill 2017

Amends the: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to ensure that goods and services tax is payable on certain supplies of low value goods that are purchased by consumers and are imported into Australia; and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to broaden administrative penalties for making false or misleading statements.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/2/17; Passed 14/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 14/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 23/3/17 (SBC report 3/3/17); report tabled 9/5/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 AG/negatived

Committee amendments: 4 Opp/passed; 1 AG/negatived

[House agreed to Senate amendments 21/6/17]

Assent: 26/6/17; Act No. 77, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Vacancy Fees) Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to: provide that travel expenditure incurred in gaining or producing assessable income from residential premises is not deductible, and not recognised in the cost base of the property for capital gains tax purposes; and limit deductions for plant and equipment assets used for producing assessable income from residential premises to when the asset was first used for a taxable purpose; Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 to implement an annual vacancy fee on foreign owners of residential real estate where residential property is not occupied or genuinely available on the rental market for at least six months in a 12-month period; and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 18/10/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 19/10/17; Passed 15/11/17

Assent: 30/11/17; Act No. 126, 2017

S Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Superannuation Laws Amendment (Strengthening Trustee Arrangements) Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to: require trustees to assess on an annual basis whether the outcomes that are being delivered by MySuper products are promoting the financial interests of MySuper members; allow the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to refuse, or cancel, an authority to offer a MySuper product if it has a reason to believe the registrable superannuation entity (RSE) licensee may fail to comply with its obligations; impose civil and criminal penalties on directors of RSE licensees who fail to execute their responsibilities to act in the best interests of members, or who use their position to further their own interests to the detriment of members; enable APRA to refuse authority for a change in ownership or control where it has concerns about the person seeking ownership or control, give a direction to a person to relinquish control of a RSE licensee and remove or suspend an RSE licensee where it is subject to the control of its owner; align APRA—€™s directions powers in relation to the superannuation industry with its broader directions powers in the banking and insurance industries; and require RSE licensees to hold annual members—€™ meetings; Corporations Act 2001 and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to require superannuation funds to disclose on a semi-annual basis investments that they hold directly or through associated entities and initial investments into non-associated entities; Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001 to provide APRA with the ability to obtain information on expenses incurred by RSE and RSE licensees in managing or operating the RSE; and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998 to make consequential amendments.

Senate: Intro. 14/9/17; 2nd reading adjourned 14/9/17, 15/11/17, 16/11/17, 4/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); report presented out of sitting 23/10/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 2) Bill 2017

Amends the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to: provide that employees under workplace determinations or enterprise agreements made on or after 1 July 2018 have the right to choose their superannuation fund; and provide that amounts sacrificed under an employee salary sacrifice arrangement will not reduce an employer—€™s mandated superannuation guarantee contributions.

House of Representatives: Intro. 14/9/17; Passed 23/10/17

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); report presented out of sitting 23/10/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive) Bill 2017

Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to replace the Exploration Development Incentive with the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive, which will enable junior exploration companies undertaking greenfields minerals exploration to distribute their tax losses as a refundable tax offset to investors who have purchased newly issued shares; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Taxation Administration Act 1953 and Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 7) Act 2015 to make consequential amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 19/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/10/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Major Bank Levy) Bill 2017

Introduced with the Major Bank Levy Bill 2017, the bill amends the: Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998 to enable the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to share major bank levy information with the Commissioner of Taxation; Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001 to enable the APRA reporting standards to include information relating to amounts for the purposes of the levy; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide for the indexation of the $100 billion threshold; and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to: specify that the levy is payable to the commissioner quarterly; ensure that the ordinary collection and recovery provisions apply in relation to the levy; introduce an anti-avoidance law for the levy; and enable the commissioner to share levy information with APRA.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/5/17; Passed 19/6/17

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; Passed 19/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 13/6/17; report tabled 19/6/17

Assent: 23/6/17; Act No. 64, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2017

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 individual taxpayers and families eligible for the seniors and pensioners tax offset; and increase the phase-in limits as a result of the increased threshold amounts.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/5/17; Passed 15/6/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 15/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 58, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2017

Amends the Federal Financial Relations Act 2009 to enable the Commonwealth to provide financial assistance to the states for housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters by: ceasing the National Specific Purpose Payment for Housing Services; and providing ongoing funding in accordance with a primary housing agreement, a supplementary housing agreement or a designated housing agreement.

House of Representatives: Intro. 25/10/17; 2nd reading adjourned 25/10/17

Senate:

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 16/11/17 (SBC report 13/17); report due 6/2/18

S Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First—€”Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017

Amends: the Corporations Act 2001 and 12 other Acts to introduce a new external dispute resolution scheme, known as the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), to resolve disputes about products and services provided by financial firms; and five Acts to: require firms that must participate in the enhanced internal dispute resolution (IDR) framework to report their IDR activities to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in accordance with ASIC requirements; provide ASIC with additional powers to determine the content and form of IDR reporting by IDR Firms and to publish this data at both the aggregate and firm level; and allow ASIC to specify, by legislative instrument, requirements for trustees and retirement savings account providers to provide written reasons for decisions in relation to complaints. Also repeals the Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 and makes consequential amendments to 11 Acts.

Senate: Intro. 14/9/17; Passed 6/12/17

Bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 14/9/17 (SBC report 11/17); report tabled 17/10/17

Committee amendments: 17 Govt/passed; 3 AG/passed; 23 Opp/negatived; 1 Schedule opposed (Opp)/Schedule agreed to; 33 items opposed (Opp)/items agreed to; 1 Division opposed (Opp)/Division agreed to

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/12/17; Read a 1st time 7/12/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 1) Bill 2017

Introduced with the First Home Super Saver Tax Bill 2017 to establish the First Home Super Saver Scheme, the bill amends: 10 Acts to enable first home savers to make voluntary contributions into the superannuation system and to withdraw those contributions and associated earnings for the purposes of purchasing their first home; and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to allow an individual aged 65 years or over to use the proceeds of one sale of their main residence to make contributions (downsizer contributions) of up to $300 000 to their superannuation.

House of Representatives: Intro. 7/9/17; Passed 18/10/17

2nd reading amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 18/10/17; Passed 5/12/17

Committee amendments: 3 LDP/passed

[House agreed to Senate amendments 7/12/17]

Assent: 13/12/17; Act No. 132, 2017

Treasury Laws Amendment (Untainting Tax) (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017

Part of a package of 11 bills to fund the Commonwealth—€™s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to increase from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent the rate of Medicare levy and Medicare levy surcharge component of the untainting tax rate.

House of Representatives: Intro. 17/8/17; Passed 25/10/17

CID amendment: 1 Opp/negatived

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; 2nd reading adjourned 13/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Economics Legislation Committee 17/8/17 (SBC report 9/17); report tabled 16/10/17

Treasury Laws Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Employer Register) Bill 2017

Amends the: A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 to ensure that working holiday maker employer registration information is not publicly released; and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to restrict the ability of the Commissioner of Taxation to provide certain protected information to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

House of Representatives: Intro. 16/2/17; 2nd reading adjourned 16/2/17

PS Vaporised Nicotine Products Bill 2017

(Introduced by Senator Leyonhjelm —€“ LDP and Senator Roberts —€“ PHON)

Amends the: Airports Act 1996 to provide that the regulation of smoking at airports does not apply to the use of e-cigarettes (vaping); Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to exclude e-cigarettes from regulation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration; and Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 to provide that the ban on the advertising of smoking does not apply to the advertising of vaping.

Senate: Intro. 19/6/17; 2nd reading adjourned 19/6/17

Bill referred to Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 22/6/17 (SBC report 7/17); report tabled 14/9/17

Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2017

Amends: the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006 to enable eligible Australian participants in the British Nuclear Testing Program to access treatment for any condition, not just malignant neoplasia; extend eligibility for treatment to Australian veterans of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and civilians present at a British nuclear test area during a relevant period; and amend the short title of the Act to the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests and British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Treatment) Act 2006; 10 Acts to make consequential amendments; the Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to amend the work history requirements for eligibility for the Special or Intermediate Rates of Disability Pension; and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 to enable the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission to determine a class of persons eligible to participate in an early access to rehabilitation pilot programme.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/5/17; Passed 1/6/17

Senate: Intro. 13/6/17; Passed 15/6/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 24/5/17; report tabled 13/6/17

Assent: 22/6/17; Act No. 59, 2017

Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Digital Readiness and Other Measures) Bill 2017

(Previous title: Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Digital Readiness and Other Measures) Bill 2016)

Amends the: Military, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to: enable the secretary to arrange for the use of computer programs to make decisions and determinations, exercise powers or comply with obligations and do anything else related to those actions; enable the secretary to disclose information about a particular case or class of cases where the secretary certifies that it is necessary in the public interest to do so; and enable information sharing between the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Defence or the Chief of the Defence Force; Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 to amend the short title of the Act once it is enacted; and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to make technical amendments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 24/11/16; Passed 2/3/17

CID amendments: 8 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 20/3/17; Passed 27/3/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 1/12/16 (SBC report 10/16); extension of time to report 13/2/17; report presented out of sitting 20/2/17

Committee amendments: 4 Govt/passed; 3 Opp/passed; 8 items negatived (Govt)

[House agreed to Senate amendments 29/3/17]

Assent: 4/4/17; Act No. 28, 2017

Veterans—€™ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2017

Amends the: Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to: amend provisions in relation to the operation of the Veterans—€™ Review Board and the Specialist Medical Review Council; enable international agreements to be made to cover the provision of benefits and payments including rehabilitation that are comparable to those provided by the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission; and make minor corrections; Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 in relation to the provision of certain rehabilitation assistance under an Employer Incentive Scheme; Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 to: enable information sharing between the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation in relation to certain service related compensation claims; and provide for the delegation of the Minister for Veterans—€™ Affairs—€™ powers and functions; Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to enable certain legislative instruments to incorporate matters contained in another non-disallowable legislative instrument or other non-legislative writings as in force from time to time; Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 and Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to make amendments contingent on the commencement of the proposed Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment (Defence Force) Act 2017; and Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006 and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 to make consequential amendments. Also amends five Acts to remove spent veterans—€™ affairs and military rehabilitation and compensation payments.

House of Representatives: Intro. 30/3/17; Passed 26/10/17

CID amendments: 10 Govt/passed

Senate: Intro. 13/11/17; Passed 15/11/17

Provisions of bill referred to Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee 30/3/17 (SBC report 4/17); report tabled 13/6/17

Assent: 30/11/17; Act No. 128, 2017

PS Veterans—€™ Entitlements Amendment (Expanded Gold Card Access) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Lambie —€“ Ind)

Amends the Veterans—€™ Entitlements Act 1986 to provide that all veterans, including former members of the Defence Force and members of a peacekeeping force, who have served in war or war-like operations, are eligible for medical treatment, regardless of whether the condition or injury was caused by war or contracted during war or war-like operations.

Senate: Intro. 11/11/15; 2nd reading adjourned 11/11/15, 25/2/16

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 1/9/16

PS Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2015

(Introduced by Senator Rhiannon —€“ AG)

The bill: establishes the Office of Animal Welfare as an independent statutory authority with responsibility for advising on the protection of animal welfare in Commonwealth regulated activities; provides for the functions, appointment and terms and conditions of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and for staff and consultants; establishes the Office of Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to advise the CEO; and provides for reporting requirements.

Senate: Intro. 23/6/15; 2nd reading adjourned 23/6/15

Bill referred to Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee 25/6/15 (SBC report 8/15); report tabled 15/10/15

Lapsed due to prorogation of first session of 44th Parliament 17/4/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 19/4/16

Lapsed due to dissolution of 44th Parliament 9/5/16

Restored to Notice Paper at 2nd reading 21/6/17

For further information about the consideration of legislation in the Senate: Brief Guide to Senate Procedure No. 15—€”Reading a bill Brief Guide to Senate Procedure No. 16—€”Consideration of legislation Brief Guide to Senate Procedure No. 17—€”Debating legislation under time limits Odgers—€™ Australian Senate Practice, 13th edition—€”Chapters 12 (Legislation) and 13 (Financial Legislation) Senate Brief No. 8—€”The Senate and Legislation Bills and related material can be accessed at http://www.aph.gov.au/bills Committee reports can be accessed at http://www.aph.gov.au/committees