PREFACE
Progress and Referral of the Bill
On 20 November 1997, the Attorney-General, the Hon Mr Daryl Williams
AM QC MP, introduced the Copyright Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1997 into the
House of Representatives. The Bill was passed by the House on 26 November
1997.
On 2 December 1997, the Selection of Bills Committee recommended, and
the Senate subsequently agreed, to refer the provisions of the Copyright
Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1997 to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation
Committee for inquiry and report by 23 March 1998. The reporting date
was subsequently extended to 1 April 1998.
Scope of the Inquiry
When referring the Bill, the Selection of Bills Committee identified
as principal issues consideration of the necessity for the proposed legislation,
and, in particular, the costs and benefits likely to be delivered by the
legislation.
Conduct of the Inquiry
The Committee wrote to those organisations suggested by the Selection
of Bills Committee and a large number of other relevant organisations,
government departments and individuals inviting submissions on the Bill.
The Committee received 196 submissions to the inquiry. Those persons
and organisations who made submissions are listed at Appendix 1.
The Committee held 7 hearings in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth
through February and March 1998. A list of witnesses who gave evidence
appears at Appendix 2.
Structure of the Committee's Report
The Committee's report is set out in the following way:
· Chapter 1: The Australian Recorded Music Industry - An Overview
provides a general overview of the Australian recorded music industry,
discussing its structure, significance and general features.
· Chapter 2: Background to the Bill provides the background to the
policy issues underlying the Bill.
· Chapter 3: Provisions of the Bill discusses the essential provisions
of the Bill and the reasons for its introduction.
· Chapter 4: Matters Raised During the Inquiry canvasses the major
issues that were raised in submissions and in evidence during the Committee's
program of public hearings.
· Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations sets out the Committee's
conclusions about the Bill and its recommendations to Parliament.
Acknowledgment
The Committee would like to acknowledge those individuals and organisations
which assisted the Committee in its inquiry, and record its appreciation
for that assistance.
Senator Eric Abetz
Chair
Legislation Committee