Legal and Constitutional


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Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees administered by the Senate Committee Office

Legal and Constitutional

Matters Current as at 1 January
Matters Refered during period (Including estimates and annual reports)
Reports tabled that discharge a reference
Current Inquiries as at 30 June
Legislation 3 14 13 +(1*) 4
References 1 1 1 1
Total 4 15 14 5

Number and Hours of Meeting
Public
Hrs
Public Estimates
Hrs
Private
Hrs
Insp/Other
Hrs
Total Meetings
Total Hours
Legislation 11 49:04 8 70:56 11 9:10 0 0:00 30 129:10
References 0 0:00 0 0:00 3 0:19 0 0:00 3 0:19
Total 11 49:04 8 70:56 14 9:29 0 0:00 33 129:29

Meetings by State
ACT
NSW
VIC
TAS
SA
WA
NT
QLD
Legislation 22 7 1 0 0 0 0 0
References 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 25 7 1 0 0 0 0 0

Witnesses
Hansard Pages
Televised hearings
Estimates
Other (Bills)
General
Estimates
Other (Bills)
General
No. of submissions
No. of Pages
Government Responses
Legislation 7 330 160 0 840 790 0 586 5029 1
References 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 24 1
Total 7 330 160 0 840 790 0 589 5053 2
*Report that did not discharge a reference

 

Legal and Constitutional Legislation

1 January 2006 to 30 June 2006

Method of appointment

Pursuant to Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members Date of appointment
Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)
(elected Chair-2.12.04) 		18.11.04
Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)
(elected Deputy Chair-23.6.05)		 23.6.05
Senator Andrew Bartlett (Qld, AD) 23.6.05
Senator Linda Kirk (SA, ALP) 11.5.05
Senator Brett Mason (Qld, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP) 18.11.04

 

Substitute members Date of appointment
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, AD)** 23.6.05
*replaces Senator Bartlett for matters relating to the Attorney-General's portfolio

 

Participating members Date of appointment
Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (Tas, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Lyn Allison ( Vic, AD) 10.11.05
Senator Guy Barnett (Tas, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP) 9.5.06
Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator George Brandis (Qld, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Bob Brown (Tas, AG) 2.12.04
Senator George Campbell (NSW, ALP) 29.11.04
Senator Kim Carr ( Vic, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Grant Chapman (SA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (Tas, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Stephen Conroy ( Vic, ALP) 6.12.04
Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Christopher Evans (WA, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator the Hon John Faulkner (NSW, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Alan Ferguson (SA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Jeannie Ferris (SA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Steve Fielding ( Vic, FFP) 10.8.05
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP) 11.8.05
Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP) 13.10.05
Senator John Hogg (Qld, ALP) 29.11.04
Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP) 1.12.05
Senator David Johnston (WA, LP) 9.12.05
Senator Barnaby Joyce (Qld, NATS) 5.10.05
Senator Ross Lightfoot (WA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Joseph Ludwig (Qld, ALP) 14.6.05
Senator Kate Lundy (ACT, ALP) 29.11.04
Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (Qld, LP) 9.2.06
Senator Julian McGauran ( Vic, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Jan McLucas (Qld, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Christine Milne (Tas, AG) 6.9.05
Senator Andrew Murray (WA, AD) 9.12.05
Senator Kerry Nettle (NSW, AG) 18.11.04
Senator Stephen Parry (Tas, LP) 8.9.05
Senator the Hon Kay Patterson ( Vic, LP) 7.2.06
Senator Robert Ray ( Vic, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator the Hon Nick Sherry (Tas, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG) 6.9.05
Senator Ursula Stephens (NSW, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, AD) 18.11.04
Senator Russell Trood (Qld, LP) 11.8.05
Senator John Watson (Tas, LP) 18.11.04

 

Former members Term of appointment
Senator Joseph Ludwig (Qld, ALP) 18.11.04-11.5.05
Senator Brian Greig (WA, AD) 18.11.04-23.6.05
Senator the Hon Nick Bolkus (SA, ALP)
(Deputy Chair-2.12.04-23.6.05) 		18.11.04-30.6.05

 

Former substitute members Term of appointment
Senator George Brandis (Qld, LP)* 6.12.04-7.12.04
Senator Andrew Bartlett (Qld, AD)** 17.3.05-12.5.05
Senator Aden Ridgeway (NSW, AD)*** 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Christopher Evans (WA, ALP)**** 14.9.05-15.9.05
Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)^ 9.12.05-7.2.06
Senator Russell Trood (Qld, LP)^^ 9.12.05-7.2.06
Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)^^^ 7.12.05-27.2.06
*replaced Senator Payne for inquiry into the Copyright Legislation Amendment Bill 2004
**replaced Senator Greig for inquiry into provisions of the Migration Litigation Reform Bill 2005  
***replaced Senator Greig for matters relating to the Indigenous Affairs portfolio  
****replaced Senator Kirk for inquiry into provisions of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005  
^replaced Senator Crossin for inquiry into the Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005  
^^replaced Senator Mason for inquiry into the Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005  
^^^replaced Senator Crossin for inquiry into the provisions of the Australian Citizenships Bill 2005 and a related bill

 

Former participating members Term of appointment
Senator Linda Kirk (SA, ALP) 29.11.04-11.5.05
Senator John Tierney (NSW, LP) 18.11.04-14.4.05
Senator Andrew Bartlett (Qld, AD) 18.11.04-23.6.05
Senator Geoffrey Buckland (SA, ALP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Brian Harradine (Tas, Ind) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Susan Knowles (WA, LP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Aden Ridgeway (NSW, AD) 6.12.04-30.6.05
Senator Tsebin Tchen ( Vic, LP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Sue Mackay (Tas, ALP) 18.11.04-29.7.05

 

Current inquiry

As at 1 January 2006

  • Provisions of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005 (referred 7 September 2005 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Provisions of the Australian Citizenship Bill 2005 and the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005 (referred 30 November 2005 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005 (referred 8 December 2005 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)

Current inquiries

As at 30 June 2006

  • Provisions of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005 (referred 7 September 2005 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Crimes Act Amendment (Forensic Procedures) Bill (No.1) 2006 (referred 22 June 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Customs Legislation Amendment (Modernising Import Controls and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (referred 22 June 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Financial Transaction Reports Amendment Bill 2006 (referred 22 June 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)

New references

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Provisions of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005 (referred 8 February 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Exposure draft of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2005 (referred 9 February 2006)
  • Provisions of the Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 (referred 1 March 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006 (referred 30 March 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Provisions of the Federal Magistrates Amendment (Disability and Death Benefits) Bill 2006 (referred 30 March 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Provisions of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Bill 2006, the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006 and the Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Bill 2006 (referred 30 March 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Provisions of the Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (referred 30 March 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Provisions of the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006 (referred 11 May 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Crimes Act Amendment (Forensic Procedures) Bill (No.1) 2006 (referred 22 June 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Customs Legislation Amendment (Modernising Import Controls and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (referred 22 June 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)
  • Financial Transaction Reports Amendment Bill 2006 (referred 22 June 2006 – through the Selection of Bills Committee)

Public hearings

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Additional Estimates 2005-06 – 13, 14, 17 & 27 February 2006, Canberra
  • Provisions of the Australian Citizenship Bill 2005 and the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005 – 30 January 2006, Melbourne; 6 February 2006, Canberra
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005 – 31 January 2006, Sydney
  • Provisions of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005 – 3 March 2006, Canberra
  • Exposure draft of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2005 – 14 March 2006, Sydney
  • Provisions of the Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 – 15 March 2006, Sydney
  • Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006 – 26 April 2006, Sydney
  • Provisions of the Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2006 – 27 April 2006, Sydney
  • Provisions of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Bill 2006, the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006 and the Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Bill 2006 – 27 April 2006, Sydney
  • Budget Estimates 2006-07 – 22, 23, 24 & 25 May 2006, Canberra
  • Provisions of the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006 – 26 May 2006, Canberra; 6 June 2006, Sydney

Reports tabled

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005 (tabled 7 February 2006)
  • Provisions of the Australian Citizenship Bill 2005 and the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005 (tabled 27 February 2006)
  • Provisions of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005 (presented out of session on 24 March 2006, tabled 27 March 2006)
  • Provisions of the Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 (tabled 27 March 2006)
  • Additional estimates 2005-06 (tabled 28 March 2006)
  • Annual Reports No. 1 of 2006 (tabled 29 March 2006)
  • Exposure Draft of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2005 (presented out of session on 13 April 2006; tabled 9 May 2006)
  • Interim Report - Provisions of the Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (presented out of session on 2 May 2006; tabled 9 May 2006)
  • Provisions of the Federal Magistrates Amendment (Disability and Death Benefits) Bill 2006 (presented out of session on 2 May 2006; tabled 9 May 2006)
  • Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006 (presented out of session on 2 May 2006; tabled 9 May 2006)
  • Provisions of the Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (presented out of session on 4 May 2006; tabled 9 May 2006)
  • Provisions of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Bill 2006, the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006 and the Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Bill 2006 (tabled 11 May 2006)
  • Provisions of the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006 (tabled 13 June 2006)
  • Budget estimates 2006-07 (tabled 20 June 2006)

Government responses tabled

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005 (tabled 11 May 2006; report tabled 27 March 2006)

Estimates

A statistical summary of this Committee's work when considering Estimates appears in Part Four.

 

Legal and Constitutional References

1 January 2006 to 30 June 2006

Method of appointment

Pursuant to Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members Date of appointment
Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)
(elected Chair-23.6.05) 		23.6.05
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)
(elected Deputy Chair – 14.9.05) 		6.9.05
Senator Andrew Bartlett (Qld, AD) 23.6.05
Senator Linda Kirk (SA, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Joseph Ludwig (Qld, ALP) 1.7.05
Senator Barnaby Joyce (Qld, NATS) 16.8.05

 

Participating members Date of appointment
Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (Tas, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Guy Barnett (Tas, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP) 9.5.06
Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator George Brandis (Qld, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Bob Brown (Tas, AG) 2.12.04
Senator George Campbell (NSW, ALP) 29.11.04
Senator Kim Carr ( Vic, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Grant Chapman (SA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (Tas, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Stephen Conroy ( Vic, ALP) 6.12.04
Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Christopher Evans (WA, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator the Hon John Faulkner (NSW, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Alan Ferguson (SA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Jeannie Ferris (SA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Steve Fielding ( Vic, FFP) 10.8.05
Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP) 13.10.05
Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Ross Lightfoot (WA, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Kate Lundy (ACT, ALP) 1.7.05
Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (Qld, LP) 9.2.06
Senator Brett Mason (Qld, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Julian McGauran ( Vic, LP) 18.11.04
Senator Christine Milne (Tas, AG) 6.9.05
Senator Andrew Murray (WA, AD) 9.12.04
Senator Kerry Nettle (NSW, AG) 18.11.04
Senator Stephen Parry (Tas, LP) 8.9.05
Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP) 15.9.05
Senator Robert Ray ( Vic, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator the Hon Nick Sherry (Tas, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG) 6.9.05
Senator Ursula Stephens (NSW, ALP) 18.11.04
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, AD) 18.11.04
Senator Russell Trood (Qld, LP) 11.8.05
Senator John Watson (Tas, LP) 18.11.04

 

Former members Term of appointment
Senator Brian Greig (WA, AD) 18.11.04-23.6.05
Senator the Hon Nick Bolkus (SA, ALP)
(Chair-2.12.04-23.6.05) 		18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Geoffrey Buckland (SA, ALP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Brian Greig (WA, AD) 23.6.05-30.6.05
Senator Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP) 18.11.04-16.8.05
Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)
(Deputy Chair-2.12.04-6.9.05) 		18.11.04-6.9.05

 

Former substitute members Term of appointment
Senator Brett Mason (Qld, LP)* 7.3.05-20.5.05
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, AD)** 12.5.05-23.6.05
Senator Brett Mason (Qld, LP)*** 15.6.05-23.6.05
Senator Aden Ridgeway (NSW, AD)**** 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Stephen Parry (Tas, LP)# 14.9.05-6.10.05
* replaced Senator Scullion for inquiry into the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Privacy Act 1988 on 21 & 22 April 2005, and 19 & 20 May 2005
** replaced Senator Greig for inquiry into the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Privacy Act 1988
*** replaced Senator Scullion for inquiry into the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Privacy Act 1988
****replaced Senator Greig for matters relating to the Indigenous Affairs portfolio
#replaced Senator Fierravanti-Wells for inquiry into the administration of the Migration Act

 

Former participating members Term of appointment
Senator John Tierney (NSW, LP) 18.11.04-14.4.05
Senator Andrew Bartlett (Qld, AD) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Brian Harradine (Tas, Ind) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Susan Knowles (WA, LP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Joseph Ludwig (Qld, ALP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Tsebin Tchen ( Vic, LP) 18.11.04-30.6.05
Senator Sue Mackay (Tas, ALP) 18.11.04-29.7.05
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP) 11.8.05-6.9.05

Current inquiries

As at 1 January 2006

  • Administration and operation of the Migration Act 1958 (referred 21 June 2005)

Current inquiry

As at 30 June 2006

  • Indigenous Stolen Wages (referred 13 June 2006)

New references

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Indigenous Stolen Wages (referred 13 June 2006)

Public hearings

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Nil

Reports tabled

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Administration and operation of the Migration Act 1958 (tabled 2 March 2006)

Government responses tabled

1 January 2006– 30 June 2006

  • Legal aid and access to justice (tabled 7 February 2006; report tabled 15 June 2004)

 

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