SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

REPORT NO. 2 OF 2006

(1)   The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 28 February 2006 at 4.26 pm.

(2)   The committee resolved to recommend—That--

(a)   the provisions of the Family Assistance, Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2006 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 24 March 2006;

(b)   the provisions of the OHS and SRC Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 be referred immediately to the Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 9 May 2006; and

(c)   the provisions of the Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2006.

(3)   The committee resolved to recommend—That the following bills not be referred to committees:

• Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Fees and Charges) Bill 2006
• Cancer Australia Bill 2006
• Health Legislation Amendment (Pharmacy Location Arrangements) Bill 2006
• Schools Assistance (Learning Together—Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Amendment Bill 2006
• Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 1) Bill 2006.

The committee recommends accordingly.

(4)   The committee considered a request to reconsider the Transparent Advertising and Notification of Pregnancy Counselling Services Bill 2005 and agreed to consider the bill at its next meeting.

(Jeannie Ferris)

Chair

1 March 2006

Appendix 1

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Family Assistance, Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2006

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

To examine the viability and operation of the provisions of the bill and its impact on relevant groups

Possible submissions or evidence from:

The National Welfare Rights Network

Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)

Carers Australia

National Council of Single Mothers and their Children Inc

Disability advocacy groups

Committee to which bill is referred:

Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s): May 2006

Appendix 2

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

OHS and SRC Legislation Amendment Bill 2005

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Examination of the legislation and interaction with existing legislation

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Employees associations, unions, business groups, national businesses

Committee to which bill is referred:

Employment, Workplace Relations, and Education Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date: 3-7 April 2006

Possible reporting date(s): 10 May 2006

Appendix 3

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

Examine the bill.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Committee to which bill is referred:

Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date: As required

Possible reporting date(s): 27 March 2006

Appendix 4

Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

Name of bill(s):

Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006

Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration

(1)   Investigate adequacy of regime for stored communications

(2)   Investigate controls on B-party intercepts

(3)   Ensure reporting functions are maintained or improved following abolition of AFP TIRAC Function

(4)   Ensure equipment based intercepts proposed are both adequate for law enforcement and privacy protection purposes.

Possible submissions or evidence from:

Civil liberties organisations, law councils, Telstra and other business, AFP, AGD, ASIO, state police agencies, ACC etc

Committee to which bill is referred:

Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee

Possible hearing date:

Possible reporting date(s): 9 May 2006