Business of the Senate

Notice of Motion

Notice given 8 February 2012

1  Senator Waters: To move—That the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 22 August 2012:

(a) the economic, social and environmental impacts of Australia’s domestic and export coal seam gas (CSG)/liquid natural gas (LNG) industry on:

(i) surface and groundwater and future water licensing arrangements,

(ii) agricultural land and food production,

(iii) the coast and marine environments, including impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and industries relying on these environments, including impacts from pipelines, ports, dredging and shipping,

(iv) the property rights and values of landholders,

(v) rural, regional and urban communities, and the effective management of relationships between mining and other interests, and

(vi) other related matters, including health impacts;

(b) the greenhouse gas emission intensity of Australia’s domestic and export CSG/LNG industries across their lifecycle, and the adequacy of accounting, monitoring and compliance of greenhouse impacts;

(c) the potential impacts of other unconventional gas industries developing rapidly across Australia, including shale and tight gas;

(d) the adequacy of existing and proposed state, territory and Commonwealth regulatory regimes to manage the above issues, including cumulative impacts and the appropriateness of ‘adaptive management’ in regulating the industry; and

(e) any other related matter.

Orders of the Day

1  Environment and Communications Legislation Committee

Report to be presented on the provisions of the Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency Bill 2011, the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Service Reform) Bill 2011 and the Telecommunications (Industry Levy) Bill 2011. ( Referred pursuant to Selection of Bills Committee report .)

2  Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee

Report to be presented on the provisions of the Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Bill 2011, the Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Bill 2011 and the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (Tuition Protection Service) Bill 2011. ( Referred pursuant to Selection of Bills Committee report .)

 3  Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee

Report to be presented on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Protecting Australia’s Water Resources) Bill 2011. ( Referred pursuant to Selection of Bills Committee report .)

4  Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee

Report to be presented on the Fair Work Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry) Bill 2011. ( Referred pursuant to Selection of Bills Committee report .)

5  Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee

Report to be presented on the provisions of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011. ( Referred pursuant to Selection of Bills Committee report .)

*6  Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee

Report to be presented on the Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. ( Referred pursuant to Selection of Bills Committee report .)