Notice given 25 June 2003

1  Senator Tierney: To move—That the following matter be referred to the Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in June 2004:

Parents as educators in the early childhood years, with particular reference to:

(a) the extent to which parenting skills and family support are factors in reducing educational and social risks of children in the 3 years and under age group;

(b) whether current patterns of parental involvement in community and school-based programs are adequate to respond to the challenge of assisting children with early learning and social behaviour problems;

(c) the current state and territory provisions and programs, whether based on pre-schools, schools, play groups or day-care centres etc, established to assist parents with early childhood learning support;

(d) best practice in home to school transition programs for children, and an assessment as to whether they can be adapted for national implementation; and

(e) the most appropriate role for the Commonwealth in supporting national programs for raising parental consciousness and levels of knowledge and competence in relation to the early educational, social and emotional and health needs of children.

On 3 March 2004

Business of the Senate—Order of the Day

1  Legal and Constitutional References Committee

Report to be presented on the capacity of current legal aid and access to justice arrangements to meet the community need for legal assistance.

By the last sitting day in March 2004

Business of the Senate—Orders of the Day

1  Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee

Report to be presented on competition in broadband services.

2  Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee

Report to be presented on the regulation, control and management of invasive species.

By the first sitting day of the 2004 winter session

Business of the Senate—Order of the Day

1  Community Affairs References Committee

Report to be presented on Hepatitis C in Australia.

By the last sitting day in June 2004

Business of the Senate—Order of the Day

1  Economics References Committee

Report to be presented on the structure and distributive effects of the Australian taxation system.

On the next day of sitting after the government fully complies with the order for the production of documents relating to a proposed excise and production subsidy on ethanol made on 16 October 2002

Government Business—Order of the Day

1  Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003

Excise Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2003— ( Special Minister of State, Senator Abetz )

Second reading—Adjourned debate ( 12 August 2003 ).