15–18 October 2018
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bills initiated in the House
The following Bills were initiated:
- High Speed Rail Planning Authority Bill 2018 – introduced 15 October 2018, Private Member's Bill
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Lower Taxes for Small and Medium Businesses) Bill 2018 – introduced 16 October 2018, Government Bill
- Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2018 – introduced 18 October 2018, Government Bill
- Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2018 – introduced 18 October 2018, Government Bill
- National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Amendment Bill 2018 – introduced 18 October 2018, Government Bill
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Every State and Territory Gets Their Fair Share of GST) Bill 2018 – introduced 18 October 2018, Government Bill
New inquiries of House Committees
No new inquiries were announced.
Reports of House Committees
The following new Committee reports were tabled:
Economics Committee
- Review of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Annual Report 2017 – tabled 15 October 2018
- Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2017 (Second Report) – tabled 15 October 2018
Petitions Committee
- Report No. 30 – tabled 15 October 2018
Selection Committee
- Report No. 32 – tabled 17 October 2018
SENATE
Bills initiated in the Senate
The following Bills were initiated:
- A Fair Go for Australians in Trade Bill 2018 (No. 2) – introduced 15 October 2018, Private Senator's Bill
- Discrimination Free Schools Bill 2018 – introduced 16 October 2018, Private Senator's Bill
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Appointment of Directors) Bill 2018 – introduced 17 October 2018, Private Senator's Bill
- Plebiscite (Restricting Non-European Migration) Bill 2018 – introduced 18 October 2018, Private Senator's Bill
New inquiries of Senate Committees
The following new inquiries were announced:
Economics Legislation Committee
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Every State and Territory Gets Their Fair Share of GST) Bill 2018 [Provisions] – submissions due 24 October 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Multinationals Pay Their Fair Share of Tax in Australia and Other Measures) Bill 2018 [Provisions] – submissions due 5 November 2018
Economics References Committee
- Credit and financial services targeted at Australians at risk of financial hardship – submissions due 9 November 2018
Education and Employment Legislation Committee
- Higher Education Support (Charges) Bill 2018 and Higher Education Support Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2018 – submissions due 2 November 2018
Environment and Communications References Committee
- The allegations of political interference in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) – submissions due 13 November 2018
Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee
- The effectiveness of the current temporary skilled visa system in targeting genuine skills shortages – submissions due 14 December 2018
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
- The independence of regulatory decisions made by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) – submissions due 14 November 2018
Reports of Senate Committees
The following new Committee reports were tabled:
Community Affairs Legislation Committee
- My Health Records Amendment (Strengthening Privacy) Bill 2018 – tabled out of session 12 October 2018
- Social Security Legislation Amendment (Community Development Program) Bill 2018 – tabled out of session 12 October 2018
Community Affairs References Committee
- My Health Record system progress report – tabled out of session 12 October 2018
- My Health Record system – tabled 18 October 2018
Education and Employment Legislation Committee
- Fair Work Amendment (Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2018 [provisions] –tabled out of session 12 October 2018
Education and Employment References Committee
- They never came home–the framework surrounding the prevention, investigation and prosecution of industrial deaths in Australia – tabled 17 October 2018
Economics References Committee
- Commitment to the Senate issued by the Business Council of Australia – tabled 18 October 2018
Environment and Communications References Committee
- Adequacy of the regulatory framework governing water use by the extractive industry –tabled 17 October 2018
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
- Customs Amendment (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Implementation) Bill 2018 [Provisions], Customs Tariff Amendment (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Implementation) Bill 2018 [Provisions] – tabled out of session 10 October 2018
- Aviation Transport Security Amendment Bill 2018 [Provisions] – tabled 16 October 2018
Privileges Committee
- Persons referred to in the Senate: Mr John Lloyd – tabled 16 October 2018
Regulations and Ordinances Committee
- Delegated legislation monitor 12 of 2018 – tabled 17 October 2018
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
- Regulatory approaches to ensure the safety of pet food – tabled 16 October 2018
Scrutiny of Bills Committee
- Scrutiny digest 12 of 2018 – tabled 17 October 2018
Selection of Bills Committee
- Report No. 12 of 2018 – tabled 18 October 2018
JOINT COMMITTEES
New inquiries of Joint Committees
The following new inquiry was announced:
Trade and Investment Growth Committee
- Inquiry into Austrade's role in attracting investment in Australia – due date for submissions not yet announced
Reports of Joint Committees
The following new Committee reports were tabled:
Electoral Matters Committee
- Second advisory report on the Electoral Legislation (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 – tabled 15 October 2018
Human Rights Committee
- Report 11 of 2018 – tabled 17 October 2018
National Broadband Network Committee
- Progress report: The rollout of the NBN in regional and rural Australia – tabled out of session 21 September 2018
Public Accounts and Audit Committee
- Report 472: Commonwealth Procurement–Second Report – tabled 17 October 2018
Treaties Committee
- Report 183 - Report of the Committee Visit to India and Indonesia 2-10 August 2018 – tabled 18 October 2018
LAWS PASSED
The following Bills have now passed both Houses and are awaiting assent by the Governor-General:
- Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
- Customs Amendment (Collecting Tobacco Duties at the Border) Bill 2018
- Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Australian Consumer Law Review) Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Gift Cards) Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Lower Taxes for Small and Medium Businesses) Bill 2018
- Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2018
The following Bills have now received assent by the Governor-General:
- Bankruptcy Amendment (Debt Agreement Reform) Bill 2018
- Customs Amendment (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Implementation) Bill 2018
- Customs Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018
- Customs Tariff Amendment (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Implementation) Bill 2018
- Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2018
- Customs Tariff Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018
- Education and Other Legislation Amendment (VET Student Loan Debt Separation) Bill 2018
- Excise Levies Legislation Amendment (Honey) Bill 2018
- Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Bill 2018
- Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Amendment Bill 2018
- Tobacco Plain Packaging Amendment Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Black Economy Taskforce Measures No. 1) Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing ASIC's Capabilities) Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Australian Farmers) Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2018
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Employer Register) Bill 2018
- Unexplained Wealth Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
- Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2018
Important: The material in Last week in Parliament is provided to clients as an early, interim view for general information only, and further analysis on the matter may be prepared by AGS. The material should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Please contact AGS before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any of the material in this document.
To subscribe to our Last week in Parliament email service, Australian government agencies can contact ags@ags.gov.au.