23–26 March 2015
House of Representatives
Bills initiated in the House
The following Bills were initiated:
- Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment (Regional Australia Statements) Bill 2015 – introduced 24 March 2015, Private Member's Bill
- Communications Legislation Amendment (SBS Advertising Flexibility and Other Measures) Bill 2015 – introduced 25 March 2015, Government Bill
- Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Improving the Comcare Scheme) Bill 2015 – introduced 25 March 2015, Government Bill
- Social Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 – introduced 25 March 2015, Government Bill
- Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (Employee Share Schemes) Bill 2015 – introduced 25 March 2015, Government Bill
- A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge – Fringe Benefits) Amendment Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Defence Legislation (Enhancement of Military Justice) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Health and Other Services (Compensation) Care Charges Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Health Insurance (Approved Pathology Specimen Collection Centres) Tax Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Powers) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Private Health Insurance (Risk Equalisation Levy) Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
- Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (Norfolk Island Reforms) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
New inquiries of House Committees
The following new inquiries were announced:
Education and Employment Committee
- Inquiry into Inhibitors to Employment for Small Business and Disincentives to Working for Individuals – submissions due 8 May 2015
Environment Committee
- Register of Environmental Organisations – submissions due 21 May 2015
Reports of House Committees
The following new Committee reports were tabled:
Economics Committee
- Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2014 – tabled 24 March 2015
Health Committee
- Skin Cancer in Australia: Our National Cancer – tabled 24 March 2015
Privileges and Members' Interests Committee
- Report concerning the Registration and Declaration of Members' Interests during 2014 – tabled 26 March 2015
Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee
- Revisiting Recognition: Report on the Roundtable with Australian South Sea Islanders – tabled 24 March 2015
- Roundtable on Surrogacy – tabled 24 March 2015
Tax and Revenue Committee
- Tax Disputes – tabled 26 March 2015
Senate
Bills initiated in the Senate
The following Bills were initiated:
- Construction Industry Amendment (Protecting Witnesses) Bill 2015 – introduced 25 March 2015, Government Bill
- Food Standards Amendment (Fish Labelling) Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Private Senator's Bill
- Judiciary Amendment Bill 2015 – introduced 26 March 2015, Government Bill
New inquiries of Senate Committees
The following new inquiries were announced:
Community Affairs Legislation Committee
- Social Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 – submissions date to be announced
Economics Legislation Committee
- Competition and Consumer Amendment (Deregulatory and Other Measures) Bill 2015 – submissions due 21 April 2015
Education and Employment Legislation Committee
- Construction Industry Amendment (Protecting Witnesses) Bill 2015 – submissions due 10 April 2015
- Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Improving the Comcare Scheme) Bill 2015 – submissions due 1 May 2015
Education and Employment References Committee
- The Impact of Australia's Temporary Work Visa Programs on the Australian Labour Market and on the Temporary Work Visa Holders – submissions due 1 May 2015
Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
- Communications Legislation Amendment (SBS Advertising Flexibility and Other Measures) Bill 2015 [Provisions] – submissions due 15 April 2015
Environment and Communications References Committee
- Regulation of the Fin-Fish Aquaculture Industry in Tasmania – submissions due 1 May 2015
Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee
- Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 – submissions due 17 April 2015
- The Proposed Parliament House Security Upgrade Works – submissions due 24 April 2015
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee
- Mental Health of ADF Serving Personnel – submissions date to be announced
- Proposed China-Australia Free Trade Agreement – submissions date to be announced
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
- Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015 – submissions due 16 April 2015
- Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015 – submissions due 16 April 2015
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
- Australian Grape and Wine Industry – submissions due 22 May 2015
Reports of Senate Committees
The following new Committee reports were tabled:
Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration Related to Commonwealth Government Affairs Committee
- Report – tabled 27 March 2015
Community Affairs Legislation Committee
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Amendment (A Stronger Land Account) Bill 2014 – tabled 25 March 2015
Education and Employment Legislation Committee
- Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 – tabled 24 March 2015
Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Local Content) Bill 2014 – tabled 27 March 2015
Environment and Communications References Committee
- National Landcare Program – tabled 25 March 2015
Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee
- Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2015 – tabled 24 March 2015
Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee
- Comprehensive Revision of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 – tabled 24 March 2015
- Work undertaken by the Australian Federal Police's Oil for Food Taskforce – tabled 24 March 2015
Procedure Committee
- First Report of 2015 – tabled 24 March 2015
Regulations and Ordinances Committee
- Monitor No. 4 of 2015 – tabled 25 March 2015
Scrutiny of Bills Committee
- Alert Digest No. 4 of 2015 – tabled 25 March 2015
- Fourth Report of 2015 – tabled 25 March 2015
- The Work of the Committee in 2014 – tabled 25 March 2015
Selection of Bills Committee
- Report No. 4 of 2015 – tabled 26 March 2015
Joint Committees
New inquiries of Joint Committees
The following new inquiries were announced:
Public Accounts and Audit Committee
- Inquiry into Development of Commonwealth Performance Framework – submissions due 1 May 2015
Public Works Committee
- 17th Construction Squadron Relocation Infrastructure Project – submissions due 24 April 2015
- Residential accommodation and staff amenities at the Australian Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan – submissions date to be announced
Reports of Joint Committees
The following new Committee reports were tabled:
Human Rights Committee
- Twenty-first Report of the 44th Parliament – tabled 24 March 2015
Migration Committee
- Inquiry into the Business Innovation and Investment Programme – tabled 24 March 2015
Treaties Committee
- Report 147: Treaties tabled on 18 June, 24 November, 2 December 2014 and 25 February 2015 – tabled 26 March 2015
Laws passed
The following Bills have now passed both Houses and are awaiting assent by the Governor-General:
- Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2015
- Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill 2015
- Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2015
- Telecommunications (Industry Levy) Amendment Bill 2015
- Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2015
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Bill 2015
The following Bills have now received assent by the Governor-General:
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