Reason for referral of the Bill and information relating to the reference

Reason for referral of the Bill and information relating to the reference

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On 13 November 2008 the Senate, on the recommendation of the Selection of Bills Committee, referred Senator Bob Brown's, Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2008 to the Finance and Public Administration Committee for inquiry and report by 10 March 2009. On 25 November 2008 the Senate extended the reporting date to 15 June 2009.

Reasons provided for referral of the Bill and principal issues for consideration are:

The issue of Australia becoming a republic is an extremely important one for the Australian Parliament and public. It is important that the process by which this issue is progressed now has appropriate public input and is properly scrutinised and debated.

The Bill and second reading speech may be accessed via the link: Legislation and documentation relating to the Bill

The Committee invites you to provide a written submission addressing issues that may be of relevance to you. Closing date for submissions is 6 February 2009. The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an attached document – email: fpa.sen@aph.gov.au  – otherwise by fax (02 6277 5809).

Submissions become Committee documents and are made public only after a decision by the Committee. Publication of submissions includes loading them onto the internet and their being available to other interested parties including the media. Persons making submissions must not release them without the approval of the Committee. Submissions are covered by parliamentary privilege but the unauthorised release of them is not protected.  Information relating to Senate Committee inquiries, including notes to assist in the preparation of submissions for a Committee, can be located on the Internet at https://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm

Should you require further information please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 3530.

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Finance and Public Administration
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3439
Fax: +61 2 6277 5809
Email: fpa.sen@aph.gov.au