Legal and Constitutional Affairs

1 January 2009 - 13 May 2009

	Matters Current as at 1 January 2009	Matters Referred during period *	Reports tabled that discharge a reference **	Current Inquiries as at 13 May 2009
Standing Committee	4	8	10 +(9)	2

Number and Hours of Meeting
	Public	Hrs	Public Estimates	Hrs	Private	Hrs	Insp/Other	Hrs	Total Meetings	Total Hours
Standing Committee	14	40:12	2	22:00	11	4:39	0	0:00	27	66:51

Meetings by State
	ACT	NSW	VIC	TAS	SA	WA	NT	QLD
Standing Committee	15	7	5	0	0	0	0	0

		Witnesses			Hansard Pages
	Televised hearings	Estimates	Other (Bills)	General	Estimates	Other (Bills)	General	No. of submissions	No. of Pages	Government Responses
Standing Committee	7	180	0	80	236	0	464	94	1270	0

* includes referral of: annual reports x 1; estimates x 1
** includes 9 Interim Reports

Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Standing)

1 January 2009 to 13 May 2009

Method of appointment

Pursuant to amended Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members	Date of appointment
Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP) (elected Chair on 14.02.08)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Guy Barnett (TAS, LP) (elected Deputy Chair on 14.02.08)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Don Farrell (SA, ALP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator David Feeney (VIC, ALP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Mary Jo Fisher (SA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Gavin Marshall (VIC, ALP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Russell Trood (QLD, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09

Substitute members	Date of appointment
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[1]	10.03.09
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[2]	19.03.09

Participating members	Date of appointment
Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (TAS, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Judith Adams (WA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Chris Back (WA, LP)	12.03.09–13.05.09
Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Catryna Bilyk (TAS, ALP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Simon Birmingham (SA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Ronald Boswell (QLD, NATS)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon George Brandis (QLD, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Bob Brown (TAS, AG)	14.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Carol Brown (TAS, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator David Bushby (TAS, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Doug Cameron (NSW, ALP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (TAS, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Jacinta Collins (VIC, ALP)	14.05.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (NSW, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Mathias Cormann (WA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Steve Fielding (VIC, FFP)	13.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Mitch Fifield (VIC, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)	04.12.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Steve Hutchins (NSW, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon David Johnston (WA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Barnaby Joyce (QLD, NATS)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Helen Kroger (VIC, LP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Kate Lundy (ACT, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (QLD, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator Julian McGauran (VIC, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Jan McLucas (QLD, ALP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Christine Milne (TAS, AG)	14.02.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Nicholas Minchin (SA, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Claire Moore (QLD, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator Fiona Nash (NSW, NATS)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Helen Polley (TAS, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator Louise Pratt (WA, ALP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson (VIC, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Scott Ryan (VIC, LP)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens (NSW, ALP)	14.02.08–13.05.09
Senator Glenn Sterle (WA, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator the Hon Judith Troeth (VIC, LP)	12.02.08–13.05.09
Senator John Williams (NSW, NATS)	01.07.08–13.05.09
Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)	12.03.08–13.05.09
Senator Nick Xenophon (SA, IND)	01.07.08–13.05.09

Former members	Term of appointment
Senator Andrew Bartlett (QLD, AD)	13.02.08–30.06.08
Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)	17.03.08–30.06.08
Senator Linda Kirk (SA, ALP)	12.02.08–30.06.08
Senator the Hon Jan McLucas (QLD, ALP)	12.02.08–17.03.08

Former substitute members	Term of appointment
Senator John Hogg (QLD, ALP)[3]	19.03.08–26.06.08
Senator John Hogg (QLD, ALP)[4]	19.03.08–16.06.08
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[5]	03.09.08–14.10.08
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[6]	04.12.08–11.03.09
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[7]	04.12.08–23.02.09
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[8]	19.03.09–12.05.09
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[9]	19.03.09–12.05.09
Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[10]	04.12.08–26.02.09
Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[11]	19.03.09–13.05.09

Former participating members	Term of appointment
Senator Lyn Allison (VIC, AD)	13.02.08–30.06.08
Senator Mark Arbib (NSW, ALP)	01.07.08–10.03.09
Senator George Campbell (NSW, ALP)	12.03.08–30.06.08
Senator Grant Chapman (SA, LP)	12.02.08–30.06.08
Senator the Hon Christopher Ellison (WA, LP)	12.02.08–30.01.09
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)	03.09.08–14.10.08
Senator John Hogg (QLD, ALP)	12.03.08–26.08.08
Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)	12.03.08–17.03.08
Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)	19.03.08–26.06.08
Senator the Hon Rod Kemp (VIC, LP)	12.02.08–30.06.08
Senator Ross Lightfoot (WA, LP)	12.02.08–30.06.08
Senator the Hon Sandy Macdonald (NSW, NATS)	12.02.08–30.06.08
Senator Andrew Murray (WA, AD)	13.02.08–30.06.08
Senator Kerry Nettle (NSW, AG)	14.02.08–30.06.08
Senator the Hon Kay Patterson (VIC, LP)	12.02.08–30.06.08
Senator Robert Ray (VIC, ALP)	12.03.08–05.05.08
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, AD)	13.02.08–30.06.08
Senator John Watson (TAS, LP)	12.02.08–30.06.08
Senator Ruth Webber (WA, ALP)	12.03.08–30.06.08

Inquiries

As at 1 January 2009

• Exposure draft of the Personal Property Securities Bill 2008 (referred 13 November 2008)
• Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 [Provisions] (referred 4 December 2008—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008 [Provisions] (referred 4 December 2008—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Federal Justice System Amendment (Efficiency Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2008 [Provisions] (referred 4 December 2008—through the Selection of Bills Committee)

Current inquiries

As at 13 May 2009

• Australia’s judicial system and the role of judges (original reference of 5 February 2009 varied and re-referred to committee 19 March 2009)
• Access to justice (previously part of the reference on Australia's judicial system and the role of judges, which was subsequently split into two separate references) (referred 19 March 2009)

New references

1 January 2009–13 May 2009

• Australia's judicial system and the role of judges (referred 5 February 2009—Senate withdrew inquiry and replaced with two separate inquires on 19 March 2009)
• Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2008 (referred 12 February 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Evidence Amendment (Journalists’ Privilege) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (referred 19 March 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Law and Justice (Cross Border and Other Amendments) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (referred 19 March 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Native Title Amendment Bill 2009 [Provisions] (referred 19 March 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Access to justice (previously part of the reference on Australia's judicial system and the role of judges, which was subsequently split into two separate references) (referred 19 March 2009)
• Australia’s judicial system and the role of judges (previously part of the reference on Australia's judicial system and the role of judges, which was subsequently split into two separate references) (referred 19 March 2009)

Public hearings

1 January 2009–13 May 2009

• Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 [Provisions]—21 January 2009, Sydney; 29 January 2009, Melbourne; 6 February 2009, Canberra
• Exposure draft of the Personal Property Securities Bill 2008—22 and 23 January 2009, Sydney; 29 January 2009, Melbourne; 6 February 2009, Canberra
• Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008 [Provisions]—29 January 2009, Melbourne; 5 and 6 February 2009, Canberra
• Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2008—20 February 2009, Canberra
• 2008-09 Additional Estimates—23 and 24 February 2009, Canberra
• Native Title Amendment Bill 2009 [Provisions]—16 April 2009, Sydney
• Evidence Amendment (Journalists’ Privilege) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—28 April 2009, Melbourne
• Law and Justice (Cross Border and Other Amendments) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—28 April 2009, Melbourne

Reports tabled

1 January 2009–13 May 2009

• Effectiveness of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality (presented out of session 12 December 2008; tabled 3 February 2009)
• Federal Justice System Amendment (Efficiency Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2008 [Provisions]—Interim report (presented out of session 17 February 2009, tabled 10 March 2009)
• Federal Justice System Amendment (Efficiency Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2008 [Provisions]—Final report (presented out of session 23 February 2009, tabled 10 March 2009)
• Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008 [Provisions]—Interim Report (presented out of session 26 February 2009, tabled 10 March 2009)
• Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 [Provisions] (presented out of session 26 February 2009, tabled 10 March 2009)
• Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008 [Provisions]—Further Interim Report (presented out of session 4 March 2009, tabled 10 March 2009)
• Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2008—Interim Report (presented out of session 4 March 2009; tabled 10 March 2009)
• Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008—Interim Report (presented out of session 4 March 2009; tabled 10 March 2009)
• Exposure draft of the Personal Property Securities Bill 2008—Interim Report (presented out of session 4 March 2009; tabled 10 March 2009)
• Federal Court of Australia Amendment (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2008 [Provisions]—Final Report (tabled 11 March 2009)
• Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2008—Final Report (tabled 11 March 2009)
• Annual Report (No. 1 of 2009) (tabled 17 March 2009)
• Additional Estimates 2008–09 (tabled 17 March 2009)
• Exposure draft of the Personal Property Securities Bill 2008—Final Report (tabled 19 March 2009)
• Evidence Amendment (Journalists' Privilege) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Interim Report (presented out of session on 7 May 2009; tabled 12 May 2009)
• Law and Justice (Cross Border and Other Amendments) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Interim Report (presented out of session on 7 May 2009; tabled 12 May 2009)
• Native Title Amendment Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Interim Report (presented out of session on 7 May 2009; tabled 12 May 2009)
• Evidence Amendment (Journalists' Privilege) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Final Report (tabled 12 May 2009)
• Law and Justice (Cross Border and Other Amendments) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Final Report (tabled 12 May 2009)
• Native Title Amendment Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Final Report (tabled 13 May 2009)

Government responses

1 January 2009–13 May 2009

• Nil

Estimates

A statistical summary of this Committee's work when considering Estimates appears in Part Eight.

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