Legal and Constitutional Affairs


Legal and Constitutional Affairs

1 January 2012 - 30 June 2012

Matters Current as at 1 January 2012
Matters referred during period*
Reports tabled that discharge a reference**
Current inquiries as at 30 June 2012
Legislation 3 17 14(+1**) 6
References 1 1 1(+1**) 1
Total 4 18 15 7

Number and Hours of Meeting
Public
Hrs
Public Estimates
Hrs
Private
Hrs
Insp/Other
Hrs
Total Meetings
Total Hours
Legislation 12 28:22 6 62:27 17 3:04 0 0:00 35 93:53
References 1 3:30 0 0:00 6 0:26 0 0:00 7 3:56
Total 13 31:52 6 62:27 23 3:30 0 0:00 42 97:49

Meetings by State
ACT NSW VIC TAS SA WA NT QLD
Legislation 32 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
References 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 39 2 1 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
Legislation 18 134 128 0 694 311 0 532 3079 0
References 1 0 0 12 0 0 32 34 445 3
Total 19 134 128 12 694 311 32 566 3524 3

* includes referral of Annual Reports x 1; estimates x 2

** includes 2 Interim reports

^ submission figure does not include 67,462 form letters and 7,509 short statements for the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill

Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation)

1 January 2012 to 30 June 2012

Method of appointment

Pursuant to amended Senate Standing Order 25. 

Current members        

Date of appointment

Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)
(elected Chair on 30.09.10)

30.09.10

Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP)
(elected Deputy Chair on 06.07.11)

01.07.11

Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)

01.07.11

Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Louise Pratt (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

05.07.11
   

Substitute members

Date of appointment

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[1]

19.06.12
   

Participating members

Date of appointment

Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Chris Back (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Catryna Bilyk (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Simon Birmingham (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Ronald Boswell (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon George Brandis (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Carol Brown (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator David Bushby (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Doug Cameron (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mathias Cormann (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Richard Di Natale (VIC, AG)

05.07.11

Senator Sean Edwards (SA, LP)

01.07.11

Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon John Faulkner (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator David Fawcett (SA, LP)

01.07.11

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mitch Fifield (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mary Jo Fisher (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Alex Gallacher (SA, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon David Johnston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Barnaby Joyce (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Kroger (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

05.07.11

Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator John Madigan (VIC, DLP)

07.07.11

Senator Gavin Marshall (VIC, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Bridget McKenzie (VIC, NATS)

01.07.11

Senator Christine Milne (TAS, AG)

30.09.10

Senator Claire Moore (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Fiona Nash (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)

01.07.11

Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Polley (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Lee Rhiannon (NSW, AG)

05.07.11

Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ryan (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP)

30.09.10

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Lisa Singh (TAS, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Dean Smith (WA, LP)

09.05.12

Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Glenn Sterle (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Matt Thistlethwaite (NSW, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Lin Thorp (TAS, ALP)

21.06.12

Senator Anne Urquhart (TAS, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Larissa Waters (QLD, AG)

05.07.11

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (TAS, AG)

25.06.12

Senator John Williams (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

19.06.12

Senator Nick Xenophon (SA, IND)

30.09.10
   

Former members

Term of appointment

Senator Guy Barnett (TAS, LP)
(Deputy Chair 30.09.10–30.06.11)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

30.09.10–05.07.11

Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)

30.09.10–01.07.11
   

Former substitute members

Term of appointment

Senator Richard Di Natale (VIC, AG)[2]

18.08.11–19.09.11

Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)[3]

03.03.11–04.05.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[4]

25.10.10–01.03.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[5]

25.10.10–28.01.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[6]

27.10.10–12.05.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[7]

12.05.11–29.06.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[8]

15.06.11–05.07.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[9]

07.07.11–18.08.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[10]

08.11.11–21.11.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[11]

25.11.11–04.04.12

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[12]

09.02.12–04.04.12

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[13]

27.02.12-25.06.12

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[14]

22.03.12-19.06.12

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[15]

08.11.11–09.02.12

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[16]

01.03.12–22.03.12

Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)[17]

17.10.11–18.10.11

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[18]

28.02.11–05.07.11

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[19]

12.05.11–05.07.11

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[20]

07.07.11–21.09.11

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[21]

07.07.11–09.11.11

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)[22]

07.07.11–22.08.11
   

Former participating members

Term of appointment

Senator Judith Adams (WA, LP)

30.09.10–31.03.12

 

Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Bob Brown (TAS, AG)

30.09.10-15.06.12

 

Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10–22.08.11

 

Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson (SA, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Steve Fielding (VIC, FFP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)

03.03.11–04.05.11

 

Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Steve Hutchins (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)[23]

25.10.10–01.03.11

 

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

28.02.11–05.07.11

 

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

12.05.11–05.07.11

 

Senator Julian McGauran (VIC, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator the Hon Nicholas Minchin (SA, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator the Hon Nick Sherry (TAS, ALP)

07.02.12–01.06.12

 

Senator the Hon Judith Troeth (VIC, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Russell Trood (QLD, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

07.07.11–18.08.11

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

18.08.11–19.09.11

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

08.11.11–21.11.11

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

08.11.11–22.03.12

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

01.03.12–22.03.12

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

25.11.11–04.04.12

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

09.02.12–04.04.12

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

27.02.12–25.06.12

 

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

22.03.12–19.06.12

 

Reports presented out of session that discharged a reference

Nil

Inquiries
As at 01.01.2012

 

Date Referred

Public Hearings

Reports Tabled

Current Inquiry
As at 30.06.2012

Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Online Games) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

03.11.2011 (SB)

Nil

09.02.2012

No

Access to Justice (Federal Jurisdiction) Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions]

25.11.2011 (SB)

01.03.2012—Canberra

presented OOS 29.03.2012; tabled 10.05.2012

No

Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill 2011

25.11.2011 (SB)

16.03.2012—Canberra

presented OOS 04.04.2012; tabled 10.05.2012

No

Annual reports

(Refer Standing Order 25(20))

Nil

No. 1 of 2012
tabled 15.03.2012

No

New References
01.01.2012–30.06.2012

 

Date Referred

Public Hearings

Reports Tabled

Current Inquiry
As at 30.06.2012

Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010

08.02.2012 (Refer Journal entry 16)

03.05.2012—Sydney

04.05.2012—Melbourne

Interim Report presented OOS 31.05.2012, tabled 18.06.2012; Final report tabled 25.06.2012.

No

Migration Amendment (Removal of Mandatory Minimum Penalties) Bill 2012

09.02.2012 (SB)

16.03.2012—Canberra

presented OOS 04.04.2012; tabled 10.05.2012

No

Additional estimates 2011–12

09.02.2012 (Refer Journal entry 42)

13 and 14 February 2012—Canberra

20.03.2012

No

Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

01.03.2012 (SB)

15.03.2012—Canberra

22.03.2012

No

Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012 [Provisions] and the Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

22.03.2012 (SB)

11.05.2012—Canberra
25.05.2012—Canberra

Nil

Yes

Assisting Victims of Overseas Terrorism Bill 2012; Social Security Amendment (Supporting Australian Victims of Terrorism Overseas) Bill 2011 [Provisions]

22.03.2012 (SB)

19.04.2012—Canberra

10.05.2012

No

Judges and Governors-General Legislation Amendment (Family Law) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

22.03.2012 (SB)

Nil

10.05.2012

No

Migration Legislation Amendment (Student Visas) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

22.03.2012 (SB)

11.05.2012—Canberra

19.06.2012

No

Budget estimates 2012–13

09.05.2012 (Refer Journal entry 4)

21–24 May 2012—Canberra

26.06.2012

No

Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2012 [Provisions]

23.05.2012 (pursuant to the order of the Senate of 9 May 2012)

08.06.2012—Canberra

19.06.2012

No

Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (National Children's Commissioner) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

23.05.2012 (pursuant to the order of the Senate of 9 May 2012)

08.06.2012—Canberra

18.06.2012

No

Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

19.06.2012 (SB)

Nil

Nil

Yes

Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

19.06.2012 (SB)

Nil

Nil

Yes

Maritime Powers Bill 2012 [Provisions] and Maritime Powers (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

21.06.2012 (SB)

Nil

Nil

Yes

 

Date Referred

Public Hearings

Reports Tabled

Current Inquiry
As at 30.06.2012

Military Court of Australia Bill 2012 [Provisions] and the Military Court of Australia (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

28.06.2012 (SB)

Nil

Nil

Yes

Customs Amendment (Smuggled Tobacco) Bill 2012 [Provisions]

28.06.2012(SB)

Nil

Nil

Yes

Government Responses

Nil

SB (Selection of Bills Committee)
OOS (Out of session)

Legal and Constitutional Affairs (References)

1 January 2012 to 30 June 2012

Method of appointment

Pursuant to amended Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members        

Date of appointment

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)
(elected Chair on 03.11.11)

05.07.11

Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)
(elected Deputy Chair on 30.09.10)

30.09.10

Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)

01.07.11

Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)

18.08.11

Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP)
(Chair 06.07.11–03.11.11)

01.07.11
   

Participating members

Date of appointment

Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Chris Back (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Catryna Bilyk (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Simon Birmingham (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Ronald Boswell (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon George Brandis (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Carol Brown (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator David Bushby (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Doug Cameron (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (TAS, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mathias Cormann (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Richard Di Natale (VIC, AG)

05.07.11

Senator Sean Edwards (SA, LP)

01.07.11

Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon John Faulkner (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator David Fawcett (SA, LP)

01.07.11

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mitch Fifield (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Mary Jo Fisher (SA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Alex Gallacher (SA, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon David Johnston (WA, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Barnaby Joyce (QLD, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Kroger (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

05.07.11

Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator John Madigan (VIC, DLP)

07.07.11

Senator Gavin Marshall (VIC, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Bridget McKenzie (VIC, NATS)

01.07.11

Senator Christine Milne (TAS, AG)

30.09.10

Senator Claire Moore (QLD, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Fiona Nash (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)

18.08.11

Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Helen Polley (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Louise Pratt (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Lee Rhiannon (NSW, AG)

05.07.11

Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator Scott Ryan (VIC, LP)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP)

30.09.10

Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)

30.09.10

Senator the Hon Lisa Singh (TAS, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Dean Smith (WA, LP)

09.05.12

Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Glenn Sterle (WA, ALP)

30.09.10

Senator Matt Thistlethwaite (NSW, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Lin Thorp (TAS, ALP)

21.06.12

Senator Anne Urquhart (TAS, ALP)

01.07.11

Senator Larissa Waters (QLD, AG)

05.07.11

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (TAS, AG)

25.06.12

Senator John Williams (NSW, NATS)

30.09.10

Senator Nick Xenophon (SA, IND)

30.09.10
   

Former members

Term of appointment

Senator Guy Barnett (TAS, LP)
(Chair 30.09.10–30.06.11)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

30.09.10–05.07.11

Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)

30.09.10–18.08.11

Senator Russell Trood (QLD, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11
   

Former substitute members

Term of appointment

Senator Alex Gallacher (SA, ALP)[24]

23.09.11–23.09.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[25]

10.05.11–10.06.11

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)[26]

22.08.11–11.10.11
   

Former participating members

Term of appointment

Senator Judith Adams (WA, LP)

30.09.10–31.03.12

Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Bob Brown (TAS, AG)

30.09.10-15.06.12

Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)

30.09.10–18.08.11

Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (NSW, LP)

30.09.10–22.08.11

Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson (SA, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Steve Fielding (VIC, FFP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)

23.09.11–23.09.11

Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Steve Hutchins (NSW, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)

10.05.11–10.06.11

Senator Julian McGauran (VIC, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator the Hon Nicholas Minchin (SA, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator the Hon Nick Sherry (TAS, ALP)

07.02.12–01.06.12

Senator the Hon Judith Troeth (VIC, LP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)

30.09.10–30.06.11

Senator Penny Wright (SA, AG)

22.08.11–11.10.11

Reports presented out of session that discharged a reference

Nil

Inquiries
As at 01.01.2012

 

Date Referred

Public Hearings

Reports Tabled

Current Inquiry
As at 30.06.2012

Prospective marriage visas

24.11.2011 (Refer Journal entry 17)

25.05.2012—Canberra

Interim Report presented OOS 07.06.12, tabled 18.06.12
Final Report tabled 26.06.12

No

New References
01.01.2012–30.06.2012

 

Date Referred

Public Hearings

Reports Tabled

Current Inquiry
As at 30.06.2012

Detention of Indonesian minors in Australia

10.05.2012 (Refer Journal entry 10)

Nil

Nil

Yes

Government Responses

  • Review of government compensation payments (presented OOS 29.11.2011; tabled 07.02.2012; report tabled 06.12.2010)
  • Final report—A balancing act: provisions of the Water Act 2007 (presented OOS 27.03.2012; tabled 10.05.2012; report tabled 10.06.2011)
  • International parental child abduction to and from Australia (presented OOS 30.03.2012; tabled 10.05.2012; report tabled 31.10.2011)
  • Australia's arrangement with Malaysia in relation to asylum seekers (presented OOS 13.06.12; tabled 18.06.2012, report tabled 11.10.2011) 

SB (Selection of Bills Committee)
OOS (Out of session)

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