Community Affairs

1 July 2009 - 31 December 2009

	Matters Current as at 1 July 2009	Matters Referred during period*	Reports tabled that discharge a reference**	Current Inquiries as at 31 December 2009
Legislation	5	5+(1)	5+(1)	5
References	1	4	0	5
Total	6	9+(1)	5+(1)	10

Number and Hours of Meeting
	Public	Hrs	Public Estimates	Hrs	Private	Hrs	Insp/Other	Hrs	Total Meetings	Total Hours
Legislation	9	45:35	3	30:00	4	2:25	0	0:00	16	78:00
References	11	60:45	0	0:00	9	5:05	1	6:00	21	71:50
Total	20	106:20	3	30:00	13	7:30	1	6:00	37	149:50

Meetings by State
	ACT	NSW	VIC	TAS	SA	WA	NT	QLD
Legislation	14	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
References	12	4	3	0	0	1	0	1
Total	26	4	4	0	0	2	0	1

		Witnesses			Hansard Pages
	Televised hearings	Estimates	Other (Bills)	General	Estimates	Other (Bills)	General	No. of submissions	No. of Pages	Government Responses
Legislation	10	301	91	37	319	394	197	2955	10177	1
References	3	0	47	92	0	417	546	430	9989	0
Total	13	301	138	129	319	811	743	3385	20166	1

* Includes referral of Annual reports x 1
** Includes 1 Interim Report

 

Community Affairs (Legislation)

1 July 2009 to 31 December 2009

Method of appointment

Pursuant to amended Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members	Date of appointment
Senator Claire Moore (QLD, ALP) (elected Chair on 14.05.09)	14.05.09
Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG)	14.05.09
(elected Deputy Chair on 14.05.09)
Senator Judith Adams (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Carol Brown (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Mark Furner (QLD, ALP)	14.05.09

Participating members	Date of appointment
Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Chris Back (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Guy Barnett (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Catryna Bilyk (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Simon Birmingham (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Ronald Boswell (QLD, NATS)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon George Brandis (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Bob Brown (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator David Bushby (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Doug Cameron (NSW, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Jacinta Collins (VIC, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mathias Cormann (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Don Farrell (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator David Feeney (VIC, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Steve Fielding (VIC, FFP)	14.05.09
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mitch Fifield (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mary Jo Fisher (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Steve Hutchins (NSW, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon David Johnston (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Barnaby Joyce (QLD, NATS)	14.05.09
Senator Helen Kroger (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)	14.05.09
Senator Kate Lundy (ACT, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Gavin Marshall (VIC, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Julian McGauran (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Jan McLucas (QLD, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Christine Milne (TAS, AG)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Nicholas Minchin (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Fiona Nash (NSW, NATS)	14.05.09
Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Helen Polley (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Louise Pratt (WA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Scott Ryan (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP)	14.05.09
Senator Glenn Sterle (WA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Judith Troeth (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Russell Trood (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator John Williams (NSW, NATS)	14.05.09
Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Nick Xenophon (SA, IND)	14.05.09

Former substitute members	Date of appointment
Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)[1]	21.10.09–21.10.09
Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)[2]	22.10.09–23.10.09

Inquiries

As at 1 July 2009

• National registration and accreditation scheme for doctors and other health workers (exposure draft Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Bill 2009) (referred 19 March 2009; re-referred 13 May 2009)
• Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2009 [Provisions]; Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2009 [Provisions]; and Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (previously referred to the Economics Legislation Committee 27 May 2009; reference transferred by Selection of Bills Committee 15 June 2009)
• Health Insurance Amendment (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Bill 2009 (referred 17 June 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 [Provisions]; Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009 [Provisions] and Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (referred 25 June 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2009 Measures No. 2) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (referred 25 June 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)

Current inquiries

As at 31 December 2009

• Poker Machine (Reduced Losses—Interim Measures) Bill 2009 and Protecting Problem Gamblers Bill 2009 (referred 19 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009, Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009 and Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009, together with the Government amendments to the bills circulated on 28 October 2009 and any related matter (referred 23 November 2009)
• Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling—Palm Oil) Bill 2009 (referred 26 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Plain Tobacco Packaging (Removing Branding from Cigarette Packs) Bill 2009 (referred 26 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform and Reinstatement of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2009 [Provisions] and the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (2009 Measures) Bill 2009 [Provisions] along with the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (referred 26 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)

New references

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Poker Machine (Reduced Losses—Interim Measures) Bill 2009 and Protecting Problem Gamblers Bill 2009 (referred 19 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009, Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009 and Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009, together with the Government amendments to the bills circulated on 28 October 2009 and any related matter (referred 23 November 2009)
• Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling—Palm Oil) Bill 2009 (referred 26 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Plain Tobacco Packaging (Removing Branding from Cigarette Packs) Bill 2009 (referred 26 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)
• Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform and Reinstatement of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2009 [Provisions] and the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (2009 Measures) Bill 2009 [Provisions] along with the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (referred 26 November 2009—through the Selection of Bills Committee)

Public hearings

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2009 [Provisions]; Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2009 [Provisions]; and Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—8 July 2009, Canberra; 9 July 2009, Melbourne; 10 July 2009, Perth; 14 July 2009, Canberra
• Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2009 Measures No. 2) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—8 July 2009, Canberra
• National registration and accreditation scheme for doctors and other health workers—13 and 14 July 2009, Canberra
• Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 [Provisions], Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009 [Provisions], Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—6 August 2009, Canberra
• 2009–2010 Supplementary Budget Estimates—21, 22 & 23 October 2009, Canberra
• Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009, Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009 and Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009—17 December 2009, Canberra

Reports tabled

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2009 [Provisions], Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2009 [Provisions] and Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Final Report (presented out of session on 5 August 2009; tabled 11 August 2009)
• Health Insurance Amendment (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Bill 2009—Final Report (presented out of session on 5 August 2009; tabled 11 August 2009)
• National registration and accreditation scheme for doctors and other health workers (presented out of session on 6 August 2009; tabled 11 August 2009)
• Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 [Provisions], Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009 [Provisions] and Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Interim Report (presented out of session on 7 August 2009; tabled 11 August 2009)
• Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2009 Measures No. 2) Bill 2009 [Provisions] (presented out of session 7 August 2009; tabled 11 August 2009)
• Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 [Provisions], Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009 [Provisions] and Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009 [Provisions]—Final Report (tabled 17 August 2009)

Government responses

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Compliance audits on Medicare benefits (tabled 29 October 2009; report tabled 17 June 2009)

Estimates

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

Community Affairs (References)

1 July 2009 to 31 December 2009

Method of appointment

Pursuant to amended Senate Standing Order 25.

Current members	Date of appointment
Senator Rachel Siewert (WA, AG) (elected Chair on 14.05.09)	14.05.09
Senator Claire Moore (QLD, ALP)	14.05.09
(elected Deputy Chair on 14.05.09)
Senator Judith Adams (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Sue Boyce (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Carol Brown (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator John Williams (NSW, NATS)	14.05.09

Participating members	Date of appointment
Senator the Hon Eric Abetz (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Chris Back (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Guy Barnett (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Cory Bernardi (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Catryna Bilyk (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Simon Birmingham (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mark Bishop (WA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Ronald Boswell (QLD, NATS)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon George Brandis (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Bob Brown (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator David Bushby (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Doug Cameron (NSW, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Michaelia Cash (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Jacinta Collins (VIC, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mathias Cormann (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Trish Crossin (NT, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Alan Eggleston (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Don Farrell (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator David Feeney (VIC, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Steve Fielding (VIC, FFP)	14.05.09
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mitch Fifield (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Mary Jo Fisher (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Michael Forshaw (NSW, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, AG)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Gary Humphries (ACT, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Annette Hurley (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Steve Hutchins (NSW, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon David Johnston (WA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Barnaby Joyce (QLD, NATS)	14.05.09
Senator Helen Kroger (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Scott Ludlam (WA, AG)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Gavin Marshall (VIC, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Brett Mason (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Anne McEwen (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Julian McGauran (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Jan McLucas (QLD, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Christine Milne (TAS, AG)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Nicholas Minchin (SA, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Fiona Nash (NSW, NATS)	14.05.09
Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Stephen Parry (TAS, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Marise Payne (NSW, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Helen Polley (TAS, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Louise Pratt (WA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Scott Ryan (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion (NT, CLP)	14.05.09
Senator Glenn Sterle (WA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator the Hon Judith Troeth (VIC, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Russell Trood (QLD, LP)	14.05.09
Senator Dana Wortley (SA, ALP)	14.05.09
Senator Nick Xenophon (SA, IND)	14.05.09

Former substitute member	Term of appointment
Senator Don Farrell (SA, ALP)[3]	17.03.09–25.06.09

Inquiries

As at 1 July 2009

• Impact of gene patents on the provision of healthcare in Australia (referred 11 November 2008; re-referred by committee 13 May 2009)

Current inquiries

As at 31 December 2009

• Impact of gene patents on the provision of healthcare in Australia (referred 11 November 2008; re-referred by committee 13 May 2009)
• Hearing health in Australia (referred 10 September 2009)
• Impact of suicide on the Australian community (referred 10 September 2009)
• Consumer access to pharmaceutical benefits and the creation of new therapeutic groups through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (referred 25 November 2009)
• Access to planning options and services for people with a disability (referred 25 November 2009)

New references

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Hearing health in Australia (referred 10 September 2009)
• Impact of suicide on the Australian community (referred 10 September 2009)
• Consumer access to pharmaceutical benefits and the creation of new therapeutic groups through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (referred 25 November 2009)
• Access to planning options and services for people with a disability (referred 25 November 2009)

Public hearings

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Impact of gene patents on the provision of healthcare in Australia—3 August 2009, Melbourne; 4 August 2009, Melbourne; 5 August 2009, Sydney; 20 August 2009 and 14 September 2009, Canberra
• Hearing Health in Australia—12 October 2009, Canberra; 13 October 2009 and 11 November 2009, Sydney; 7 December 2009, Brisbane; 8 December 2009, Melbourne; 9 December 2009, Perth

Reports tabled

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Nil

Government responses

1 July 2009–31 December 2009

• Lost Innocents and Forgotten Australians Revisited: Report on the progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the Lost Innocents and Forgotten Australians Reports (tabled 26 November 2009; report tabled 25 June 2009)

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