This is an omnibus Bill which amends various taxation laws. The Bill was passed in the Senate on 15 June 2006 and received Royal Assent on 22 June 2006.

This guide contains links to parliamentary resources (such as transcripts and amendments) relating to passage of the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill 2005.

This Research Brief contains an overview of the main stages in the Budget process, some of the key concepts underlying the content and presentation of the Budget, some terms used, and issues in the Budget’s focus, content, format and reporting.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 in order to introduce measures that were included in Customs Tariff Proposal No. 4 of 2005 and Customs Tariff Proposal No. 1 of 2006.

The Constitution requires periodic elections for both Houses of Parliament, with separate provisions reflecting the different constitutional role of each House.

This Bill proposes to insert new offences into Chapter 4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code) entitled, ‘The integrity and security of the international community and foreign governments’. Consistent with the general approach of the Criminal Code, the amendments will assemble these serious offences into the central statute.

To amend the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) to update the list of deductible gift recipients (DGRs) and extend the period for which deductions are allowed for gifts to certain funds that have time limited DGR status. Also, to make minor technical amendments to other tax law.

The Royal Commissions Amendment (Records) Bill 2006 (the Bill) inserts provisions for regulations to be made under the Royal Commissions Act 1902 which will provide for the custody of Royal Commission records, for their use, transfer of records or access to those records by other persons and bodies.

Daylight saving time in Australia has a long and chequered history. This is largely because the responsibility for the setting of time zones has remained with state and territory authorities. Commonwealth power over weights and measures in the Constitution extends to the measurement of time, but whether it has power to legislate about time zones is not free from doubt.1

This paper addresses the question of whether the addition of the three new members represents the evolution of a regional collective identity, a calculated move to maximise advantage in the balance of power, or the will of domestic constituencies within existing member states.

The second meeting of the East Asia Summit will be convened in Cebu, The Philippines, on 13 December 2006. The participating countries will be the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – ASEAN – (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

Currently the Government is undertaking a feasibility study into the possibility of establishing a nuclear power industry in Australia.

This Research Note overviews what the Commonwealth provides in terms of child care financial support and assistance. It also includes calculations giving examples of what families can expect to receive in financial support for the two main types of Commonwealth child care subsidies—the Child Care Benefit and the new Child Care Tax Rebate.

This paper gives an overview of Australian federalism, noting its strengths and weaknesses, and asks: where does the system go from here?

This E Brief updates earlier statistics on funding provided to the ABC by the Australian Government and information on funding derived from other sources.

The Explanatory Memorandum states that the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2006 (‘the Bill’) is aimed at addressing the issue of money laundering in Australia which is estimated to have a value of approximately $11.5 billion in per year. The additional concern is the threat to national security posed by the financing of terrorism.

The Bill amends the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002, the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 in order to implement most of the recommendations made by the Legislative Review Committee that had reviewed the operation of the two Acts in 2005.

The purpose of the Bill is to enable the Minister to specify a time either within the day a declaration is made (rather than midnight) or at a specified future time when a special purpose visa will cease to be in effect and to enable certain persons with an eligible passport to choose an automated system or a clearance officer in immigration clearance and to define who may use an automated system.

The bill amends the sentencing and bail provisions in the Crimes Act 1914 in accordance with the decisions made by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) on 14 July 2006.

To provide a discretionary legislative mechanism for the return of land that has been used as a radioactive waste storage facility to the Land Trust to which it first belonged.

To amend the Customs Act 1901 to introduce new rules of origin for goods that are imported into Australia from New Zealand, to give effect to amendments to the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA). The amendments will allow goods that satisfy the rules of origin to enter Australia at preferential rates of customs duty.

To update the Archives Act 1983 according to the 1998 recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission.

To introduce significant changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999.

The Bill proposes to make significant changes to the Copyright Act 1968 affecting provisions dealing with enforcement, copyright exceptions, technological protection measures (TPMs) and the Copyright Tribunal.

Discusses timetable for upcoming Australian elections.

This paper describes the forms of assistance the Government provides to the production and consumption of alternative transport fuels and, where possible, the cost of assistance.

This Research Note looks at the trend in home loan affordability over the past 20 years and shows how the sensitivity of home loan affordability to interest rate changes has increased gradually over time.

The Bill amends the Trade Marks Act 1995 (the Act) to implement a number of changes recommended as a result of a review of the Act.

The purpose of this Bill is to give effect to the Government response tabled on 5 October 2005 to certain recommendations of the 2005 Senate report into the effectiveness of Australia's military justice system by the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee (the Senate Report).

The purpose of the Consequential Bill is to amend the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to exempt information gathered in the course of an inquiry by the Inspector of Transport Security.

The proposed legislation for an Inspector of Transport Security is made up of two Bills: the Inspector of Transport Security Bill 2006 (the ‘Principal Bill’) and the Inspector of Transport Security (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2006 (the ‘Consequential Bill’).

The Bill amends the Privacy Act 1988 in order to clarify the legal basis for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in an emergency or disaster, whether in Australia or overseas.

The purpose of the Bill is to make amendments and introduce provisions necessary to give effect to the Government’s decision to sell Medibank Private in 2008.

This is a technical Bill dealing with the exercise of summary jurisdiction by State courts.

To facilitate trans-Tasman cooperation in the prudential regulation of financial institutions.

To provide for the legislation necessary to change the Child Support Scheme (CSS) maintenance formula and other necessary consequential legislative changes. The Bill also contains provisions to allow appeal access to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) for persons affected by decisions made under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (CSAA).

The proposed amendments to the National Cattle Disease Eradication Account Act 1991 will enable residual levy proceeds collected for certain eradication programs to be transferred to an industry disease fund.

This Bill amends the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 (PSA).

To extend the operation of the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 in respect of Telstra employees for a period of three years after the day on which the Commonwealth ceases to have a controlling interest in Telstra.

The purpose of these Bills is to make amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 required for compatibility with the new regime for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005 (CATSI Bill), and to make associated transitional and consequential amendments to other Acts.

The purpose of these Bills is to make amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 required for compatibility with the new regime for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005 (CATSI Bill), and to make associated transitional and consequential amendments to other Acts.

A Bill to provide for consequential amendments to other Acts arising from the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Bill 2006.

To implement two 2006 Budget measures that amend the assets test and the Crisis Payment and to implement several compliance and fraud measures.

The Bill amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and the Radiocommunications Act 1992 to broaden the range of enforcement powers available to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

This Bill makes some amendments to the Run Off Cover Scheme (ROCS). ROCS is one of a suite of measures that was implemented by the Federal Government at the height of the medical indemnity crisis to improve the affordability of medical indemnity insurance. The Bill also makes some minor amendments to other aspects of the medical indemnity regime.

The Bill proposes transferring provisions regarding the protection of native seals, native birds, native invertebrates and native plants from the regulations to the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980. The definitions of whale and native mammal are repealed as whales and other cetaceans (which include dolphins and porpoises and the like) are protected under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCA). Having species protected under an Act as opposed to regulations enables heavier penalties to be imposed for offences.

To implement new cross media ownership and foreign media ownership laws.

To repeal the Housing Loans Insurance Corporation (Transfer of Assets and Abolition) Act 1996 as much of the Act is now redundant. Operative provisions in the repealed Act are included in the accompanying Housing Loans Insurance Corporation (Transfer of Pre-transfer Contracts) Bill 2006.

To enable the Commonwealth to transfer its ownership to another person of the residual mortgage insurance contracts that were written by the Housing Loans Insurance Corporation prior to its restructure and abolition in 1997.

To provide for an Act to provide for the testing and treatment of Australian participants in the British nuclear tests conducted in Australia in the 1950s and 60s.

The purpose of this Research Note is to examine some of the issues surrounding each of these house price measures and to look at the trend in house prices over the past 20 years.

This e-brief provides links to sources and an overview of the current state of obesity and overweight in Australia.

The purpose of the bill is to implement changes to the board management structure of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) in accordance with the Uhrig Review.

This Research Note looks at the possibility and its implications of a North Korean neclear test.

The purpose of the bill is to implement changes to the board management structure of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) in accordance with the Uhrig Review.

The purpose of the bill is to amend various classifications of goods contained in schedules to the Customs Tariff Act 1995. The amendments result from agreed changes in the international Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the powers of the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Customs Service under the Customs Act 1901 in order to facilitate the introduction of agreed changes to the international Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.

The Bill, like the Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (2006 Measures No.1) Bill 2006, amends the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to strengthen the consumer protection aspects of the regulatory framework that governs the provision of education and training to overseas students.

Schedule 1 to this Bill amends the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the Schools Assistance (Learning Together—Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 (the current Act) to provide capital grants funding for government and non-government schools for the years 2009 to 2011.

To vary the amendments to the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 (FTR Act) made by Schedule 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (No. 2) 2005 (AT Act) in order to correct drafting problems and to prevent unintended consequences.

To provide for the legislation necessary to give effect to two government initiatives announced in the 2006-07 Budget that provide for extra assistance to older Australians and to carers.

The purpose of the bill is to create in the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (WR Act) new offences to discourage and prevent sham independent contractor arrangements.

The purpose of the Principal Bill is to move contracting relationships as far as possible away from the realm of employment and to place these relationships as far as possible under commercial regulation.

This Brief considers the historical development of Medibank Private, some legal issues relating to ownership of the fund and some policy arguments for and against the sale.

This Research Note discusses the role of preferences in elections since the expansion of the Parliament in 1984 (the second election when full distribution of preferences was undertaken) and provides details on the direction of preferences at the 2004 election.

This e-brief explains the legislative basis, fixing and linking mechanisms for the allowance Senators and Members receive.

The Bill amends the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 to strengthen and clarify the consumer protection aspects of the regulatory framework that governs the provision of education and training to overseas students.

The purpose of the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2006 (the Bill) is to amend the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 (the current Act) to appropriate an additional $43.6 million from 2006 to 2008.

The Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 4) Bill 2006 (Bill) is an omnibus bill with each of the Schedules having its own purpose. They are set out as part of the analysis of each of the four Schedules below.

To amend the Customs Act 1901 for two unrelated purposes, namely, to provide Customs officers with additional powers to deal with prescribed prohibited imports that are of low value and low risk and to reflect the new Certificate of Origin requirements for the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

The Tax Laws Amendment (Repeal of Inoperative Provisions) Bill 2006 (the Bill) does more than merely repeal inoperative provisions of tax law. It has very stringent savings measures to enable the repealed provisions to be operational under certain circumstances.

This Research Note looks at North Korea’s aims, its methods of achieving these aims and the ongoing efforts at further diplomacy with North Korea.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Privacy Act 1988 and the National Health Act 1953.

This Research Note describes the proposed redistributions. The possible electoral impact—by converting the two-party preferred (2PP) vote from the 2004 Federal Election onto the proposed boundaries6—is discussed and a revised electoral pendulum is attached.

The major purposes of the Bill are to amend the definition of a ‘public work’, to include works funded through public–private partnerships (‘PPPs’) and other similar arrangements, to increase from $6 million to $15 million the threshold value of projects that require referral to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (‘the Committee’), provide for the threshold value to be varied by regulation, and insert gender-neutral language into the Act.

To provide for the legislative implementation of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001.

The purpose of the bill is to repeal the Australia-Japan Foundation Act 1976, abolishing the Australia-Japan Foundation(1) as a statutory body and bringing it under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Bill would amend the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990 to extend the operation of the Defence HomeOwner Scheme for a further 12 months beyond its current finishing date of 31 December 2006.

The purpose of the bill is to provide for the legislative implementation of a Protocol amending the existing Australia-New Zealand Double Taxation Agreement.

The Bill is intended to: • provide certainty in relation to the immigration clearance and immigration status of non-citizen children born in Australia • harmonise certain offence provisions with the Criminal Code • amend section 269 to ensure that a security may be imposed for compliance with visa conditions before grant, and • clarify certain provisions in relation to Bridging Visas to ensure that a person who leaves and re-enters Australia on a Bridging Visa B cannot avoid the provisions of section 48; and ensure that a Bridging Visa which ceases when an event occurs will cease the moment the event occurs rather than at the end of that day.

The purpose of the National Health Amendment (Immunisation) Bill is to amend the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) to allow the provision of goods and services that are associated with, or incidental to the provision or administration of designated vaccines for preventable diseases.

To amend the Export Control Act 1982 and the Quarantine Act 1908

This Research Note updates the details of federal government expenditure provided in the Research Note Federal government advertising which was published in June 2004.

This Research Brief complements the Research Note ‘Estimates of Businesses by Commonwealth Electoral Division’(1) which contains estimates of the number of businesses by size of business and Commonwealth electoral division.

Senators and members receive an annual allowance1 by way of basic salary—$118 950 from 1 July 2006.2 This Research Note explains the legislative basis, fixing and linking mechanisms for the allowance.

The Bill’s aim is to ensure that inter-jurisdictional DNA profile matching for law enforcement purposes using the National Criminal Investigation DNA Database (‘NCIDD’) can be implemented.

The Bill proposes amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) to allow for applications for licences to manufacture medicines, blood and tissues, to be lodged electronically with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

To widen the powers of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to intervene when a maritime casualty has occurred not only on the high seas but in the exclusive economic zone and in the territorial sea. AMSA’s powers to issue directions to the owner, master or salvor1 in possession of a ship or to any other person as necessary have also been widened to allow it to more effectively mount emergency response arrangements when required.

The Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Bill 2006 repeals the Complaints (Australian Federal Police) Act 1981 and inserts a new part into the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 to update the complaints and professional standards regime within the Australian Federal Police.

To amend the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 in order to change the regulatory arrangements for aviation security.

To allow the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to prepare, manage or store radioactive materials from a much wider range of sources and circumstances than presently permitted under the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987.

The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Patents Act 1990.

The purpose of the Bill is to regulate unsolicited and unwanted telemarketing calls.

The purpose of the Bill is to enable the development of relevant industry codes and standards relating to telemarketing and make various consequential amendments to the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 and the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997 to enable investigation, compliance and enforcement action to be undertaken by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to support the operation of the proposed Do Not Call Register Act 2006.

This Bill amends the National Health Act 1953 (NHA) to expand the powers of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO) in dealing with complaints and conducting investigations.

To amend the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (‘the ALRA’) in a variety of ways.

This e-brief summarises the approach taken in federal, state and territory and some overseas parliaments to codes of conduct for ministers and members of parliament, registers of interests, the post-separation employment of ministers and the use of ethics commissioners in providing advice on and/or conducting investigations into breaches of codes. Where possible the publication provides links to relevant documents. It does not compare codes of conduct.

To impose, as a tax, the instalment transfer interest charge that can be imposed under the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987.

To amend the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987 (PRRT Act).

To provide for prison terms for certain offences of illegal foreign fishing occurring within Australia’s territorial sea.

To provide legislation to give effect to several government initiatives announced in the 2006-07 Budget and also some other government initiatives.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Federal Magistrates Act 1999 (FMA)to provide statutory disability cover and death benefits for Federal Magistrates. Current arrangements for Federal Magistrates provide no specific entitlements in the event of retirement on the grounds of disability or death.

This Research Note summarises the current status of the arguments in the period leading to the Australian Government’s proposed signature to the production-development phase of the JSF project.

This electronic brief provides an overview of Australia’s settlement services for migrants and humanitarian entrants, and a guide to internet resources, research and comment on current settlement issues in Australia. It also provides information about the development of settlement and ‘integration’ services overseas.

This Bill is to amend the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (the Act) to clarify the operation of the Act in respect of claims of legal professional privilege (LPP).

This electronic brief is intended as an overview of Australia’s skilled migration program and a guide to the internet resources, research and comment on some of the emerging issues.

The Bill proposes increases to the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for individuals and families, and to the low-income threshold in the Medicare levy surcharge provisions, to ensure that low-income individuals and families will continue to not have to pay the Medicare levy or surcharge.

To amend the Plant Health Australia (Plant Industries) Funding Act 2002 to establish a mechanism by which plant industries can fund their liabilities under the Government and Plant Industry Cost Sharing Deed in respect of Emergency Plant Pest Responses.

The Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and other Measures) Bill 2006 (the Bill) will make amendments to the Customs Act 1901 (the Customs Act).

To establish an Australian Law Enforcement Integrity Commission (‘ACLEI’) with power to investigate and report on corruption in the Australian Federal Police (‘AFP’), the Australian Crime Commission (‘ACC’), the former National Crime Authority (‘NCA’)1 and prescribed Commonwealth law enforcement agencies.

The main purpose of the Bill is to make procedural changes to the process of the approval, and revision of, various types of maritime security plans. The Bill also amends a wide range of legislation to bring the drafting and operation of these Acts into line with the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

To amend or repeal several Acts to effect the Government’s proposals with respect to excise contained in the energy white paper, and to simplify and update legislative requirements relating to excise especially those in the Excise Act 1901.

To main purpose is to repeal the current Excise Tariff and replace it with a new one.

The Bill contains the first stage of the child support reforms to be implemented by the Government in response to the report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support (the Parkinson Report).

The Bill makes minor and technical amendments to remove anomalies, repeal redundant provisions and clarify the legislation in line with current policy.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: • strengthen Customs control over certain goods that are used to manufacture excisable goods, and • to ensure that excise-equivalent goods are subject to the same rate of duty, when imported, as is applied under the Excise Tariff Act 1921 for the same products when manufactured or produced in Australia.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the Customs Act 1901 to allow the implementation of the fuel tax credits scheme, and to implement various compliance and other arrangements to protect Commonwealth revenue and simplify customs administration.

The Bill’s main purpose is to enable the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) to exercise coercive and information gathering powers under a variety of Commonwealth statutes. These include the ability to intercept telecommunications, use surveillance devices, conduct controlled operations and use assumed identities.

This e-brief gives a brief summary of the transitional justice mechanisms employed in the case of Timor and the results so far.

The amendments contained in the Bill propose to amend the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) to expand the offshore processing regime introduced in 2001 currently applying to offshore entry persons and transitory persons.

ndments. This Digest does not have any official legal status. Other sources should be consulted to determine the subsequent official status of the Bill.

To appropriate approximately $9.215 billion for the non-ordinary (or ‘other’) annual services of Government.

To appropriate approximately $53.335 billion for the ordinary annual services of the Government.

This electronic brief provides links to web-based information and full-text articles relevant to selected countries having national elections in 2006.

To appropriate $171.607 million for recurrent and capital expenditure of the three parliamentary departments for the 2006–07 financial year.

Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2005–06 appropriates funds for the other annual services of government.

Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2005–06 appropriates funds for the ordinary annual services of government.

To amend the Defence Housing Act 1987 in order to provide an administrative and financial framework in which the Defence Housing Authority can operate more commercially as a government business enterprise.

The 2006 South Australian and Tasmanian elections were both held on 18 March 2006. This paper looks at each election campaign and result, and discusses several features which are relevant to the analysis of Australian state elections.

This Bill amends the Telecommunications Act 1997 (‘the Telecommunications Act’) and the Trade Practice Act 1974 (“the TPA”).

The main purpose of the Bill is to amend the governance structure of the Australian Research Council in line with the broad recommendations of the 2003 Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (the Uhrig Report).

TThe purpose of the Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia's Skills Needs) Amendment Bill 2006 (the Bill) is to amend the Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia's Skills Needs) Act 2005.

This Bill amends the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 (the Act) to introduce new governance arrangements and to clarify accountability and reporting functions for the National Health and Medical Research Council (the NHMRC).

The Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006 (‘the Bill’) provides for a scheme of sanctions relating to employers, labour suppliers and others who knowingly or recklessly employ illegal workers or refer them for work.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Export Market Development Grants Act 1997 in order to continue the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme and to implement changes that enhance the effectiveness of the scheme. The Bill also repeals the Export Expansion Grants Act 1978.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Australian Trade Commission Act 1985 in order to implement changes to the governance structure of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade).

To amend the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 (the ABC Act) to remove the position of staff-elected Director from the Board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The Bill makes amendments of a technical or minor nature that are necessary as a consequence of the passage through Parliament of the Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) Act 2005.

This brief looks at the issues and the arguments for and against a seasonal Pacific guest-worker program for Australia, and at what can be learned from overseas experience.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the General Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998 to provide for a special levy to be charged to insurance companies in addition to the existing levy payable under that Act.

To respond to recommendations made by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD (‘the PJC’).1 The PJC recently reviewed ASIO’s terrorism-related questioning and detention powers. These powers are found in Division 3, Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (‘the ASIO Act’).

To amend and repeal various acts consequent to the introduction of the fuel tax credits scheme under the Fuel Tax Bill 2006.

The purpose of the bill is to implement a system of credits to offset—partially or fully—the excise that some taxpayers pay on fuels, and to lay the groundwork for extending the tax net to alternative fuels.

This research note looks at the domestic political impediments in South Korea that are preventing progress towards an FTA and at the prospects that this may change in the near future.

To repeal the Petroleum Retail Marketing Franchise Act 1980 and the Petroleum Retail Marketing Sites Act 1980. The Government proposes to replace these Acts with an industry code—to be known as the Trade Practices (Industry Codes-Oilcode) Regulations 2005 (the Oilcode)—under section 51AE of the Trade Practices Act 1974.1

The Bill implements a range of changes to the taxation legislation.

The purpose of this bill is to amend the Age Discrimination Act 2004 in order to specify a limited number of Commonwealth Acts and regulations that will include exemptions from the provisions of age discrimination legislation.

This e-Brief provides background on the history of sedition as a Commonwealth criminal offence.

This Research Note looks at Members of the Commonwealth Parliament with war service.

Since the mid-1990s, the Government has made important changes to excises. The Government also proposes major changes to the excise on fuels. This paper examines these changes and comments on them.

This Bill will consolidate and revise the governance arrangements for the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) and the Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan (PSSAP) with effect from 1 July 2006.

The purpose of the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Amendment Bill 2006 is to make a series of technical amendments to the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 clarifying the application of certain provisions within the Act, and to remove a sunset clause on the Advanced Payment Option currently available for finalising settlements under the Act.

To implement some of the recommendations of the Tambling report into the operation of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 as well as adopting the majority of the provisions of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Bill 2002.

This Bill amends the Bankruptcy Act 1966 and related legislation to increase the cost recovery measures of the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia (ITSA).

This Research Note examines in more detail, the size and nature of the decline in public sector employment share in Australia, and provides some explanations for, and consequences of, this decline.

In 2005 and early 2006 a number of proposals were put forward for restructuring the personal income tax system. This paper seeks to provide an outline of these suggestions. Readers are directed to papers cited for more details on any particular proposal.

This Research Note examines political finance disclosures under the current and proposed thresholds, using the annual returns of the major parties (the Liberal Party, The Nationals and the ALP) for the financial years 1998–99 to 2003–04. This information is available on the Australian Electoral Commission web site.

Australia’s international aviation industry is heavily regulated. Whether or to what extent the segment of the industry that provides scheduled passenger airline services should be further liberalised is again being debated, a particular focus being whether more airlines should be allowed to carry passengers between Australia and the United States. This Brief contains background to the debate, and examines some related economic issues.

This Brief examines the relevant agency powers and finds the use of consent in this incident raises several issues of concern such as bypassing the need for search or computer access warrants, restricting freedom of speech in relation to publishing and the accountability of Australia’s national security officials.

The Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 5) Bill 2005 (‘Bill’) contains six separate chapters, each of which pursues a different purpose.

The New International Tax Arrangements (Foreign-owned Branches and Other Measures) Bill 2005 (Bill) will implement a further reform package with respect to Australia’s international tax arrangements.

The Bill seeks to make amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (the Act) to strengthen provisions allowing the trustees of bankrupts to ‘claw back’ or recover property disposed of by the bankrupt prior to the bankruptcy.

The purpose of the Bill is The purpose is to criminalise threats or the incitement of violence against racial or religious groups.

Some of the issues affecting the accumulation of enough savings to produce an adequate retirement income are outlined in this paper.

This Research Brief examines developments since the changes were implemented and some issues in Commonwealth–state financial relations. References to the states should be read as the states and territories.

The purpose of the Bill is to introduce the legislative changes to give effect to several 2005 Budget initiatives and to several other current initiatives.

The purpose of the Bill is to establish Cancer Australia as a statutory agency within the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 (the Act) to implement certain recommendations of the Blunn Report on the review of the regulation of access to communications under the Act.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the Schools Assistance (Learning Together—Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004.

The Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2005 (the Bill) makes a wide range of amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 implementing a number of recommendations of the 2003 report, Every picture tells a story. The changes aim to bring about a cultural shift in how family separation is managed: away from litigation and towards co-operative parenting.

In the months following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 on the United States, a number of people suspected of involvement with terrorist organisations or their activities were apprehended in various countries around the world. Many of these people were, and in some cases, still are, detained by the United States at the US military facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Two Australian citizens, Mamdouh Habib and David Hicks, were both transferred to US custody following their apprehension in Pakistan in October 2001 and in Afghanistan in December 2001, respectively.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) to make several changes to arrangements for approving pharmacists to provide medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This Research Note examines the biographical details of the 226 senators and members of the 41st Parliament, as contained in the 30th edition of the Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia (2005).

What is an electoral system? What is required of an electoral system? Is there a ‘best’ electoral system? What are the major categories of electoral system? These questions form the focus of this paper, a revision of an original paper written by Gerard Newman and published by the Parliamentary Library in 1989.

The purpose of the bill is to appropriate sums, additional to those sought through Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2005-06, for the ordinary annual services of the Government.

The purpose of the bill is to appropriate sums, additional to those sought through Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2005-06, for the ordinary annual services of the Government.

The 2004 Canadian election produced the Liberal Party’s fourth-worst showing since Confederation, with Paul Martin’s team forming a minority government 20 seats short of a parliamentary majority.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Act), the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 (the Referendum Act) and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, so as to implement government policy on electoral reform.

This Bill proposes to amend the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to make it possible to evaluate, register, list or import abortifacients (medicines intended to induce an abortion) such as RU486 (mifepristone) for use in Australia without the approval of the Minister for Health and Ageing.

The Bill implements a range of changes to the taxation legislation. The respective Schedules have different purposes which are discussed under their individual headings.

The object of this Bill is to strengthen the Commonwealth’s long-term financial position by establishing the Future Fund to meet unfunded Commonwealth superannuation liabilities. These liabilities are the superannuation benefits the Commonwealth is liable to pay that are not backed by money or other assets.

The purpose of the Bill is to increase the flexibility and speed in which the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can be called out to respond to security threats under Part IIIAAA of the Defence Act 1903. The Bill also clarifies the legal position of ADF members when operating under Part IIIAAA.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Ministers of State Act 1952 to increase the limit of the amount payable in any financial year from the Consolidated Revenue Fund from $2.8 million to $3.2 million.

The purpose of the Bill is to make changes to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Act 1990 to prepare for the acceptance of Mongolia as country in which the Bank may operate

The purpose of the Bill is to provide a legislative basis for the Defence Road Transport Exemption Framework which details exemptions from the operation of state and territory road transport laws that will be applied uniformly across Australia in certain circumstances.

The Bill’s purposes include: • amending the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 (OHS(CE) Act) to cover new categories of employers and employees—called non-Commonwealth licensees and employees. The amendments respond to a recommendation made in the Productivity Commission’s report on National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health and Safety Frameworks1 • ensuring that all Commonwealth authorities licensed under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act) are covered by the OHS(CE) Act, and • correcting drafting errors made in 2001 and validating regulatory contribution and licence fees that were paid in error by Commonwealth authorities and licensees.

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he anti-doping rules applicable to athletes and support persons and authorising the ASADA to perform sample collection, sample testing, investigation of anti-doping violations and to present the findings of those investigations to sporting tribunals.

The Bill amends 33 Acts to correct minor technical and drafting errors and misdescribed amendments, and repeals 27 obsolete Acts that have no current or future operation.

This Bill amends the Crimes Act 1914 (‘the Crimes Act’) to enable Commonwealth participating agencies to request assumed identity documents from State and Territory issuing agencies in accordance with legislation in force in those jurisdictions. The Bill was passed without amendment on 16 June 2005, was assented to on 6 July 2005 and became Act No. 87 of 2005.

The Bill expands the existing jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court (FMC).

The purpose of the Bill is to make amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth) that will enable the jurisdiction of ‘Family Law Magistrates of Western Australia’ (as defined in the Bill)1 to be expanded so that it reflects that of the Federal Magistrates Court (or FMC). It also makes changes in relation to appeals and transfers of proceedings in family law matters and to appeals in child support matters. Under child support and family law statutes, rules relating to appeals and transfers vary depending on whether the FMC or a court of summary jurisdiction is involved. The Bill treats Family Law Magistrates of Western Australia like the Federal Magistrates Court instead of as a court of summary jurisdiction, as is presently the case. In doing so, it recognises that Family Law Magistrates of Western Australia are specialists in family law.

ule 3), and • to clarify and update financial management provisions in other Acts (Schedule 3).