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Appendix 2 - Parliamentary committees
The Department's involvement in the following Parliamentary committees ranged from preparing or providing input to Government responses, appearing before and/or making written submissions to the committees.
Senate Select Committee on Information Technologies
In the Public Interest - Monitoring Australia's Media
Tabled: 13 April 2000
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
The Government deferred responding to this report while the Australian Broadcasting Authority's investigations into the disclosure requirements of commercial radio broadcasters continued. The Government is currently preparing its response and expects to respond during 2004-05.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Transport and the Arts
Local Voices: Inquiry into Regional Radio
Tabled: 24 September 2001
Government response: 9 September 2003
The Government's response outlined initiatives since the release of the Committee's report aimed at improving access to radio services in regional and remote Australia. These include the introduction of a Commercial Radio Black Spots program, and a request that the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) conduct a review of the planning and licensing framework for remote commercial radio services including whether the provision of commercially viable services is feasible under the current arrangements.
In relation to content and the provision of local news and information services by commercial radio broadcasters, the Government noted the Committee's recognition that achievement of such objectives has to be considered in light of a changing broadcasting environment and broadcaster concerns about commercial viability. The Government, however, remains committed to localism in regional radio and television.
The Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2002 [No.2] (the Bill) currently before Parliament places local news requirements on regional radio broadcasters granted an exemption from the ownership and control provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. Regional radio broadcasters will be required to maintain existing levels of local news and information, or where these are already less than the prescribed minimum, broadcast a minimum number of bulletins each week which adequately reflect matters of local significance.
The Bill also strengthens safeguards for local radio services by prohibiting contracts and arrangements which limit or restrict the program format of commercial radio services. The amendments are designed to address a situation where contractual limitations on the program format of a commercial radio service reduce competition for audience and advertisers.
The Minister has issued a general direction to the ABA to revisit licence area plans in markets where the on-sale of a licence has resulted in a reduction in the number of services of broad general appeal, with a view to issuing an additional commercial radio licence.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Connecting Australia! Wireless broadband
Tabled: 11 November 2002
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts' Inquiry into Wireless Broadband Technologies was established on 24 March 2002. The purpose of the Inquiry was to investigate and report on the current and potential use of wireless technologies to provide broadband communication services in Australia, including regional Australia. The Committee released its report, Connecting Australia! Wireless Broadband, on 11 November 2002.
From Reel to Unreal: Inquiry into the future opportunities for Australia's film, animation, special effects and electronic games industries
Tabled: 21 June 2004
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
This report examines the future opportunities for Australia's film, animation, special effects and electronic games industries.
Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee
Libraries in the Online Environment
Tabled: 16 October 2003
Government response: 2 July 2004
The Inquiry covered a wide range of matters relating to libraries and online services. The main focus of the report was on the needs of public libraries and their users, the role of the National Library of Australia (NLA) in online information and service delivery to Australians and the potential for the Government to support that role.
The Government response considered that the principles this Inquiry promoted are being pursued, particularly those matters relating to national information strategies. While the Government does not have direct responsibility for public libraries, through a number of mechanisms including support for the NLA, the Department, AGIMO, and support of the Cultural Ministers Council, the Government collaborates with state and territory governments and peak library groups on issues affecting the sector. The Government response especially encourages cross-sectoral approaches to effect solutions.
Inquiry into Competition in Broadband Services
The report is yet to be tabled
On 10 March 2004, representatives of the Department appeared before the Committee. In response to questions from the Committee, information was provided on the design and operation of the Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme, and the Internet Assistance Program.
The former National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE) appeared before the Committee on 30 March 2004 and provided a written submission on 7 April 2004.
Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee
Provisions of the Communications Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2003
Tabled: 15 September 2003
The Department attended hearings for this Inquiry on 5 September 2003 and subsequently made a written submission.
The Committee supported the Bill but suggested that the Government consider clarifying whether or not the Bill is intended to apply to carriers and carriage service providers as well as individuals, or only to carriers and carriage service providers and not individuals. This suggestion was addressed during the passage of the Bill through Parliament.
The Communications Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004 came into effect on 21 April 2004. The Act amends the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to enhance the security of Australia's telecommunications services and networks, and to improve arrangements for the provision of assistance to law enforcement agencies by telecommunications carriers and carriage service providers.
Provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003
Tabled: 27 October 2003
The Department made a joint written submission to this Inquiry with the Department of Finance and Administration and appeared before the Committee on 7 October 2003.
The issues raised in the report of the Committee were discussed during the debate of the Bill in the Senate on 27-30 October 2003 and 29-30 March 2004.
The Bill, which would have enabled the Government to sell its remaining shareholding in Telstra, failed to pass the Senate on 30 October 2003. The Government reintroduced the Bill into Parliament on 4 March, but it failed to pass the Senate for the second time on 30 March 2004.
Provisions of the Spam Bill 2003 and the Spam (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2003
Tabled: 29 October 2003
The Department appeared before the Committee's public hearing on the Spam Bill 2003 and the Spam (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2003 in Canberra on 23 October 2003. The Committee recommended that the Bills not be amended.
The prohibition provisions in the Spam Act 2003 came into effect on 10 April 2004.
Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement.
Tabled: 23 June 2004
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
The Department appeared before the Committee at hearings on 2 April and 14 May 2004.
Report 60 - Treaties tabled on 2 March 2004
Tabled: 16 June 2004
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
The Department gave evidence to the Committee.
Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories
Inquiry into Pay Parking in the Parliamentary Zone
Tabled: 13 October 2003
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
OPH and the NPG made a written submission to the Inquiry and appeared at public hearings. Representatives of OPH, the NPG and the Old Parliament House Volunteers' Committee appeared before the Inquiry's public hearings on 9 May 2003.
Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Inquiry into Expanding Australia's Trade and Investment Relationship with the Countries of Central Europe
Tabled: 15 September 2003
Government response: 14 May 2004
The Department did not make a submission to the Inquiry.
The core recommendation of relevance to the Communications portfolio (Recommendation 14), was that the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts gives priority to leading a trade mission to central Europe focused on e-government and e-commerce service exports.
The Government response noted that it sees the ICT sector and related e-government developments in Central Europe as a priority for commercial export development. The organisation of an e-government mission to Poland and the Czech Republic in October 2002 yielded positive results as has an Austrade-funded consultancy assignment to assist the Romanian and Bulgarian governments develop an e-government strategy. In line with this, appropriate opportunities for Ministerial-led missions to the region to support export growth and profile Australia's ICT capabilities in both the public and private sectors will continue to be monitored and assessed.
Inquiry into Australia's Relationship with Indonesia
Tabled: 31 May 2004
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
The Department provided a written submission on 31 October 2002 which included contributions from the Department and the Australian Sports Commission, and a supplementary submission on 20 September 2003.
The Department attended the public hearing on 5 August 2003.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Inquiry into Capacity Building in Indigenous Communities
Tabled: 21 June 2004
No Government response as at 30 June 2004
The Department provided a written submission in September 2002. The final report Many Ways Forward was tabled on 21 June 2004.
Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
Inquiry into the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States of America
The report is yet to be tabled
The Department appeared before the Committee on 6, 10 and 18 May and 8 June 2004.
Senate Select Committee on the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States of America
Interim report tabled: 24 June 2004
The Department appeared before the Committee at hearings on 18 May. The Department also provided input to the various questions on notice to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit
Inquiry into the Draft Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill
Tabled 20 August 2003
Government response: 26 June 2004
The Department appeared before the Committee on 7 March 2003 and made written submissions in relation to the provisions of the Exposure Draft Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill affecting the Department's Special Accounts.
On 20 August 2003 the Committee tabled Report 395, Inquiry into the Draft Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (JCPAA Report 395). The Report made a number of recommendations and conclusions proposing and supporting changes.
On 26 June 2004 the Government tabled its response to the report, agreeing to most of the recommendations and conclusions.
Review of Auditor-General's Reports, second quarter 2003-04 - Review of Australian National Audit Office Report No. 11 Annual Performance Reporting
The report is yet to be tabled
The Department appeared before the Committee on 24 May 2004 in relation to its involvement in the cross-agency audit on Annual Performance Reporting.
Review of Auditor-General's Reports - Audit Report No. 24, 2003-04, Agency Management of Special Accounts
The report is yet to be tabled
The Department appeared before the Committee on 21 June 2004.
Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee
Senate Inquiry on the Progress and Future Direction of Life-Long Learning
The report is yet to be tabled
The Department provided a written submission in June 2004.