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Parliamentary Committees
The Department's involvement in the following Parliamentary Committees ranged from preparing or providing input to Australian Government responses, to 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 2006.
The Australian Government deferred responding to this report while the Australian Broadcasting Authority's investigations into the disclosure requirements of commercial radio broadcasters continued and pending the deliberations on the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The Australian Government is finalising its response to the Committee's report which will be tabled in due course.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
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 2006.
This report examines the future opportunities for Australia's film, animation, special effects and electronic games industries. The Australian Government is considering its response taking account of the Digital Content Industry Action Agenda Report which was released on 13 March 2006.
Inquiry into the uptake of digital television in Australia
Tabled: 13 February 2006. No Government response as at 30 June 2006.
This report examines the rollout, uptake and technological issues relating to digital television. The Australian Government is considering its response.
Inquiry into community broadcasting
The report is yet to be tabled.
On 19 January 2006, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon. Helen Coonan, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on issues pertaining to community broadcasting in Australia.
The Department appeared before the Committee on 1 March 2006 to provide a private briefing. The Department made a submission to the inquiry about the community broadcasting sector and the legislation that governs it.
Public hearings are still being held and it is expected the Committee will complete its report late 2006 or early 2007.
Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee
Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2005 and related bills
Tabled: 12 September 2005.
The Department appeared before the Committee on 9 September 2005. The Committee recommended that the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Future Proofing and Other Measures) Bill 2005 be amended to specifically require that $2 billion in cash be transferred to the fund account and that, subject to the preceding recommendation, the Bills be agreed to.
The amendment to the Bill was made.
Performance of the Australian telecommunications regulatory regime
Tabled: 10 August 2005. No Government response at 30 June 2006.
The Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee inquiry into the performance of the Australian telecommunications regulatory regime was established on 14 March 2005. The purpose of the inquiry was to assess whether the current telecommunications regulatory regime promotes competition, encourages investment in the sector and protects consumers to the fullest extent practicable. The Department appeared before the Committee on 11 April 2005 and 20 June 2005.
The Department made a submission and appeared before the Committee during the 2004–05 financial year.
The recommendations included in the majority report were wide ranging. They included recommendations to amend provisions in Part XIB and Part XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974, to review of the funding arrangements for the Universal Service Obligation and to review of the operation of the Australian Government's Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme.
To date, the Australian Government's response has been to advise the Committee of any outstanding items to respond to, following the legislative reforms made in September 2005 and the commencement of the Connect Australia program.
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Future Proofing and Other Measures) Bill 2005
Committee comment on Bill: Alert Digest No. 11 of 2005, 14 September 2005.
The Committee noted that any determinations declared under proposed paragraph 158P(3)(b) of the Bill would be a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, but would not be subject to disallowance under section 42 of that Act. The Committee also noted that a rationale for this was provided in the Explanatory Memorandum for the Bill.
The Committee made no further comments on the Bill.
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005
Committee comment on Bill: Alert Digest No. 1 of 2006, 8 February 2006.
Government response published: First Report of 2006, 1 March 2006.
The Committee questioned whether clause 12, which would permit the National Anti-Doping Scheme to incorporate any matter contained in international anti-doping instruments in force or existing from time to time, being material that neither the Parliament nor any Parliamentary Committee had seen, was an inappropriate delegation of legislative power. The Committee also requested technical confirmation regarding the application of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and whether certain sub-clauses were merely declaratory of the law.
The Australian Government's response indicated that, for the continued effectiveness of Australia's anti-doping framework and to ensure that Australian athletes were not disadvantaged by inconsistencies in anti-doping practices, clause 12 was vital in ensuring that Australia had the ability to respond quickly in recognising any amendments made to international standards. The response also confirmed that the relevant sub-clauses were merely declaratory of the law. The Committee accepted the Australian Government's response on these issues.
Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee
Provisions of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005 and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005
Tabled: 7 February 2006.
On 8 December 2005, the Senate referred the provisions of these Bills to the Committee for inquiry and report.
The inquiry covered the provisions of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005 and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005, to establish a new Australian Sports-Anti Doping Authority (ASADA). The purpose of these Bills is to enhance Australia's ability to support a robust national and international anti-doping framework.
The Bills specify the powers and responsibilities of the new authority, as well as the rights of athletes, including their rights in relation to ASADA decisions.
They also specify consequential and transitional provisions to facilitate ASADA assuming the function of the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA).
The Department provided a submission to the inquiry in January 2006 and appeared before the Committee's hearings on 31 January 2006.
The Committee's recommendation was that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Bill 2005 and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005 be agreed without amendment.
The Bills subsequently passed without amendment and received Royal Assent on 7 March 2006.
Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee
Provisions of the Do Not Call Register Bill 2006 and the Do Not Call Register (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006
Tabled: 19 June 2006.
The Department made a submission to the Committee following a request from the Committee for further information in relation to the Bills. The Committee recommended that the Do Not Call Register Bill be passed with an amendment to provide that, where a person is nominated by the telephone account holder to consent to telemarketing calls or to register their phone number on the Do Not Call register, the nomination must be in writing and not verbal. This is to ensure appropriate and legally certain authorisation. The Committee also recommended that the Australian Government examine options to ensure that telephone account holders receive an effective reminder prior to the expiry of their registration on the Do Not Call register.
The Do Not Call Bill passed with amendment to require authorisations to be in writing, in line with the Committee's recommendation, on 22 June 2006. The Do Not Call Register (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2006 passed without amendment on the same date. The Bills received Royal Assent on 30 June 2006.
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts has requested the Australian Communications and Media Authority to consult with relevant stakeholders to ensure the legislation is implemented appropriately.
Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee
Inquiry into the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006
Tabled: 9 May 2006.
The Department appeared before the Committee on 13 April 2005.
The majority report of the Committee recommended that the Bill be passed without amendment to remove the potential for conflict of interest inherent in the position of staff elected director on the ABC Board.
The Bill passed without amendment on 25 May 2006.
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Review of the Australia–New Zealand Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Agreement
The report is yet to be tabled.
In March 2006, the Minister for Trade, the Hon. Mark Vaile MP, asked the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade to examine and report on Australia's trade and investment relations under the CER Trade Agreement, with particular emphasis on likely future trends in these relationships and complementary approaches by the two governments.
In June 2006, the Department provided a submission to the Committee covering communications, information technology, arts and sports activities in New Zealand and engagement by the portfolio in New Zealand.
Inquiry into Australia's relationship with the Republic of Korea
Tabled: 22 June 2006. No Government response as at 30 June 2006.
On 3 June 2005, the Department provided a submission to the Committee covering communications, information technology, arts and sports activities in Korea and engagement by the portfolio with Korea.
The inquiry was established on 7 April 2005 to inquire into Australia's relationship with the Republic of Korea including developments on the Korean peninsula. The Committee is reviewing political, strategic, economic (including trade and investment), social and cultural issues, and is considering both the current situation and opportunities for the future.
The Department appeared before the Committee on 31 August 2005 to provide information regarding the Department's engagement with Korea on arts and sport issues and activities.
Inquiry into Australia's relationship with Indonesia
Tabled: 31 May 2004.
Government response: 8 September 2005.
The Department provided a written submission on 31 October 2002,which included contributions fromthe Department and the Australian Sports Commission. It also provided a supplementary submission on 20 September 2003. The Department attended the public hearing on 5 August 2003. During 2004–05 the Department contributed to the Australian Government response being prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
There were two recommendations relevant to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Recommendation 23
The Committee recommends that the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts actively promotes in the agencies within its Portfolio a commitment to building a relationship with Indonesia.
Recommendation 28
The Committee recommends that the Australian Government continue providing additional funding for transmission for Radio Australia; and that the Australian Broadcasting Authority examine and report on the cost and feasibility and implications of Radio Australia taking advantage of spare short wave capacity directed at Indonesia and broadcasting on multiple frequencies.
The Australian Government response indicated that the ABC had been given additional funding of $3 million per year to strengthen Radio Australia's broadcasts in the 2003–04 Budget for three years. The response also indicated that the ABC had been provided with $90 million to establish and operate a TV service to the Asia–Pacific region.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Science and Innovation
Inquiry into pathways to technological innovation
Parliamentary paper: Tabled 19 June 2006. No Government response as at 30 June 2006.
The Department appeared before the Committee on 5 December 2005.
The report provided 18 recommendations relating to:
- innovation and commercialisation— policy and program framework;
- human capital—knowledge and skills;
- connecting knowledge, people and markets; and
- lifecycle support and funding for innovation and commercialisation.
Joint Standing Committee on Public Works
Development of a new collection storage facility for the National Library of Australia
Tabled: 8 December 2004.
In accordance with the requirements of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the Committee considered the National Library of Australia's proposal to build a new storage facility.
Written submissions were provided by the National Library of Australia and the Department. Representatives of the National Library of Australia appeared before the Committee's hearings on 13 August 2004.
The report recommended that Parliament support the proposed development, and this recommendation was accepted by Parliament on 9 December 2004.
The storage facility is now complete, and opened on 3 August 2006.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs
Inquiry into Indigenous employment
The report is yet to be tabled.
The Standing Committee covers a broad range of Indigenous issues. It is undertaking an inquiry into positive factors and examples amongst Indigenous communities and individuals which have improved employment outcomes in both the public and private sectors. The standing Committee is to:
- recommend to the Government ways this can inform future policy development; and
- assess what significant factors have contributed to those positive outcomes identified, including what contribution practical reconciliation 1 has made.
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts provided a submission to the inquiry in April 2005 and the Department appeared before the Committee's hearings on 6 February 2006.
Senate Community Affairs References and Legislation Committee
Inquiry into children in institutional care (first report)
Tabled: 30 August 2004.
Government response: 10 November 2005.
The inquiry was established to consider the experiences of Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children. The report made two recommendations concerning portfolio cultural institutions:
- Recommendation 35 suggested that the National Museum of Australia develop an exhibition related to the history of children in institutional care; and
- Recommendation 36 suggested that the Australian Government provide funding to the National Library of Australia to undertake an oral history project of former residents in institutional and out-of-home care.
The Department assisted the Department of Family and Community Services to frame a response to these recommendations.
These recommendations were not supported. Both the National Library of Australia and the National Museum of Australia were unable to commit to projects of this scale at this time.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Inquiry into technological protection measures (TPM) exceptions.
Tabled: 1 March 2006. No Government response as at 30 June 2006.
The final report was tabled on 1 March 2006 with 37 recommendations, primarily relating to the scope of the exceptions to the TPM provisions as part of the implementation of the Australia–US Free Trade Agreement.
The Department made a submission to this Committee dated 28 October 2005 and appeared before the Committee at hearings on 28 November 2005.
Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee
Inquiry into Government Advertising and Accountability
Tabled: 6 December 2005.
No Government response at 30 June 2006.
The Department appeared before the Committee on 7 October 2005. The Committee was inquiring into Australian Government expenditure on advertising. It sought the release of draft material from
2004 relating to community information campaigns regarding the Besley inquiry into telecommunications services and was advised that release was a matter for the Minister. The Committee was advised by the Department in writing on 15 December 2005 that the Minister had decided not to release the material. The Committee's report contained no reference to the Department or its campaign and merely listed departmental officers as witnesses.
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Report on the 2004 Federal Election
Tabled: 10 October 2005. No Government response as at 30 June 2006.
The inquiry examined the conduct of the 2004 federal election and matters related thereto. The Committee made a number of recommendations impacting on the operations of Australia Post, especially about improving the operations of the postal voting system. The Department provided comment for inclusion in the Australian Government's response.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Taking Control: a national approach to pest animals
Tabled: 28 November 2005. No Government response as at 30 June 2006.
The inquiry examined the impact on agriculture of pest animals. The Committee made a specific recommendation seeking amendment of the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 to allow state and territory governments to inspect interstate mail for quarantine purposes. The Department is in the process of providing comment for inclusion in the Australian Government's response.