Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Amendment (Strengthening Land and Governance Provisions) Bill 2022(Indigenous Australians portfolio) Amends: the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986 to: amend the title of the Act to the Aboriginal Land and Waters (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986; exempt certain leases granted by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council from the application of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT); increase the payment amount at which the council is required to seek approval from the minister before entering into a contract; amend the council's governance structure and decision making powers to align more closely with other corporate Commonwealth entities; remove the requirement for the council to enter into an agreement to lease with the Director of National Parks before land in the Booderee National Park can be declared as Aboriginal land; clarify that the functions of the council relate only to registered members and eligible children; and update the wording of the term 'physical or mental incapacity'; and eight Acts to make consequential amendments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) Amends the Aged Care Act 1997 to: require approved providers of residential care and certain kinds of flexible care to ensure a registered nurse is onsite and on duty at all times at each residential facility operated by them; enable the capping of prices that approved providers of home care can charge care recipients and remove the home care providers' ability to charge exit amounts; and require the secretary to publish information in relation to aged care services. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 47, 2022) Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) Amends: the Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to enable the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification to replace the Aged Care Funding Instrument as the residential aged care subsidy calculation model from 1 October 2022; the Aged Care Act 1997 to: require the secretary to publish information in the form of a star rating system in relation to the quality of aged care provided by residential aged care services and the performance of approved providers of those services in relation to responsibilities and standards; allow the Quality of Care Principles to make provision for the giving of informed consent to the use of restrictive practices in circumstances where a care recipient does not have capacity to consent themselves; and provide immunity from civil or criminal liability in relation to the use of a restrictive practice in certain circumstances; the Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 to: require compliance with a code of conduct by approved providers and their aged care workers and governing persons; extend the Serious Incident Response Scheme to home and flexible care delivered in a home or community care setting from 1 December 2022; introduce new governance and reporting responsibilities for approved providers of Commonwealth-funded aged care; enable the secretary or commissioner to request information or documents from a provider or borrower relating to the use of a loan made with a refundable deposit or accommodation bond and create an offence for a borrower who does not comply with this request; and extend the period of liability for the existing offences for the misuse of refundable accommodation deposits prior to an insolvency event for both providers and key personnel of providers; five Acts to enable information sharing between certain Commonwealth bodies; the National Health Reform Act 2011 and Aged Care Act 1997 to expand the functions of a renamed Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority and establish new governance arrangements and appointments processes; and the National Health Reform Act 2011, Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 to enable the use and disclosure of information required for the authority to perform its new functions. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 5/8/22 (Act No. 34, 2022) Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia Funding Legislation Amendment Bill 2022(Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio) Amends the: Australian Animal Health Council (Live-stock Industries) Funding Act 1996 to: facilitate the funding of emergency responses under emergency biosecurity response deeds other than the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement, including the proposed Emergency Response Deed for Aquatic Animal Diseases; provide for the Governor-General to make regulations prescribing certain matters; and remove redundant provisions that relate to honey, as honey-related levies are no longer paid to Animal Health Australia; Plant Health Australia (Plant Industries) Funding Act 2002 to: broaden the scope of permissible uses for Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) levies to include the promotion or maintenance of the health of an EPPR plant; provide for the secretary to determine by notifiable instrument a body that is a relevant plant industry member; and remove redundant provisions that provide for the redirection of excess levies to research and development purposes; and Horticulture Marketing and Research and Development Services Act 2000 and Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 to make consequential amendments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 13/12/22 (Act No. 90, 2022) Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Implements recommendations of the Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces by amending: the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to: prohibit conduct that subjects another person to a workplace environment that is hostile on the ground of sex; introduce a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate unlawful sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, as far as possible; state that an object of the Act is to achieve substantive equality between men and women; and amend the definition of harassment on the ground of sex to remove the reference to conduct of a 'seriously' demeaning nature; the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 to: enable the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to monitor and assess compliance with the positive duty; provide the AHRC with a function to inquire into systemic unlawful discrimination; enable a representative body to progress a complaint on behalf of one or more affected persons from conciliation at the AHRC to application to the court; insert a cost protection provision; and amend one of the discretionary grounds on which a complaint may be terminated by the President of the AHRC; the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 to require Commonwealth public sector organisations to report to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency on their gender equality indicators; five Acts to clarify that victimising conduct can form the basis of a civil action for unlawful discrimination in addition to a criminal complaint; and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021, Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 and Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 to make consequential amendments. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 85, 2022) Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment (Making Gambling Businesses Accountable) Bill 2022(Mr Wilkie — Ind) Amends the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 to: require gambling companies to report to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre if they have reason to suspect a person is paying for gambling services with money obtained illegally; and enable the Federal Court to make compensation orders where gambling companies have provided gambling services to a person who they suspect has paid for the gambling service using money obtained illegally. House of Representatives:
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2022-2023(Finance portfolio) Appropriates money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the government. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 30/11/22 (Act No. 67, 2022) Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2022-2023(Finance portfolio) Appropriates money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 30/11/22 (Act No. 68, 2022) Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2022-2023(Finance portfolio) Appropriates money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 30/11/22 (Act No. 69, 2022) Atomic Energy Amendment (Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Bill 2022(Industry, Science and Resources portfolio) Amends the Atomic Energy Act 1953 to enable the minister to: grant a new rehabilitation authority to the mine operator of the Ranger Uranium Mine for the purpose of authorising rehabilitation, remediation and monitoring operations; vary the existing authority, including to extend the period in which it is in force for the purposes of the rehabilitation of the site; and declare that the relevant authority is no longer in force for areas of the site where rehabilitation requirements have been satisfied. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 29/11/22 (Act No. 63, 2022) Australian Crime Commission Amendment (Special Operations and Special Investigations) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Amends the: Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 to: amend the drafting process and relevant definitions for determinations made by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) board to authorise special ACIC operations and special ACIC investigations; and Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Act 2010 and Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to make consequential amendments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 9/12/22 (Act No. 80, 2022) Australian Education Legislation Amendment (Prohibiting the Indoctrination of Children) Bill 2020(Senator Hanson — PHON) Amends the: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Act 2008 to require the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority to ensure that school education provides a balanced presentation of opposing views on political, historical and scientific issues; and Australian Education Act 2013 to make financial assistance to a state or territory conditional on the state or territory having certain laws in force. Senate:
Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Amends the: Age Discrimination Act 2004, Australian Human Right Commission Act 1986, Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to: establish a merit based and publicly advertised appointment process for members of the Australian Human Rights Commission (including the President); and provide that the total term of appointment, including any reappointments, for members of the commission must not exceed seven years. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 48, 2022) Biosecurity Amendment (Strengthening Biosecurity) Bill 2022(Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio) Amends the Biosecurity Act 2015 to: enable the minister to determine certain biosecurity measures and requirements for individuals or classes of individuals who are entering Australian territory for the purposes of preventing a disease or pest that is considered to pose an unacceptable biosecurity threat, and establish civil penalty provisions for noncompliance; expand pre-arrival reporting requirements for aircraft and vessels; strengthen penalties for non-compliance with negative pratique requirements; provide for the use and disclosure of certain information, including protected information; increase civil and criminal penalties for contraventions of certain requirements in relation to goods and conveyances; amend the process for making certain determinations specifying prohibited, conditionally non-prohibited and suspended goods or granting permits based on risk assessments; provide legislative authority for expenditure for biosecurity-related programs and activities and provide for additional annual reporting; and amend provisions relating to approved arrangements, administration, auditing and consideration of compensation claims. Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 5/12/22 (Act No. 76, 2022) Broadcasting Services Amendment (Audio Description) Bill 2019(Senator Steele-John — AG) Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: require national broadcasters, commercial television broadcasting licensees and subscription television licensees to provide a minimum number of hours of television audio description per week; and provide for the Australian Communications and Media Authority to enforce and review the new requirement. Senate:
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Community Radio) Bill 2022(Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio) Amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: provide for applications for renewals of an existing community broadcasting licence to be considered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as a current service and not a proposed new service; enable the ACMA to grant community broadcasting licences and temporary community broadcasting licences with effect from a specified future date; amend the criteria for new temporary community broadcasting licences; enable the ACMA to limit the number of temporary community broadcasting licences that can share a particular frequency; provide for deadlines for late applications for the renewal of a community licence; and provide for expedited timelines for the ACMA to commence a process to allocate new community broadcasting licences. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 13/12/22 (Act No. 91, 2022) Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Loot Boxes) Bill 2022(Mr Wilkie — Ind) House of Representatives:
Climate Change Bill 2022(Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio) Introduced with the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022, the bill: outlines Australia's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of a 43% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050; requires the minister to prepare and table an annual climate change statement; requires the Climate Change Authority to give the minister advice in relation to the annual statement and future greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; and provides for periodic reviews of the operation of the Act. House of Representatives:
Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 13/9/22 (Act No. 37, 2022) Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022(Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio) Introduced with the Climate Change Bill 2022, the bill makes consequential amendments to 14 Acts to incorporate Australia's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement into legislation for relevant Commonwealth entities and schemes. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 13/9/22 (Act No. 38, 2022) Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Banning Dirty Donations) Bill 2022(Senator Waters — AG) Senate:
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Lowering Voting Age and Increasing Voter Participation) Bill 2018(Senator Steele-John — AG) Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 to: lower the minimum (non-compulsory) voting age in Australian federal elections and referenda from 18 to 16 years; allow 14 and 15 year olds to be added to the electoral roll in preparation for their eligibility to vote at 16 years of age; provide for 16 and 17 year olds to be included in the certified list of voters (but not to be given a penalty notice if they do not vote); and provide that an eligible voter, who is not yet on the electoral roll or enrolled at their correct address, is able to cast a provisional vote on election day. Senate:
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Stop the Lies) Bill 2022(Ms Steggall — Ind) House of Representatives:
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (AFP Powers and Other Matters) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Amends the Crimes Act 1914 and Criminal Code Act 1995 to extend the sunset dates for certain Australian Federal Police counter-terrorism powers from 7 December 2022 to 7 December 2023. House of Representatives:
Senate:-
Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 49, 2022) COVID-19 Vaccination Status (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill 2022(Senator Hanson — PHON) Senate:
Crimes Amendment (Penalty Unit) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Amends the Crimes Act 1914 to increase the amount of the Commonwealth penalty unit from $222 to $275 from 1 January 2023. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 82, 2022) Crimes Legislation Amendment (Ransomware Action Plan) Bill 2022(Mrs Andrews — LP) Amends the: Criminal Code Act 1995 to: amend the geographical jurisdiction provision for computer offences; introduce standalone offences for extortive conduct associated with ransomware and dealing with data obtained by unauthorised access or modification; introduce aggravated offences relating to cyber attacks on critical infrastructure assets and producing, supplying or obtaining data under arrangement for payment; and increase maximum penalties for certain other computer offences; Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to ensure that existing information gathering powers and freezing orders in relation to financial institutions can also be exercised in relation to digital currency exchanges; and Crime Act 1914 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to ensure that law enforcement agencies can seize digital assets (including cryptocurrency) discovered during the execution of a warrant and suspected to be proceeds of crime. House of Representatives:
Customs Amendment Bill 2022(Prime Minister's portfolio) Amends the Customs Act 1901 to remove a duplicate definition. House of Representatives:
Customs Amendment (Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022(Home Affairs portfolio) Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022, to implement Australia's obligations under the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to: implement rules of origin to determine goods eligible for preferential tariff treatment in accordance with the agreement; enable regulations to prescribe certain record keeping obligations on exporters that export goods to the United Kingdom and who make a claim that goods exported are originating goods in accordance with the agreement, and producers of such goods; and enable an authorised officer to disclose certain information. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 23/11/22 (Act No. 59, 2022) Customs Amendment (Banning Goods Produced By Forced Labour) Bill 2022(Senator Steele-John — AG) Senate:
Customs Amendment (India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022(Home Affairs portfolio) Introduced with the Customs Tariff Amendment (India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022 to implement Australia's obligations under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, the bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to: introduce rules of origin to determine if goods entering Australia from India are 'Indian originating goods'; enable regulations to prescribe certain record keeping obligations on exporters and producers that export goods to India; and enable an authorised officer to disclose certain information. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 23/11/22 (Act No. 57, 2022) Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021(Senator Faruqi — AG) Amends the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 and Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 to prohibit the export and import of greyhounds for racing, breeding and commercial purposes. Senate:
Customs Legislation Amendment (Controlled Trials and Other Measures) Bill 2022(Home Affairs portfolio) House of Representatives:
Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022(Home Affairs portfolio) Introduced with the Customs Amendment (Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022 to implement Australia's obligations under the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: provide a free rate of customs duty for goods that are United Kingdom (UK) originating goods; specify phasing rates of customs duty for certain UK originating goods that will incrementally reduce to free; maintain rates of customs duty on certain alcohol, tobacco and petroleum products; provide a safeguard that would restore the customs duty rate to the rate applied before the commencement of the agreement for certain products; and maintain custom duty rates for certain UK originating goods. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 23/11/22 (Act No. 58, 2022) Customs Tariff Amendment (India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022(Home Affairs portfolio) Introduced with the Customs Amendment (India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022 to implement Australia's obligations under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, the bill amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to: provide a free rate of customs duty for certain Indian originating goods; specify phasing rates of customs duty for certain Indian originating goods that will incrementally reduce to free; maintain rates of customs duty on certain alcohol, tobacco and petroleum products; and maintain custom duty rates for certain Indian originating goods. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 23/11/22 (Act No. 56, 2022) Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020(Senator Steele-John — AG) Amends the Defence Act 1903 to require parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force. Senate:
Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Amendment Bill 2022(Defence portfolio) Amends the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Act 2008 to: remove the post-separation timeframe for accessing the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme; reduce the qualifying service periods for initial access to the scheme and the minimum service periods for each subsidy tier; provide for subsidised borrowers to continue to access the scheme in circumstances where a genuine error, mistake or accident has occurred that would otherwise amount to a subsidy ceasing event; and provide a power to make and recover payments, including overpayments, which may occur in the administration of the scheme. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 29/11/22 (Act No. 61, 2022) Defence, Veterans' and Families' Acute Support Package Bill 2022(Veterans' Affairs portfolio) Amends the: Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to: extend eligibility to veterans and their family members who are at risk of or in crisis, whether or not the veteran is participating in a rehabilitation program or has rendered warlike service; and expand the range of supports available to family members under the current family support package; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide that acute support packages for veterans and their families are exempt from income tax; and Social Security Act 1991 to provide that acute support packages for veterans and their families are not income for the purposes of the social security income test. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 7/10/22 (Act No. 40, 2022) Education and Other Legislation Amendment (Abolishing Indexation and Raising the Minimum Repayment Income for Education and Training Loans) Bill 2022(Senator Faruqi — AG) Senate:
Education Legislation Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022(Education portfolio) Amends the: Higher Education Support Act 2003 to: amend the student identifier requirements for a person's eligibility to receive Commonwealth assistance; provide that units of study undertaken as part of an enabling course will not count towards a student's student learning entitlement; provide that domestic students undertaking a microcredential course are eligible for FEE-HELP; extend the FEE-HELP loan fee exemption to 31 December 2022; provide that New Zealand citizens are eligible for HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP only if they are a resident in Australia for the duration of the unit; remove the 10 per cent discount on up-front payments made by HECS-HELP students; and Higher Education Support Act 2003 and Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 to make technical amendments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 29/11/22 (Act No. 64, 2022) Electric Vehicles Accountability Bill 2021(Senator Rice — AG) The bill: requires the Minister for Energy and Emission Reduction to table in each House of Parliament an annual statement outlining Australia's strategy on electric vehicles; and provides for the reference of matters to the Productivity Commission, including Australia—s support for the manufacture, purchase and use of electric vehicles. Senate:
Emergency Response Fund Amendment (Disaster Ready Fund) Bill 2022(Finance portfolio) Amends: the Emergency Response Fund Act 2019 to: rename the Emergency Response Fund as the Disaster Ready Fund; change the title of the Act to the Disaster Ready Fund Act 2019; enable up to $200 million per financial year to be debited from the Disaster Ready Fund for natural disaster resilience and risk reduction; enable the minister to adjust the maximum disbursement amount by legislative instrument; transfer responsibility for fund expenditure to the National Emergency Management Agency; amend certain administrative arrangements in relation to transfers from the fund; and six Acts to make consequential amendments. Also enables the responsible ministers to make specified consequential amendments to the Emergency Response Fund Investment Mandate Direction 2020 by legislative instrument. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 29/11/22 (Act No. 65, 2022) Ending Indefinite and Arbitrary Immigration Detention Bill 2022(Mr Wilkie — Ind) The bill: establishes a legal framework governing immigration detention in Australia; provides alternatives to immigration detention; and prioritises non-citizens' immediate needs and refugee and international human rights law. House of Representatives:
Environment and Other Legislation Amendment (Removing Nuclear Energy Prohibitions) Bill 2022(Senators Canavan and Caddell — Nats, Senators Antic, Colbeck, Fawcett, O'Sullivan and Van — LP, Senator Rennick — LNP and Senator Nampijinpa Price — CLP) Amends the: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to remove the prohibition on the construction or operation of certain nuclear installations; and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to remove the prohibition on the Minister for Environment and Water declaring, approving or considering actions relating to the construction or operation of certain nuclear installations. Senate:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Climate Trigger) Bill 2022(Mr Bandt — AG) Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to: require actions that would emit between 25,000 to 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent scope 1 emissions in any one year to be assessed for approval under Part 9 of the Act; require the minister, when approving any such action or when considering whether to enter into a conservation agreement, to consider Australia—s national carbon budget and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; require the minister to reject the approval of actions that would emit over 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent scope 1 emissions; require the Climate Change Authority to develop a national carbon budget to 2050 and to annually assess the budget; prohibit the minister, subject to certain exceptions, from using alternative approval processes for certain emissions intensive actions; and introduce penalties for undertaking certain emissions intensive actions without approval if the action has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment. House of Representatives:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Climate Trigger) Bill 2022 [No. 2](Senator Hanson-Young — AG) Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to: require actions that would emit between 25,000 to 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent scope 1 emissions in any one year to be assessed for approval under Part 9 of the Act; require the minister, when approving any such action or when considering whether to enter into a conservation agreement, to consider Australia—s national carbon budget and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; require the minister to reject the approval of actions that would emit over 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent scope 1 emissions; require the Climate Change Authority to develop a national carbon budget to 2050 and to annually assess the budget; prohibit the minister, subject to certain exceptions, from using alternative approval processes for certain emissions intensive actions; and introduce penalties for undertaking certain emissions intensive actions without approval if the action has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment. Senate:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Regional Forest Agreements) Bill 2020(Senator McKenzie — Nats) Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002 to provide that forestry operations covered by a regional forest agreement are exempted from Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Senate:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Save the Koala) Bill 2021(Senator Hanson-Young — AG) Amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to: prevent the minister from approving an action which involves the clearing of koala habitat; and remove the exemption of regional forest agreements from requirements of the Act where there is, may, or is likely to have significant impacts on koalas. Senate:
Export Control Amendment (Streamlining Administrative Processes) Bill 2022(Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio) House of Representatives:
Fair Work Amendment (Equal Pay for Equal Work) Bill 2022(Senator Roberts — PHON) Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to require that labour hire workers covered by certain modern awards receive at least the same rate of pay as other employees performing the same work. Senate:
Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022(Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio) Amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to replace the current entitlement in the National Employment Standards to five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period with an entitlement to ten days of paid leave for full-time, part-time and casual employees; extend the definition of family and domestic violence to include conduct of a current or former intimate partner of an employee, or a member of an employee's household; and extend the entitlement to paid family and domestic violence leave to non-national system employees once the International Labour Organization Convention on Violence and Harassment (No. 190) comes into force for Australia. House of Representatives:
Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 50, 2022) Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022(Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio) Amends the: Fair Work Act 2009 and Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 to abolish the Registered Organisations Commission and provide for transitional arrangements; Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 to apply certain provisions of the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014; Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 to: abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission and provide for transitional arrangements; repeal the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016; and rename the Act to the Federal Safety Commissioner Act 2022; Fair Work Act 2009 to: amend the objects of the Act to include the promotion of job security and gender equity; guide the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in its consideration of equal remuneration and work value cases; establish a Pay Equity Expert Panel and a Care Community Sector Expert Panel to determine equal remuneration cases and certain award cases; prohibit pay secrecy; prohibit sexual harassment in connection with work; add the protected attributes of breastfeeding, gender identity and intersex status to the existing anti-discrimination provisions; limit the use of fixed term contracts; expand the circumstances in which an employee may request flexible work arrangements and empower the FWC to resolve disputes regarding flexible work arrangements; amend the requirements for approval of an enterprise agreement; simplify the process for initiating bargaining in certain circumstances; amend the Better Off Overall Test; enable the FWC to vary enterprise agreements to correct errors, defects or irregularities; provide for a new intractable bargaining declaration scheme; amend certain processes relating to industrial action and Protected Action Ballots; remove limitations on access to the low-paid bargaining stream and the single-interest employer authorisation stream; amend provisions relating to making multi-enterprise agreements (to be known as cooperative workplace agreements); amend small claims procedures to enable unpaid entitlement recovery; and prohibit national system employers from advertising employment at a rate of pay that would contravene the Act; Fair Work Act 2009 and Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 to provide that the FWC can only terminate an agreement that has nominally expired on the unilateral application of a party in limited circumstances; Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 to provide for the sunsetting of all remaining transitional instruments; and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to update the worker's compensation presumptive liability provisions for firefighters. Also makes consequential amendments to four Acts and repeals the Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2016 and Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2005. House of Representatives:
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Assent: 6/12/22 (Act No. 79, 2022) Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Cheaper Child Care) Bill 2022(Education portfolio) Amends the: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to: provide families earning up to $80,000 a child care subsidy (CCS) rate of 90 per cent, and families earning over $80,000 a CCS rate that tapers down by one percentage point for each additional $5,000 of family income until it reaches zero per cent for families earning $350,000; and provide additional discretion to allow payment of CCS for absences in exceptional circumstances; A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: expand existing financial reporting requirements to all types of approved child care providers; enable the publication of certain information received from large child care providers online; require child care providers to collect gap fees via electronic funds transfer; make good governance an eligibility requirement for provider approval; enable the secretary to specify the information an attendance report by a provider must contain; clarify the interactions with CCS where providers waive gap fees for families in prescribed events or circumstances; and extend the period for passing on fee reduction amounts to families in limited circumstances; Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Subsidy) Act 2021 to remove the existing higher CCS for families with multiple children (due to commence from July 2023); A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to: provide for a base level of 36 subsidised hours of child care per fortnight for First Nations children, regardless of activity levels; permit child care providers to offer a discount on child care fees to staff engaged as educators, without this affecting the amount of CCS payable for the educator; and make technical amendments. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 29/11/22 (Act No. 66, 2022) Federal Environment Watchdog Bill 2021(Senator Hanson-Young — AG) Amends the: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to: establish the Commonwealth Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to exercise the routine administrative regulatory functions currently undertaken by the Commonwealth in relation to the Act and other Commonwealth legislation relating to the environment and undertake certain functions relating to communities; establish an Office of Monitoring, Compliance, Enforcement and Assurance within the EPA; and establish the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Environment and Energy; and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Water Act 2007 to make consequential amendments. Senate:
Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Introduced with the Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022, Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Bill 2022 and Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Bill 2022, the bill establishes a financial accountability regime to impose accountability, key personnel, deferred remuneration and notification obligations on directors and senior executives of financial entities in the banking, insurance and superannuation industries. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Introduced with the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022, Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Bill 2022 and Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Bill 2022, the bill amends: 12 Acts to make amendments consequential on the new financial accountability regime; the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998 and Banking Act 1959 to make amendments consequential on the end of the banking executive accountability regime; the Corporations Act 2001, Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 to establish the financial services compensation scheme of last resort to provide compensation to eligible consumers where the Australian Financial Complaints Authority has made a determination in their favour that remains unpaid; the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 to impose additional obligations on providers of small amount credit contracts and consumer leases; and the National Consumer Credit Protection (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2009 to include application provisions. House of Representatives:
Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 87, 2022) Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Introduced with the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022, Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022 and Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Bill 2022, the bill imposes a levy on certain industry entities to recover the cost of the compensation scheme of last resort. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Introduced with the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022, Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022 and Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Bill 2022, the bill provides for the collection and administration of the levy imposed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Act 2022. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 3) Bill 2022 and Income Tax Amendment (Labour Mobility Program) Bill 2022, the bill amends the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Act 2015 to update the fee cap amount to incorporate indexation and the dates referred to in the indexation provisions. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 5/12/22 (Act No. 73, 2022) Fuel and Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment (Reducing Vehicle Pollution) Bill 2022(Ms Tink— Ind) House of Representatives:
Health Legislation Amendment (Medicare Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) Amends the: Health Insurance Act 1973 to: broaden the remit of the Professional Services Review (PSR) to make agreements with any person under review who acknowledges inappropriate practice (including bodies corporate); and introduce new sanctions for persons who fail to respond to a notice to produce documents to the Director of the PSR or to a PSR Committee, or fail to appear at hearings; Health Insurance Act 1973, National Health Act 1953 and Dental Benefits Act 2008 to provide for: the recovery of interest payable on certain debts; the application of administrative penalties to Shared Debt Recovery Scheme debts; the use of financial information gathering powers in debt recovery; Administrative Appeal Tribunal reviews where one or more garnishee notices are issued in relation to certain debts; and clarification of the Commonwealth's ability to recover debts from a person or the estate of a person. Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 5/12/22 (Act No. 77, 2022) High Speed Rail Authority Bill 2022(Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio) Establishes the High Speed Rail Authority as a statutory agency to advise on, plan and, with the consent of states and territories, construct a high speed rail system within Australia. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 81, 2022) Higher Education Support Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022(Education portfolio) Amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to: amend the definition of a 'grandfathered student' to include students undertaking an honours course related to a course of study they commenced before 1 January 2021; enable the minister to make rules prescribing matters of a transitional nature; and enable the waiver of indexation on HELP debts for certain health practitioners' while they are completing eligible work in rural or remote areas. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Higher Education Support Amendment (Australia—s Economic Accelerator) Bill 2022(Education portfolio) House of Representatives:
Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022(Senator Canavan — The Nats, Senator Antic — LP and Senator Babet — UAP) Senate:
Income Tax Amendment (Labour Mobility Program) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Introduced with the Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 3) Bill 2022 and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2022, the bill amends the Income Tax (Seasonal Labour Mobility Program Withholding Tax) Act 2012 to change the title of the Act to the Income Tax (Labour Mobility Program Withholding Tax) Act 2012 to reflect the reduction in the tax on certain income earned by foreign resident workers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme from 32.5 per cent to 15 per cent. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 5/12/22 (Act No. 74, 2022) Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) House of Representatives:
Jobs and Skills Australia Bill 2022(Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio) Introduced with the Jobs and Skills Australia (National Skills Commissioner Repeal) Bill 2022, the bill establishes Jobs and Skills Australia, as a statutory body within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, to provide advice and collect, analyse, share and publish data and other information on Australia's current and emerging labour market and its current, emerging and future skills and training needs and priorities (including in relation to apprenticeships), and the adequacy of the Australian system for providing vocational education and training (including training outcomes). House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 51, 2022) Jobs and Skills Australia (National Skills Commissioner Repeal) Bill 2022(Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio) Introduced with the Jobs and Skills Australia Bill 2022, the bill repeals the National Skills Commissioner Act 2020. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 52, 2022) Landholders' Right to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2015(Senator Waters — AG) The bill: provides that Australian landholders have the right to refuse the undertaking of gas and coal mining activities by corporations on their land without prior written authorisation; sets out the requirements of a prior written authorisation; provides for relief which a court may grant a land owner when prior written authorisation is not provided; prohibits hydraulic fracturing for coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas by corporations; and provides for civil penalties. Senate:
Live Performance Federal Insurance Guarantee Fund Bill 2021(Senator Hanson-Young — AG) Requires the Treasurer to establish a Live Performance Federal Insurance Guarantee Fund to underwrite insurance for the live performance industry to enable future live performance events. Senate:
Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2022(Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio) Implements Australia's obligations under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships by amending the: Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 to: introduce controls for discharges of residues of noxious liquid substances known as 'persistent floaters' in northern European waters; and ban the use of heavy fuel oil by ships in Arctic waters; Protection of the Sea (Harmful Anti-fouling Systems) Act 2006 to extend controls on ship harmful anti-fouling systems to include the chemical biocide, cybutryne; and Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 and Protection of the Sea (Harmful Anti-fouling Systems) Act 2006 to make minor technical and consequential amendments. Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 5/12/22 (Act No. 78, 2022) Military Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment (Incapacity Payments) Bill 2022(Veterans' Affairs portfolio) Amends the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 to: enable veterans engaged in an approved rehabilitation program and undertaking full-time study to continue to receive incapacity payments at 100 per cent of their normal weekly earnings for an additional year, to 1 July 2023; and enable back-payments for student veterans who should have been eligible for the higher rate of payment to cover the period from 1 July 2022 until the Act's commencement. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 7/10/22 (Act No. 41, 2022) Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2022(Finance portfolio) House of Representatives:
Narcotic Drugs (Licence Charges) Amendment Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) Amends the Narcotic Drugs (Licence Charges) Act 2016 to: provide that regulations may prescribe matters that will be the subject of multiple separate charges, which may be incurred by a licence holder during a particular charging period; and enable the regulations to specify an amount of a charge or a method for working out a charge. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 30/11/22 (Act No. 70, 2022) National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Introduced with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2022, the bill establishes the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate and report on serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector, refer evidence of criminal corrupt conduct for prosecution and undertake education and prevention activities regarding corruption. Also provides for oversight of the commission by establishing a Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission and an independent Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 88, 2022) National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Introduced with the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022, the bill amends: 25 Acts to make consequential amendments, including to confer powers on the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner that are currently conferred on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity's Integrity Commissioner; and the Telecommunications Act 1997 to confer industry assistance powers on the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner. Also repeals the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006 and includes transitional provisions. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 89, 2022) National Energy Transition Authority Bill 2022(Senator Allman-Payne — AG) Establishes the National Energy Transition Authority as a statutory authority to plan, coordinate and provide advice on the transition to renewable energy, focusing on the facilitation of new economic opportunities for workers and communities who are currently involved in fossil fuel production and associated industries. Senate:
National Health Amendment (General Co-payment) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) Amends the National Health Act 1953 to: reduce the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) general patient charge from $42.50 to $30 (indexed annually); and enable approved pharmacists and medical practitioners to apply an optional discount to certain PBS medicines with a Commonwealth price between the new co-payment of $30 and the current co-payment of $42.50. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 53, 2022) National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill 2022(Industry, Science and Resources portfolio) House of Representatives:
Senate:
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2022(Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio) Following the commencement of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021, the bill amends the: Customs Act 1901 to: treat offshore electricity installations within the Commonwealth offshore area as Australian territory; require the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs to attach overseas offshore electricity installations in the Commonwealth offshore area, and to use offshore electricity installations attached in the Commonwealth offshore area where they are subject to customs control; extend forfeiture provisions for unlawfully attaching overseas offshore electricity installations; clarify the times at which offshore electricity installations, and the goods on these installations, can be imported to, and exported from, Australia; require Australian Border Force (ABF) approval for ships or aircraft to arrive at offshore electricity installations; prohibit direct journeys between external places and offshore electricity installations and transfers between ships or aircraft in close proximity to offshore electricity installations; enable ABF officers to board and search offshore electricity installations, as well as question and search persons on an installation in certain circumstances; require the owner of an offshore electricity installation to facilitate boarding by authorised persons; and prohibit the removal of customs seals or similar marks placed by customs officials on offshore electricity installations; and Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 to make minor administrative amendments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 30/11/22 (Act No. 71, 2022) Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Benefit to Australia) Bill 2020(Senator Hanson — PHON) Amends the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to broaden the objects clause of the Act to require the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority to take into account the benefit to the Australian community when granting new leases or renewing existing leases. Senate:
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Fight for Australia—s Coastline) Bill 2022(Senator Whish-Wilson — AG) Amends the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to: cancel Petroleum Exploration Permit 11, and Petroleum Exploration Permit/T/49P (King Island, Tasmania); prevent any petroleum exploration leases for the Otway Basin/12 Apostles being granted; and prohibit any further petroleum exploration in the three areas. Senate:
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2022(Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio) Introduced with the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Reform (Closing the Hole in the Ozone Layer) Bill 2022 and Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2022, the bill amends the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Act 1995 to: remove the cap on the rate that levies can be set at and provide for the rate of levy to be prescribed by regulations; remove the levy on the import of equipment that operates using ozone depleting substances; enable the minister to delegate the power to exempt a person from paying the levy; and make other minor amendments, including to update the drafting style. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 13/12/22 (Act No. 93, 2022) Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Reform (Closing the Hole in the Ozone Layer) Bill 2022(Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio) Introduced with the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2022 and Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2022, the bill amends the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 in relation to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Program by: imposing controls that are currently imposed through licence conditions, such as the ban on import of bulk gas in non-refillable containers; clarifying licence and exemptions requirements; increasing the time allowed for submitting reports and payment levies; adopting the standard provisions of the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014, including certain minor modifications; updating the offence and civil penalty provisions; introducing information gathering powers including the ability to issue a notice to produce; providing the option of licence suspension as an alternative to immediate cancellation of financial penalties; providing for an internal review mechanism for reviewable decisions; and allowing the use or disclosure of certain information. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 13/12/22 (Act No. 92, 2022) Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2022(Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio) Introduced with the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Reform (Closing the Hole in the Ozone Layer) Bill 2022 and Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2022, the bill amends the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Act 1995 to: remove the cap on the rate that levies can be set at and provide for the rate of levy to be prescribed by regulations; enable the minister to delegate the power to exempt a person from paying the levy; and make other minor amendments, including to update the drafting style. House of Representatives:
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Assent: 13/12/22 (Act No. 94, 2022) Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvements for Families and Gender Equality) Bill 2022(Social Services portfolio) House of Representatives:
Senate:
Parliamentary Privileges Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022(Senators Lambie and Tyrrell — JLN) Amends the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 to implement a recommendation of the interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to allow a royal commission, whose terms of reference require an examination of government, to analyse and draw inferences or conclusions from evidence that is subject to parliamentary privilege. Senate:
Plebiscite (Future Migration Level) Bill 2018(Senator Hanson — PHON) Establishes a legislative framework for a national plebiscite to be held in conjunction with the next general election that would ask Australians "Do you think the current rate of immigration to Australia is too high?". Senate:
Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) Amends the: Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to enable the Australian Communications and Media Authority to disclose information to a non-corporate Commonwealth entity that is responsible for enforcing one or more laws of the Commonwealth; Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 to allow the Australian information Commissioner to delegate certain functions or powers; and Privacy Act 1988 to: expand the Australian Information Commissioner's enforcement and information sharing powers; and increase penalties for serious or repeated interferences with privacy. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 83, 2022) Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Medical Device and Human Tissue Product List and Cost Recovery) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) House of Representatives:
Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) House of Representatives:
Private Health Insurance (Prostheses Application and Listing Fees) Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) House of Representatives:
Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill 2022(Attorney-General's portfolio) House of Representatives:
Senate:
Public Sector Superannuation Salary Legislation Amendment Bill 2022(Finance portfolio) Amends the Superannuation (Salary) Regulations (now renamed to the Superannuation (CSS) Salary Regulations 1978), with effect from 1 July 1986, to provide that individuals who were provided with rent-free housing on and after 1 July 1986 will not have the value of that housing included in their default superannuation salary. Also provides for an exemption to cover certain individuals. Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 9/8/22 (Act No. 36, 2022) Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022(Finance portfolio) House of Representatives:
Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022(Mr Gosling and Ms Payne — ALP) Amends the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 and Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 to remove the prohibition on legalising euthanasia. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022(Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio) House of Representatives:
Senate:
Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Amendment (No New Fossil Fuels) Bill 2021 [No. 2](Senator Waters — AG) Amends the Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997 to prohibit the Snowy Hydro Company and Snowy hydro-group companies from being involved in creating or investing in new fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity. Senate:
Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Repeal of Cashless Debit Card and Other Measures) Bill 2022(Social Services portfolio) Amends the: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to abolish the cashless welfare arrangements (also known as the cashless debit card or CDC program) and provide for certain exiting program participants to enter alternative income management arrangements, including on a voluntary basis; and A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, National Emergency Declaration Act 2020, Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to make consequential amendments. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 30/9/22 (Act No. 39, 2022) Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Self-Employment Programs and Other Measures) Bill 2022(Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio) Amends the: Family Law Regulations 1984, Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to clarify that the Acts operate in the same way in relation to payments under the Self-Employment Assistance program as payments under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme; and Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to make minor technical amendments. Senate:
House of Representatives:
Assent: 7/10/22 (Act No. 42, 2022) Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Incentivising Pensioners to Downsize) Bill 2022(Social Services portfolio) Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to: extend from 12 to 24 months the assets test exemption on principal home sale proceeds intended for the purchase of a new principal home, for pensioners and other eligible support recipients; and assess the deemed income on proceeds from the sale of the principal home at the below threshold deeming rate during the period of exemption from the assets test. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 29/11/22 (Act No. 62, 2022) Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Bill 2022(Social Services portfolio) Amends the Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to increase the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income test limits to $90,000 a year for a single person and $144,000 a year for couples. House of Representatives:
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Assent: 28/10/22 (Act No. 43, 2022) Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Workforce Incentive) Bill 2022(Social Services portfolio) Amends the: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to enable age pensioners and certain veterans' entitlement recipients to have their payment suspended for up to two years, instead of cancelled, if their income, which includes some income from the recipient's own employment, precludes payment; and provide for the same suspension period for partners of the age pension, disability support pension and certain veterans' entitlements recipients, where the partner is receiving a social security pension or certain veterans' entitlements; Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to make minor amendments to the existing suspension provisions for disability support pensioners; and Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to: provide that working age pensioners, disability support pensioners and certain veterans' entitlement recipients, and their pensioner partners, can retain their pensioner concession card for up to two years after their payment ceases; and provide a temporary increase of $4,000 to eligible age pensioners and veterans— existing and initial unused concession balance until 30 June 2023, enabling eligible recipients to earn up to another $4,000 before the income test is applied and their payments affected. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 23/11/22 (Act No. 55, 2022) Social Services Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Pensioner and Veteran Workforce Participation) Bill 2022(Senator Dean Smith — LP) Amends the: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to enable age pensioners and certain veterans' entitlement recipients to have their payment suspended for up to two years, instead of cancelled, if their income, which includes some income from the recipient's own employment, precludes payment; and provide for the same suspension period for partners of the age pension, disability support pension and certain veterans' entitlements recipients, where the partner is receiving a social security pension or certain veterans' entitlements; Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to make minor amendments to the existing suspension provisions for disability support pensioners; and Social Security Act 1991 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to: provide that working age pensioners, disability support pensioners and certain veterans' entitlements recipients, and their pensioner partners, can retain their pensioner concession card for up to two years after their payment ceases; and increase to $600 the amount of income age pensioners and certain veterans' entitlement recipients can earn each fortnight while still receiving maximum pension payments and provide for a review, and sunsetting, of these amendments. Senate:
Supply Bill (No. 3) 2022-2023(Finance portfolio) Appropriates additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the government. House of Representatives:
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Assent: 3/11/22 (Act No. 44, 2022) Supply Bill (No. 4) 2022-2023(Finance portfolio) Appropriates additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 3/11/22 (Act No. 45, 2022) Supply (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2022-2023(Finance portfolio) Appropriates money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 3/11/22 (Act No. 46, 2022) Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Information Disclosure, National Interest and Other Measures) Bill 2022(Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio) Amends the: Telecommunications Act 1997 to: enable carriers and carriage service providers to use and disclose information for purposes connected to the prevention of a serious threat to the life or health of a person; authorise the use and disclosure of unlisted numbers and associated addresses for the purposes of dealing with matters raised by a call to an emergency service number; confer civil immunities on telecommunications companies for the provision of reasonably necessary assistance to the Commonwealth, states or territories to respond during emergencies if a national emergency declaration is in force; and amend record-keeping requirements to require more detailed records of information to be recorded for authorised disclosures; and Telstra Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2021 and Telecommunications Act 1997 to make minor technical amendments. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022(Health and Aged Care portfolio) House of Representatives:
Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Amends the: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide an income tax exemption for certain recovery grants made to small businesses and primary producers impacted by Cyclone Seroja in April 2021; Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First—Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Act 2018 to facilitate the closure and transitional arrangements associated with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) replacing the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT); Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to provide income tax and withholding tax exemptions for the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and its wholly owned subsidiary established for the purpose of delivering the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Also makes minor and technical amendments to 12 Acts. House of Representatives:
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Assent: 9/8/22 (Act No. 35, 2022) Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 2) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Amends the: Taxation Administration Act 1953 to: require electronic platform operators to provide information on transactions to the Australian Taxation Office; enable small business entities to apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for an order staying, or otherwise affecting, the operation or implementation of decisions of the Commissioner of Taxation being reviewed by the AAT; and enable the commissioner to direct an entity to complete an approved recordkeeping course as an alternative to financial penalties where they reasonably believe the entity has failed to comply with its tax-related recordkeeping obligations; Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to make consequential amendments; Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to remove the $250 non-deductible threshold for work-related self-education expenses; and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to enable individuals aged 55 and above to make downsizer contributions to their superannuation plan from the proceeds of selling their main residence. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 84, 2022) Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 3) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Introduced with the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2022 and Income Tax Amendment (Labour Mobility Program) Bill 2022, the bill amends the: Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 to double the maximum financial penalties for contraventions of provisions that relate only to residential land; National Emergency Declaration Act 2020 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 to enable the disclosure of protected information to Australian government agencies for the purpose of administering major disaster support programs approved by the minister; Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus (Measures No. 2) Act 2020 to extend the temporary mechanism which enables ministers to make alternative arrangements for meeting information and documentary requirements; Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and three other taxation Acts to reduce the tax on certain income earned by foreign resident workers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme from 32.5 per cent to 15 per cent; and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 to provide for a supplementary annual performance test for faith-based products. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 5/12/22 (Act No. 75, 2022) Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 4) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) House of Representatives:
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Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 5) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) House of Representatives:
Senate:
Treasury Laws Amendment (Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Amends the International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to give legislative authority to the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement to exclude from tax within Australia payments and credits made to Indian residents by Australian customers for technical services provided remotely that are covered by the Agreement. House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 23/11/22 (Act No. 60, 2022) Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022(Home Affairs portfolio) House of Representatives:
Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Amends the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to exempt from fringe benefits tax the use, or availability for use, of cars made available by employers to current employees that are zero or low emissions vehicles with a value at first retail sale below the luxury car tax threshold for fuel efficient vehicles. House of Representatives:
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House of Representatives:
Assent: 12/12/22 (Act No. 86, 2022) Treasury Laws Amendment (Energy Price Relief Plan) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) House of Representatives:
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Assent: 16/12/22 (Act No. 96, 2022) Treasury Laws Amendment (Modernising Business Communications and Other Measures) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) House of Representatives:
Senate:
Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Bill 2022(Treasury portfolio) Amends the: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to increase the maximum penalty applicable for anti-competitive behaviour and certain breaches of competition consumer law; and Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to: establish a civil penalty regime prohibiting the use of, and reliance on, unfair contract terms in standard form contracts; and expand the class of contracts that are covered by the unfair contract terms. House of Representatives:
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Assent: 9/11/22 (Act No. 54, 2022) United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill 2022(Senator Thorpe — AG) The bill: establishes a framework for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the Commonwealth Government; and makes a consequential amendment to the Productivity Commission Act 1998. Senate:
Veterans— Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2022(Veterans' Affairs portfolio) Amends the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 to provide a one-off increase to the pension payable to totally and permanently incapacitated veterans (known as the TPI payment). House of Representatives:
Senate:
Assent: 30/11/22 (Act No. 72, 2022) Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022(Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio) House of Representatives:
MORE INFORMATIONFor further information about the consideration of legislation in the Senate:
Bills and related material can be accessed at https://www.aph.gov.au/bills Committee reports can be accessed at https://www.aph.gov.au/committees |
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