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Parliamentary Committees Amendment
Bill 2013
Introduction Print
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
General
The Parliamentary Committees Amendment Bill 2013 amends the
Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 to merge four existing Joint House
Committees into two new Joint House Committees.
Clause Notes
Clause 1 states the purpose of the Bill.
Clause 2 is the commencement provision. The proposed Act will
commence operation on 1 August 2013.
Clause 3 amends section 5 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003
by--
repealing paragraphs (a) and (g);
substituting the current paragraph (b) with a new
paragraph that establishes the Economic Development,
Infrastructure and Outer Suburban/Interface Services
Committee;
substituting the current paragraph (f) with a new
paragraph that establishes the Law Reform, Drugs and
Crime Prevention Committee.
Clause 4 repeals section 7 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003.
The effect of clause 3(a) and this clause is to abolish the Drugs
and Crime Prevention Committee. The functions of the Drugs
and Crime Prevention Committee will be performed by the Law
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Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee established by
clause 3(c).
Clause 5 amends the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 by
substituting a new section 8 that provides for the functions of
the Economic Development, Infrastructure and Outer
Suburban/Interface Services Committee.
Clause 6 amends the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 by
substituting a new section 12 that provides for the functions of
the Law Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee.
Clause 7 repeals section 13 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003.
The effect of clause 3(a) and this clause is to abolish the Outer
Suburban/Interface Services and Development Committee.
The functions of the Outer Suburban/Interface Services and
Development Committee will be performed by the Economic
Development, Infrastructure and Outer Suburban/Interface
Services Committee established under clause 3(b).
Clause 8 amends the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 by
substituting a new Part 8.
New section 65 provides various definitions for the purpose of
the new Part 8 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003.
New section 66 provides savings and transitional provisions.
New section 66(1)(a) deems a successor committee to be the
same body as the former committee. Section 13 of the
Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 will allow for referrals
to a successor committee before the Bill commences.
New section 66(1)(b) provides for the continuation of all
appointments and circumstances that existed before the Bill
commenced (except where expressly provided in the new
section 66).
New section 66(2)(a) provides that a member of a former
committee does not automatically become a member of a
successor committee unless specifically appointed to be a
member of a successor committee. Section 13 of the
Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 will allow the Houses
of Parliament to appoint members to the successor committees
before the commencement date of the Bill.
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New section 66(2)(b) provides that a sub-committee of a former
committee ceases to exist.
New section 66(3) provides that the following will cease to have
effect from 1 August 2013--
a resolution by a former committee under section 25(5)
of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 to use an
audio or audio visual link;
an invitation from a former committee under section
26(1) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 to
attend a meeting;
a requirement from a former committee under section
28(1) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 to
attend or produce a document or thing; and
the empowerment of a specified member or members of
a former committee under section 28(5) of the
Parliamentary Committees Act 2003.
Clause 9 provides for the automatic repeal of this amendment Bill on the
first anniversary of its commencement. The repeal of this Bill
will not affect in any way the operation of the amendments made
by this Bill (see section 15(1) of the Interpretation of
Legislation Act 1984).
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