NSW Safe Access Zones Bill Passes Upper House
On 24 May 2018, the Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Bill 2018 (the “Bill”) passed the NSW Legislative Councilwithout amendments. The Bill is co-sponsored by Penny Sharpe of NSW Labor and Trevor Khan of the Nationals. The Bill will now go to the Legislative Assembly for debate.
Optus Ordered To Pay $1.5m Fine For Misleading Representations About NBN
In a recently handed down judgment, the Federal Court has ordered Optus Internet Pty Ltd (“Optus”) to pay penalties of $1.5m for making misleading representations to customers about their transition from Optus’ Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (“HFC”) network to the National Broadband Network (“NBN”).
NSW Bill Introduced To Allow Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage To Be Preserved
On Wednesday (23 May 2018) the Deputy Premier of NSW, John Barilaro, introduced Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Bill 2018 ("the Bill") into the NSW House of Assembly. In general terms the Bill is intended to recognise the heritage value of sustainable wild horse populations within certain parts of the Kosciuszko National Park and to protect that heritage through a wild horse heritage management plan. The Bill has become known as the "Brumbies Bill" and it requires the Minister for the Environment to prepare a heritage management plan for the wild horses known as brumbies. The plan is to identify areas within the Kosciuszko National Park where populations will be maintained, and set rules around brumby management.
NSW Legislative Assembly Passes Bill Allowing for Digital Licenses and Photo Cards
Yesterday, 22 May 2018, the NSW Legislative Assembly passed the Road Transport and Other Legislation Amendment (Digital Driver Licences and Photo Cards) Bill 2018 (NSW) (the “Bill”). The Bill is being considered by the NSW Legislative Council today.
SA Government Introduces A New Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2018
On Wednesday 16 May 2018, the SA Attorney General, the Hon V.A. Chapman, introduced the Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2018 ("the Bill") into the SA House of Assembly. In broad terms, the legislation is described as being intended to encourage and facilitate disclosures of certain information in the public interest by ensuring that proper procedures are in place for the making of, and dealing with, such disclosures and by providing protection for persons making such disclosures.
Exposure Draft Released By Treasury To Address Stapled Structures And Foreign Investor
Concessions
The Treasury has released an exposure draft of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Stapled Structures and Other Measures) Bill 2018. The Bill contains a number of measures that the Treasury says are designed to “address risks to the corporate tax base posed by stapled structures and similar arrangements and limit access to concessions currently available to foreign investors for passive income”. The introduction of these measures was originally flagged by Treasurer Scott Morrison in a media release issued on 27 March 2018. In the media release, he said:
Victoria Releases Draft Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Regulations 2018
Last Thursday, 17 May 2018, the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (the “Department”) began consultations on the draft Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Regulations 2018 (Vic) (the “draft regulations”). The draft regulations were formulated by the Department following a review of the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Regulations 2008 (Vic) (the “2008 regulations”) which are set to expire on 11 December 2018. Submissions for the review of the draft regulations will close on 19 June 2018.
NSW Bill for Comprehensive Changes to Political Donations and Electoral Expenditure
The NSW Government has introduced the Electoral Funding Bill 2018 (NSW) (‘the Bill’) on 17 May 2018. This Bill is for the purpose of making provisions related to the disclosure, capping and prohibition of political donations and for electoral expenditures during election campaigns.
WA Introduces Residential Tenancies Legislation Directed at Family Violence
On Tuesday (15 May 2018) the Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2018 ("the Bill") was introduced into the Western Australian Legislative Assembly by Minister for Child Protection, Ms S McGurk. The Bill proposes to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (RT Act) and the Residential Parks(Long-stay Tenants) Act 2007 (RPLST Act) for the purpose of implementing a framework that will provide better outcomes for the victims of family violence in relation to their residential tenancy agreement, or their on-site residential parks agreement.
Parliamentary Committee Recommends Referendum On Section 44
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (“the Committee”) has released a report on section 44 of the Constitution that recommends the Australian Government hold a referendum to either repeal sections 44 and 45 of the Constitution, or to insert into the sections the words “Until the Parliament otherwise provides”. However, the Turnbull Government has suggested they may not implement the Committee’s findings, with The Guardian Australia reporting that:
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