Issued by Authority of the President of the Legislative Council

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES

PROGRESS ON INVESTIGATIONS

To 31 May 2004

55th Parliament

Issued by Authority of the President of the Legislative Council

and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

The Parliamentary Committees of the Victorian Parliament are appointed pursuant to the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003.

The functions of the Joint Investigatory Committees are detailed in sections 7 to 17 of the Act which, by section 33, also makes the following provisions regarding their role, sources of references and priorities in considering references:

(1) A Joint Investigatory Committee must inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on any proposal, matter or thing that is relevant to its functions and has been referred to the Committee

(a) by resolution of the Council or the Assembly; or

(b) by Order of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette.

(2) A resolution of the Council or the Assembly referred to in sub-section (1)(a) may specify a period of time within which the Joint Investigatory Committee must make a final report to the Parliament on the proposal, matter or thing.

(3) A Joint Investigatory Committee may inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on any annual report or other document relevant to the functions of the Committee that is laid before either House of the Parliament in accordance with an Act.

(4) In carrying out its functions, a Joint Investigatory Committee must –

(a) give priority before all other proposals, matters or things being inquired into or being considered by the Committee

(i) first to those proposals, matters or things referred to it by resolution of the Council or the Assembly; and

(ii) second, to those proposals, matters or things referred to it by Order of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette; and

(b) comply with any limitation of time specified under sub-section (2).

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www.parliament.vic.gov.au

DRUGS AND CRIME PREVENTION COMMITTEE

Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000

Telephone: (03) 9651 3541 Facsimile: (03) 9651 3603

Email:

Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/dcpc

Members:

(Council) Ms C Hirsh and The Hon S M Nguyen.

(Assembly) Hon R Cooper, Ms K Marshall, Mr Ian Maxfield,
Dr B Sykes and MrK Wells.

Chair: Ms C Hirsh, MLC

Executive Officer: Sandy Cook

INQUIRY INTO WHITE COLLAR CRIME

Referred to the Committee by the Legislative Assembly on 28 November 2001, for inquiry, consideration and report by 30 September 2001 on:

(a) The extent and nature of fraud and white-collar crime in Victoria;

(b) The impact of new technology supporting e-commerce on the opportunities for fraud;

(c) The current and proposed state, commonwealth and international strategies and initiatives in relation to dealing with fraud and white-collar crime, and

(d) The need for policy and legislative reform to combat fraud and white-collar crime in Victoria.

This inquiry lapsed with the prorogation of the last Parliament. The terms of reference were re-referred to the Committee by Order in Council on 17 April 2003. The Committee is required to report to Parliament by 31 December 2003.

Activities during May 2004

· Final Report continues to be circulated

· Display depicting the Inquiry placed in the window of Information Victoria 24May - 11 June.

INQUIRY INTO AMPHETAMINE AND ‘PARTY DRUG’ USE IN VICTORIA

Referred to the Committee by the Legislative Council on 15 May 2002 to inquire into and report to Parliament, by the first sitting day in 2003, on the issue of amphetamine and ‘party drug’ use in Victoria. In particular, the committee is requested to:

1. examine the nature, extent and culture of amphetamine and ‘party drug’ use.

2. determine the demographic profile of users.

3. examine the short and long term consequences of amphetamine and ‘party drug’ use.

4. examine the relationship of amphetamine and ‘party drug’ use to other forms of licit and illicit substance use.

5. review the adequacy of existing strategies for dealing with amphetamine and ‘party drug’ use.

6. consider best practice strategies to address the issue of amphetamine and ‘party drug’ use including regulatory, law enforcement, education and treatment responses.

Activities during May 2004

· Report tabled on 5 May 2004

· Report distributed to those who gave evidence and provided submissions to the Committee, all State government departments, councils and shires, community legal centres, drug and alcohol services and other interested individuals and organisations.

· Community briefing held on 5 May 2004 advising government and non-government agencies of the findings and recommendations of Final Report.

INQUIRY INTO STRATEGIES TO REDUCE HARMFUL ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Referred to the Committee by the Governor in Council on 6 May 2003, to inquire into, consider and report to Parliament on strategies to reduce harmful alcohol consumption. In particular the Committee is required to:

1. Investigate the nature, extent and culture of alcohol consumption on the Victorian community and the associated costs to the community.

2. Examine the role of alcohol advertising including its influence on harmful alcohol consumption and high-risk groups such as young people and Kooris.

3. Review the adequacy of existing strategies for reducing harmful alcohol consumption.

4. Recommend best practice strategies to address the issue of harmful alcohol consumption, including regulatory, law enforcement, education and treatment responses.

5. Examine national and international legislation, reports and material relevant to this issue.

The Committee is required to report to Parliament by 30 September, 2004.

Activities during May 2004

· Literature review continued

· Seminar held at Parliament House on 18 May 2004 to canvass key issues around the Terms of Reference. 85 representatives from industry, government and non government organisations and interested groups including user groups and young people attended. Keynote Speakers included:

- Professor Margaret Hamilton, Director, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre

- Paul Dillon, Media Liaison and Information Manager, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales

- Geoff Munro, Director of Community Alcohol Action Network, Australian Drug Foundation

- Dr Maggie Brady, Fellow, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University

- Dr Rodger Brough, Director, Australian Rural Centre for Addictive Behaviours

- Anne – Alcoholics Anonymous

- Somebody’s Daughter Theatre and HighWater Theatre

· Display depicting the Inquiry placed in the window of Information Victoria 24May - 11 June.

Future activity

· Discussion paper to be produced.

INQUIRY OF VIOLENCE ASSOCIATED WITH MOTOR VEHICLE USE

Referred to the Committee from the Legislative Assembly on 3 June 2003 for inquiry, consideration and report by 31 September 2004 on:

(a) the incidence, prevalence, severity, cost and impact of violence associated with motor vehicle use;

(b) a review of Victorian, national and international research into violence associated with motor vehicle use;

(d) the need for policy and legislative reform to reduce violence associated with the motor vehicle use at the state level.

Activities during May 2004

· Literature review continued

· Discussion Paper adopted, printed and distributed

· Online survey seeking views of victims, perpetrators and observers of ‘road rage’ developed and placed on Committee’s website

· Display depicting the Inquiry arranged in the window of Information Victoria 24May - 11 June.

Future Activities

· Public Hearings to be held at Level 8, 35 Spring Street Melbourne on 21 and 22 June 2004.

· Committee to travel to Sydney and Brisbane to meet with key government and non government organisations and obtain information for the Inquiry

· Advertisements to be placed in The Age and Herald Sun advising of Public Hearings to be held on 21 and 22 June 2004, the publication of the Discussion Paper, and calling for further submissions.

COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED AND AWAITING GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Inquiry into Public Drunkenness — Response due December 2001

Inquiry into Crime Trends- Fifth Report — Response due April 2003

Inquiry into Fraud and Electronic Commerce — Response due July 2004

Inquiry into Amphetamine and ‘Party Drug’ Use in Victoria — Response due

November 2004

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000

Telephone: (03) 9651 3592 Facsimile: (03) 9651 3691

Email:

Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/edc

Members:

(Assembly) Mr. H.F. Delahunty, Mr. B.J. Jenkins, Ms M. Morand and

Mr. T.G. Robinson

(Council) The Hons B.N. Atkinson, R.H. Bowden and N. Pullen

Chairman: Mr. Tony Robinson, MP

Executive Officer: Mr. Richard Willis

INQUIRY INTO ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF VICTORIA’S CULTURALLY DIVERSE POPULATION

Terms of Reference received by resolution of the Legislative Assembly on 3June 2003.

For inquiry, consideration and report by 30 September 2004 on the actual and potential contribution to the economy of Victoria's culturally diverse population including new arrivals, with particular emphasis on the importance of Victoria's cultural diversity in improving productivity, increasing exports, attracting foreign investment and creating competitive advantage in the Australian and international markets; and in respect of the above:

(a) identify industry sectors/businesses that are actual or potential beneficiaries of cultural diversity, particularly in terms of investment and productivity improvement;

(b) whether there are particular issues for industry and business in rural and regional areas and how these regions may benefit from cultural diversity in Victoria including by addressing labour market shortages through new or recent arrivals from overseas;

(c) identify ways to take advantage of cultural diversity in the economy to increase Victoria's productivity and export markets;

(d) the appropriate role of Government in facilitating maximum use of Victoria's cultural diversity to promote productivity and export markets; and

(e) identify ways of measuring the benefits of cultural diversity including new arrivals to the Victorian economy.

Activities during April 2004

Ten written submissions received as at end of May 2004

17 May 2004 –

Informal Hearings held in Melbourne with the following organisations:

· Australia China Business Council

· Institute for the Study of Global Movements, Monash University

· Australia India Chamber of Commerce

· Australian Federation of International Students

· Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs – Melbourne Office

24 May 2004 –

Informal Hearings held in Melbourne with the following organisations:

· Horn of Africa community

· Victorian Farmers Federation

Background research undertaken, including planning for future regional visits and public hearings.

Future Activity

Informal meetings in Sydney and Canberra – scheduled for 21-23 June 2004

INQUIRY INTO LABOUR HIRE EMPLOYMENT IN VICTORIA

Terms of Reference received by resolution of the Legislative Assembly on 3 June 2003.

(a) The extent and breadth of labour hire employment in Victoria, including the:

(i) employment status of workers engaged by labour hire companies;

(ii) use of labour hire in particular industries and/or regions; and

(iii) application of industrial relations, occupational health and safety, and workers compensation legislation.

(b) the consequences of the use of labour hire employment. Consideration should be given, but is not limited, to:

(i) the rights and obligations of labour hire employees, labour hire agencies and/or host employers under industrial relations, occupational health and safety, and workers' compensation legislation. Any ambiguity about the nature of rights and obligations between the three parties should also be considered;

(ii) the impact on industry skills levels;

(iii) contribution to the casualisation of the work force; and

(iv) the extent of any such consequences.

(i) the jurisdictional limitations of Victoria's industrial relations powers;

(ii) the recommendations of the New South Wales labour hire task force and the responsibilities of the New South Wales labour hire industry council (if established);

(iii) regulation in other Australian jurisdictions;

(iv) impact on business; and

(v) Worksafe Victoria campaigns and activities.

Report due 31 December 2004.

Activities during May 2004

25 written submissions received as at end of May 2004

Background research undertaken, including planning for future regional visits and public hearings.

Future Activities

Informal meetings in Sydney and Canberra – scheduled for 21-23 June 2004

Public Hearings to commence in July 2004.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMITTEE

Level 3, 157 Spring Street, Melbourne, 3000

Telephone: 9651 8309 Facsimile: 9651 8323

Email:

Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/etc

Members:

(Council) The Hons Helen Buckingham, Peter Hall and Johan Scheffer

(Assembly) Ms Anne Eckstein, Mr Steve Herbert, Mr Nicholas Kotsiras,
Ms Janice Munt, and Mr Victor Perton.

Chair: Steve Herbert MP

Executive Officer: Karen Ellingford

IMPACT OF THE HIGH LEVELS OF UNMET DEMAND FOR PLACES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ON VICTORIA

Terms of Reference received by resolution of the Legislative Assembly on 3 June 2003.

To inquire into, consider and report on the impact of the high levels of unmet demand for places in higher education institutions on Victoria, and in particular to consider:

(a) the relationship between unmet demand and high-level skill shortages in the Victorian economy;

(b) whether unmet demand has a negative effect on Victorian industry;

(c) how the demand for teaching and nursing places is affected by insufficient numbers of HECS places (ie. in courses not available as full-fee paying courses);

(d) how unmet demand impacts on the demand for TAFE places;

(e) the degree to which commonwealth higher education funding policies directly contribute to unmet demand; and

(f) the need at a national level to improve cooperative arrangements between the vocational education and training and higher education sectors.

The Committee is required to report to Parliament by 30 June 2004.

Activities during May 2004

The Committee completed its deliberations and adopted the final report.

Future Activity

Report will be tabled in Parliament in June.

SUITABILITY OF CURRENT PRE-SERVICE TEACHER TRAINING COURSES

Terms of Reference received by resolution of the Legislative Assembly on 3 June 2003.