PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
PROGRESS ON INVESTIGATIONS
To 31 January 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 1968.
The functions of the Joint Investigatory Committees are detailed in sections 4C to 4EF of the Act which, by section 4F, also makes the following provisions regarding their role, sources of references and priorities in considering references:
(1) A Joint Investigatory Committee —
(a) is required to inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on any proposal, matter or thing relevant to the functions of the Committee which is referred to the Committee —
(i) by resolution of the Council or the Assembly: or
(ii) by Order of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette; and
(b) may inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on any annual report or other document relevant to the functions of the Committee which is laid before either House of the Parliament pursuant to a requirement imposed by or under an Act.
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(3) A resolution of the Council or the Assembly or an Order of the Governor in Council referring a proposal, matter or thing to a Joint Investigatory Committee pursuant to paragraph (a) of sub-section (1) may specify a period of time within which the Committee is required to make a final report to the Parliament on the proposal matter or thing.
(4) In carrying out its functions a Joint Investigatory Committee is required —
(a) to give priority —
(i) firstly, to all proposals, matters or things referred to it by resolution of the Council or the Assembly; and
(ii) secondly, to all proposals, matters or things referred to it by Order of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette —
before all other proposals, matters or things being inquired into or being considered by the Committee; and
(b) to comply with any limitation of time specified pursuant to sub-section (3).
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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 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 December 2003 and January 2004
· Final Report adopted
· Final report tabled on 5 January 2004
· Final Report circulated.
ISSUE OF 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.
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 30 September 2003.
Activities during December 2003 and January 2004
· Writing of the Final Report commenced.
· Site visit to Earthcore
· Informal meetings with
Ben Horan, Zos Night Club
Pip Darvall, Promoter Earthcore
Young ravers
· Attended launch of Voluntary Guidelines for the Provision of Free or Low Cost Water in Licensed Premises
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.
Activity during December 2003 and January 2004
· Work has not commenced on this Inquiry.
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 March 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;
(c) the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives relating to violence associated with motor vehicle use; and
(d) the need for policy and legislative reform to reduce violence associated with the motor vehicle use at the state level.
Activity during December 2003 and January 2004
· An initial review of the literature commenced.
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 3 June 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.
Report due 30 September 2004.
Initial informal briefings held with Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Department of Victorian Communities - Office of Multicultural Affairs and Department of Victorian Communities – Employment Programs
Activities during December 2003 and January 2004.
Eight written submissions received as at end of January 2004. Submissions summarised.
Background research undertaken, including planning for future regional visits and public hearings.
Committee meeting on 30 January to determine hearing schedule, likely to commence February/March.
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.
(c) recommendations based on an assessment of the above matters and including consideration of:
(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 December 2003 and January 2004
Thirteen written submissions received as at end of January 2004. Submissions summarised.
Background research undertaken, including planning for future regional visits and public hearings.
Committee meeting on 30 January to determine hearing schedule.
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 and Peter Hall
(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 December 2003 and January 2004
The Committee held public hearings in Bendigo and Traralgon.
Research Officer commenced drafting the report.
Future Activities
Final public hearings will be held in Ballarat and Melbourne in February 2004.
Committee will commence deliberations.
SUITABILITY OF CURRENT PRE-SERVICE TEACHER TRAINING COURSES
Terms of Reference received by resolution of the Legislative Assembly on 3 June 2003.
To inquire into, consider and report on the suitability of current pre-service teacher training courses, including:
(a) future requirements of such courses to train teachers appropriate for future schooling; and
(b) the particular training needs and arrangements for mature-age entrants from other professions –
and, in conducting the inquiry, the Committee is to:
(i) determine the range and nature of pre-service teacher training courses within Victoria and the variation among these courses in areas of contact and practicum time, and in course focus on content and pedagogy;
(ii) examine a range of pre-service teacher training courses across Australia and internationally, focussing on how these courses differ and how they meet the needs of teachers and education systems for the 21st century;
(iii) determine the skills and knowledge required of teachers, and therefore of pre-service teacher training courses, in response to reflect the changing nature of education in the 21st century;
(iv) examine issues related to attracting people from other professions to become qualified teachers in Victoria; and
(v) make recommendations on specific requirements for pre-service teacher training courses, based on the skills and knowledge required of teachers in the 21st century and to support increased entry of mature-age entrants from other professions.
The Committee is required to report to Parliament by 30 September 2004.
Activities during December 2003 and January 2004
Inquiry has not yet commenced.
Future Activity
The Committee has agreed that the Inquiry will be advertised in early March 2004.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
The Committee conducted interviews for the position of Research Officer.
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne, 3000
Telephone: (03) 9651 3533 Facsimile: (03) 9651 3537
Email:
Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc
Members:
(Council) The Hons A Coote, D K Drum, J G Hilton, W Lovell
(Assembly) Ms J T Duncan, Ms J M Lindell and Mr G Seitz
Chair: Ms J M Lindell, MP