Information is provided on the following FaHCSIA legislation, which either was finalised during the last sittings or is currently before the Parliament. For further information, please refer to the Parliament House website or contact the FaHCSIA Legislation Liaison Officer on +61-2-6146 3173
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013
Content:
This Act recognises the unique and special place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of our nation. It is an interim step towards recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution. It will assist in raising awareness and building a national consensus for change.
Current status:
Introduced into the Parliament on 28 November 2012. Passed unamended through the House on 13 February 2013. Passed unamended through the Senate on 12 March 2013. Now enacted.
Date of Royal Assent: 27 March 2013
Act No.: 18 of 2013
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013
Content:
This Act establishes the framework for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Launch Transition Agency. This will enable the scheme to be launched, and the Agency to operate the launch, in five sites across Australia from July 2013.
Current status:
Introduced into the Parliament on 29 November 2012. Passed through the House on 14 March 2013 with amendments. Passed through the Senate on 20 March 2013 with further amendments. Passage concluded in the House on 21 March 2013. Now enacted.
Date of Royal Assent: 28 March 2013
Act No.: 20 of 2013
Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Content:
This Bill implements the Government’s changes to the baby bonus announced in the 2012-13 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The amount of baby bonus for second and subsequent children who come into a family from 1 July 2013 will be reduced to $3,000. The Bill also makes amendments to ensure families can continue to receive family tax benefit until the end of the calendar year in which the child finishes secondary study or its equivalent. Additionally, the qualification period for double orphan pension is being extended so that it aligns with eligibility for family tax benefit. Lastly, the Bill makes some clarifying and technical amendments to portfolio legislation, consistent with intended policy.
Current status:
Introduced into the Parliament on 13 February 2013. Debate in the House commenced on 12 March 2013. Awaiting resumption of debate.
Date of Royal Assent:
Act No.:
Aboriginal Land Rights and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Content:
This Bill adds the town of Jabiru and two adjacent portions of Northern Territory land to Schedule 1 to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. This will enable the land to be granted as Aboriginal land to the Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust. The Bill provides that the land will not be granted as Aboriginal land until leaseback arrangements for the Jabiru town land and for the two adjacent non-township portions are put in place, and provides for the continued protection of the world heritage, natural and cultural values of Kakadu National Park. Lastly, the Bill schedules a further parcel of land for Patta to enable it to be granted as Aboriginal land to the relevant Aboriginal Land Trust.
Current status:
Introduced into the Parliament on 21 March 2013. Awaiting debate in the House.
Date of Royal Assent:
Act No.:
Paid Parental Leave and Other Legislation Amendment (Consolidation) Bill 2011
Content:
This Bill refines the legislation for the Paid Parental Leave scheme, including making amendments to improve clarity and consistency, and makes consequential amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009.
Current status:
Introduced into the Parliament on 3 November 2011. The amendments originally introduced in this Bill were reintroduced as part of the Paid Parental Leave and Other Legislation Amendment (Dad and Partner Pay and Other Measures) Act 2012 to streamline the consideration of amendments to the legislation underpinning the Paid Parental Leave scheme. Accordingly, this older Bill will not proceed.
Date of Royal Assent:
Act No.: