Bill
Statute Update (Regulations References) Bill 2020
passed, as at 2020-03-06. Attorney-General portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Attorney-General
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2020-02-12
- second reading — 2020-02-12
- second reading — 2020-02-26
- second reading — 2020-02-26
- third reading — 2020-02-26
- third reading — 2020-02-26
- third reading — 2020-02-26
- introduced — 2020-02-26
- second reading — 2020-02-26
- second reading — 2020-02-27
- second reading — 2020-02-27
- third reading — 2020-02-27
- passed — 2020-02-27
- royal assent — 2020-03-06
Divisions
- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2020-02-26.126.2) introduced by Isaacs MP [Mark Dreyfus](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/isaacs/mark_dreyfus) (Labor), which means it failed. The motion would have amended the usual [second reading motion](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/), which is that the bill be read for a second time (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). ### Motion text > *That all words after 'That' be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:* > > *'whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:* > > *(1) notes the Government’s increasing use of regulations to implement its policies, which has the effect of bypassing the parliamentary scrutiny that is fundamental to the legislative process;* > > *(2) expresses concern that seeking to govern by regulation undermines the long-standing conventions of transparency and accountability which are an integral part of our democracy; and* > > *(3) calls on the Government to return to the principles of transparency and accountability that have until recent years defined Australia as a democratic nation governed under the rule of law'. * — 2020-02-26, House of Representatives: negative, ayes 69, noes 73
- Statute Update (Regulations References) Bill 2020 - Third Reading - Speed things along — 2020-02-26, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 74, noes 69
- Statute Update (Regulations References) Bill 2020 - Third Reading - Let a vote happen — 2020-02-26, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 74, noes 69
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2020-02-12.
The bill would update references to regulations in Commonwealth laws that are outdated or likely to become outdated because regulations have been remade or renamed.
Instead of naming specific regulations, Acts would refer to them using general phrases like 'prescribed regulations' that stay correct even if the regulations are repealed, sunsetted or renamed.
The bill also makes minor consequential changes such as adding notes, altering headings, renumbering provisions and repealing redundant ones.
- Replaces specific regulation references with general phrases to keep links correct after remaking or renaming.
- Makes minor consequential amendments to support the updated provisions.
- Enhances usability, interpretation and consistency across Commonwealth statute law.
The Commonwealth statute book and those who use or administer Commonwealth laws.
Sources
em
billhome
frl act