Turnbull Government moves to strengthen citizenship laws

This week in the House of Representatives saw the government introduce the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill to reflect the fact that Australian citizenship is an extraordinary privilege that involves a serious commitment.

Minister Pyne said the Turnbull Government is committed to strengthening the test for Australian citizenship by putting Australian values first.

“This is a very vital piece of legislation for the country and the government looks forward to the bi-partisan support of the Australian Labor Party for these important reforms in the coming week,” said Minister Pyne.

Legislation to prevent convicted sex offenders from leaving Australia was also introduced in the House of Representatives this week.

The Passports Legislation Amendment (Overseas Travel by Child Sex Offenders) Bill will make it a criminal offence for sex offenders to try to leave Australia and require the Minister for Foreign Affairs to cancel, order the surrender of, or refuse to issue a passport when requested by a competent authority of a State or Territory.

“Last year, over 800 registered sex offenders travelled overseas often travelling to vulnerable countries outside the reach of Australian law enforcement,” Mr Pyne said.

“This bill is the first of its kind in the world and is an important step to help put a stop to the sexual abuse of children” he said.

Bills introduced in the House

• Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017
• Passports Legislation Amendment (Overseas Travel by Child Sex Offenders) Bill 2017
• Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 3) Bill 2017
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Bill 2017
• Liquid Fuel Emergency Amendment Bill 2017
• Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Broadcasting Reform) Bill 2017
  Commercial Broadcasting (Tax) Bill 2017
• Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017

Bills passed in the House (and available for debate in the Senate)

• Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017
• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2017
• Treasury Laws Amendment (GST Low Value Goods) Bill 2017
• International Monetary Agreements Amendment Bill 2017
• Treasury Laws Amendment (GST Integrity) Bill 2017
• Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2017-2018
  Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2017-2018
  Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2017-2018

Senate amendments passed in the House

• Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Bill 2017

Bills passed in the Senate without amendments

• Social Services Legislation Amendment (Seasonal Worker Incentives for Jobseekers) Bill 2017
• Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017
• Social Services Legislation Amendment (Energy Assistance Payment and Pensioner Concession Card) Bill 2017
• International Monetary Agreements Amendment Bill 2017
• ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Bill 2017
• ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Collection) Bill 2017
• ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2017
• Treasury Laws Amendment (Accelerated Depreciation For Small Business Entities) Bill 2017
• Criminal Code Amendment (Protecting Minors Online) Bill 2017
• Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2017
• Comcare and Seacare Legislation Amendment (Pension Age and Catastrophic Injury) Bill 2017
• Treasury Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2017
• Treasury Laws Amendment (Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding Payments) Bill 2017
• Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 2) Bill 2017

Bills passed in the Senate with amendments/requests for amendments (for consideration by the House)

• Health Insurance Amendment (National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2017

Bills negatived in the Senate

• Nil