Issued by Authority of the President of the Legislative Council

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES

PROGRESS ON INVESTIGATIONS

To 1 August 2001

54th 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.

* * * * *

(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).

* * * * *

In the 54th Parliament, the Economic Development Committee is established as a Select Committee of the Legislative Council.

Its functions, role and term of appointment are detailed in sections 37 to 41 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968. References may only be given to this Committee —

(a)  by resolution of the Council or

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

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) The Hons B C Boardman and S M Nguyen.

(Assembly) Hon R R Cooper, Mr K Jasper, Mr H R Lupton, Mr B Mildenhall and

Mr R Wynne.

Chairman: The Hon B C Boardman, MLC

Executive Officer: Ms Sandy Cook

INQUIRY INTO THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME

Reference from the Legislative Council on 1 March 2000 to inquire, consider and report on the incidence of crime and to report every 6 months on the levels of crime, areas of emerging concern and (where suitable) options for crime reduction or control.

Activities during July 2001

·  Content analysis of relevant press reports of crime in the Melbourne CBD 1995-2000 completed.

·  Ongoing statistical analysis of police unit record data for investigation into ‘Crime Trends and Perceptions in the Melbourne CBD’.

·  Continuation of writing of draft Report ‘Crime Trends and Perceptions in the Melbourne CBD’.

·  Planning and briefings for overseas study tour undertaken and completed.

Future Activity

·  Complete, adopt and table Report ‘Crime Trends and Perceptions in the Melbourne CBD’ in August 2001.

INQUIRY INTO VOLATILE SUBSTANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTOXICATION

Reference from the Governor in Council on 18 April 2001 to inquire into the issue of inhalation of volatile substances for the purpose of intoxication and report to Parliament by the first day of the Autumn 2002 sitting.

Activities during July 2001

·  Initial review of literature completed.

·  Call for submissions made via advertisements in The Age and Herald Sun and a mail out to key individuals and government and non government organisations working in the area.

·  Staff attending a planning meeting for the seminar ‘Chroming and the Impact on the Koori Community’ organised by the Aboriginal Justice Forum 16 August 2001.

·  Meetings organised with key organisations and parliamentary committees dealing with inhalant abuse in London, Vienna and Washington.

Future activities

·  Committee members and staff to attend Forum ‘Chroming and the Impact on the Koori Community’ organised by the Aboriginal Justice Forum 16 August 2001.

OVERSEAS VISIT

From to 7 July to 21 July the Committee travelled overseas to obtain evidence for both its current inquiries. Meetings were held with key representatives from government and non government organisations including:

United Kingdom

Home Office –

·  David Moxon – Crime and Criminal Justice Unit, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate

·  Ms Pat Mayhew – Crime and Criminal Justice Unit, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate

·  Dr Chris Kershaw – Crime Surveys Section, Crime and Criminal Justice Unit

·  Mr Jon Simmons – Strategic and Innovative Projects, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate

·  Mr Peter Hommel – Director Crime Prevention, Attorney General’s Department N.S.W. (on leave working with the Home Office)

·  Teresa Williams – Drug and Alcohol Research Unit

Metropolitan Police at New Scotland Yard –

·  Inspector Trevor Brown

·  Detective Sergeant Tony Gallagher

Meeting on Volatile Substance Abuse – The Main Players in the UK –

·  Dr John Ramsey – Toxicology Unit, St George’s Hospital Medical School

·  Monica Burchell – National Children’s Bureau

·  Phil Mythen – Health Promotion England

·  Warren Hawksley – Re-Solv

·  Michele Armstrong – Drug Misuse Team, Department of Health

·  Sarah Ross – British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA)

UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator –

·  Mr Keith Hellawell

All Party Group on Volatile Substance Abuse –

·  David Amess MP – Chairman

Vienna

Austrian Parliamentary Committee for Internal Affairs –

·  Otto Pendl, MP – Social Democratic Party

·  Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek, MP – Social Democratic Party

·  Wolfgang Jung, MP – Freedom Party

·  Hermann Reindl, MP – Freedom Party

·  Werner Miedl, MP – People’s Party

United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention Centre –

·  Ms Sumru Noyan – External Relations Unit

·  Mr Howard Stead – Scientific Section

·  Mr Sandeep Chawla – Research Section

·  Mr Brian Taylor – Supply Reduction & Law Enforcement Section

·  Mr Chris Van der Burgh – Demand Reduction Section

·  Ms Catherine Volz – Legal Advisory Section

·  Mr Rene Bastiaans – Operations Branch – South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific Programme

·  Mr Jonathan Lucas – Commission on Narcotic Drugs

·  Mr Andrew Wells – Senior Legal Advisor, United Nations International Drug Control Programme

·  Ms Sandra Valle – Office of the Director General

·  Ms Gillian Murray – Coordinator, Fund Raising Unit

·  Ms Mayumi Ueda – External Relations Unit

United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP) –

·  Mr Eduardo Vetere – Director of CICP

·  Mr Mohamed Abdul-Aziz – Commission Secretariat and Legal Affairs Branch

·  Ms Kristiine Kangaspunta – Crime Reduction and Analysis Branch

·  Mr Wolfgang Rhomberg – Crime Reduction and Analysis Branch

·  Mr Giovanni Nicotera – Fund Raising Officer

·  Mr Samuel Gonzalez-Ruiz – Crime Reduction and Analysis Branch

Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior –

·  Mr Gerhard Stadler – General Directorate for Public Security

·  Mr Robert Hammerschmid – International Support Section, Intelligence Division

·  Mr Paul Marouscher – International Support Section, Intelligence Division

·  Ms Elizabeth Hamidi – Drug Department

Site visits

Vienna Social Projects –

·  Mr Gerhard Schinnerl, Executive Manager

·  Harald Kriener – Project Officer

Wien – Favoriten Detention Centre –

·  Mr Thomas Pertl – Social Worker

Washington DC

US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) –

·  Robert Jones – International Operations Branch

·  Linell Broecker – Office of Congressional & Public Affairs

·  Richard Tucker – International Support Section, Intelligence Division

·  Raymon Gonzales – International Support Section, Intelligence Division

Office of National Drug Control Policy Executive Office of the President –

·  Charlotte Sisson – Policy Analyst

·  Daniel Schecter – Demand Reduction Unit

·  Gregory Dixon – Drug Free Communities Program

·  Robert Brown, JR. – Office of Supply Reduction

·  Kurt Schmid – National HIDTA Director

·  Annie Millar – Chief of Evaluation

US Department of Justice

National Institute of Justice (NIJ) –

·  Julie Samuels, Acting Director

NIJ International Centre –

·  James Finckenauer

Bureau of Justice Statistics –

·  Pat Langan

·  Sidra Lea Gifford

Bureau of Justice Assistance –

·  Jay Marshall

Crime Control and Prevention Division, Office of Research and Evaluation –

·  Robert Langworthy

·  Rosemary Murphy

·  Steve Edwards

·  Lois Felson Mock

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services –

·  Gregory Cooper

·  Brian Guay

NIJ Crime Mapping Research Centre –

·  Eric Jefferis

·  Debra Stoe

·  Elizabeth Groff

NIJ National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)

Thomas Schiller, International Networking Liaison Branch

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition –

·  Harvey Weiss

Washington Metropolitan Police Department –

·  Ani Russell – Director, Community Partnership Section

·  Glen Kline – Major Narcotics Branch

·  Justine Lovig – Program Manager, Policing for Prevention

Prince George’s County Police Department –

·  Major Alonzo Joy

·  Captain Darrin Palmer – Operation Clean – Community Law Enforcement against Narcotics Program

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000

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

Email:

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

Members:

(Council) The Hons R A Best, A Coote, G R Craige, K Darveniza, N B Lucas, J M McQuilten and T C Theophanous.

Chairman: The Hon N B Lucas, PSM MLC

Executive Officer: Mr R A Willis

INQUIRY INTO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES TAX ON THE COMPETITIVENESS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES

Terms of Reference received from the Governor in Council on 29 February 2000.

The Committee tabled its Final Report in Parliament on 12 June 2001.

INQUIRY INTO WORKCOVER PREMIUMS FOR 2000/2001

Terms of Reference received from Legislative Council on 6 September 2000.

The Committee tabled its final report in Parliament on 20 June 2001.

INQUIRY INTO EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VICTORIAN RURAL INDUSTRIES

Terms of Reference received from Legislative Council on 1 March 2000.

Report due 31 December 2001.

Informal meeting held with exporters in Mildura.

Informal meetings held with Austrade and the Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Agribusiness Section.

Strategy paper prepared outlining proposed inquiry direction and timetable.

Chairman and Executive Officer attended Agribusiness Forum Summit in Healesville on 28 March 2001.

Activities during July 2001

Follow-up on key issues arising from Sydney and Canberra meetings held in June.

Position paper being prepared indicating progress to date and future areas of investigation.

Future Activities

Planning of forthcoming meetings in Melbourne with key government bodies and other groups.

Regional visits/hearings to be organised.

INQUIRY INTO STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE VICTORIAN ECONOMY

Terms of Reference issued by Governor in Council on 29 February 2000.

Report due first sitting day of Spring 2001 sitting.

Terms of Reference advertised on 13 November seeking written submissions. Letters sent out to over 350 organisations and individuals.

35 written submissions received to date.

Activities during July 2001

Follow-up on key issues arising from Sydney and Canberra meetings held in June.

Contact made with key government departments (DOI & DEET) and other organisations to arrange preliminary hearings in Melbourne for August/September.

Draft regional hearings program prepared. Initial hearings being organised for late August.

Future Activities

Melbourne public hearings.

Regional visits/hearings to be organised.

INQUIRY INTO YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

Terms of Reference received from Legislative Council on 1 March 2000.

Report due 31 December 2001.

Activity during July 2001

ABS data gathered with respect to youth unemployment statistics.

Future Activity

Terms of Reference to be advertised, together with mail-out, seeking written submissions.

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne, 3000

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

Email:

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

Members:

(Council) The Hons R F Smith and Graeme Stoney.

(Assembly) Mr H Delahunty, Ms J T Duncan, Mr C Ingram, Ms J M Lindell,
Mr T W Mulder and Mr G Seitz.

Chairman: Mr G Seitz, MP

Executive Officer: Mr B Miles

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE VICTORIAN ABALONE AND ROCK LOBSTER FISHERIES

Referred to the Committee by the Legislative Council on 1 March 2000 under section 4F (1) (a) (i) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968.

The Committee has resolved to undertake the inquiry concurrently with its inquiry into fisheries management across Victoria (see below).

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Referred to the Committee by Order of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette (on 29 February 2000) under section 4F (1) (a) (ii) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968.

Also referred to the Committee by the Legislative Assembly on 14 March 2000 under section 4F (1) (a) (i) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968.

The Committee has resolved to undertake the inquiry concurrently with its inquiry into the sustainable management of the Victorian abalone and rock lobster industries.

Briefing by Minister.

Advertisements placed in national and statewide press for research officer to assist the inquiry.

Advertisements in metropolitan and country Victoria newspapers announcing commencement of the Inquiry.

Media release prepared and distributed.

Discussions with senior representatives of Northern Territory fishing sector and agencies - Amateur Fisherman’s Association, Northern Territory Seafood Council, Marine and Fisheries Enforcement Unit, NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries. Also briefing and inspection of the Darwin Aquaculture Centre.