[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
2010 THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA SENATE Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2010 EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM (Circulated by authority of Senator R Siewert)Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2010 Background The purpose of this Bill is to restore the operation of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and Northern Territory laws that deal with discrimination to the following Acts: · Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory National Emergency Response and Other Measures) Act 2007; · Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007; and · Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Payment Reform) Act 2007. Preliminary items Part 1 of the Bill, Clauses 1-3, relates to preliminary matters including the Bill's short title and commencement. The Bill is intended to commence on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent. Schedule 1 Items 1-3 For each of the following Acts: · Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory National Emergency Response and Other Measures) Act 2007; · Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007; and · Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Payment Reform) Act 2007 the Bill inserts new provisions into each of the above-mentioned Acts specifically stating that: · the provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) are intended to prevail over the provisions of the Acts. · the Acts do not authorise conduct that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth); · the provisions of the Acts and any acts done under the provisions are intended to qualify as special measures; and · any acts done, decisions made or discretion exercised under the Acts must be consistent with the intended beneficial purpose of the Act.