27th Jun 2012, 6:43 PM – Senate Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2012 - In Committee - Add a sunset provision

The majority voted against putting a sunset provision into the bill, which was suggested by Liberal Senator George Brandis.

Main idea of the bill

The bill was introduced to make sure that the National School Chaplaincy Program could continue after the High Court's decision in Williams v Commonwealth [2012] HCA 23 (read the decision).

Why a sunset clause?

Senator Brandis had proposed the sunset clause because the bill goes beyond ensuring the continuation of the chaplaincy program and the opposition think that Parliament should have an opportunity to further consider it later (read his contribution). However, they agree that the bill should be passed now because of the urgency of continuing the program.

Background to the bill

Williams v Commonwealth was about an agreement between the Federal Government and the Scripture Union Queensland (SCU) which funded chaplaincy services in Queensland state schools (the National School Chaplaincy Program). A parent, Ronald Williams, argued that this agreement was invalid because the Executive branch of the Federal Government didn't have the power to enter it. Because Mr Williams was successful, the agreement was invalid.

Read more in the bills digest.